Fort Wayne Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

Commercial vehicles are everywhere on Fort Wayne roads, from company cars and delivery vans to garbage trucks and airport shuttles, and their drivers are human. When one of them causes a crash, the company or agency that owns the vehicle rarely accepts responsibility without a fight.

If you or someone you love has been hurt by a business-owned vehicle, our Fort Wayne commercial vehicle accident attorneys can help you determine who is responsible and what your claim is worth. Your consultation is free.

Don't navigate a corporate claim alone. Corporate insurers move quickly to minimize claims after an accident. Protect your rights from day one. Call us at (260) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation or reach out through our online form.

Why Commercial Vehicle Claims Are Different

A business vehicle accident becomes a different matter than a crash between two private drivers. These vehicles are usually covered by a commercial insurance policy rather than a personal one, and the company that owns the vehicle carries its own set of legal obligations. Commercial insurers bring adjusters and legal staff whose job is to deny or reduce what a business owes after a crash, which makes these claims more complex to investigate and negotiate than a standard car accident.

Company and Business-Owned Vehicles

A business vehicle is any car, van, bus, or truck owned and operated by a company, usually driven by an employee or agent to transport goods, services, passengers, or equipment. When an employee causes a crash while on the job, the business itself can be held accountable for the damages.

These crashes trace back to the same causes as any other collision: speeding, texting while driving, driving under the influence, improper lane changes, tailgating, reckless driving, a poorly maintained vehicle, or a driver who was never properly trained for the vehicle they were operating.

Delivery Vehicles

Delivery accidents are on the rise, and the parent company will often argue the driver was off the clock, on a personal errand, or not following company policy at the time of the crash, all in an effort to avoid liability. Untangling that defense requires pulling the contracts and pay structures behind the delivery driver's job, since those documents often show a business incentive structure that pressures drivers to speed or cut corners.

We have built cases this way before. In one matter, we represented the family of a bicyclist struck by a school bus operating as an independent contractor for a school system. Reviewing the contract between the bus company and the school district revealed that late-arrival penalties were being charged to the company, an incentive structure that pushed drivers to speed. That case resulted in a $5 million jury verdict, upheld on appeal, with $4.4 million ultimately paid.

Whether a delivery driver was an employee, an agent, or an independent contractor of the business also changes which insurance policies apply to your claim, which is why this analysis has to happen early.

Garbage and Sanitation Trucks

Garbage trucks are large, frequently stopping vehicles that share the road with passenger cars every weekday, and a collision with one often causes serious injury given the size difference alone. When the truck is owned by a municipality rather than a private hauler, additional rules apply, including shorter notice deadlines for filing a claim against a government entity. Missing one of those deadlines can bar a claim entirely, which makes it important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a crash involving a sanitation vehicle.

Why Choose Shaw Law for a Commercial Vehicle Claim

Commercial insurance carriers bring resources most injury victims cannot match on their own. Attorney JJ Shaw spent years on the insurance defense side before representing injured people, and he uses that background to anticipate exactly how a corporate insurer will evaluate, delay, or try to minimize your claim.

Clients track their case in real time through the firm's "EZ Case" smartphone app, which shows case status and an estimated value range without waiting on a phone call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Sue the Company, Not Just the Driver?

Yes, if the driver was acting within the scope of their job when the crash happened. The business can be held responsible for its employee's negligence on the job.

What if the Company Says the Driver Was Off the Clock?

This is a common defense in delivery and business vehicle cases. Pay records, dispatch logs, and delivery contracts often tell a different story than the company's initial claim, which is why an early investigation matters.

Is There a Different Deadline for Claims Against a Government-Owned Truck?

Claims against a government entity, including a municipal garbage truck, generally involve a shorter notice deadline than a standard personal injury claim. Speak with an attorney promptly to avoid missing it.

How Does Payment Work if I Hire Your Firm?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront legal fees, and our firm is only paid if you recover compensation.