Experiencing a semi-truck accident can be a traumatic and life-altering event. Understanding the right steps to take immediately after and in the subsequent days and weeks following an accident can significantly impact your ability to recover physically, emotionally, and financially. In this blog, we will guide you through the essential steps and considerations to take after a semi-truck accident in Greenwood, Indiana.

First Steps After a Truck Accident in Indiana

The moments immediately following a semi-truck accident are crucial. Here are the first steps you should take:

1. Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location if possible. Stay away from the truck and any traffic.
2. Call 911: Report the accident to emergency services immediately. Ensure medical help is on the way for anyone injured.
3. Provide Basic Information: When speaking to the dispatcher, provide essential details such as the location of the accident and the number of vehicles involved.
4. Document the Scene: If it is safe to do so and you are physically and emotionally capable, take photographs and videos of the accident scene, ensuring you document key details like vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
5. Gather Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver and any other involved parties. Obtain contact details from witnesses as well.

Commercial Vehicle Enforcement in Indiana

Indiana has strict regulations for commercial vehicles to ensure road safety. The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) is responsible for enforcing these laws. Key aspects include:

• Regular Inspections: Commercial vehicles undergo regular inspections to ensure they meet safety standards.
• Compliance Checks: Enforcement officers conduct compliance checks to ensure truck drivers adhere to hours-of-service regulations, weight limits, and proper load securing.
• Violation Penalties: Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, vehicle impoundment, and driver disqualification.

Understanding these regulations can help your case, as violations by the truck driver or company may indicate negligence.

Have a Local Attorney Evaluate Your Truck Accident Case in Indiana

Engaging a local attorney is critical in handling a semi-truck accident case. Here’s why:

• Knowledge of Local Laws: A Greenwood semi-truck accident attorney understands Indiana’s specific laws and regulations regarding commercial vehicle accidents.
• Experience with Local Courts: Local attorneys are familiar with the courts and judges in Greenwood, which can be advantageous in your case.
• Comprehensive Evaluation: An attorney will evaluate all aspects of your case, including the accident details, your injuries, and potential negligence by the truck driver or company.

An attorney can also communicate with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf, mitigating further distress for you in the aftermath of an accident. This is especially beneficial if you are recovering from emotional or bodily injuries and need time to recover and heal. Having legal support ensures that your rights are protected while you focus on the most important thing: your health.

How Much Compensation Can You Expect from A Semi-Truck Crash Claim?

The compensation from a semi-truck crash claim can vary widely based on a multitude of determining factors:

1. Medical Expenses: This covers current and future medical bills related to your injuries. The type and length of your treatments may also affect what you are ultimately owed.
2. Severity of Injuries: More severe injuries typically result in higher compensation.
3. Lost Wages: The extent to which your injuries affect your ability to work may entitle you to compensation for lost wages.
4. Pain and Suffering: This includes compensation for physical pain and emotional distress.
5. Property Damage: This includes repair or replacement costs for your vehicle.
6. Loss of Consortium: This is compensation for the impact on your relationship with your spouse or family.
7. Degree of Fault: Whether or not you were partially responsible for the accident can affect the overall compensation amount.

Who Was At Fault in the Car Accident? Were You Partially Responsible?

Determining fault in a semi-truck accident is crucial:

• Truck Driver Negligence: Includes speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
• Company Negligence: Failure to maintain the vehicle or comply with safety regulations.
• Your Role: Indiana law follows a comparative negligence rule. If you are partially at fault, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

It is imperative to properly document the scene and include law enforcement in the aftermath to establish a record of the incident and acquire a legal ruling of liability. You do not want to risk the possibility of either driver changing stories or misremembering the event once insurance is involved, so be sure to involve law enforcement from the beginning. 

What is the Extent of Your Injuries from the Car Accident?

The extent of your injuries plays a significant role in your claim:

• Immediate Injuries: This includes broken bones, lacerations, and other visible injuries that are noted immediately on the scene of the accident.
• Long-term Injuries: These are injuries that require ongoing medical treatment, such as spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or chronic pain conditions.
• Impact on Quality of Life: How your injuries affect your daily activities, normal ability to function and overall quality of life will affect your claim and overall compensation.

When a Semi-Truck Accident Results in a Death

If a semi-truck accident results in a fatality, the victim’s family may pursue a wrongful death claim. This claim can seek compensation for:

• Funeral and Burial Expenses: These are costs associated with the funeral and burial.
• Loss of Financial Support: This is compensation for the financial support the deceased formerly provided.
• Loss of Companionship: This is compensation for the emotional loss experienced by family members.
• Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the emotional distress caused by the loss.

Types of Indiana Truck Accidents

Understanding the types of truck accidents can help in determining the specifics of your case:

• Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions are when one driver collides with the back of the other driver’s vehicle. These are often caused by driver fatigue or distraction.
• Jackknife Accidents: Jackknife accidents occur when the truck’s trailer swings out to the side. These can happen during wind events, on icy roads, or from driver distration and fatigue. 
• Rollover Accidents: Rollovers are commonly caused by speeding or improper loading. High profile vehicles with a higher center of gravity are at greater risk for this type of accident.
• Underride Accidents: Underride accidents are when a smaller vehicle slides under the truck’s trailer. These typically occur from driver distraction or fatigue, and sometimes even failures of the vehicle (like faulty brakes). 
• Wide Turn Accidents: These occur when trucks make wide turns and collide with other vehicles.

Hit By A Truck? Consult with A Dedicated Greenwood Truck Collision Attorney Today

If you have been hit by a semi-truck in Greenwood, Indiana, it is critical to consult with a dedicated Greenwood truck collision attorney. At Habig Injury Law, our experienced team is committed to helping victims of truck accidents in Greenwood, Indiana and beyond. We understand the complexities of these cases and will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact our offices at 317-642-3813 for a free consultation. Let us support you in navigating the legal process and securing the justice you need to move forward with your life.