Truck Accidents in Fishers

While on the road with truck drivers, you expect them to uphold the same safety standards and rules as other vehicles. Unfortunately, you may have found out the hard way that this is not always the case. In fact, you may have been struck because a truck driver was being careless or even reckless on the road.

When this happens, you may have grounds for compensation for truck accidents in Fishers. At Stephenson Rife, we focus on helping truck accident victims like you get compensated fairly for the suffering you have experienced. When you are ready to seek help, do not hesitate to reach out.

Injuries May Be Severe or Deadly

While truck drivers are subject to many safety protocols, such as limits on driving hours, deadly crashes still happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), of the 415,000 police-reported truck crashes, more than 4,000 were fatal, and 100,000, or 24%, were injury crashes. These are significant numbers, given the many safety features applied to modern vehicles.

Part of the danger of trucks on the road is the size of them. These trucks have significantly more force behind them, meaning more force is applied to you and your vehicle when one hits you. That can lead to severe traumatic injuries, such as concussions and broken bones.

These large trucks may also be carrying hazardous materials. Of the total fatal crashes, hazardous material cargo was present on 2% of these large trucks. Flammable material is one of the more common types of hazardous cargo, which can lead to severe burn injuries or death.

How Stephenson Rife Stands Out from Other Firms

As you pursue a truck accident claim in Fishers, you may have many options for law firms. We work hard to stand out among our peers, providing resources and experience that others may not have access to. Below are a few specifics that our firm offers:

• We have a track record of success with more than 30,000 clients helped. 
• We have won several multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients.
• We do not give up, no matter how challenging your claim is.

When you need high-quality legal aid, leave your case in the hands of highly respected and experienced truck accident attorneys. We offer high-quality service without the big-firm price tag. We even offer free consultations so that we can speak with you before we take on your case.

Holding the At-Fault Party Accountable

Following a devastating truck accident, you may need to determine who is responsible for your accident. Identifying the at-fault party helps you pinpoint who is financially liable for your suffering. Below are some of the more common liable parties that you may need to hold accountable.

The Trucking Company May Be at Fault

When a truck driver causes an accident with carelessness, you may first consider filing a claim against them. However, they may not be the liable party. While they may be responsible for the accident, their employer is also financially responsible for their actions.

Manufacturer Liability Can Impact Your Claim

In some cases, all drivers present may have acted with care, but a defective part can cause a driver to lose control. Defective brakes, faults in the steering, or a faulty airbag can all lead to dangerous accidents. While your accidents may not have been directly caused by human error, you can still hold the liable party responsible.

When injuries are caused by faulty parts, the manufacturer may be responsible. Manufacturers have a duty of care to ensure their products are safe before they go to the market. Unfortunately, manufacturers may try to take shortcuts or save money, which can lead to defective parts, recalls, and potentially grounds for a lawsuit for those injured in truck accidents.

A Government Agency May Be Liable

While the drivers may have been careful, it can be difficult to avoid accidents when the roads themselves are unsafe. For example, a deep pothole may have caused a tire blowout on the truck or another vehicle, causing them to lose control and crash. When this happens, the driver may not have done anything wrong, but the pothole may be the culprit.

Indiana’s Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining the roads. Deep potholes, roads that do not drain rainwater properly, and other defects can cause drivers to lose control and be injured. While holding a government agency liable can be difficult, especially with the short time limits to sue under Indiana Code 34-13-3, we can help you take action to pursue compensation.

Our Firm Offers Key Benefits

One of the most important things to know about our firm is that we are dedicated to getting the best results possible for our truck accident claim clients. We understand how complex truck accident claims can be, so we dedicate our time and resources to provide the full range of aid a big firm can provide while maintaining the personal touch of a smaller firm. We want each of our clients to know that they are more than just a number.

Our firm uses more than our many decades of experience to help your claim succeed. We also use advanced technology that can be used to gather more data and evidence for your claim. This technology can be key to getting the compensation you need.

In fact, our reputation for results and key tools has made us the premier firm for other law firms. For example, some firms have found themselves without the resources to handle a large truck accident claim. In other cases, attorneys have cases that cross state lines and need quality support in Indiana.

Compensation for Fishers Truck Accident Victims

As you navigate the aftermath of a Fishers truck accident, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the damages you have suffered. These damages can include both the financial and emotional toll your accident has taken on you. Fortunately, an attorney can provide specific guidance on your claim and what your claim is worth.

Economic Damages

A Fishers truck accident can be extremely expensive. You may have ongoing financial losses, also known as economic damages, that cover medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and more. If you are struggling to calculate these damages, your truck accident lawyer in Fishers can help you calculate the damages you have already lost and estimate the future costs of your injuries.

Non-Economic Damages

Also known as pain and suffering, your economic damages cover any intangible, emotional suffering you experienced because of the accident. This includes trauma responses from post-traumatic stress disorder, the pain of your injuries, and the grief you may feel if you lost a loved one in the accident. However, because these damages are intangible, you may need an attorney’s guidance and tools.

Punitive Damages

When the at-fault party was acting with extreme recklessness, or if they intended to injure you, you may have grounds for punitive damages. These damages punish the wrongdoer rather than compensate for a specific damage you have lost. While these damages can be challenging to pursue, our attorneys will seek any damages you may be eligible for.

Indiana Law May Impact Your Case

Following your accident, you may have grounds for a lawsuit, but that does not mean you will receive compensation right away. In fact, many laws can impact the compensation you receive or whether you receive compensation at all. We can offer specific guidance for your case.

Statute of Limitations

When you have been injured in a truck accident, keep in mind that the time limit generally begins that day. Under Indiana Code 35-41-4-2, you only have two years to file. If you do not file within that time period, your claim may be dismissed, leaving you without compensation.

Comparative Negligence

In other cases, the at-fault party may try to place the blame on you. Under Indiana Code 34-51-2-5, or the comparative negligence statute, you may be held partly at fault for your accident. If this happens, your claim may be reduced by that percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found 10% at fault for your accident, you may only be able to recover 90% of your compensation. If you are found more than 50% at fault, your claim may be dismissed on these grounds. Because of this, we offer a strong defense for anyone who is unfairly being blamed for their accident.

Reach Out to a Truck Accident Lawyer Now for Legal Help

A truck accident can upend your life, leaving you with devastating injuries, severe trauma, and debts that just keep piling up. The at-fault party may even be doing everything they can to avoid paying for your recovery. They may argue that you were partially responsible for the accident, to reduce their personal liability.

At Stephenson Rife, we are prepared to pursue an aggressive claim and help you get fair compensation after a Fishers truck accident. We offer free consultations for potential clients, so you know what to expect before we ever get started. When you are ready to begin, reach out for help by calling our office at (317) 680-2350 or filling out our online contact form.

Attorney Mike Stephenson

Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including motor vehicle, trucking, workplace injuries, product liability, just to name a few. Mike is a proven advocate and trial attorney. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and has handled litigation in 18 states. [ Attorney Bio ]