Indiana Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer

Getting compensation after a delivery truck accident requires knowledge and skill – our commercial vehicle accident law firm can help.

The presence of delivery trucks has been increasing rapidly with our changing lifestyles, and with it has come an increase in the number of accidents that involve delivery vehicles.

Drivers who are under pressure to make deliveries quickly to multiple addresses are more apt to cut corners and make mistakes that lead to crashes, potentially causing life-changing injuries and fatalities.

Survivors of these commercial vehicle accidents often face long, painful recoveries that require expensive rehabilitation and continuing care, and medical bills mount up at a time when they are unable to work. In such tragic circumstances, consulting a fatal truck accident lawyer can be crucial for victims and their families to navigate legal complexities and seek compensation.

What to Do After a Delivery Truck Accident

If you are involved in a delivery truck accident in Indianapolis, the following steps can help protect your rights:

• Seek Medical Attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if injuries seem minor, get a medical evaluation, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
• Report the Accident: Contact the police to report the accident and ensure an official report is filed.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses.
• Avoid Giving Statements: Do not discuss the accident with the delivery company or their insurance representatives without consulting an attorney.
• Contact an Indianapolis Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer: An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Why Choose Stephenson Rife?

From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice the difference. We take the time to listen to your story, understanding every detail of how the accident has impacted your life. This personal approach allows us to tailor our legal strategy to meet your specific needs, ensuring that we pursue every avenue for compensation that you deserve.

Our team is experienced in handling delivery truck accident cases and understands the unique challenges they present. We know that these cases can involve complex factors like driver fatigue, distracted driving, and improper vehicle maintenance. That’s why we conduct thorough investigations, gathering all the necessary evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. We work closely with experts in accident reconstruction and medical professionals to ensure that no detail is overlooked.

We also know that dealing with insurance companies can be incredibly stressful, especially when you’re trying to recover from injuries. Our attorneys handle all communications with the insurance companies, negotiating to get you the fair settlement you deserve. If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court.

But it’s not just our legal acumen that sets us apart; it’s our commitment to you as a person. We understand that every client is different, and we approach each case with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. We are here to answer your questions, provide updates on your case, and offer the support you need during this challenging time.

How Our Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Work for You

You might feel overwhelmed by medical bills, insurance forms, and the pressure to return to work even if you’re not fully healed. It’s a lot to handle, and that’s exactly where our dedicated attorneys come in—we’re here to lighten your burden.

Our attorneys can help you win your delivery truck accident case by:

• Meeting with you, listening to your version of what happened, and determining whether you have a valid lawsuit and what the case may be worth.
• Thoroughly investigating your case by examining the crash scene, interviewing eyewitnesses and first responders, and examining driver cell phone records, truck maintenance records, and employer hiring and training records.
• Gathering evidence to build your case, such as photos and videos from traffic cameras; pictures of damage to vehicles and skid and tire marks; police, ambulance, doctor, phone, and hospital records; and past driver citations such as speeding and safety violations.
• Hiring experts to testify on your behalf. These may include accident reconstruction experts and life experts who can testify as to the extent of your injuries, the costs and modifications to a home or vehicle to accommodate a disability, the effects on your earnings, the type of continuing care you may need in the future, and the physical and emotional effects of the accident.
• Building your case and preparing it for trial if necessary. If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. We will be there at every stage of the legal process, from filing pretrial motions to discovery, to presenting evidence and making closing arguments, to filing an appeal.

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Our Delivery Truck Accident Lawyers Must Prove Negligence

In trucking accident cases, multiple parties may be negligent and held responsible for the damages you received. To prove these parties (the defendants in the case) were at fault legally, our attorneys must show the existence of the following elements:

• Duty — The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
• Breach — The defendant breached that duty by acting or failing to act.
• Cause –- This action or failure to act caused a crash and your injuries.
• Damages — You suffered damages as a result.

Depending on the circumstances, liable parties in a delivery truck accident may include:

• The delivery truck driver
• Other negligent drivers
• The delivery trucking company
• The owner of the cargo
• The company that leased the truck
• Third-party contractors
• The manufacturer of the truck or its equipment or parts
• The mechanic responsible for maintaining the vehicle
• The government entity responsible for maintaining the road
• A road repair company

Any or all of these parties may be at fault for contributing to the accident, and they all may have insurance and assets that can go toward a settlement award. Our attorneys would look to identify all responsible parties.

What Kind of Damage Awards Can I Recover in a Delivery Truck Accident?

The typical truck accident settlement covers compensatory damages, which reimburse both your economic losses, like medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additional damages might include costs for ongoing rehabilitation and equipment and compensation for disfigurement or permanent scarring.

In cases of particularly reckless or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to penalize the negligent parties and deter similar future behavior. The total amount of damages can vary significantly based on the specifics of the case. Settlements tend to be larger when the injuries are severe or permanent, involve death, or when multiple insured or financially capable parties are at fault.

What Should I Say to the Delivery Truck’s Insurance Company?

Insurance adjusters aim to minimize payouts, so it’s best to limit your interactions with them. Although trucking companies must carry significant insurance by law, these companies prioritize their profits and often seek to reduce compensation amounts. They might attempt to elicit statements from you to prove your fault or present a low initial settlement offer.

Admitting fault can severely undermine your ability to demonstrate the negligence of others, and accepting an early offer can prevent you from obtaining the full compensation you deserve, especially if your injuries worsen. Instead, direct any communication to your attorney. Having a lawyer prepared to take your case to trial usually prompts adjusters and their legal teams to consider your claim more seriously and propose a fair compensation offer.

What If a Family Member Has Died in a Delivery Truck Accident?

When a delivery truck accident results in a death, our attorneys may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is similar to a personal injury case where the personal representative of the deceased person seeks compensation since the deceased can no longer do so.

The Indiana Adult Wrongful Death Act (AWDA), Indiana Code 34-23-1-2, provides that when a death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another, the deceased person’s personal representative may maintain an action against the negligent party. Claims must be filed within two (2) years of the death, and the damages include reasonable medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses and lost earnings of the deceased person.

Call Our Delivery Truck Attorneys in Indianapolis to Get Justice

Delivery truck accidents require extensive investigation and experience. The longer you wait, the more chances there are of evidence becoming stale, so contact our delivery trucking accident lawyers as soon as possible. In addition, there is a time limit for filing. According to Indiana Code (I.C.) 34-11-2-4(3), you must file a claim for personal injury or wrongful death within two years, or the courts will not hear your case.

At Stephenson Rife, we have the experience to pursue positive results, no matter what legal challenge your delivery truck accident case involves. We provide caring, confident, and cost-effective service you can count on, which is why we are the law firm that other law firms consult.

Attorney Brady Rife

Attorney Brady Rife has developed a diverse civil litigation practice for plaintiffs throughout Indiana. Brady is heavily involved in serious personal injury matters, complex business and commercial disputes, and insurance litigation in state and federal courts. Some of the firm’s most successful cases include winning a $48 million settlement against a large corporation in a fatal vehicle crash in New Mexico and a $14 million dollar settlement against a national trucking company in Illinois. The firm handles cases across the United States. [ Attorney Bio ]