Truck traffic in Bloomington is steady due to its position near key freight routes that connect southern Indiana to larger distribution hubs. You’ll see semi-trucks hauling construction materials, retail goods, and agricultural loads moving through Monroe County at all hours, including routes near busy corridors like Third Street and Walnut Street. 

Although commercial vehicle traffic performs a necessary service, it’s been responsible for devastating accidents. When a big rig hits a smaller passenger vehicle, the impact can be severe and even fatal due to their massive size and weight. If you or someone you love has been injured, call Habig Injury Law right away: our Bloomington truck accident lawyers are here to help you get justice.

Truck accident claims can be more complicated than others. At Habig Injury Law, we know the commercial trucking industry and the situations that most commonly lead to accidents, and use those insights to build a compelling case. When you hire our personal injury law firm, you benefit from the following:

• Background in Trucking Litigation: Attorney Eric Habig spent 18 years defending trucking and logistics companies in catastrophic loss cases before representing injured plaintiffs. We use that experience to anticipate and challenge common defenses.
• Trial-Tested Representation: Our firm has taken dozens of cases to trial in state and federal law courts. Our Bloomington truck accident lawyers are always prepared to litigate, which often affects how insurers approach settlement negotiations.
• Experience With Catastrophic Injury Claims: Our personal injury attorneys handle the types of insurance claims that arise from large-scale trucking collisions. This includes traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, permanent paralysis, and other life-changing consequences.
• We Hold Trucking Firms Accountable: Trucking accident claims tend to involve corporate carriers with high-dollar insurance companies and teams of defense lawyers. We aren’t deterred by pushback: if the insurer won’t make a fair settlement offer, we’re prepared to go to court.
• No Fee Unless We Win: When you hire Habig Injury Law, you don’t pay attorney fees up front. Our Bloomington truck accident attorneys handle your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you only pay us if we win. You have nothing to lose by scheduling a free consultation today.

A large commercial truck is part of a regulated system that includes the driver, the carrier, and outside vendors responsible for maintenance and cargo. When a preventable accident happens, potential defendants include:

• Truck Driver: A driver may be liable when speeding, distraction, or failure to follow traffic laws leads to an accident. Black box data, driving records, and onboard systems can help establish whether the driver violated safety regulations or company policies.
• Trucking Company: The carrier may be responsible for negligent hiring decisions, training, and supervision. Liability can also arise if the company ignored safety violations or allowed unsafe scheduling. An examination of driver files and internal records shows how the company managed its drivers.
• Maintenance Provider: Third-party contractors may handle inspections and repairs. If a mechanical issue, such as brake wear or tire failure, contributed to the trucking collision, the maintenance provider may be liable. Service records and inspection reports show whether required work was completed.
• Cargo Loading Company: Cargo must be balanced and secured before transport. When it shifts during travel, a large commercial truck can lose stability or control. Shipping records and load documents can identify who handled the cargo and how it was secured.
• Manufacturer: A defective component can lead to loss of control or mechanical failure. In those cases, the manufacturer or distributor may be responsible for the mechanical defect. Product records and recall data help determine if the part met safety standards.

After an accident, get medical treatment right away. Even if you believe you can safely leave the accident scene, you should seek evaluation at an emergency department or urgent care and follow any recommended treatment. These medical records can tie your injuries directly to the crash, making it hard for the insurance carrier to suggest they were caused by something else.

Other recommended steps include:

• Report the Accident: Call the police and wait for them to arrive and make an accident report. You should confirm that the report includes the trucking company name, USDOT number, trailer number, and driver identification. These details are used to locate company records and insurance coverage.
• Preserve Evidence Before It Disappears: If you’re able, take photos of vehicle positions, damage patterns, road conditions, and any company insignia on the truck. This documentation can later be compared with crash reports and reconstruction analysis.
• Don’t Provide Recorded Statements: The carrier’s insurer may contact you within days and request a recorded statement. These calls are intended to get evidence that can be used to dispute fault or reduce the value of your insurance claim. You should not provide a recorded statement or sign any documents before speaking with a truck accident attorney.
• Contact Habig Injury Law: After a truck accident, you’ll receive calls from insurance adjusters asking for statements and documents. At Habig Injury Law, we take over those communications so you’re not dealing with insurers while you’re getting medical care. We review your medical records, wage loss, and treatment plans to determine what your claim is worth and identify all insurance policies that may apply, so we can maximize your financial recovery.

