Lafayette, IN Truck Accident Lawyer: Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Lafayette

Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, located in central Indiana between Indianapolis and Chicago, Illinois. West Lafayette sits on the opposite side of the Wabash River and is home to Purdue University, which contributes significantly to both communities.

The combined population of Lafayette and West Lafayette is nearly 200,000 and the residents enjoy a diverse community and high quality of life. The area is known for its strong public schools, desirable neighborhoods for families, and an extensive park and trail system. Due in part to being home to Purdue University, many well-known high-tech corporations call the area home, providing good local jobs.

But even though Lafayette is a sought-after place to call home, it doesn’t make the city immune to the tragedy of trucking accidents.

Truck Accidents Statistics for Lafayette, Indiana

In 2018, the latest data available, there were almost 500,000 trucking accidents in the U.S. Rural areas, including those surrounding Lafayette, accounted for 57% of truck crashes in terms of location. In Indiana, truck accidents accounted for 10% of all traffic fatalities.

Truck accidents are usually frightening and traumatic. Just given the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks, significant injuries or even fatalities are often a result. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you are likely feeling overwhelmed as you deal with recovery, loss of work, and mounting medical bills.

If you’re the victim of a semi-truck crash in or near Lafayette, the experienced truck accident attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham can help you get full and fair compensation to help you get your life back on track.

The Difference Between Truck Accidents and Car Accidents

Given the size and weight of the vehicle involved, trucking accidents are typically much more severe than car accidents. If a semi-truck crashes into a car, especially at highway speeds, severe injuries, or even death, is not an uncommon result. Another difference when a truck is involved in an accident is that there are more potential parties who could be at fault, from the mechanic to a safety inspector, to the team who loaded the cargo. It is essential to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer if you or a loved one have been involved in a crash.

What Types of Truck Accidents We Cover in Lafayette, IN

The volume of semi-trucks passing through the heartland of Indiana is significant, which means that the state is unfortunately home to semi-truck accidents. WKW represents victims in all types of truck accident cases. Common accidents involving 18 wheelers include:

• Head-on and rear-end collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Blindspot accidents
• Roll-over accidents
• Underride accidents
• Tire blowouts

Common Causes of Lafayette Truck Accidents

Even more so than with car accidents, many factors can play a role in a truck accident, but the actions of the truck driver often have an impact. Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted driving, such as cell phone use
• Driving while drinking or on drugs
• Driving while fatigued
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Failure to yield
• Poor driving while in reverse gear
• Not leaving enough distance between vehicles
• Faulty vehicle parts
• Mechanical malfunction
• Improperly loaded cargo shifting

Reasons to Hire a Big Rig Accident Lawyer in Lafayette, IN

The Wilson Kehoe Winingham law firm was built on a foundation of “restoring lives.” We are serious about this mission and will invest the time it takes to help you recover after a life-altering event. Our lawyers have decades of experience and have helped countless victims in Lafayette and across Indiana to get a full and fair settlement, allowing them to get their lives back on track. Partner with a law firm that has your best interests at heart.

How Much Does a Lafayette Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

Don’t let the fear of being able to afford a truck accident lawyer stop you from getting the help and guidance you need. Most truck accident and personal injury lawyers work on what is known as a contingency basis. This means that there’s no up-front, out-of-pocket cost to you. Instead, when you are awarded your settlement, the lawyers receive a percentage of the money awarded. So not only does this help alleviate the financial burden on the victim, but it also aligns the interests of both the client and lawyer to seek the maximum settlement.

Building Your Truck Accident Case

Given the size of 18 wheelers, truck accidents can be devastating. It’s almost always the car driver and any auto passengers who fare the worst with either injuries or property damage. Gathering evidence after an accident is crucial in showing liability to gain compensation. It is recommended that the victim take photos at the scene of the crash when possible, and there should be a police report filed, but there are additional items an experienced truck accident attorney will pursue to build your case. These can include:

• Drug and alcohol tests
• Driving logs to see how many hours a driver had been working
• Personnel files to review driving history
• Truck inspection reports
• Docking and cargo weight reports

What Laws Must Truck Drivers Follow?

