Recovering Monetary Damages After an Indiana Truck Accident

Truck accidents can be an especially dangerous type of crash. Due to the size of a typical semi-truck or tractor-trailer, the sheer force of a truck collision can result in serious injury and property damage. Truck accidents have many causes, including a truck driver’s careless action or failure to act. In these circumstances, an injured victim may be able to seek damages from the truck driver and the driver’s employer.

A recent news article reported on a tragic semi-truck accident in Frankfort, Indiana, that left one person dead. According to witnesses, the semi-truck was crossing the road when the driver failed to yield the right of way to traffic in the eastbound direction. As a result, a car struck the semi-truck trailer. The semi-truck driver was unharmed, but the other driver was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he died shortly after.

Can You Sue a Truck Driver’s Employer After an Indiana Truck Accident?

If a truck driver caused a truck accident that led to serious harm, injured victims may be able to sue the truck driver’s employer. Known as respondeat superior or vicarious liability, plaintiffs can bring a lawsuit against an employer under several conditions. To demonstrate an employer-employee relationship sufficient to bring suit, plaintiffs must prove that the employee responsible for their injuries acted in the “scope of employment” at the time of the accident. In general, employees act within the scope of employment when they perform their assigned duties during their scheduled work hours and, importantly, are acting to further their employer’s business. For example, a truck driver’s employee may be liable for damages if the driver was completing a scheduled transportation of goods when the accident occurred. On the other hand, an employer may not be liable if the accident happened when the truck driver took an unauthorized trip.

Can You Recover Damages After an Indiana Truck Accident If You Were at Fault?

Indiana law allows plaintiffs to recover damages even if they were partially at fault for an accident. The state follows a modified comparative negligence system that permits recovery as long as plaintiffs are not 51% at fault or greater for the accident. Accordingly, a plaintiff can still receive a damages award even if they are equally at fault for the accident as the defendant(s). Indiana law assigns fault through plaintiffs’ damages awards. For example, if a plaintiff is 30% at fault for the accident, they will receive a 30% reduction in their damages award to account for their proportion of fault. An experienced Indiana personal injury attorney can help you sort through these complex rules for recovery to pursue the compensation you need.

Have You Been Injured in an Indiana Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an Indiana truck accident, contact Padove Law today to discuss your case. Personal injury attorney Burton A. Padove possessed nearly four decades of experience representing clients in Indiana truck, car, and other traffic accidents. Through Mr. Padove’s skilled representation, he has secured significant compensation for his deserving clients. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our office at 219-836-2200. We will not bill you for our representation unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.