Truck Accident Attorneys in Highland, IN, Crown Point, IN. and Portage, IN serving Northwest Indiana

Being involved in any form of motor accident is a scary concept and one which is heightened when we add trucks into the equation. The larger size of these vehicles means that an accident can have catastrophic consequences for everyone involved, and the injuries sustained may change your entire life.

Accessing the right advice as soon as possible is essential in these types of cases; an experienced truck accident attorney will have the skills and knowledge you need to proceed and be able to inform you of the rights you have and the steps you may be able to take.

What Counts As A Truck?

According to Indiana law, a large truck is defined as any vehicle which is:

• Single 2 axle, 6 tires
• Single 3 or more axles
• Truck/trailer – not a semi
• Tractor – cab only, no trailer
• Tractor/ one semi-trailer
• Tractor/ double trailer
• Tractor/triple trailer

This covers a wide range of vehicles, but the core message is the same: these vessels are large, heavy, and have the potential to cause significant damage if they are not operated correctly and with due care.

How Truck Accidents Are Different From Other Motor Vehicle Accidents

Truck accidents are very different from standard passenger vehicle collisions. Commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than cars, SUVs and motorcycles, which means the damage caused in a crash is often far more severe.

Several factors make truck accident claims more complex, including:

• Federal trucking regulations: Commercial drivers and trucking companies must follow strict state and federal safety rules involving hours of service, maintenance inspections, cargo limits and driver qualifications.
• Multiple liable parties: Unlike a typical car accident, several parties may share responsibility for a trucking crash, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders or vehicle manufacturers.
• More severe injuries: Victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis or permanent disabilities requiring long-term medical treatment.
• Commercial insurance policies: Trucking companies usually carry large insurance policies, and aggressive insurers often begin building a defense immediately after an accident occurs.
• Critical evidence: Truck accident investigations may involve black box data, driver logs, maintenance records and GPS tracking information that must be preserved quickly.

At Hilbrich Law Firm, our attorneys understand the unique legal and technical issues involved in Northwest Indiana truck accident cases. We know how to investigate these crashes thoroughly and pursue compensation that reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.

​What Are Common Serious Trucking Accidents?

If you’re involved in a collision with a commercial truck, the consequences are often far more devastating than typical car accidents. These aren’t minor fender benders or door dings that you can easily repair.

The sheer size and weight of trucks – sometimes exceeding 80,000 pounds – create forces that passenger vehicles can’t withstand. Serious truck crashes include:

• Rollover accidents where trucks tip onto their sides or roofs
• Jackknife incidents when trailers swing perpendicular to the cab
• Underride collisions where smaller vehicles slide beneath trailers
• Head-on crashes causing catastrophic damage
• T-bone accidents at intersections
• Multivehicle pileups involving trucks

These severe accidents often result in life-altering injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Our skilled truck accident lawyers understand the profound impact these collisions have on victims and their families.

How Do Trucking Accidents Occur?

There are a number of reasons you may find yourself caught up in a truck accident. Some of the most commonly reported causes include:

• Defective parts in the truck: If any aspect of the truck is faulty or defective, it can cause the vehicle to fail, and this can cause an accident.
• Improper maintenance of the truck: As with all vehicles, trucks need to be properly maintained and regularly checked according to industry standards and requirements. Any truck which has failed to complete the mandatory checks could potentially be a danger on the road and is more likely to be involved in an accident.
• External factors: In some cases, extreme weather such as high winds or heavy rain can impact the ability of the driver to operate the vehicle safely, thereby causing an accident.
• Driver negligence: Drivers who are distracted, too tired, speeding, using a cellphone or under the influence of alcohol or drugs are a danger to other road users. This is only exacerbated when we take into account the huge mass and weight involved in a truck.
• Failure to adhere to regulations: There are systems and minimum standards put in place by the government to reduce the possibility of a trucking accident, but these are always in danger of abuse from an unscrupulous trucking company. Most trucks will have strict weight and capacity limits, and it is important that these are adhered to in an effort to ensure safe operation of the truck and limit the chances of an incident. In Indiana, the following restrictions apply:
• Maximum possible gross weight: 80,000 pounds
• Maximum single axle weight: 20,000 pounds
• Maximum tandem axle weight: 34,000 pounds
• Maximum tri-axle weight: 50,000 pounds
• Maximum wheel weight: 800 pounds per inch of tire width

