$48.5

Million

We Won $48.5 Million in a Truck Accident Case

In this case, we took more than 60 depositions in five different states. Because of Stephenson’s tireless advocacy, shortly before the trial was to commence, the defendants settled the case for $48.5 million.

Head-On Truck Accident Attorney in Indiana Pursues Compensation

Our Law Firm Takes on Complex Crash Cases and Wins

Any accident involving a large commercial truck is frightening. Head-on truck collisions can be especially traumatic physically and mentally. Injuries in these types of accidents are often catastrophic, and the emotional impacts of seeing a truck that may weigh as much as 80,000 pounds barreling straight for you can be severe. Unfortunately, head-on truck accidents are not uncommon. Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that nearly 60% of fatal truck crashes and more than 46% of injury crashes are front point-of-impact accidents.

If you were the victim of a head-on truck accident or your family member died in one, you may be entitled to substantial compensation if the crash was due to negligence. A head-on truck accident attorney from Stephenson Rife, LLP can meet with you in a free, no-obligation consultation to determine whether you may have a claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, or another potentially liable party.

Our compassionate Indianapolis truck accident attorneys have extensive experience helping people who have been hit head on by commercial trucks and suffered injuries. Reach out to us today by calling (317) 680-2350.

Why Work with Our Law Firm?

We Have a Decades-Long History of Getting Maximum Results

Our record of success in obtaining millions of dollars in wins exemplifies our dedication to helping injury victims. Read about our cases and results achievements. Our attorneys are compassionate, responsive, and always seek the best possible outcomes for clients.

  • We have been a part of the Indianapolis legal community since our founding in 1979.
  • Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience advocating for clients in truck accident cases that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.
  •  Our focus is on our clients and working to get them the compensation they need after their lives have been upended in accidents.
  • Our law firm and attorneys have an outstanding reputation in the legal community—law firms from other states often turn to us for trucking accident cases that cross state lines.
  • We provide cost-effective legal services. We also offer free consultations so you can learn if you have a case in a no-obligation environment.
  • We consistently receive positive feedback from clients we have helped.

We want to help you too. Contact us today to arrange a time to speak with a head-on truck accident attorney.

What Our Head-On Truck Accident Lawyer Will Do to Help You

We will advocate for you throughout the entire legal process. Specifically, a head-on truck accident lawyer from our firm will investigate the crash, work to identify liable parties, and seek to recover compensation that pays for your damages through negotiations or litigation.

Investigating the Crash

We will investigate what happened and who was responsible. We will gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. The investigation will include examining the police report, reviewing medical records, looking at available photos or videos of the scene, speaking with first responders to the crash, and interviewing any eyewitnesses. We may recreate the accident scene with the help of accident reconstruction experts.

Identifying Liable Parties

To discover who caused the crash, we will investigate the background of the truck driver to determine if they have been involved in other accidents or have citations on their records. We will look at the history of the trucking company and the driver to discover if they are compliant with commercial trucking rules and regulations. Our head-on truck accident attorney will also consider whether any other parties or entities contributed to your injury crash.

Negotiating or Litigating Compensation

Once we have evidence of liability, we will seek to negotiate a settlement with insurers of the driver, trucking company, or other liable parties. Many trucking accident claims can be settled through negotiations, but our attorneys always thoroughly prepare cases as if they are going to trial. If you are not offered a reasonable settlement, we will be ready to resolve your case in court, if necessary, and if it is within your wishes.

Compensation in Cases Involving Head-On Truck Collisions

Compensation in head-on truck collisions is based on damages. The worse your injuries, the more damages you will typically be able to claim. Here are examples of damages that may be awarded in truck accident cases:

  • Payment for current and future medical costs
  • Nursing assistance
  • Household help
  • Lost wages and benefits
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
  • Scarring and burns
  • Disfigurement and permanent disability.

There are additional factors to take into account when seeking compensation. These factors include how strong the evidence is against the at-fault party, whether you shared any responsibility for the accident, the amount of insurance coverage involved, and how many defendants are being named in the claim. When we handle your case, we will evaluate your damages and all of the applicable factors to value your claim.

