Experienced Legal Representation For Complex Truck Accident Cases
Last updated on April 3, 2025
Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries. Particularly when an enormous commercial vehicle collides with a much smaller passenger car, the injuries can be fatal.
Many times, truck accidents occur because negligent truck drivers are exhausted and sleep-deprived. In some cases, their vehicles haven’t been appropriately maintained. These issues form the basis of some of the personal injury and wrongful death cases we handle in the courts of Indiana and Illinois.
Holding Irresponsible Truck Companies Accountable For Injuries
At Greene & Schultz, our truck accident lawyers hold irresponsible trucking companies and negligent drivers accountable for their actions and any injuries caused in a crash. We can help you resolve your case if it involves:
- An 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer wreck
- A municipal vehicle such as a bus, fire truck or law enforcement vehicle
- An accident on Interstate 69, 65 or 70
- A delivery vehicle such as a UPS truck, or FedEx truck, or another commercial truck
- Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
It’s troubling to realize that when a semi-truck accident occurs, the negligent party’s insurance company often arrives on the scene right away, not to help victims or take responsibility, but to gather evidence to build their case against the injured person or people’s claim.
It is also important to understand that truck accident cases are much more complex than car accident cases. With competing parties (the truck driver, his or her direct employer, the trucking company, the shipper, their insurers, and more), multiple sources of liability, and a myriad of local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations, truck accident cases can be incredibly difficult to litigate – and not something you want to entrust to an attorney who only handles car accident cases.
How Many Hours Can A Truck Driver Drive?
Federal regulations limit truck drivers to a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, with a 14-hour total on-duty limit. These hours-of-service regulations, established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), are designed to prevent driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of semi-truck accidents.
Truck drivers must also comply with the 60/70-hour limit, which prohibits driving after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. In Indiana, state law generally follows these federal guidelines, but Indiana also implements additional safety checkpoints and inspection stations to monitor compliance with these regulations.
If you’ve been injured in a collision where driver fatigue may have played a role, consulting with an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer can help determine if hours-of-service violations contributed to your accident. These violations often provide critical evidence in establishing liability in commercial vehicle accident cases.
What Causes A Truck To Jackknife?
A jackknife occurs when a semi-truck’s trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, resembling a folding pocketknife. This dangerous situation typically happens when the trailer wheels lose traction and slide sideways while the cab continues moving forward.
Common causes of jackknife accidents include:
- Improper braking (especially sudden or hard braking on slippery surfaces)
- Excessive speed, particularly when navigating curves or ramps
- Poor weather conditions like ice, snow or rain
- Improper loading or unbalanced cargo distribution affecting the semi truck’s weight
- Equipment failures, especially in the braking system
- Driver inexperience or improper training
These types of accidents can be catastrophic and result in severe injuries. We can help you navigate the steps and hold negligent drivers responsible.
Truck Blind Spots: The “No-Zones”
Semi trucks have four major blind spots where passenger vehicles become virtually invisible to truck drivers. These include directly in front of the cab (up to 20 feet), directly behind the trailer (up to 30 feet), along the driver’s side (especially the mid-cab area) and the right-side blind spot, which extends across multiple lanes.
These blind spots are particularly dangerous because the massive semi-truck weight (often exceeding 80,000 pounds when fully loaded) makes quick maneuvers impossible. To avoid accidents, drivers should never linger in these areas and should ensure they can see the truck driver in their side mirrors. When passing a truck, do so quickly and safely, and always signal your intentions well in advance.
What Are Runaway Trucks?
A runaway truck is a vehicle that is no longer under the control of the driver, often due to brake failure or other mechanical issues. The semi-truck’s weight can contribute to the severity of a runaway truck accident, as the massive vehicle can gain speed quickly and be difficult to stop. Runaway trucks can be caused by a combination of factors, including worn-out brakes, improper maintenance and driver error. The semi-truck’s weight and size make it essential for drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good working condition to prevent such accidents. If you’ve been involved in a runaway truck accident, it’s crucial to consult with a semi-truck accident lawyer to understand your rights and options.
Talk To A Truck Accident Attorney Today | The Consultation Is Free
You need a tough, experienced litigator to handle your case – a truck accident attorney who understands truck accident cases and insurance company tactics. At Greene & Schultz, we know how to win tough cases against liable parties because we have been representing injured people and their families for many years. If a fair settlement is not possible, our personal injury attorneys have taken more than 100 cases to jury trial.
Sadly, motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Sometimes, because of the variety of factors involved in an accident, it can be difficult to determine the liable parties. If your family has experienced a serious injury, it is important to be informed and aware of the choices you have. Contact our experienced lawyers today at 812-558-0198 to find out how we can help you.
We have offices in Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana, and we provide free initial consultations.