If a truck is overloaded, or the items have not been stored or secured correctly, accidents can occur. A truck that is too heavy will also have issues with braking and accelerating, and this can cause problems with the reaction time of the driver and negate their safe stopping distance.

What Are The Consequences Of A Trucking Accident?

Being involved in a trucking accident has the potential to be fatal due to the larger size of the vehicle involved. Severe, life-changing injuries can be sustained by victims, including:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Bone and facial fractures
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Facial disfigurement
• Coma
• Death

Who Can Be Held Liable For A Truck Accident Injury In Northwest Indiana?

Truck accident claims are often more complicated than standard car accident cases because several parties may share responsibility for the crash. Identifying every liable party is important when pursuing compensation after a serious trucking accident in Northwest Indiana.

Depending on the facts of the collision, liable parties may include:

• The truck driver: Drivers may be responsible for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impaired driving or violating trucking safety regulations.
• The trucking company: A trucking company may be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, unsafe scheduling practices or failure to maintain vehicles properly.
• The owner of the truck or trailer: In some cases, separate companies own the truck, trailer or equipment involved in the accident and may be responsible for maintenance failures.
• Cargo loading companies: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit and contribute to jackknife accidents, rollovers or loss of vehicle control.
• Manufacturers or maintenance providers: Defective brakes, tires or steering systems may create liability against manufacturers or repair companies.
• Government entities: Dangerous road conditions, construction zone hazards or missing traffic warnings may contribute to serious truck accidents throughout Indiana highways.

A lawyer from Hilbrich Law Firm will conduct a detailed investigation to identify all responsible parties and preserve critical evidence. Trucking companies and insurers often begin building their defense immediately after a crash. Our team moves quickly to protect injured victims and pursue accountability.

What Can I Do If I Am Involved In A Trucking Accident in Indiana?

If you find yourself the victim of an accident involving a truck, the first step is to make sure all those involved are safe and swap information with any other drivers involved such as driver’s license and insurance details – this is a legal requirement in Indiana. In the event that the accident results in property damage worth over $1000, or injury or death to any party involved, you are legally obligated to report the incident to the police within 10 days.

Your next step should be to contact a qualified personal injury attorney in Highland who has previously worked in this area. They will be able to advise you on how to proceed moving forward.

What Compensation Can You Recover After A Serious Truck Accident?

A truck accident can leave victims dealing with overwhelming financial losses, painful injuries and long recovery periods. Compensation is intended to help accident victims recover financially while accounting for the lasting effects of the collision.

Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include:

• Emergency medical treatment and future medical expenses
• Lost income and reduced future earning ability
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Vehicle and property damage
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Commercial truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and paralysis. Many victims require extensive medical care long after the accident itself.

Our attorneys understand how devastating trucking accidents can be for families in Highland, Crown Point, Portage and throughout Northwest Indiana. Our attorneys fight for compensation that reflects both the immediate and long-term impact these collisions can have on your life.

What Is The 51% Rule?

Most accidents involving trucks fall under the law of negligence, as this is the most common cause of accidents. In short, negligence occurs when a motorist breaches his legal duty to drive with reasonable care. If they are negligent and an accident arises, they are deemed to be “at fault,” defined as being “an act or omission that is negligent, willful, wanton, reckless, or intentional toward the person or property of others.”

Indiana generally operates under a 51% rule; if the person bringing the claim is found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any financial compensation from the other parties at fault in the accident. In the event that the party is found to be 50% at fault or less, financial losses can be recovered, but the damages awarded are reduced according to the percentage they are deemed legally “at fault.”

