Commercial trucks are large motor vehicles capable of causing serious injury to you or a loved one when involved in a collision. Another driver or party’s role in causing a truck accident in Portage can make them liable for various damages suffered because of an injury.
A Portage truck accident lawyer from The Law Offices of David W. Holub could help you recover valuable compensation. Learn more about who may be liable for injury in a truck accident and the types of damages to claim in a lawsuit from an experienced personal injury attorney at our firm today.
Examples of Wrongful Acts That Could Establish Liability for Injury in a Portage Truck Accident
Portage sits along many popular trucking routes between the major cities of the Midwest. This increases the risk of truck accidents in the area, often resulting from a truck driver’s wrongful acts and other forms of carelessness. For example, the following issues could directly lead to a truck accident:
- Speeding
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to safely navigate a truck’s blind spots
- Distracted driving from a cell phone or another device
A semi-truck accident lawyer in Portage could also handle personal injury cases that extend beyond the direct fault of a negligent truck driver. For example, a company responsible for maintaining or loading a commercial truck could be liable for accidents that happen due to failures in keeping the truck in a safe condition. Employers of commercial truck drivers may also share in the liability for accidents resulting from a driver’s negligence in the performance of their employment.
Recovering Compensation for Truck Accident Injuries in a Personal Injury Case
Filing a civil lawsuit for personal injury in a truck accident is the formal method for recovering compensation against a party at fault. The lawsuit will state how the party caused or is liable for the injury from an accident and state the damages incurred. The amount of damages in a Portage truck accident case will vary depending on the specifics of a person’s injury. In general, an experienced truck accident lawyer will seek damages for a client’s medical care costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Recovering compensation in a truck accident case can be difficult without the counsel of a well-practiced legal professional in Portage. Trucking companies and other potentially liable parties will raise any argument to lessen their fault and responsibility for damages. For example, they may allege an injured party also acted improperly in the actions that caused their injury. The law applies a rule of comparative fault under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-5 and Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6, which can lower or possibly prevent recovery if a jury finds a plaintiff more than 50 percent at fault. Our team could work to defend against claims of comparative fault and employ strategies to maximize compensation in settlement or at trial.
Consult a Portage Truck Accident Lawyer
Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations in I.C. § 34-11-2-4 for personal injury claims that generally begin on the date of an accident. It’s important to consult with a Portage truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to evaluate legal options and potential filing deadlines. Schedule a free case review with The Law Offices of David W. Holub today.