While operating a motor vehicle, safety is always your top responsibility. Unfortunately, not everyone else follows suit. Hence, you must understand what to do if a truck collision occurs.
We are Stephenson Rife, LLP, and we have a vast amount of experience representing clients involved in different types of truck accidents. That includes rear-end truck accidents.
Learn more about how rear-end truck accidents happen, and consider relying on a rear-end truck accident lawyer from our team to represent you. Our top priority is to defend your rights and protect your interests, so contact us today to speak to our team.
Our lawyers fight hard for individuals and families in the local area. If you have been involved in a truck accident, we can fight for you, too.
Why Choose Us?
We recognize that you have options when looking for a lawyer to represent you following a vehicle accident. We believe you should rely on us for several reasons.
Top among them are the following:
- Experience: We have represented clients in the local area for years, and we have accumulated a wealth of knowledge that we can use to help you position your case for success. We will use all of our experience to help you navigate the legal waters and put you in the best position possible to maximize your compensation.
- Previous Reviews: Even though we can certainly talk about what we can do for our clients, we are also transparent regarding our previous reviews and ratings. Take a look at our client reviews! See for yourself what they have to say.
- Case Results: Our case results speak for themselves. We have a long track record of successful cases and believe we can add yours to the list. We can recover a wide range of damages for our clients and will fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Client Service: Our client service truly sets us apart from other attorneys in the industry. You are our primary priority when you work with us, and we keep you informed at every stage. We will always take the time to translate legal jargon for you. We want to make sure that you understand what happens next.
For all these reasons, consider relying on the Stephenson Rife LLP team to represent you. We are confident that we can obtain the results you are looking for.
What to do After Being Rear-Ended by a Truck
If you are in a situation where you’ve been rear-ended by a truck, taking specific steps to protect your entitlement to seek compensation is crucial. Following a truck rear-end collision, you are advised to:
- Notify local law enforcement about the accident and contact emergency medical services if you or anyone else involved sustains injuries.
- Exchange contact details with the truck driver, ensuring you obtain their name, license information, and employer and/or insurance particulars.
- Capture evidence from the accident scene by photographing or recording videos of vehicle damage, any debris on the road, traffic signals and signs, lighting conditions, and any injuries you may have sustained.
- Seek immediate medical attention at a hospital or from your doctor to have your injuries properly diagnosed, treated, and documented in your medical records.
- Adhere to your doctor’s recommended treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Maintain a record of expenses and income lost due to the accident and your injuries.
- Consult with an experienced truck accident attorney to gain insights into your rights and explore your legal options.
How We Can Help You
If you decide to partner with our team, there are plenty of ways that we can help you defend your rights and recover compensation. Some of these are:
- Investigate the Accident: We will always start by conducting a full investigation of the accident to understand what led to it. We can talk to people who may have seen the accident, and we may be able to request documentation from various parties involved. We want to make sure that we do not overlook anything.
- Work with Experts: In some situations, we might need to hire experts to provide us with more background. For example, suppose we are pursuing compensation for your medical expenses. In that case, we might need to hire a medical expert to discuss the severity of your injuries. We could also work with a specialist who can reconstruct the accident and show us what happened.
- Negotiate with the Insurance Company: An insurance company will contact you to offer a settlement, and you should direct them to us. We can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure we recover the compensation you deserve.
- File a Lawsuit: If you feel you deserve additional compensation, we could file a lawsuit directly against the trucking company and truck driver. We may be able to pursue compensation for various types of damages, including property damage and medical expenses.
Our team will do everything possible to maximize the size of your settlement and ensure you recover enough compensation to cover your expenses.
How to Determine Fault in Indiana
In Indiana, the legal framework is a tort liability system, also known as a fault or at-fault system. Under this system, insurance companies determine compensation for damages according to the degree of fault attributed to each driver involved. For instance, if driver B collides with driver A, but it is found that driver A also displayed negligence in their actions, insurance companies may assign 60% of the fault to driver B and 40% of the fault to driver A.
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Rear-End Truck Accidents
We will always take the time to answer your questions before we move forward. A few examples of common questions that people ask us include:
How long will it take you to resolve my claim?
Many factors affect how long it will take us to resolve your claim. If we can settle your claim out of court, we may be able to resolve it in a few weeks or months. It might take longer if we feel it is better to go to trial.
How much money can you recover for me?
Plenty of factors will play a role in the size of your ultimate settlement, including:
- The size of your medical expenses
- The extent of your property damage
- The circumstances that led to the accident.
Can I file a lawsuit against the trucking company?
The trucking company is responsible for the actions of its drivers, so we may be able to hold the trucking company liable for a portion of the accident. This is particularly true if they did not train their drivers properly or if they did not maintain the vehicle appropriately.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for initiating legal action against the responsible party or parties involved in a rear-end collision with a truck. Failing to take action within this time frame may result in the dismissal of your case, thereby ending your opportunity to seek compensation through the civil court system. Although two years may initially appear to be a substantial period, it is important to recognize that investigating an accident, compiling evidence, and constructing a solid case takes several months. Therefore, it is essential to consult with an attorney to explore your legal alternatives. An attorney can handle the necessary documentation and adhere to deadlines while allowing you to concentrate on your recovery from injuries.
Contact Stephenson Rife, LLP for a Rear-End Truck Accident Attorney in Indianapolis
See a doctor immediately if you have been involved in a rear-end truck accident. Then, talk to us about the circumstances of your accident, as you could be deserving of compensation.
At Stephenson Rife, LLP, we always advocate for the needs of our clients, and we are here to represent you as well. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation at (317) 680-2350.
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 ]
