Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help me Determine Who is at Fault for My Accident?

September 30, 2022

Drivers on Indiana highways and interstates know that they need to share the road with all different types of vehicles. And this includes large commercial trucks. These types of vehicles can cause substantial levels of damage in an accident due to their size alone. At the end of the day, a smaller passenger vehicle is just no match for a large semi truck. 

Most Hoosiers know how important it is to give commercial trucks enough space on the road. After all, no one wants to get involved in an accident. But collisions still happen and are not always avoidable. If you were involved in an accident with a large truck, you’re going to need a qualified Indiana truck accident lawyer to represent your interests. 

That’s where Hensley Legal Group can step in and help out. Our attorneys have years of experience in dealing with truck accidents and we’re ready to listen to the details of your case too. Get in touch with us today at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or use our online contact form. 

When would the truck driver be responsible for my accident?

According to the National Safety Council, 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2020. In these tragic accidents, 4,965 people died. Not every collision with a large commercial truck can be prevented, but careful action and defensive driving measures can definitely cut down on the number of fatalities and even injuries. We all have a right to be on the road, so we all have a responsibility to keep one another safe.

If you were involved in an accident with a truck, it’s entirely possible that the truck driver, the driver’s employer, or even both could be held responsible for your injuries. When multiple parties are to blame in any accident, the situation becomes incredibly complex. That’s one reason why it really pays to hire a qualified truck accident lawyer who has experience with cases like these. 

In 2019 alone, unsafe driving practices were responsible for 65 percent of all car crashes in Indiana. A truck driver could be held responsible for your accident if they engaged in reckless driving behaviors or even failed to abide by the trucking company’s own rules and regulations. 

Truckers have certain rules they must follow for safety reasons. For example, they are required to undergo rigorous training before they’re allowed to be on the road by themselves. They also have to take breaks so they don’t become fatigued while on the road. Drowsy driving is a very real problem on Indiana roads. And when large commercial trucks are involved, the results are often deadly. 

When would the trucking company be responsible for my accident?

Whenever a trucking company hires a new driver, they have a responsibility to conduct a thorough background check on that person. We depend on truck drivers for so much, so they need to have clean driving records before getting out on the open road. 

However, there is an ongoing truck driver shortage and some companies may be tempted to cut corners in order to hire enough people. If a trucking company fails to complete adequate background checks and hires a trucker with a criminal driving record, they could be held legally responsible if the trucker were driving while impaired and caused an accident. 

But this isn’t the only time when the trucking company may be responsible for your accident. Truck drivers are obligated to follow strict driving rules and companies are obligated to enforce and uphold the rules. But sadly, this isn’t always the case.

There are federal rules in place that dictate how long a driver may be on the road before they legally have to take a break. If a trucking company is under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines and save money, they may also pressure the drivers to break the rules. 

Trucking companies may also be to blame for your accident if they weren’t properly licensing or training their drivers before sending them out on assignments. Handling a large commercial truck is a major responsibility and requires significant amounts of training. Accidents can easily occur when an inexperienced driver gets behind the wheel of a large truck.

The aftermath of any accident can be a very frightening time. But if you’re involved in a collision with a large commercial truck, you certainly may sustain serious injuries. Leave the hard work to the professionals at Hensley Legal Group so you can focus on rest and recovery. 

When you work with our team, you won’t pay for our services unless we help you win your case. We’re committed to excellent customer service and we want to treat you like family. 

Feel free to get in touch with us whenever you’re ready to talk. Call us at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or use our contact form. We are here and ready to listen to the details regarding your case.