Truck Accidents
Truck Accident Injury Law Firm in Northwest Indiana
I-65, I-80/94 and the Borman carry heavy semi-truck traffic through Northwest Indiana every day. A loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, so crashes with trucks often cause serious injuries. Vollmer Law Group helps people hurt in truck crashes in Lake, Porter, Jasper and surrounding counties. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
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Why truck accident cases are different
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More than one company may be responsible: the driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance shop, or a parts maker.
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Trucking companies must follow federal safety rules on driver hours, inspections, maintenance and drug and alcohol testing. Breaking those rules can help show who was at fault.
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Trucks record data. Electronic logs and engine data can show speed, braking and how long the driver had been on the road, but that data can be lost if no one asks the company to keep it.
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Trucking companies and their insurers often send investigators to the scene quickly.
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What to do after a truck crash
1. Get medical care, even if you feel okay.
2. Call the police and get the crash report number.
3. Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, your injuries, and the company name and DOT number on the truck's door.
4. Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
5. Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before you talk to a lawyer.
6. Call us, so we can send a letter asking the trucking company to keep its records and truck data.
How a truck accident claim works
1. We investigate: the crash report, photos, witnesses, truck data and driver logs.
2. You focus on getting medical treatment.
3. We document your medical bills, lost wages and how the injuries affect your life.
4. We send a demand to the insurance companies and negotiate.
5. If they will not offer a fair settlement, we can file a lawsuit.
Important deadlines
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In Indiana, most injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash.
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If a city, county or state vehicle was involved, a written notice is generally due much sooner: 180 days for a local government and 270 days for the State of Indiana.
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If you were partly at fault, you can generally still recover as long as your share of the fault is not more than 50%. Your recovery is reduced by your share.
What it costs
We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee. Our fee is 33.3% of the recovery if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed, and 40% after a lawsuit is filed. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fee.
Common questions
Who pays when a semi-truck hits me?
Usually the trucking company's insurance. Depending on what caused the crash, other companies and their insurers may also be responsible.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?
Most Indiana injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash. Claims involving a government vehicle have much shorter notice deadlines, so call as soon as you can.
What if I was partly at fault?
You can generally still recover if your share of the fault is not more than 50%. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurance adjuster?
You do not have to give them a recorded statement. You can tell them to contact your lawyer.
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost?
You pay no attorney fee up front. Our fee is 33.3% if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed and 40% after. If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fee.
Talk to us about your case
Call (219) 587-5641 or send a message below. Tell us briefly what happened and which county your case is in, and a staff member will call you back as soon as possible during office hours.