Of all vehicles that are involved in accidents, one of the most common is a large truck, or “big rig.” In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 8 percent of all automobiles involved in fatal accidents were large trucks. Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyers cite many reasons for this, including the fact that most car drivers simply do not know how to properly maneuver around large trucks.
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However, one survey concluded that the most common cause of accidents involving large trucks was the consumption of legal drugs (prescription and over-the-counter). 44% of all truck accidents were at least partly attributable to this malady. Semi-truck accident lawyers in Indianapolis also cite other reasons, including speeding for causes. In many cases this is because truck drivers have to get their package to its destination in a limited amount of time. In such cases, the driver who might otherwise pull over to get needed sleep might keep driving at a high speed, thus putting themselves and other drivers at risk. Consequently, nearly one-fourth of all trucking accidents are because of speeding. Related to this, driver fatigue was the cause of 13% of truck accidents.
Unfamiliar Terrain
plain logic dictates that the larger the vehicle and the less familiar the driver is with the terrain, the more likely there will be an accident. Indeed, over one-fifth of trucking accidents were attributable to the driver being in an unfamiliar area. Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyers say this happens because most semi-truck drivers are making deliveries. One of two things will lead to an accident in such cases: either the driver gets lost, and gets into an accident while trying to maneuver his vehicle to get back on his route, or he takes his eyes off the road to consult his GPS or computer. While some safety advocates say these computers should be removed, semi-truck accident lawyers in Indianapolis counter that these are necessary for the truck drivers to do their job, and find their destination more efficiently.
When to Consult a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis
Of the thousands of accidents involving semi-trucks that occur every year, over half are the fault of the truck driver. For that reason, trucking companies devote a large portion of their budgets to attorney fees. In addition, because of the high accident rates, some may seek to manipulate accident victims into a less-than-satisfactory financial settlement. That is why you should consult a Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyer immediately if you are the victim of an accident involving a “big rig” truck. Such an attorney has knowledge of what the law says about these types of accidents, and how much compensation victims are entitled to.
A good semi-truck lawyer in Indianapolis will urge his client to seek medical help right away. Then he will admonish his client to not speak to the other parties to the accident. Should they attempt to contact him, he should direct them to his attorney. After researching appropriate accident law and researching the facts in the case at hand, the Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyer will begin negotiating a settlement with the legal counsel for the trucking company. The final dollar amount of the settlement should be based upon the victim’s post accident needs, which will include any combination of medical bills, car repair, a rental vehicle, and possibly recovery from mental trauma.
