Highland Truck Accident Lawyer

Why Choose Gladish Law Group for Your Highland Truck Accident Claim?

At Gladish Law Group, we combine our experience with a commitment to client satisfaction. Trust us to navigate the legal complexities of your truck accident claim, providing you with the support and skill you deserve. Our legal team of personal injury lawyers in Highland, boasts a track record of success in handling truck accident cases nationwide. We have secured favorable outcomes for clients, demonstrating our ability to navigate the complexities of truck accident litigation.

Understanding the specific regulations in Highland, Indiana, as well as state and national rules that govern the trucking industry, is crucial for a successful truck accident claim. Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of local laws, enhancing the effectiveness of your case. We also stay updated on the latest regulations to ensure your case aligns with the applicable legal standards, strengthening your position in negotiations or court. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.

Truck Driver’s Duty of Care to The Motoring Public in Highland, Indiana

There are certain jury instructions that the trial court judge will give to the jury as it relates to the obligations of a truck driver and the trucking companies when they are operating on the roads in the State of Indiana. These jury instructions provide attorneys with the necessary information on standards of conduct while presenting our client’s case to a jury.

The trial court judge will instruct the jury that, “every motor vehicle driver must use ordinary care that a person would use under the same or similar circumstances. Drivers who do not use reasonable care are negligent.” The trial court judge will also instruct the jury as to the truck driver’s duty of maintaining a proper lookout while operating their commercial motor vehicle which is that, “every driver must maintain a proper lookout to see or hear what should be seen or heard through the exercise of reasonable care.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Highland, Indiana

In the realm of truck accidents, several common types pose significant risks on the roads. Understanding these types can help you navigate potential dangers and seek appropriate legal assistance if needed. Here are some common types of truck accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: Occur when a truck strikes the vehicle in front of it. Can result from sudden stops, distracted driving, or inadequate braking distances.
• Jackknife Accidents: Happen when a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming an angle with the cab. Often caused by sudden braking or adverse road conditions.
• Underride Collisions: Involve a smaller vehicle sliding underneath the rear or side of a truck. Can lead to severe injuries due to the height difference between the car and the truck.
• Override Accidents: Occur when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle. Typically happens in high-speed collisions and can result in catastrophic injuries.
• Wide-Turn Accidents: Take place when a truck makes a wide turn and collides with vehicles in adjacent lanes. Blind spots contribute to the risk of these accidents.
• Blowouts and Tire-related Accidents: Result from tire blowouts, which can cause a loss of control. Debris from blown tires can pose additional dangers to other vehicles.
• Cargo-Related Accidents: Involve improperly secured or overloaded cargo, leading to spills or shifting loads. Can cause loss of control and collisions.
• T-bone or Side-Impact Collisions: Occur when the front of a truck collides with the side of another vehicle. Common at intersections and can lead to severe injuries.
• Brake Failure Accidents: Result from a truck’s braking system malfunctioning. Can lead to an inability to stop or slow down, causing collisions.
• Drowsy Driving Accidents: Happen when truck drivers operate their vehicles while fatigued. Fatigue can impair reaction times and decision-making, increasing the risk of accidents.

 

Injuries and Damages from Highland Truck Accident Cases

Being involved in a truck accident is a harrowing experience, often resulting in life-altering consequences. At Gladish Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents can take on victims and their families. In this section, we delve into the complexities of injuries and damages that may arise from Highland truck accidents.

Our goal is to shed light on the various aspects of this challenging journey, providing valuable information for those seeking guidance after such an unfortunate event. From understanding common injuries associated with truck accidents to navigating the complexities of pursuing damages, we’re here to offer clarity, support, and a path forward.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

It’s important to seek immediate medical attention if you’ve been involved in a truck accident, even if injuries seem minor initially. Some injuries may manifest or worsen over time, and prompt medical care can contribute to a smoother recovery process. Common truck accident injuries may include:

