Thousands of large trucks drive through the “Crossroads of America” each day. In fact, Indiana is the 5th busiest state for commercial freight traffic. With so many trucks on the road, accidents are bound to happen.
In this article, we’ll discuss what you should know about Indiana trucking accidents and what to do if you’re involved.
Indiana Trucking Crash Statistics
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute reports that there were 14,221 collisions reported in Indiana that involved commercial vehicles in 2020. That’s 8% of all collisions for that year. 134 of the collisions involving commercial vehicles were fatal, which is 17% of all fatal collisions in Indiana in 2020.
Commercial vehicle collisions are most common Monday through Friday. They typically peak around 2-3 p.m.
Although there has been a decrease in collisions involving commercial vehicles in Indiana, it’s still a major problem with life-threatening consequences. Individuals who experience a crash with a commercial vehicle often have multiple serious injuries.
Common Causes of Indiana Trucking Accidents
The same report found that 94% of commercial vehicle collisions are due to driver-related actions for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles, highlighting the importance of everyone obeying traffic laws. Unsafe lane movement, improper passing/turning, unsafe backing, speeding, failing to yield, and following too closely are all actions associated with these collisions. Passenger vehicle drivers were most likely to cause an accident by passing improperly.
Distracted driving, driver fatigue, violating traffic laws, and lack of proper maintenance are all common causes of Indiana trucking accidents.
What to Do if You’re in a Trucking Accident in Indiana
If you’re involved in a truck accident in Indiana, you are required by law to stop at the scene or as close to it as you can. Provide your name, address, driver’s license, and registration number to the others involved in the accident. Help anyone who is injured.
Then you’ll want to gather evidence, including photos of the accident scenes and any damage that occurred. Get contact information from any witnesses as well as drivers or passengers involved in the accident.
See your doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Some internal injuries may not have symptoms until hours or days after the accident occurs.
Finally, consult an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate the challenges associated with a trucking accident in Indiana.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
