Truck Accidents in Indiana
If you were injured in an Indiana truck accident, you have legal rights and deadlines to protect.
What you should know
Truck cases involve FMCSA regulations, multiple defendants, and higher policy limits. Indiana's 2-year deadline and comparative fault rules apply.
What typically causes them
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Improper cargo loading or securement
- Inadequate truck maintenance and brake failures
- Distracted or impaired truck drivers
- Speeding or unsafe driving for conditions
- Blind spot accidents and improper lane changes
- Inadequate driver training or supervision
Injuries we see
- Severe traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple bone fractures and crush injuries
- Severe burns from fuel fires
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Internal organ damage and bleeding
- Fatalities
Steps to take after a truck accidents
- 1
Call 911 immediately as truck accidents often involve serious injuries requiring emergency medical response.
- 2
Remain at the scene in a safe location and do not admit fault or discuss details of the accident.
- 3
Obtain the truck driver's commercial driver's license information, insurance details, and the trucking company name.
- 4
Document the truck's license plate, DOT number, and any visible damage or cargo issues with photographs.
- 5
Collect contact information from all witnesses as their statements may be crucial in complex truck accident cases.
- 6
Seek immediate medical evaluation as the force involved in truck accidents often causes serious but not immediately apparent injuries.
Truck accident cases in Indiana are complex because multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or vehicle manufacturers. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) govern commercial trucking operations, and violations can establish negligence. Indiana applies IC 34-51-2-6 modified comparative fault rules, but trucking companies often have substantial insurance policies due to federal requirements under 49 CFR 387.9. The doctrine of respondeat superior under Indiana common law may hold trucking companies liable for driver negligence occurring within the scope of employment. Spoliation of evidence is a concern, making it critical to preserve electronic logging device data, maintenance records, and black box information. Indiana law under IC 34-30-2-1 through IC 34-30-2-153 governs litigation procedures.
Truck accident victims in Indiana can recover substantial damages due to the severity of injuries typically involved. Economic damages include all past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, permanent disability, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and reduced quality of life. Because commercial trucks carry insurance policies often exceeding $1 million, recovery may be more substantial than typical car accidents. Multiple liable parties may also increase available compensation. In cases of willful or wanton misconduct, such as knowingly violating safety regulations, punitive damages may be awarded under Indiana law to punish egregious behavior.
IC 34-11-2-4 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents in Indiana, measured from the date of the collision. Given the complexity of truck accident investigations and the need to preserve evidence quickly, consulting an attorney immediately is essential to protect your rights.
Don't let an Indiana truck accidents ruin your future.
The clock is ticking on Indiana's 2-year statute of limitations. Get a free, no-obligation case review now.