Gary IN Truck Accidents Attorney
Lake County Trucking Injury Lawyers for Crash Victims
Truck accidents can be devastating, often leading to severe consequences for those involved. Due to their size and weight, trucks pose a significant risk on the road, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Following a truck accident in Gary, Indiana, an experienced attorney who knows about handling these types of cases can provide invaluable legal assistance. At Kadzai Law Group, LLC, we are dedicated to helping 18-wheeler crash victims recover full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Commercial Semi-Truck Accident Responsibility
Tractor-trailer crashes can occur due to a variety of reasons. Identifying the cause is essential when pursuing a personal injury claim against the responsible party or parties. Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: Truck drivers may become distracted by various factors such as cell phones, eating or drinking, adjusting GPS systems or radios, and engaging in other activities that take their attention away from the road.
- Fatigue: Long hours on the road coupled with demanding schedules could lead truck drivers to suffer from fatigue. When they are tired behind the wheel, a driver's reaction times decrease significantly, increasing the chances of being involved in an accident.
- Speeding: Some truck drivers exceed speed limits or fail to adjust their speed appropriately based on driving conditions. Speeding increases stopping distances, reducing a driver's ability to slow down and stop safely.
- Inadequate Training: Improperly trained drivers may lack the critical skills necessary to operate large commercial trucks safely.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Neglected maintenance issues, including faulty brakes or tire blowouts, can cause serious accidents. Trucking companies and drivers must regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure they are roadworthy.
- Driving Under the Influence: The use of alcohol or drugs can dramatically impair a truck driver's judgment, reaction times, and bodily coordination.
- Unsecured Cargo: Shifting cargo can cause a truck driver to lose control, and a load falling from a truck can seriously damage other vehicles, causing serious injuries. When this happens, the companies that failed to load properly can be held responsible for the resulting injuries.
- Reckless Driving: To get where they need to go as quickly as possible, truck drivers may exceed speed limits or break other traffic laws. Dangerous collisions with other vehicles can result from this type of unsafe driving behavior, and truck drivers may indirectly cause additional car crashes.
Various Types of Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Semi-truck wrecks can be especially dangerous due to the unique characteristics of these large vehicles. Understanding the different types of truck accidents is crucial when building a strong personal injury claim. Some common types include:
- Rear-End Collisions: These occur when a truck crashes into another vehicle from behind. Rear-end collisions can result in severe injuries due to the force exerted by the heavy truck upon impact.
- Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife happens when a truck's trailer swings out to form an angle with the cab, creating an "L" or "V" shape resembling a partially open pocket knife. These accidents often lead to multi-vehicle collisions and significant property damage.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollovers occur when trucks lose control and tip over onto their sides or roofs. Such accidents frequently result from excessive speeding, improperly secured loads, sharp turns taken at high speeds, or unevenly distributed weight within the trailer.
- T-Bone Collisions: A T-bone crash occurs when one vehicle collides with another vehicle's side at a perpendicular angle. A wreck like this often results in substantial damage to a vehicle that was struck from the side, potentially causing vehicle occupants to suffer catastrophic injuries.
Contact a Gary Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Kadzai Law Group, LLC, our knowledgeable team has extensive experience handling truck accident cases, and we will fight to protect your rights and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Our lawyers can assist you in building a strong case and negotiating with insurers so you can continue to focus on your recovery. We represent clients in Gary and across Lake County, including Schererville, Lowell, Lake Station, Hobart, Saint John, Cedar Lake, Crown Point, New Chicago, Hammond, Dyer, and Munster. Schedule a complimentary consultation by visiting our contact us page or calling us at 312-229-0050.