Whiplash: Sudden jerking of the head and neck upon impact, often resulting in soft tissue injuries.
Fractures: Broken bones can occur in various parts of the body due to the force of a truck collision.
Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can range from concussions to severe brain damage, impacting cognitive function.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord may lead to paralysis, loss of sensation, or impaired motor function.
Internal Injuries: Injuries to organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen are often caused by blunt force trauma.
Cuts and Lacerations: Sharp objects, broken glass, or metal can cause cuts and lacerations, varying in severity.
Burns: Exposure to fire or hazardous materials in a truck collision can result in burn injuries of varying degrees.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons, often leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional and psychological distress following a traumatic truck accident, impacting mental well-being.
Amputations: Severe accidents may lead to traumatic amputations of limbs, requiring extensive medical intervention.
Crush Injuries: Compression of body parts between objects can cause crush injuries, often affecting bones and tissues.
Facial Injuries: Injuries to the face, including fractures, lacerations, or dental damage, resulting from impact or airbag deployment.
Joint Injuries: Damage to joints such as the knees, shoulders, or hips, often leading to long-term pain and limited mobility.
Vision or Hearing Loss: Trauma to the head or exposure to loud sounds in a truck accident can result in vision or hearing impairment.
Wrongful Death: Wrongful death in truck accidents represents a devastating loss, often caused by negligence, and pursuing legal action can help provide justice for the grieving families left behind.

Damages That May Be Available for a Highland Truck Accident

In Indiana, the elements of damages that are recoverable in a personal injury case depend on the nature and extent of the injuries and the specific facts of the case. Generally, the following elements of damages may be recoverable in a personal injury case in Indiana:

1. Medical expenses: This includes the cost of medical treatment for injuries, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
2. Lost income: This includes wages or salary lost due to the injury, including the value of lost sick leave or vacation time.
3. Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing any property damaged in the accident, such as a car.
4. Pain and suffering: This includes physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the injury, including mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
5. Loss of consortium: This includes damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and support of a spouse, parent, or child due to the injury.
6. Punitive damages: In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish a defendant for particularly egregious behavior, such as drunk driving or intentional harm.
7. Wrongful death damages: Wrongful death damages encompass compensation for the profound loss suffered by the family, addressing funeral expenses, medical bills, lost financial support, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one due to negligence.

To recover damages in a personal injury case in Indiana, the injured party must prove that the defendant’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused their injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney like those at the Gladish Law Group can help determine the specific elements of damages that may be recoverable in a given case and can work to maximize the amount of compensation the injured party receives.

These are general categories of damages that may be recoverable in Indiana personal injury cases, but the specific damages recoverable depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help victims of personal injuries identify all of the damages to which they may be entitled and pursue full and fair compensation.

It is important to note that Indiana operates under a modified comparative fault system. This means that if the victim is found to be partially at fault for the accident that caused the injury, the damages recoverable will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the victim. If the victim is found to be more than 50% at fault, they may not recover damages at all.

Truck Accidents and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act

Knowing the trucking regulations and trucking industry practices is necessary for an attorney to effectively handle a serious trucking collision and ensure the monetary recovery for our clients is maximized.  Without an effective knowledge of these trucking regulations as well as having experience in handling trucking litigation, attorneys who attempt to practice in this area are doing their clients a disservice.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) is a federal law that regulates the safety of commercial motor vehicles, including trucks and buses, in interstate commerce. The FMCSA sets standards for driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and other safety-related issues.

The FMCSA applies to all commercial motor vehicles that operate in interstate commerce, which includes many trucks that travel through Highland, Indiana. The FMCSA also applies to intrastate carriers that transport hazardous materials or that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more.

In Highland, Indiana, the FMCSA is enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FMCSA conducts safety inspections of commercial vehicles and drivers, issues safety ratings for motor carriers, and enforces compliance with federal safety regulations.

Local law enforcement agencies may also enforce the FMCSA regulations and may conduct safety inspections of commercial vehicles within their jurisdictions.  Overall, the FMCSA is an important law that helps to ensure the safety of commercial motor vehicles and their drivers on the roads and highways of Highland, Indiana, and throughout the United States.

How Can the Gladish Law Group Truck Accident Lawyers Help?

Establishing Liability

Determining fault in a car-truck collision can be complicated, and may require the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney like the Gladish Law Group. Factors that may be considered in determining fault include driver negligence, defective equipment, and violations of federal or state regulations governing trucking operations.