Wrongful Death in Head-On Collision with a Truck

Our Compassionate Attorneys Assist Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones

If your family member was killed in a head-on collision with a truck, we may be able to help you get compensation. Damages in wrongful death cases can include payment for medical treatment prior to death, reasonable funeral and burial costs, loss of love and support, and loss of comfort and companionship.

To file a wrongful death lawsuit, if the deceased was an adult, you must be the personal representative of the person’s estate. You can file on behalf of the estate and survivors. If the deceased was considered a child under Indiana wrongful death law, the parents must file. A child is considered:

  • A person under 20 years old who was unmarried and had no dependents
  • A person under 23 years old who was unmarried with no dependents and who attended college or a trade school
  • A viable fetus.

If you have lost a loved one in an accident you believe was caused by negligence, our compassionate attorneys can advise you about your legal rights regarding compensation during this difficult time.

Head-On Truck Accident Attorney Answers Questions

The following are general answers to common questions we receive. To have questions specific to your case addressed, contact our law firm to speak with a head-on truck accident attorney.

Why Do Head-On Trucking Accidents Happen?

Head-on trucking accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Drivers may be inexperienced, distracted, or fatigued from meeting tough delivery schedules. In some cases, they may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An experienced driver who is attentive to safety may suffer a brake failure or other equipment malfunction. Poor weather conditions or hazards on roadways may contribute to head-on truck accidents.

Who Can Be Sued in Head-On Truck Collisions?

Who can be sued depends on who is responsible for head-on truck collisions. It may be more than one party. Truck drivers, trucking companies, truck parts and equipment manufacturers, and agencies responsible for maintaining safe roadways may be sued depending on the circumstances. In some cases, other drivers cause trucks to crash because they cut them off or otherwise drive dangerously.

How Long Do Truck Accident Cases Take?

It all depends on the individual case. Cases that are settled through negotiations resolve more quickly than those that go to trial. Settlements may take just a few months; a trial can take a year or more. Even if a case is headed to trial, it can still settle at any time before ending up in court. Often, cases that settle faster involve less serious injuries, have strong evidence of negligence, or are generally less complex.

Do I Have to Hire a Lawyer to File a Claim against a Truck Driver or Trucking Company?

There is no law that says you must hire a lawyer. However, in many cases it is in the best interests of injured parties to do so. When you take on a truck driver and their employer in an insurance claim, that company will have experienced attorneys representing them and protecting the interests of the trucking company. The insurance adjuster for the trucking company’s insurer will not be on your side. You stand a strong chance of being given a low-ball settlement offer. With the help of a highly skilled head-on truck accident attorney, you can be sure that your rights and interests are safeguarded.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Your Head-On Truck Accident Lawyer?

The costs depends on the settlement or award that we get for you. You pay nothing upfront. Our head-on truck accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, so we get paid only when we get you compensation. When we do, we are paid a previously agreed upon percentage. We take cases that we believe we will win, but if for some reason we do not win your case, you will not owe us anything in legal fees.

Call (317) 680-2350 if you would like to speak with us about your case. We provide free, no-obligation consultations.

Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit in Head-On Collision with a Truck Cases

There is a rule in Indiana known as a statute of limitations for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits related to head-on truck collisions and other commercial truck accidents. The deadline is two years from the date of the accident or, for wrongful death, from the date the person passed away. For this reason, if you are considering filing a lawsuit, it is smart to do so as soon as reasonably possible for your situation. If you wait too long and miss the deadline, your lawsuit could be tossed out if you file. However, there are exceptions to these deadlines, so always speak to a truck accident attorney to learn the filing timeline for your case.

Call an Experienced Head-On Truck Accident Attorney for Help

The financial costs of a serious accident can be astronomical. If your head-on truck accident was due to negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering you are experiencing. After all, if not for the carelessness of another party, you would not be faced with the difficult physical, mental, and financial situation that you are now suffering.

At Stephenson Rife, LLP, we stand up aggressively for injured victims of negligent commercial trucking accidents. Our head-on truck accident attorneys provide committed representation to people injured through the carelessness of others. Do not wait a moment longer than necessary to learn if you have a case. Call us today at (317) 680-2350 to arrange a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation.

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 ]