Tag Archives: Truck accident claims

Recovering Physically and Financially After a Truck Accident Injury

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Semi-truck accidents can be life-altering. Whether it’s a collision with a large truck on the highway or a trucking accident caused by trucker violations, the aftermath often leaves victims dealing with significant physical injuries and challenging financial burdens. This post provides guidance to help victims recover physically and financially while navigating personal injury claims and legal processes.

If you’re recovering from truck accident injuries, this guide explores practical steps to regain control of your health, finances, and future. From rehabilitation options to understanding the role of a truck accident lawyer, we’ve got you covered.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyers
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Understanding Physical Recovery After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents can lead to severe injuries ranging from broken bones and whiplash to long-term disabilities and death. These injuries require not only immediate care but also a solid long-term recovery plan sometimes.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Plan for Long-term Care

After a large truck accident, your first priority should always be medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms like internal bleeding or spinal trauma may not appear until days, weeks or even months later. Visit a doctor immediately, document all injuries thoroughly, and follow prescribed treatment plans.

Long-term care, such as repeated specialist visits or surgeries, is often required to fully recover from truck accident injuries. Be proactive in scheduling every necessary follow-up.

2. Explore Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in recovery, helping regain mobility and function after semi-truck accidents. Depending on your injuries, rehabilitation may include:

  1. Strength-building exercises for muscle rehabilitation. 
  2. Occupational therapy for relearning daily tasks. 
  3. Advanced care such as hydrotherapy or chiropractic adjustments for chronic pain management.

Consult your doctor and ensure your insurance or settlement includes coverage for therapy costs.

3. Manage Pain Wisely

Pain after a trucking accident can linger for months, even years. Pain management strategies may include:

  1. Over-the-counter or prescription medications. 
  2. Alternative remedies such as acupuncture or massage therapy. 
  3. Non-invasive procedures like nerve block injections. 

Discuss pain relief options with your healthcare professional and make sure you’re focusing on methods suited to your specific needs.

Navigating Financial Recovery After a Trucking Accident

Beyond physical recovery, victims of truck accidents often face the daunting challenge of navigating overwhelming financial consequences. Medical bills from hospital visits and ongoing treatments can quickly pile up, while repairing or replacing damaged property adds another layer of stress. On top of that, missed workdays or even the inability to return to work due to severe injuries can lead to a significant loss of income. These financial burdens can become unmanageable without a clear and strategic plan for recovery, leaving victims and their families struggling to regain stability.

Assess Your Damages Thoroughly

Start by calculating all damages from the accident, ensuring you account for every cost incurred. You attorney will do most of this, but they will need your help. These typically include:

Medical Bills

This covers all medical-related expenses such as emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, ongoing physical therapy, and even specialized treatments or rehabilitation that may be required in the future. Don’t forget to include costs for medical equipment, like crutches or braces, if needed.

Lost Wages

Calculate any income you’ve lost due to missed work, whether from taking time off for immediate recovery or ongoing appointments. Be sure to also estimate any potential future wages you may lose if the accident impacts your ability to work long-term or limits your job opportunities.

Property Damage

Account for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any other personal property damaged in the accident. This could include items like electronics, clothing, or other belongings present in the car at the time of the crash.

Pain and Suffering

It’s essential to also consider the non-economic damages, like the emotional and psychological impact of the accident. This can include any mental distress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced as a result of the incident.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, victims may also be eligible for punitive damages if the accident was caused by the truck driver’s or their employer’s reckless or negligent behavior. These are intended to punish the at-fault party, to deter others from similar egregious conduct and can provide additional financial compensation.

Be meticulous and thorough during this process, as your personal injury claim will rely heavily on documented and accurate costs. It’s always a good idea to keep all receipts, invoices, and even notes about expenses to strengthen your case.  Again, your attorney will handle most of this but they will need your help.

Understand Insurance Claims and Settlements

Dealing with insurance companies after a trucking accident can be stressful. Insurance adjusters will offer low-ball settlements that don’t cover your needs. It’s critical to:

  1. File your insurance claim as soon as possible.  Your attorney will do this for you. 
  2. Keep records of all correspondence, photos of the accident scene, and medical documents. 
  3. Be cautious about signing any settlement agreement before understanding the full scope of your expenses and losses.  Again, consultation with your attorney is critical as they will explain everything to you in an understandable way.

