Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana
The firms in this guide
- Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC Call Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC: (800) 746-0226
- Hovde Dassow + Deets, LLC Call Hovde Dassow + Deets, LLC: (317) 575-9050
- Vaughan & Vaughan Call Vaughan & Vaughan: (463) 241-6483
- Hankey Marks & Crider Call Hankey Marks & Crider: (317) 634-8565
- Young & Young Law Call Young & Young Law: (317) 639-5161
1. Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, dump truck accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, cargo spill accidents, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents, delivery truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Established in 1999, dedicated exclusively to personal injury matters. David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA), a distinction held by fewer than 100 attorneys nationwide. The NBTA is accredited by the American Bar Association. David Craig is author of “Semi-Truck Wreck: A Guide For Victims And Their Families” and hosts the podcast “After the Crash.” Named among Indiana Super Lawyers and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Firm has Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating, 10.0 Superb Rating on Avvo, and membership in Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Scott Faultless has argued cases before Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Court of Appeals, and litigated cases in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest. Named among 10 Best Law Firms by American Institute of Legal Counsel.
Location: 5845 Lawton Loop E Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46216
Contact: (800) 746-0226 | https://www.ckflaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fees unless recovery is obtained)
2. Hovde Dassow + Deets, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, overloaded truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Over 50 years of experience serving Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. Recovered over $300 million in compensation for clients. Attorneys are familiar with federal rules and regulations governing commercial drivers as well as Indiana state laws. Experience representing clients in complex trucking accident claims involving both state traffic laws and federal trucking regulations.
Location: 8888 Keystone Crossing, Suite 1300, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: (317) 575-9050 | https://www.hovdelaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
3. Vaughan & Vaughan
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, car accidents, drunk driving accidents, pedestrian accidents
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, weather-related truck accidents, impaired driving truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Representing injury victims in Indiana since 1913 with over 110 years of combined experience. The firm has a long history of successfully handling truck accident cases and standing up to insurance companies. Experienced in pursuing punitive damages in appropriate cases where truck driver or company conduct warrants additional penalties.
Location: 8425 Woodfield Crossing Blvd, Suite 380, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: (463) 241-6483 | https://vaughanandvaughan.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
4. Hankey Marks & Crider
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents, improper maintenance accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, respondeat superior claims, hours of service violation investigation, driver records investigation, training documentation review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Experienced Indianapolis truck accident attorneys with extensive knowledge of trucking industry practices and regulations. The firm conducts thorough investigations of driver and trucking company records to identify questionable conduct. Experience handling cases against major trucking companies and their insurance carriers.
Location: 9339 Priority Way West Drive, Suite 120, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: (317) 634-8565 | https://www.hankeylawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no money down, fees collected only upon successful recovery)
5. Young & Young Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, heavy equipment hauler accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, car accidents
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, freight yard accidents, loading dock accidents, cargo handling accidents, driver fatigue accidents, brake failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, maintenance record investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims for injured truck drivers
Background: Long-established Indianapolis law firm recognized as leaders in the profession and community. Attorneys possess familiarity with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to establish liability against corporate defendants. Experience representing both members of the general driving public and truck drivers injured on the job. Thorough investigation of facts in light of truck driver and owner responsibilities for safe maintenance and operation.
Location: 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 1500, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Contact: (317) 639-5161 | https://youngandyoungin.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
Driver Qualifications, Government Liability Limits and Punitive Limits in Indianapolis Truck Crash Claims
An Indianapolis truck crash can turn on whether the driver met the federal qualification rules and what the carrier’s accident register and annual inspection record show. Indiana law limits recovery from a government truck, caps punitive damages and bars recovery only when the injured person’s fault is greater than everyone else’s.
Who May Drive
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires a commercial driver to be at least 21, able to read and speak English sufficiently, able by experience or training to operate the vehicle safely, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and to have passed a road test or hold a license or certificate the carrier accepted as equivalent.
Limits for a Government Truck
Under IC 34-13-3-4, for causes accruing on or after January 1, 2008, the combined liability of all governmental entities and their employees acting within the scope of employment may not exceed $700,000 for injury to or death of one person in an occurrence and $5,000,000 for all persons in that occurrence, and no punitive damages are allowed.
Accident Register and Annual Inspection
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, together with copies of required accident reports. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
The Punitive Damages Cap
Under IC 34-51-3-4, a punitive damage award may not be more than the greater of three times the compensatory damages awarded in the action or $50,000.
Indianapolis Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the trucking company?
Two years after the cause of action accrues, under IC 34-11-2-4(a), and two years for a wrongful death action under 34-23-1-1.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, unless your fault is greater than the fault of everyone else who contributed, under IC 34-51-2-6. For example, imagine $380,000 in damages and 20 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under IC 34-51-2-5 the recovery would be $304,000.
What if a state or city truck caused the crash?
Notice is due within 270 days to the attorney general or the state agency under IC 34-13-3-6, or within 180 days to a political subdivision’s governing body under 34-13-3-8; the 34-13-3-4 limits described above then cap the recovery.