Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Gary, IN

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident in Gary?

After a truck accident in Gary, Indiana, liability can be traced to various parties, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Potential parties that can be held liable include:

Truck Drivers

The truck driver may be held liable if their negligence or reckless actions — such as speeding, distracted driving, or impaired driving — directly contributed to the accident.

Trucking Companies

Trucking companies can be held liable if they fail to properly maintain their vehicles, hire qualified drivers, enforce safety regulations, or exceed hours-of-service limits.

Vehicle Manufacturers

If a defect in the truck's design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for product liability.

Cargo Loaders

Those responsible for loading and securing cargo may be held liable if improper loading leads to an accident, such as cargo shifting or falling off the truck.

Maintenance and Repair Providers

If a party maintenance or repair provider performed substandard work that contributed to the accident (or could have prevented it), they may be held liable.

Government Entities

If poor road maintenance or inadequate signage contributed to the accident, government entities responsible for road maintenance may be held liable.

Other Drivers

If another driver's negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident, that driver may share liability.

Understanding Indiana Comparative Fault Statute

Indiana follows a comparative fault system when it comes to personal injury cases, including those arising from truck accidents.

Under Indiana's Comparative Fault Act (Ind. Code § 34-51-2-5), if you are involved in an accident and share some degree of fault for the incident, you can still pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. However, the amount you can recover may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault and the total damages are $100,000, you can recover $80,000 (80%).

What Compensation Can Gary Truck Accident Lawyers Recover?

Truck accident attorneys in Gary, Indiana, help victims recover compensation for various damages and losses resulting from a truck accident.

The types of damages you can recover will vary depending on the circumstances of the case, but they may include:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for past, current, and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the accident.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work during recovery or long-term disability.
• Property Damage: Payment for repairs or the replacement of damaged vehicles and personal property.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical and emotional pain, distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party and deter future misconduct.
• Loss of Consortium: Damages for the loss of companionship, care, and support, often claimed by spouses or family members.

The exact amount of compensation that can be recovered will depend on several factors, including liability, the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and the skill of your legal representation.