The Importance of a Personal Injury Lawyer

A skilled personal injury lawyer experienced in trucking accident cases is your strongest ally. They help assess the strength of your claim, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you receive a fair settlement.

Hiring a truck accident lawyer ensures you have someone on your side who knows how to counter the tactics insurance companies use to minimize payouts.

Seeking Legal Assistance After a Truck Accident

Navigating personal injury law and the trucking industry’s complex regulations requires an experienced lawyer. Choosing the right legal representative will make all the difference in securing the compensation and justice you deserve.

When Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

It’s advisable to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash. Situations where legal guidance is especially critical include:

  1. Complex cases involving multiple vehicles.
  2. Accidents caused by trucker violations such as distracted driving or overloaded cargo.
  3. Disputes over fault or evidence of negligence by the trucking company.

Acting quickly also ensures your lawyer can gather time-sensitive evidence, such as driver logs, truck black box data or surveillance footage, before it’s lost or destroyed.

What to Look For in a Legal Representative

When selecting a lawyer, keep the following in mind:

  1. Experience: Ensure they specialize in truck accident injuries and understand personal injury law intricacies.
  2. Comfort: Attend a free meeting with your potential attorney and discuss your case and judge your comfort level with the attorney.
  3. Communication: Look for someone transparent and responsive to your concerns.

The Litigation Process Explained

If a fair pre-trial settlement isn’t reached, your truck accident attorney will guide you through litigation. This process includes filing the lawsuit, exchanging discovery evidence, preparing for trial, and representing you in court. With a strong legal team, you’ll have confidence in navigating even the most challenging aspects of the judicial process.

In Summary

Recovering from truck accident injuries is about more than healing your body—it’s about reclaiming your life. By focusing on physical rehabilitation and understanding your financial and legal options, you can move forward with greater confidence.

Don’t wait to address your needs. Contact an experienced trucking accident lawyer today to discuss your case, understand your options, and take the first step towards a better future. Recovering from a trucking accident takes time, but with the right help, it’s entirely possible.

Are you or a loved one currently dealing with the aftermath of a serious truck accident? For personalized legal advice and support, reach out to Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C. at 317-881-2700 today. Our truck accident lawyers in Indianapolis are ready to steer you through your case’s complexities and fight for the best possible outcome. We represent injured victims across the state, including Indiana residents injured elsewhere and out-of-state residents injured in Indiana. Don’t let time run out—act now to protect your auto accident claim!

Related Posts:

Indiana Truck Accident Claims – A Guide for the Injured
What You Need to Know About Your Rights After a Semi Truck Collision
Can I Sue Both Company and Driver After Being Hurt in a Truck Accident?

Indiana Truck Accident Claims – A Guide for the Injured

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Commercial trucks pose extreme risks to motorists traveling on Indiana roads and highways.  If an accident occurs, the consequences are usually severe given the weight of the semi-truck and the speeds of the vehicles involved.  These collisions can result in death and severe injuries if the semi-truck drivers are not using reasonable care. 

If you have or a family member has been injured or a loved one has been killed in a trucking accident and it was the other driver’s fault, you have a right to make a personal injury claim and to recover for you damages and losses suffered as a result thereof. Truck accident claims by injured persons can help you recover both monetary and non-monetary damages like pain and suffering and the emotional losses suffered as a result of losing your loved one, and a truck accident attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

This guide will help you understand what your options are for how to file a truck accident claim in Indiana and how to seek full and fair compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Indiana Truck Accident Attorneys
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With Our Indiana Truck Accident Attorneys

What You Should Do Following a Truck Accident in Indiana

Immediately after the truck accident, your first step should be to seek medical care for yourself and your passengers. This includes being seen by a EMT’s, being taken to an emergency room by ambulance if necessary or going to your doctor for a follow-up appointment after the collision.

Since most trucking accidents are quite serious, especially in comparison to standard car accidents, some of the types of treatments and care that become necessary are as follows:

  • Ambulance transport
  • Emergency room treatment
  • Hospitalization
  • X-rays and other diagnostic scans
  • Surgery or surgeries
  • Rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy
  • Pain and other medications
  • Follow-up medical appointments
  • Future medical care and treatments
  • Psychological care
  • Wheelchairs, crutches, braces and other medical devices

Evidence Collection

First, do not stress. Your truck accident attorney will obtain the evidence that will be needed for your case but obviously it is beneficial to your case if you or a friend or relative are physically able to help collect evidence. Moreover, you should always call the police after any motor vehicle accident as the investigating officer will obtain evidence regarding the collision and all parties involved in the collision. 