Stricter laws apply when a claim is brought against a governmental entity or school. If a person who brings a claim against such entity caused or contributed to his own injuries at all, then he will be barred from recovering any damages.

When Should You Contact Hilbrich Law Firm After A Serious Truck Accident In Northwest Indiana?

After a serious truck accident, timing matters. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting important evidence and building a strong claim.

Trucking companies and insurers often respond immediately after a collision. They may send investigators to the scene within hours to collect evidence and minimize their own liability. Accident victims should have someone protecting their interests just as quickly.

You should contact Hilbrich Law Firm as soon as possible if:

• You suffered serious injuries in a truck accident.
• A family member was killed in a trucking collision.
• The insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly.
• Fault for the accident is being disputed.
• A commercial truck or company vehicle caused the crash.
• You are unable to work because of your injuries.

Our team helps clients throughout Highland, Crown Point, Portage and Northwest Indiana understand their rights after devastating trucking accidents. We investigate the crash, preserve critical evidence, communicate with insurers and work to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income and long-term damages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be complex and overwhelming for victims. Our team at Hilbrich Law Firm provides clear, comprehensive information to help you understand your rights and options after a trucking incident in Indiana.

What are the most dangerous types of trucks?

Trucks with multiple trailers, particularly tractor/double or tractor/triple trailer combinations, pose the highest risk. These larger vehicles have increased stopping distances, more significant blind spots and greater potential for catastrophic damage during an accident. Trucks carrying hazardous materials or oversized loads also present heightened dangers due to their weight and potential for complex cargo-related incidents.

What is the statute of limitations for truck accidents in Indiana?

In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims resulting from truck accidents is two years from the date of the incident. This means you have a limited window to file a legal claim for compensation. Failing to take action within this time frame can result in permanently losing your right to seek damages for your injuries and losses.

Is Indiana an at-fault state?

Yes, Indiana operates under an at-fault system for vehicle accidents. This means the person responsible for causing the accident is liable for the resulting damages. Our lawyers work diligently to prove the other party’s negligence while determining the potential impact of Indiana’s comparative fault rules that could affect your compensation if you’re found partially responsible.

How much is my truck accident case worth?

The value of a truck accident case varies widely depending on several factors, including the severity of injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and long-term impact on your life. Compensation can range from thousands to potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How is fault determined in a truck accident?

Fault is typically determined through a comprehensive investigation involving police reports, eyewitness statements, medical records, vehicle inspection reports, driver logs and expert testimony. Indiana follows the 51% rule, meaning you can recover damages if you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident.

How long is the truck accident claims process?

The timeline varies significantly based on the complexity of the case, injury severity and whether settlement is possible. Simple cases might resolve in months, while complex litigation can take one to two years. We strive to move your case efficiently while securing maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

How do I know if I have a case?

You likely have a valid claim if you suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Important factors include clear liability, documented injuries and filing within Indiana’s two-year statute of limitations. Our lawyers can evaluate your situation during a free consultation to determine if pursuing a claim is in your best interest.

Why do I need a truck accident lawyer?

Truck accident cases are significantly more complex than standard car accident claims. They involve multiple potentially liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers and insurance providers. A specialized truck accident lawyer understands the intricate regulations governing the trucking industry, works to protect your rights and fights to maximize your potential compensation. Hilbrich Law Firm brings extensive experience in handling these challenging cases, supporting you through the legal process.

How Do I Prove Fault?

In some cases, proving fault is straightforward; there may be eyewitness statements, police reports, medical records, and photographic or video evidence. Fault can also be presumed by a judge if the situation seems clear.

In some cases, however, proving fault can be tricky. If left unchallenged this can impede your ability to claim damages and compensation you would otherwise be entitled to. Here at Hilbrich Law Firm, we have worked on a multitude of claims involving trucking accidents, and our team has the knowledge you need to proceed. Get in touch today at 219-444-4330 and let us help you take the first steps toward securing justice.