Truck Accidents

A collision with a commercial truck can leave you facing serious injuries, missed work, vehicle damage, and questions about what happens next. Theodoros & Rooth represents people injured in truck crashes in Merrillville and throughout Northwest Indiana. Our team can review the circumstances and discuss possible next steps during a free consultation.

What Increases The Likelihood Of A Truck Accident?

On Merrillville roads, such as I-65 and US 30, truck crashes may involve driver behavior, cargo issues, vehicle maintenance, or road conditions. Factors that can increase risk of a crash include:

  • Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks
  • Improperly secured truck loads
  • Fatigued truck drivers
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding or driving too fast for current road/weather conditions
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Improper truck maintenance
  • Truck mechanical failure
  • Tire blowouts or brake failure
  • Trucking company negligence
  • Violations of hours-of-service regulations
  • Poor road conditions
  • Limited roadway visibility
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

What Should You Do After An Indiana Truck Accident?

Similar to any other car accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your own rights and preserve evidence following a truck accident:

  1. Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel OK, you should always get yourself checked out by a medical professional.
  2. If the police do not arrive at the scene immediately, report the crash, and remain at the scene until they arrive and you have spoken to them.
  3. Get contact information and insurance information from any other drivers involved in the accident; you should also try to get the contact information for the trucking company.
  4. Speak to any witnesses who saw the accident; get their contact information for following up later if possible.
  5. Take photos of the crash, property damage, injuries, etc.
  6. Keep a record of your injuries and your recovery process, as well as any medical treatment you receive.
  7. Be cautious about what information you share with insurance companies following the accident; you should always speak with a truck accident lawyer before assuming it’s OK to share information with an insurance company.

Liability After A Truck Accident

Determining who is liable for a truck accident can take some amount of investigation as there are many possible liable parties. Our firm is experienced in investigating truck accident claims and has the skill and knowledge to identify the appropriate party or parties who can be held responsible for your injuries.

The parties most often held responsible for an accident are the trucking company, the truck driver and the truck manufacturer. The trucking company is found liable most of the time. One of the reasons for this is that it is often caught encouraging its drivers to break trucking regulations in order to help save its company time and money. If, however, an accident was caused by the negligence of a trucker, they may be held liable for an accident. Negligence can include drinking while driving or driving while distracted. Lastly, if an accident was caused by a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer of the truck may be held liable.

How Common Are Truck Accidents?

The most recent data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed the following trucking accident statistics for 2019:

  • It is estimated that over 4,000 individuals are killed in large truck crashes each year.
  • Only 16% of those killed were truck drivers, whereas the remaining 67% were car and passenger vehicle occupants.
  • The majority of truck crashes occurred on interstates, freeways and other major roads.

Unfortunately, trucking accidents have been on the rise in the United States over the last 10 years.

Get Started On Your Case Today

When you work with Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., your truck accident lawyers in Merrillville, Indiana will carefully analyze every aspect of your accident, your medical bills and your claim. This is necessary to determine cause and liability so you can pursue the money you need for medical treatment, loss of earnings and more.

To schedule a free consultation today with our Merrillville truck accident attorneys and to find out how we can help you, call 219-883-2852 or email us.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why can truck accident claims be complex?

Commercial truck accident claims are significantly more complex than typical car collisions because they involve strict state and federal trucking regulations, including hours-of-service limits, weight restrictions, and mandated vehicle maintenance standards. In addition, liability rarely falls on just one party. Depending on the details of your collision, responsible parties may include the truck driver, the trucking carrier, cargo loading contractors, or equipment manufacturers. Trucking companies and their corporate insurers move quickly to shield themselves from liability, which makes having an aggressive legal team on your side vital to holding every negligent party accountable.

What evidence may help explain how a truck accident happened?

To prove liability and uncover the exact cause of a crash, our team works to gather critical evidence before it can be lost or altered:

  • Trucking company & driver records: Driver logbooks tracking hours-of-service compliance, personnel background checks, and post-accident drug and alcohol test results.

  • Maintenance & inspection reports: Detailed records detailing tire wear, brake performance, and fleet upkeep history.

  • Onboard electronic data: “Black box” telematics recording vehicle speed, braking, and engine status right before impact.

  • Cargo documentation: Manifests showing whether cargo was overloaded, improperly balanced, or insecure.

  • Scene evidence & eyewitness testimony: Police collision reports, crash scene photos, video footage, and witness accounts.

  • Medical records: Thorough medical documentation connecting your injuries directly to the crash.

How can a truck accident lawyer help?

When you work with our firm, we immediately step in to protect your rights and level the playing field against commercial carriers and corporate insurance teams. We conduct a thorough, independent investigation into your crash, analyze driver and maintenance records, and identify every party who shares fault. Our attorneys handle all communications, negotiations, and paperwork so you are not subjected to lowball settlement offers, delays, or unfair denials. We accurately calculate the full scope of your damages, including ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and build a strong case to secure the maximum compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.