Some things you can do immediately after an accident include the following:

  1. Call 911 and have the police and ambulance personnel come to the scene
  2. Collect photos and videos of the scene, including persons and vehicles involved, especially the side of the truck which has vital information usually located on the door
  3. Obtain contact data for all witnesses and the other drivers
  4. Get checked out by EMS and get transported to the hospital for a more thorough examination by a doctor
  5. Hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible as evidence will disappear if not retained as soon as possible

After the accident, your attorney can collect additional forms of evidence, which may include:

  • Video and photos of the scene and vehicles involved
  • The police report
  • Photos and body camera footage from the police
  • Dash camera footage from the truck or other involved vehicle3s
  • Commercial Driver’s logbook
  • Truck inspection records
  • Trucking company records for their vehicle and driver
  • Drug, alcohol and/or other toxicology reports for the truck driver

Who Can You File Your Claim Against?

Several persons or companies can possibly bear responsibility for causing the accident. An accident attorney with experience in handling trucking cases can help determine who did what wrong. Moreover, claims can be made against one, some, or all depending upon the facts in the case.

The following entities or persons can potentially be held liable for an accident depending upon what happened in the collision:

  • The truck driver (e.g. For not following the rules of the road, driving too many hours without appropriate rest, failing to maintain the truck and trailer, failing to follow safety rules, failing to properly secure the cargo, failing to make sure the trailer was no overloaded, failing to have the appropriate licensing and training)
  • The trucking company (e.g. For negligent hiring or retention of the driver, failing to maintain the truck and trailer, requiring the driver make deliveries with time limitations, failing to enforce safety rules)
  • The manufacturer (e.g. If negligence or strict liability applies for manufacturing defects with the truck or trailer or other involved items and they caused or helped to cause the collision)
  • Loaders or shippers (e.g. They can be negligent if the cargo was not properly secured or the truck and trailer are overloaded)
  • Other drivers (e.g. If multiple vehicles were involved and the other driver failed to follow the rules of the road)

Your Damages and Losses

Depending on the facts of the case, damages can include both economic and non-economic losses. Calculating your damages for economic losses is simpler than calculating damages for non-economic damages and losses, although non-economic damages are more important and should be valued higher as they compensate for how the injuries negatively affected your life in whole. For example, the majority of your economic losses you incurred were what was spent trying to alleviate or lessen the effects of your injuries and the pain and suffering you experienced, such as non-economic losses.

Nobody wants to even think about being injured in a collision and if they are injured, they would rather be put back to where they were before their injury occurred than to have to make a claim for monetary damages.  However, if you are injured through the fault of others, you are owed full and fair compensation for all your injuries and damages sustained, past and future, just like any other person in Indiana.   

General Types of Economic Losses – Past and Future

  • Property damages to your vehicle and items in your vehicle
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation expenses
  • Wheelchairs, crutches, braces and other medical devices
  • Home assistive devices
  • Home health care
  • Future medical care

General Types of Non-Economic Losses – Past and Future

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium, services and society
  • Permanent functional disability

Filing Your Indiana Truck Accident Claim

Your attorney will provide each potentially at-fault person or entity’s insurance carrier the evidence that their insured caused the collision and your injuries and damages and what your settlement demand amount is for based upon the evidence. The main purpose of an insurance company is to make money.  Because of this, insurance companies may try to deny a claim altogether or they make an offer that is unreasonable and far below the true value of your claim.

When this occurs, your auto accident attorney at Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C. can negotiate further on your behalf to see if there is a way to reach a mutually amicable settlement agreement.  If such a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney can file a lawsuit and litigate your claims in court if necessary.

You should have an attorney representing your interests as soon as possible following a collision as your success rate would greatly improve.  Your lawyer will know the personal injury laws in Indiana are there are several.  Most personal injury cases we handle for our clients do eventually get settled because we are always ready to go to court if necessary. If the defendant’s insurance company refuses to settle your claim in a fair manner, again, we are prepared to go to court and prepared to present the evidence necessary to win your case.

