Trucks are a legal part of any big state. Although, they are essential for a city they can cause great harm to us if an accident occurs especially if you live in the 5th busiest city. Road accidents are common in Indiana where 724 million tons of goods are transported through trucks and other big vehicles. Every year about 130,000 truck accidents occur and in Indiana, there is a chance of 5% truck accidents. According to a record, there were approximately 11,000 road accidents due to trucks recorded in 2018. In this type of severe condition, one must know what to do after a truck accident because many people don’t know they can get compensation for the accident.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents:
Primary factors that cause truck accidents are negligence of the driver for doing unsafe lane movement, unsafe backing, speeding or improper passing. Here is a breakdown of the different causes of a truck accident.
● Performance:
Usually, truck drivers have to drive for hours which makes them tired and they perform unattentively which in consequence cause an accident.
● Vehicle:
Sometimes there is a failure in the vehicle brakes which can cause accidents.
● Recognition:
Drivers sometimes don’t realize what is the situation around them and they can’t gauge properly which can cause accidents. For example, they are distracted by other activities.
● Decision:
Many accidents are caused due to wrong decisions of truck drivers.
First Steps After a Truck Accident in Indiana:
Taking essential first steps is important during a car accident because these steps will help you get compensation in the future.
- Contact to emergency doctor as soon as possible and if you are not in condition to take help ask for help from someone around you.
- Call the police if you have injuries and got damage of at least $1000.
- Try to move your car or vehicle beside the road.
- Witness everything and collect evidence for example: by taking photos.
- If you see any witnesses take their numbers and addresses as well.
- Take the UDOT number of the vehicle.
As soon as you reach home contact your insurance provider and get your certificate of compliance. One can also file a complaint against the driver if he/she thinks he is at fault.
Legal Rights of an Injured Victim:
As soon as you leave the accident scene you need to get proper medical assistance even if the injuries are minor. You must know that if the driver’s negligence was the reason for the accident, then you will get full compensation. You will also get expenses for your medical care and any economic damage.
Indiana Laws Governing Truck Accidents:
The trucking companies need to full fill some conditions that are given by federal regulations which include a limit to the weight carried in the truck, hazardous materials, use of mobiles, and licensing requirements. If they don’t meet these conditions, they will eventually face several consequences.
FAQs:
- Who is responsible for a truck accident?
Whenever a truck accident occurs the truck’s insurance company is mainly responsible for all the compensation. You can also hire Truck Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN.
- How is fault determined after a truck accident?
Once the police report comes it determines the at-fault party from the incident. The witnesses and the evidence are kept in mind while determining who is the victim.
- Why are trucking accidents a serious issue?
Trucking accidents are a serious issue because they are more than 30 times heavier than a regular vehicle hence if there is a collision between two vehicles it can get harsh.
Conclusion:
Living in one of the busiest cities has its pros and cons to it. Truck accidents are one of the biggest cons to big cities hence one must know what to do if they ever have to meet such miserable accidents.