Large trucks and commercial vehicles play a vital role in Plainfield’s economy. Unfortunately, crashes happen all the time with these large vehicles. When that happens, you need to have a Plainfield truck accident attorney you can trust.
The Plainfield truck accident attorneys at Wade Law Firm can help you fight to get compensation from large trucking companies.
Laws and Regulations
Trucking is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country, with an entire title in the United States Code of Laws dedicated to the regulation of the profession. Truck drivers are subject to laws such as:
- Licensing requirements: A standard license is insufficient to operate a large truck. Instead, truck drivers must go through specialized training to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Alcohol and drugs: While no person is allowed to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, states maintain a small level of blood alcohol content (BAC) that is still legal to drive with. Truck drivers, however, are subject to much more stringent guidelines.
- Break requirements: Driver fatigue continues to be one of the top causes of accidents involving trucks. To try to curb this cause, regulations are in place placing a limit on the amount of time that a trucker can drive in a day, and mandate 10 hours off-duty per day.
Even though vehicle safety standards continue to rise, large truck accidents continue to rise as well. In fact, since 1992, accidents have increased by 10%. Longer hours, truck driver shortages, and tensions on the road are all factors that are contributing to the 1 in every 8 accident fatalities involving large tractor-trailers, big rigs, and commercial vehicles.
While the majority of truck accidents are caused by human error, intoxication, mechanical problems, or even a company’s own failure to maintain inspection standards currently set for their vehicles, it doesn’t make things any easier for you. The bottom line is the same. You still need the help of a Plainfield truck accident lawyer to help you get compensation for your injuries, losses, and property damage.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Plainfield, call (815) WADE-LAW
How Often Do Accidents Occur in Indiana Involving Large Trucks?
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) reports there are around 219,112 roadway crashes each year, with 911 fatalities. Commercial vehicles were involved in 16,910 of those accidents, which resulted in 152 fatalities and 3,297 injuries.
Among the most common causes of trucking catastrophes are:
- Fatigue
- Driving for too many hours
- Inadequate training or inexperienced drivers
- Overloaded trucks
- Oversized trucks
- Poorly maintained truck brakes
- Speeding
- Distracted Driver
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Aggressive driving
- Poor or broken safety systems
Many of these could be the fault of the driver, but sometimes it’s the fault of the trucking company or the company that put the load on the truck. Finding all the responsible parties is one of the key tasks of a Plainfield truck accident lawyer.
Plainfield Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 765-563-9233
Who Is Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Following an accident with a commercial truck, you might be unsure about how to pay for the damages that are accruing. From medical bills to lost wages, suffering an accident with a vehicle as large as a truck can often put a victim out of work for months. Being hit by tons of freight can result in life-changing injuries.
Unlike an accident with another passenger vehicle, being involved in an accident with a commercial truck entails several levels of liability. This is because, as with Uber or Lyft accidents, it’s not just the driver that can be held responsible for your injuries, but also the company that employed the driver. This is because of a legal doctrine known as “respondeat superior”, which states that employers are always responsible for the negligent actions of their employees, so long as the driver was acting in the course of their employment.
For example, if you were struck by a commercial truck that was en route to a delivery, that would constitute as the driver operating under the typical course of employment. In this case, the employer would be just as legally responsible as the driver for an accident.
Parties Who May Be Liable
Generally speaking, commercial companies carry much larger insurance policies than their drivers, under the assumption that in the case of an accident, the company will be responsible for compensating a victim for their injuries.
However, this larger insurance policy also makes the insurance company far more likely to push back on a claim. With the representation of a knowledgeable Plainfield truck accident lawyer, you drastically improve your chances of successfully securing the settlement you deserve.
In the case of a commercial truck accident in Plainfield, the levels of liability continue to extend. The list of parties that could be held liable for your injuries include:
- The owner of the truck;
- The broker of the truck;
- The shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo;
- The manufacturer of the truck or the truck’s parts;
- The truck’s mechanic;
- The driver of the truck;
- The company who employed the driver.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a commercial truck, contact a Plainfield truck accident lawyer at Wade Law.
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Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Plainfield Today
Wade Law is pleased to offer free initial consultations to all prospective clients. To learn more about how our firm can help, call our office today. You can also send us an email. Let us know the story of your Plainfield truck crash and we’ll tell you how we can help.
Call or text (815) WADE-LAW or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
