18-wheeler trucks can cause irreparable damage to other road users if they are not being operated with professionalism. The sheer size of 18-wheelers means they often cause life-altering injuries when they are involved in an accident. Tragically, these accidents can be fatal for victims as well.
If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck in Fishers, a Fishers 18-wheeler accident lawyer from Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., may be able to represent you. Even if your injuries were relatively minor, our firm believes that the liable party should be held responsible for a victim’s physical, financial, and mental suffering.
We understand that bills can quickly mount up when you suffer an unexpected setback like this, which is why we can pursue compensation for you in settlement negotiations or a personal injury lawsuit. By doing so, we hope you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
To discuss your case in a free consultation with a member of our team, call Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., today. We could represent you on a contingency-fee basis with no advanced payment required.
We Can Provide Guidance After Your 18-Wheeler Accident in Fishers
The steps you take after an accident involving an 18-wheeler may impact the compensation you receive for your losses. You can get started today by:
Reporting the Accident
You should not immediately leave the scene of an 18-wheeler accident. In fact, driving away after a collision could lead to a hit-and-run charge. Instead, remove your vehicle from the flow of traffic, if possible, and contact law enforcement.
The responding police officers will come out to the scene of the collision and complete a report after speaking with you, the other driver, and any witnesses. This report helps to establish that your accident happened when and how you say it did. The details in this report can be vital to proving your right to damages.
Gathering Evidence at the Scene
Stopping after an accident also allows you to collect evidence, as long as injuries don’t interfere. For example, if you have your phone or camera with you, you could get pictures of:
- Your injuries
- The damage to the vehicles
- The location of each vehicle
- Any hazards that potentially contributed to the collision
Additionally, you could get contact information from witnesses and the driver of the 18-wheeler. If you’re not able to gather this evidence, don’t worry—our attorneys can take other steps to establish your case.
Watching What You Say
While it’s a good idea to get contact information from witnesses and the truck driver, we do recommend that you limit your conversations after an accident. In addition, do not express guilt for the accident. Even apologizing can serve as an admission of guilt in some cases.
We also recommend that you avoid posting about the accident on social media. Insurance agents representing the other driver could take anything you say online as a way to refuse or undervalue your claim. Consider speaking with a lawyer before discussing your accident.
Seeking Medical Care
Did you sustain an injury in your 18-wheeler accident? If so, we recommend that you immediately visit a medical professional. Doctors will provide you with care and generate records to show that you required treatment after the collision. You may experience:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Head, brain, or spinal injuries
- Cuts, burns, or abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries, like sprains or strains
- Internal injuries
Getting medical care quickly allows you to start on the road to recovery.
Reaching Out to a Lawyer
Finally, you have the legal right to representation following an 18-wheeler accident in Fishers. An accident attorney from our firm can walk you through each step in the aftermath of a collision. Our team provides comprehensive care to clients in your situation, and we only take on personal injury cases, making us especially familiar with this area of the law.
When our firm takes on a case, we maintain open lines of communication and strive to put our clients first. Allow us to stand up for you, handle all aspects of your claim, and work to bring you compensation for your losses.
While you might worry about the cost of hiring legal representation, our firm operates on contingency. This means our attorney’s fees are contingent upon winning your case, so we don’t collect payment until we recover compensation for you. By extension, you pay nothing up front or out of pocket.
For a free legal consultation with a 18-wheeler accidents lawyer serving Fishers, call 317-636-7777
Negligent Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
According to research gathered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), there were 219,112 crashes on Indiana roadways in 2017. Of these crashes, large trucks accounted for almost 15,000 accidents involving over 1,800 injuries and approximately 125 fatalities that year.
The 2017 ICJI study also showed that almost 52% of accidents involving commercial vehicles were related to actions made by the commercial vehicle driver. The most common acts of negligence were:
- Dangerous lane movements
- Not leaving enough space between them and the vehicle in front of them closely
- Failure to yield
- Driving in reverse in an unsafe manner
Truck Drivers Must Display Extra Skill and Care Behind the Wheel
When it comes to 18-wheelers, drivers are faced with a different set of challenges than other traditional motorists. For example, due to the height that the driver sits off the ground, they must always pay careful attention to their mirrors in order to maneuver safely on the roadways.
Unfortunately, the long hours on the road can make some truck drivers vulnerable to making needless mistakes. When coupled with the extreme weight of 18-wheelers and the load they are hauling, even a simple act of negligence at a low speed can change a victim’s life forever.
Other common acts of negligence by 18-wheeler truck drivers can include:
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
- Driving while fatigued from numerous miles on the road
- Improper turning
- Speeding
- Crossing the centerline
- Distracted driving
- Overcorrecting
- Driving while drunk or on drugs
- And more
Other Parties Could Be Liable for 18-Wheeler Accidents
Drivers are not the only parties that may be liable for 18-wheeler accidents. The trucking company, a mechanic, or even a component manufacturer are all capable of taking negligent actions that may cause or contribute to an accident.
If you believe that another party’s negligence caused your 18-wheeler accident in Fishers, Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., invites you to call our firm for a free consultation on your case with a member of our team.
Fishers 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Near Me 317-636-7777
Damages That May Be Recovered After a Truck Accident
Victims of 18-wheeler truck accidents may be entitled to compensation meant to address their economic and non-economic damages. Examples of potentially recoverable damages can include, but may not be limited to:
- Bills associated with medical treatments related to your injuries
- Ongoing medical care
- Mental disturbances brought about by the accident
- Loss of future employment opportunities due to injury or a loss of wages while the victim was recovering
- Long-term disabilities that will affect your way of life
- Pain and suffering
- And more
If you decide to work with a Fishers 18-wheeler accident lawyer from Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., on your case, we can work to document all the different hardships you have faced after your accident. By getting as much tangible evidence as possible, we hope to assign a value to your case that accurately reflects your damages. We may be able to hire medical, vocational, and economic experts to testify about your current and future damages.
Click to contact our Fishers 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer today
The Statute of Limitations on Your Case
Keep in mind that potentially recoverable damages may only be available within a set amount of time. As per IC § 34-11-2-4, Indiana has a general two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, starting on the date the accident occurred.
If you wait too long and allow this legal deadline to pass, the courts may dismiss your lawsuit. This could prevent you from recovering any compensation, even if you have strong evidence in your defense.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., May Be Able to Defend Your Rights
When a victim decides to retain an 18-wheeler accident lawyer from Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., to represent their case, they are welcomed into a family of victim advocates who will fight for their case.
Here at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., we take pride in representing 18-wheeler accident victims in Fishers because helping innocent people get back on their feet is why we became attorneys in the first place. It does not matter if the 18-wheeler is part of a fleet of hundreds or a small-town operation—we are willing to pursue any party whose negligent actions injured you.
Call Our Firm for a Free Case Review
Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., only handles one type of case—personal injury. Unlike discount law firms that are jacks of all trades but masters of none, our team is focused exclusively on personal injury law.
To receive your free consultation today, contact a Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., team member. The sooner you let us know about your case, the sooner we can begin looking at your legal options.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
