Our Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers are Invested in Helping after your Accident

December 23, 2022

Indiana goes by many nicknames, including the “Hoosier State” and the “Crossroads of America.” Because there are so many major highways and interstates in Indiana, we see many large commercial vehicles coming and going. According to the Indiana Commercial Vehicle Guidebook, commercial vehicles travel more than 9.5 billion miles across Indiana each year. 

Absolutely no one plans to end up in an accident with a commercial truck. These types of accidents tend to cause significant amounts of damage and can even cause serious injuries or even loss of life. 

Take charge of the situation and ask for help if you need it. Trust the experienced truck accident lawyers at Hensley Legal Group to fight for your right to financial compensation. We’re committed to accessibility and you can reach us at anytime, day or night. Someone from our team will be available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We can even start your case in under an hour. We really value your time and just want what’s best for you.

Whenever you’re ready to talk, call us at 317-472-3333, use our online contact form, or even chat with us online. Hensley Legal Group is here for you in your time of need. 

Commercial drivers must follow federal and state rules to keep others safe

There are federal rules that commercial truck drivers must follow, but there are state rules too. For example, the maximum possible gross weight of a commercial vehicle in the state of Indiana is 80,000 lbs. Lawmakers set these limits to keep everyone on the road safe. When commercial vehicles are carrying too much weight, accidents can easily occur. 

As you drive on Hoosier interstates, you may see weigh stations here and there. These are checkpoints where regulators can ensure that commercial drivers are following the rules. If they aren’t they can face pretty hefty fines. 

Commercial drivers also must have valid CDL licenses. According to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the requirements to obtain a CDL license are very strict. But once a CDL license is obtained, drivers are authorized to legally operate a:

• Commercial vehicle “with declared gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 26,000 pounds”
• Vehicles that can safely transport 16 or more people
• Vehicles that transport hazardous materials 

A valid CDL license grants the holder quite a bit of power. But with great power comes great responsibility. When drivers get behind the wheel of a large vehicle such as a semi truck, they need to realize that they hold the lives of others in their hands.  

Truck drivers have to be incredibly vigilant to avoid causing accidents

Just as there are federal and state limits on the size and weight of a commercial vehicle, there are federal and state rules for drivers as well. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates that commercial truck drivers take a 30 minute break for every eight consecutive hours that they drive. 

Drowsy driving is a very common cause of accidents involving semi trucks. When the driver is carrying up to 80,000 lbs, the results of an accident on the road can often be fatal. Keep in mind that the average passenger vehicle weighs about 4,100 lbs. 

However, drowsy driving isn’t the only cause of accidents on the road. Other common causes of accidents on Hoosier roadways include: 

• Inexperienced drivers
• Drivers that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Speeding
• Driving too closely to other vehicles on the road
• Changing lanes too quickly
• Distracted driving, including operating a mobile device while behind the wheel

In a nutshell, there are many different reasons why a large commercial vehicle could cause an accident. But when it happens to you, it’s important to know who you can trust to fight for your right to compensation.

If you weren’t to blame for the accident, you shouldn’t have to be held financially responsible for damages. That’s where an experienced personal injury attorney can help. You’ve been through enough, so let your attorney fight for your right to financial compensation. 

We care about your case and want to help however we can

Here at Hensley Legal Group, we’re completely dedicated to client satisfaction. That’s one reason that we operate on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t owe us a penny unless we win your truck accident case. At the end of the day, we care about our clients and want what’s best for them. You can always count on our team to do the right thing. 

We’ll be here to speak with you when you’re ready to reach out. Call us at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or use our contact form to speak with our team. 

We will go above and beyond to help fight for your right to compensation. Send us a message soon and let’s talk.