Although, commercial trucks are essential to interstate travel and critical to the economy, they present a significant risk to motorists. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 2743 fatal truck and bus crashes in the United States in 2019. These accidents resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 people. Trucks and buses include vehicles such as 18-wheelers, coal trucks, semi-trucks, and cement trucks. The size of these vehicles, particularly when carrying a heavy load, makes them challenging to control, especially in inclement weather or navigating poorly maintained roadways. Additionally, these vehicles can often cause or contribute to chain-reaction accidents because they take almost twice as long to stop as other passenger vehicles.
Many truck accidents occur in Indiana because the state has long stretches of highways that serve as a significant pass-throughs for long-haul truckers. A majority of fatal Indiana truck accidents occur in Putnam County, Tipton County, and Wayne County, Indiana. Most Indiana truck and bus accidents involve more than one underlying cause; however, they typically involve similar factors. Some common causes of Indiana trucking accidents are the result of defective truck parts, speeding, driver inexperience, driver impairment, fatigue, and distracted driving. Further, many accidents are the result of drivers failing to abide by state traffic laws designed to prevent accidents, such as Indiana’s Move Over Laws.
For example, recently, a Porter County truck accident claimed the life of a 38-year-old man. According to a local news report, the man parked his Dodge Ram on the shoulder of a highway where construction workers were performing maintenance. As he stepped out of his car, a tractor-trailer, hauling 37,000 pounds of pork, drove onto the shoulder and slammed into the man’s car. The collision caused the truck to go down a ditch and slam into trees. The tractor-trailer continued to travel east, crossing through lanes, ultimately slamming into a median wall and bursting into flames. State police, in conjunction with several other agencies, are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
Determining liability after an accident with a commercial truck driver can be complicated because multiple parties may be liable for an accident victim’s damages. In some cases, a trucking company may be responsible if their employee’s negligence occurred during the course and scope of their employment. Additionally, trucking companies may be primarily liable if they engaged in negligent training, hiring, or retention. Moreover, truck manufacturers may be responsible if the accident was a result of a defective truck part. Indiana truck accidents can have long-lasting and devastating impacts on everyone involved. As such, it is crucial that Indiana truck accident injury victims contact an attorney to understand their right to recovery.
Have You Suffered Injuries in an Indiana Trucking Accident?
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in an Indiana trucking accident, contact Padove Law for immediate assistance. Attorney Padove is a highly skilled Indiana trucking accident attorney and has successfully represented a significant number of accident victims. He has represented clients in various personal injury cases, including car and truck accidents, premises liability cases, product liability claims, wrongful death cases, and medical malpractice lawsuits. Padove Law clients have recovered substantial compensation for their medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Padove Law to discuss your Indiana injury case at, 219-836-2200.