Trucking companies and their drivers are subject to a number of both federal and state trucking laws they must follow. This is to ensure the safety of both the truck drivers and other road users. Regulations are in place to guide and monitor the following:

• Weight limits
• Maintenance standards and requirements
• Drivers meeting the requirements of a commercial drivers license
• Safety standards in loading
• Number of hours a truck driver can drive per shift and over continuous days
• Regulations regarding the transport of hazardous materials

If any of these conditions are not met, the experienced truck accident lawyers at WKW will investigate the potentially liable party.

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Truck Accidents

Indiana Statute 34-11-2-4 states a two-year statute of limitations on truck accident cases, meaning you have two years to file a claim. This time period starts on the day of the accident. We recommend you begin work with a lawyer from WKW as soon as possible following the crash so you can focus on your recovery.

What Actions Should You Take Directly After a Semi-Truck Crash?

Accidents are scary, and being involved in a semi-truck accident can be terrifying. Following an accident, if you’re able, do the following:

1. Safety first. Get yourself and any others out of traffic and harm’s way. The only exception to this is if someone is so seriously injured that moving them could worsen their condition.
2. Call the authorities. If there are serious injuries, dial 911 for an ambulance.
3. Exchange information with the other driver(s). Be sure to get the truck driver’s personal information but also the trucking company’s name and insurance information.
4. Document the scene. Take photos (and consider also taking videos) of not just the collision itself but also the road, road conditions, and the surrounding area.
5. Get checked out medically. Even if you feel ok, it’s important to have an assessment on file in case health issues crop up later.
6. Seek legal guidance. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney at Wilson Kehoe Winingham to help you through the upcoming legal process.

How to Determine Fault in a Lafayette Truck Accident

Driver error often plays into the cause of a crash, but there are other potential contributors. Perhaps a mechanic didn’t repair a component correctly or the trucking company didn’t provide adequate training or looked the other way when drivers hit their legal drive time limits. An experienced big rig attorney will do a thorough investigation and know to look at all aspects of the case.

Proving Negligence In a Big Rig Crash

Accidents involving semi-trucks are more complex than simpler “fender bender” type car accidents, and there is a longer list of potentially liable parties who may have been negligent. An experienced Lafayette big rig accident lawyer at WKW will pursue every avenue to determine who could be at fault. Semis are complex machines that require regular maintenance to remain safe on our roads. They also need to be loaded properly or can become unstable. It is not uncommon for damages to be paid by a party who was nowhere near the scene of the accident, but played a role in the crash through their actions. An experienced truck accident lawyer will complete a thorough investigation and will know to look at all aspects of the case.

How Much Is My Lafayette Truck Accident Worth?

It’s impossible for any truck accident lawyer to ballpark the value of your case without learning more details and digging in a bit. The Lafayette big rig accident lawyers at Wilson Kehoe Winingham will run a full investigation of your accident, leaving no stone unturned as to any potential causes of the accident. Truck accidents often cause severe injuries, with higher dollar amounts at stake.

Recoverable Damages From a Truck Accident in Lafayette, Indiana

The main types of compensation granted following a truck accident are economic damages and non-economic damages. In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded, but only in cases where an act of “gross negligence” can be proven.

Economic damages are quantifiable damages you have incurred or lost due to the accident. Examples include medical expenses, loss of wages and loss of earning capacity, or property damage.

Non-economic damages are injuries that impact your quality of life. These may include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, or trauma.

Choosing the Right Lafayette Truck Accident Law Firm

Your main priority in selecting a lawyer to work with should be to find someone with relevant experience to your particular case. If you’ve been in a crash with an 18 wheeler, you want to work with a lawyer who is not new to this type of law. You also want to find someone with whom you have a good rapport, as the case may take a while to complete. Lastly, be wary of any attorney who asks for money upfront. Most truck accident lawyers will only accept a portion of the settlement amount as payment.

Wilson Kehoe Winingham: A Proven Track Record of Success

The Lafayette truck accident lawyers at Wilson Kehoe Winingham are here for you, as we’ve been for countless victims across the state for decades. While you focus on healing, we’ll have your interests at the forefront as we negotiate for the best settlement possible.

Contact Our Lafayette Truck Accident Attorneys Today

The experienced truck accident lawyers at Wilson Kehoe Winingham offer a no-obligation consultation, serving clients in Lafayette, IN, and the surrounding area. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is no out-of-pocket cost to you to hire professional help. Give us a call today at (317) 689-0654.