After a large commercial truck accident, you may be able to claim a wide range of economic and non-economic damages. They include:

• Medical Expenses: You can recover the cost of your medical bills for emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up appointments, and rehabilitation. Future care needs may also be included when supported by medical evaluations.
• Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover income lost during your recovery period. Pay stubs, tax records, and employer statements are used to calculate these losses. If your ability to return to the same type of work is affected, future earnings may also be evaluated.
• Pain and Suffering Damages: This compensation addresses the impact of your injuries on daily life, including physical pain and emotional trauma. Medical records, treatment history, and personal documentation help establish how the injury affects your daily life.
• Property Damage: You can recover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the semi-truck accident. Repair estimates, invoices, and photographs are used to support this portion of the claim. In some cases, a total loss valuation is required.
• Wrongful Death Damages: When a truck accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue a claim for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. This type of claim is handled under Indiana wrongful death statutes.

Most truck accidents in Bloomington arise from issues related to driver conduct, trucking company practices, and vehicle condition. They include:

• Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers are subject to federal hours of service limits. When they exceed those limits imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, fatigue can affect reaction time, especially on high-traffic routes like Interstate 69 and State Road 37. 
• Distracted Driving: Truck drivers may use their mobile devices, dispatch systems, or navigation tools while driving, which can take their attention away from traffic conditions ahead. As a result, even a brief lapse can lead to a serious collision.
• Negligent Maintenance: When a trucking company delays maintenance or skips required checks, problems like worn brakes, damaged tires, or steering issues can go unaddressed. Over time, these safety standard problems increase the risk of mechanical failure.
• Improper Loading: Cargo must be properly balanced and secured before a truck begins its route. If loading is handled incorrectly, the cargo can shift during transit, which affects the commercial vehicle’s stability and control. This type of movement can lead to rollovers or jackknife incidents.
• Unsafe Driving Behavior: Large trucks need more distance to slow down or come to a complete stop. When a driver travels at unsafe speeds or fails to adjust for traffic congestion, the margin for error becomes much smaller.
• Inadequate Driver Training: Truck drivers must be prepared to handle large vehicles in a wide range of driving conditions. Without proper training, a driver may misjudge stopping distance, fail to control the vehicle during turns, or react improperly to changing traffic patterns. 

Truck crashes can happen under a wide range of circumstances. Below are some of the most common situations we see in and around Bloomington:

• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out to form an angle with the cab. This usually happens during sudden braking or loss of traction. Once the trailer breaks alignment, it can sweep across multiple lanes and strike nearby vehicles.
• 18-Wheeler Rollover Accidents: Rollovers happen when a truck tips onto its side or roof. This can result from taking a turn too fast, carrying an uneven load, or losing control during a sudden maneuver. These truck crashes can shut down entire lanes and place surrounding drivers in immediate danger.
• Rear-End Truck Accidents: Due to their weight, semi-trucks need far more distance to slow down or stop. When traffic changes quickly, truck drivers may not be able to avoid impact. These collisions frequently involve smaller vehicles that absorb the full force of the crash.
• Underride Accidents: An underride crash occurs when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the rear or side of a trailer. These incidents tend to result in severe and even fatal injuries because the upper portion of the smaller vehicle can be crushed on impact. 
• Wide-Turn Accidents: Large trucks require extra space to complete turns, especially when turning right. But the truck driver may swing left before turning, which can confuse nearby drivers or trap a vehicle in the truck’s path. This type of truck crash is more likely to happen on narrower streets or busy intersections.
• Multi-Vehicle Truck Accident Pileups: A truck accident can trigger a chain reaction that involves several vehicles. Limited visibility, sudden braking, or high speeds can all contribute to these incidents. 

Semi-truck accidents tend to cause serious injuries (and even wrongful death) due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. They include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A traumatic brain injury can happen when your head strikes a surface or moves violently during a crash. These auto injuries range from concussions to severe brain damage that affects memory, speech, and coordination. 
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis. These injuries may result from the force of impact or from being pinned inside a vehicle. Treatment can include surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Broken Bones: The force of a truck collision can fracture bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. Some fractures need surgical repair with plates or screws, followed by months of difficult recovery. 
• Internal Organ Damage: Internal injuries in a trucking accident can damage organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen. These injuries may not be visible right away, but can become life-threatening without prompt treatment. 
• Burn Injuries: Commercial vehicle accidents can involve fuel leaks or fires, which increase the risk of burn injuries. Burns may require skin grafts, ongoing treatment, and leave permanent scarring. The severity of a burn is evaluated based on depth, size, and location on the body.
• Long-Term Disability: Some auto injuries lead to permanent limitations. This can affect your ability to return to work or perform routine tasks. Medical evaluations and vocational assessments are used to measure the long-term impact on your life.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in or around Bloomington, call Habig Injury Law now. We’ve spent years fighting for the rights of accident victims and secured high settlements and verdicts in commercial vehicle crash cases. Our experience on the other side of trucking litigation is put to good use pursuing your claim, overcoming common defense tactics, and insisting on a fair settlement. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with an Indiana personal injury lawyer, call (317) 642-3813 now.

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