Backhoe Accident Lawyers
Backhoes are among the most utilized pieces of equipment on construction sites today, both in Indiana and throughout the United States. An excavating machine consisting of a loader bucket on the end of a two-part articulated arm mounted to a tractor, a backhoe is designed to move substantial quantities of earth and materials.
But as essential as backhoes are to digging trenches and laying pipe, they can be highly dangerous when they are misused. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, backhoes are associated with more than 38 deaths nationwide each year. Even non-fatal backhoe accidents can inflict punishing injuries that could be economically devastating to many Indiana families.
While financial compensation may be available if you have been hurt in a backhoe accident, success is not guaranteed, which is why many reach out to the construction accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group, who are committed to getting justice for the average Hoosier.
You can schedule a free consultation with an accomplished Indiana backhoe accident lawyer by calling or texting us at (317) 472-3333, chatting with us online, or filling out our contact form.
Common Causes of Indiana Backhoe Accidents
A backhoe accident could occur for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common causes of Indiana backhoe accidents include:
· Moving or falling buckets – Backhoe buckets are extremely heavy, and a backhoe operator needs to exercise caution when moving a bucket so as not to strike workers and bystanders. These buckets are also detachable and must either be fastened securely or removed carefully to keep them from falling and causing injury.
· Blind spot collisions – Every vehicle has blind spots, which are areas outside of a driver’s normal field of vision. Backhoes are no exception, with multiple zones that an operator cannot easily see, including anything or anyone in the path of the bucket. Backhoe operators need to check their blind spots frequently to avoid hitting, running over, or pinning those who may be in their way.
· Rollovers – Because of their loader buckets, backhoes are top-heavy machines. The higher the bucket is, the more unstable the backhoe may be, making it vulnerable to tipping or rolling over, especially when it travels uphill or over rough terrain.
· Falls – Similarly, as large vehicles that are engaged in digging even larger holes, backhoes run the risk of falling into the holes they are producing if they are not operated judiciously.
· Transportation errors – Backhoes are usually transported to and from construction sites on flatbed trucks, and errors during the loading and unloading process could result in someone being crushed beneath an improperly secured or maneuvered backhoe.
· Electrocution – When backhoes are in motion with their buckets elevated, they may become entangled in power lines, which could subject their operators to lethal amounts of electrical current.
· Mechanical malfunctions – Backhoes are sophisticated machines made up of thousands of parts. If one of these parts malfunctions, a disastrous backhoe accident could take place.
Regardless of the specific cause of your injury, our Indiana backhoe accident attorneys will determine the best course of action to take if you are contemplating a case.
Who Is Responsible for an Indiana Backhoe Accident?
A range of individuals and entities could be responsible for an Indiana backhoe accident, including:
· Backhoe operators – The operator of the backhoe could be at fault for a backhoe accident in which human error is a factor.
· Backhoe owners – The backhoe’s owner could share blame for negligence by the operator on the owner’s behalf, as well as for injuries resulting from irregular maintenance of the backhoe.
· Property owners and developers – Indiana law requires property owners and developers to provide safe working conditions on construction sites, and they could be liable if unsafe conditions contribute to a backhoe accident.
· General contractors and subcontractors – The general contractor is typically in charge of implementing construction project safeguards and may be culpable for on-site injuries as well, as could subcontractors hired by the general contractor if their conduct brings about a backhoe accident.
· Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers – When a backhoe or its component parts break down, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer might be pursued for any subsequent injuries.
In certain instances, multiple parties could have varying levels of legal liability for the same backhoe accident, for which they might have varying levels of fiscal liability. Given how many defendants there could be, it is important to go after all of them within the time allotted by law, known as the Statute of Limitations.
Failure to file a lawsuit or otherwise resolve your claim before the Statute expires could forever bar you from full recovery – an oversight that the meticulous Indiana backhoe accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group will not allow.
What to Do After a Backhoe Accident
Nobody ever expects to suffer a backhoe-related injury, so it can be difficult to know what to do next. Nevertheless, there are key steps you should remember to take after a backhoe accident to better protect yourself and your case, such as the following:
· Report the accident – Promptly informing your employer, foreman, or supervisor about your injury can ensure that the timing of the backhoe accident and basic facts about it will be on record.
· Seek medical attention – Delays in treatment could be detrimental to your health and cast doubt on the extent and relevance of your injuries, so seek medical attention as soon as you can.
· Shoot pictures and videos – Use your phone to shoot pictures and video of your surroundings. Be sure to document the damages incurred and defects that may have led to the backhoe accident.
· Get witness information – Take down the names and numbers of the witnesses present, since they could provide independent confirmation of what happened.
· Avoid the insurance company – Insurance adjusters may be eager to talk, but you should try to avoid them if possible. Even the most innocuous statement you make to the insurance company could be used to undermine your case, particularly if you do not understand your rights.
· Speak to an attorney – A knowledgeable Indiana backhoe accident lawyer can educate you about your rights and let you know what to expect if you proceed with a case.
How a Backhoe Accident Attorney Can Help
Backhoe accidents can be devastating, overwhelming you with escalating bills while hindering your ability to go to work. And if you attempt to obtain the resources to meet the new demands on your wallet, you may encounter stiff opposition from insurance companies desperate to reduce their exposure.
You need attorneys with the compassion to support you through your troubles and the wisdom to overcome them. You need the backhoe accident attorneys at Hensley Legal Group, who have been standing up for the everyday people of Indiana since 1998.
If you decide to hire Hensley, we will carry out a comprehensive investigation into your backhoe accident within the time permitted by law. Our Indiana backhoe accident lawyers will work tirelessly to amass the materials necessary to build your claim and uncover any evidence of wrongdoing that exists.
After putting together a rock-solid case against the at-fault parties, we will negotiate directly with their insurers to reach a settlement that takes the entirety of your losses into account, including:
· Medical expenses
· Lost income
· Pain and suffering
· Psychological and emotional trauma
· Diminished quality of life
· Permanent impairment
· Loss of consortium
· Punitive and wrongful death damages (if applicable)
And unlike many of our competitors, who rarely, if ever, see the inside of a courtroom, we are not afraid to go to trial if we do not receive an offer that is worthy of your case.
Every backhoe accident is different, but we will always strive to get you top dollar for yours.
You Won’t Pay Until We Win
If you are concerned about agreeing to more expenditures when you can least afford them, you should know that our firm works on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay us anything until our Indiana backhoe accident attorneys win your case.
Hensley is willing to shoulder all of the burdens involved in helping you become whole again.
Our Indiana Backhoe Accident Lawyers Will Be Here for You
Hensley Legal Group has been advocating for the wrongfully injured for over a quarter century. If you have been hurt through no fault of your own, our Indiana backhoe accident lawyers will be here for you.
Please call or text us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form for a no-cost case review with a dedicated Indiana backhoe accident attorney.
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