Your Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers – Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C.

Are you seeking justice for a trucking accident injury or death in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced trucking accident attorney in Indianapolis, today. We represent injured persons and their families across the state, including Indiana residents injured out of state and individuals from other states injured in Indiana.

We provide guidance, empathy and expert knowledge to all our clients and we stand with them in seeking full and fair compensation and because we work on a contingency fee basis, none of our clients pay any attorney fees unless we win their case for them. We have collected millions and millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients over the last 30 years. Do not wait – act now while you still have time!

Related Posts:

Navigating the Highways: A Review of Indiana’s Commercial Trucking Laws
Critical Steps to Take Immediately After a Big Truck Accident
Never Accept A Truck Accident Settlement Offer without Talking To An Attorney

Never Accept A Truck Accident Settlement Offer without Talking To An Attorney First

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Being involved in a truck accident can be a harrowing experience, with potential long-term impacts on your health and finances. If you find yourself in such a situation in Indiana, it’s crucial to understand that the initial settlement offer from an insurance company will not cover all your damages or losses.

This blog post will discuss why you should hire or at a minimum talk with an attorney before accepting a truck accident settlement offer, ensuring that you make an informed decision. We will delve into the complexities surrounding personal injury settlements, especially those involving semi-trucks, and help you navigate this challenging process.

Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney Near Indianapolis
Call 317-881-2700 to Speak With a Truck Accident Attorney Near Indianapolis

Understanding the Nature of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are often catastrophic, with a higher chance of severe injuries and property damage compared to car accidents. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks make them more difficult to maneuver and stop, making it easier for them to cause significant harm in an accident. Additionally, many truck drivers and companies operate on tight schedules, which could lead to driver fatigue and other safety violations.

The Role of Insurance Companies

After a trucking accident, you can expect the insurance company representing the trucking company or driver to offer you a settlement amount as quickly as possible. However, it’s important to note that their main goal is to minimize costs for their client and their insurance company, not compensate you fairly for your losses. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate any settlement offer before accepting it.

Key Truck Accident Injury Questions to Consider:

▷ What is the total amount of compensation I am entitled to?

▷ Does this settlement offer cover all my past, present, and future medical expenses related to the truck accident?

▷ Will it also include compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages?

▷ Is the insurance company aware of all my injuries and their severity?

▷ Have I consulted with a personal injury attorney to determine the fair value of my case before accepting a settlement offer?

▷ How will accepting this settlement affect any future medical treatment or expenses related to the truck accident?

▷ Are there any hidden clauses or terms in the settlement offer that could limit my ability to seek further compensation in the future?

▷ Can I negotiate for a higher settlement amount if I feel it does not adequately cover my losses?

These are just some of the important questions to consider, in consultation with your attorney, before accepting a truck accident injury settlement offer in Indiana. It’s crucial to thoroughly assess your situation and consult with experts, such as personal injury attorney,s who are experienced in motor vehicle accidents, to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for all your damages.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Your Claim

Navigating the legal process after a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with insurance companies and their tactics. A reliable truck accident lawyer with experience handling such cases can help you understand your rights and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. They will also gather and present all necessary evidence to support your claim, ensuring that you receive the compensation you are entitled to and so you can concentrate on getting better.

In Summary

While it may be tempting to accept a quick settlement offer, it’s important to remember that it will not fully cover all your losses and expenses. Consider the questions outlined in this blog post before making any decisions, and always seek professional advice from experienced personal injury attorneys to protect your rights and secure fair compensation. Remember, it’s not just about getting a settlement offer, but ensuring that you receive the justice you deserve after a traumatic truck accident.  Therefore, take your time and make an informed decision. Your health and financial well-being depend on it.

If you were just injured in a pickup truck or large trucking accident, make sure to take the time to understand your options before making any decisions. Contact Craven, Hoover & Blazek, P.C. at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free case evaluation with a seasoned truck accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent victims all throughout the state, plus Indiana residents injured in other states.

Related Posts:

10 Tips for Keeping Safe on the Road Around Large Trucks
What You Need to Know About Your Rights After a Semi Truck Collision
The Most Common Reasons Why Semi Truck Accidents Happen