Determining liability in a collision between a car and a semi-tractor trailer can be complex, as there may be multiple parties involved, including the driver of the truck, the trucking company, and other parties responsible for the maintenance and operation of the truck. In addition, there may be questions of compliance with federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

Negotiation with Insurance Companies

Recovering damages from a trucking company after a truck accident can be a complex and challenging process. In many cases, trucking companies have large legal teams and insurance companies working on their behalf to minimize their liability and protect their financial interests.

Making a recovery against a trucking company for personal injuries can be challenging, but it is possible with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Several factors can impact the difficulty of recovering damages from a trucking company, including the severity of the injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the resources and tactics employed by the trucking company’s legal team.

Trucking companies are often well-funded and have large legal teams that are experienced in defending against personal injury claims. Additionally, trucking companies and their drivers are subject to a complex web of federal and state regulations that can make it difficult to determine liability and prove negligence.

However, with the help of a skilled personal injury attorney like the Gladish Law Group who is familiar with the trucking industry and the applicable regulations, it is possible to build a strong case and pursue fair compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It is important to act quickly after a trucking accident to preserve evidence and gather witness statements, as this can help strengthen your case and increase the chances of a successful recovery.

In addition, trucking companies often have significant resources to defend themselves against personal injury claims, including insurance policies with high coverage limits and teams of experienced attorneys. This can make it difficult for individuals to pursue recovery on their own, and may require the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with the complexities of truck accident cases and can represent your interests in court or during settlement negotiations.

Litigation Support

If negotiations fail to yield a satisfactory result, we are prepared to take your case to court. Our litigation experience ensures strong representation in the pursuit of justice.

Your case is unique, and we recognize that. We develop personalized legal strategies tailored to the specifics of your situation, maximizing the likelihood of a positive outcome.

We serve as your advocate throughout the process, fighting for your rights and interests. Our client-centered approach ensures that you receive the support you need during a challenging time.

Truck Accident Expert Witnesses

Gladish Law Group employs high-level experts who focus on trucking collision cases. Trucking accidents can be complex and involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and potentially other parties, such as cargo loaders, manufacturers, and maintenance companies. To effectively pursue a trucking accident case, you may need to retain various expert witnesses who can provide specialized knowledge and testimony related to the case.

Expert witnesses can be crucial in trucking accident cases to help establish liability, damages, and other important factors. In trucking accident cases, expert witnesses may include:

1. Accident reconstructionists: These experts can analyze the physical evidence of the accident and use it to create a detailed and accurate reconstruction of how the accident occurred. They can also testify to factors such as the speed of the vehicles, the point of impact, and the actions of the drivers involved.
2. Trucking industry experts: These experts can provide testimony on industry standards and best practices, including regulations regarding truck maintenance, driver qualifications, and hours of service.
3. Medical experts: These experts can provide testimony regarding the victim’s injuries, the medical treatment they received, and the prognosis for their recovery. They can also provide opinions on the future medical expenses the victim is likely to incur.
4. Economic experts: These experts can help calculate the financial damages resulting from the accident, including lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other economic losses.
5. Human factors experts: These experts can provide testimony on human behavior and performance, including driver fatigue, distraction, and reaction times.

Expert witnesses can help strengthen a case by providing objective and fact-based testimony that supports the plaintiff’s position. They can also help explain complex technical or medical issues in a way that is easily understandable to a judge or jury. However, expert witnesses can be expensive, and their testimony can be challenged by the defense. It’s important to work with experienced attorneys at the Gladish Law Group who have a network of reliable and qualified expert witnesses to support the case.

Contact Gladish Law Firm for Your Highland Truck Accident Claim

If you, or a loved one, has suffered an injury or death due to the negligence of a truck driver and that driver’s company, it is important to seek the advice of a qualified truck accident attorney to ensure that you get the justice you deserve for your loss. Do not waste your only opportunity to receive fair compensation for your injury case by hiring the wrong lawyer. Get a lawyer that is experienced, highly rated and certified to represent you and your family.

Experiencing a truck accident in Highland, Indiana, is a challenging journey, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact Gladish Law Group today for compassionate support and legal guidance from our local lawyers with extensive experience in handling truck accident claims. We understand the intricacies of federal, state, and local laws governing these cases, and we’re here to advocate for your rights. Your path to justice begins with a call to us—let us guide you toward the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation.  Call our Highland law office at 219-838-1900 or fill out our online contact form. Get Gladish.