Trust an Indiana Truck Accident Lawyer if you Were Involved in a Collision with an Overweight Truck

January 15, 2024

There’s a lot to love about the Hoosier state. There are many friendly people here and plenty of beautiful sites to see.  

However, we are known as the “Crossroads of America” for a reason. There are always large commercial trucks coming and going throughout our state.  

While commercial truck drivers are absolutely necessary to keep our country up and running, sometimes they can pose pretty serious risks to others on the road.  

Overweight trucks have been known to cause tremendous problems for Hoosier drivers. Weight laws exist for a reason, but sadly, they aren’t always followed. And when they’re ignored, horrible injuries and even fatalities can occur. 

If this happens to you, you do have options. 

You don’t need to settle for anything less than what you really deserve. Get in touch with the professionals at Hensley Legal Group and let’s talk about your case.  

Whether you choose to call or get in touch with us online, we will be here for you. Call us at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our online contact form. Someone from our team will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with you about your case.  

Your Indiana truck accident lawyer will go above and beyond to fight for your rights. 

Overweight trucks pose a huge risk to Hoosier drivers 

Many truck accidents occur because the trailer is overweight. When this happens, the truck driver can lose control of the vehicle. Tires can also blow out and rollovers can also happen. In a nutshell, operating an overweight commercial vehicle puts everyone else on the road at risk too.  

Weigh stations exist so law enforcement can ensure that no trucker is carrying more than they are legally permitted to carry. Drivers caught transporting more than the legal limit can face pretty hefty fines. 

If their cargo load is more than the legally permitted 80,000 lbs. and the driver still intends on making a trip lawfully, they must obtain an overweight vehicle permit.  

According to Indiana state law, a truck driver must obtain this permit if the vehicle exceeds: 

• 13 feet and 6 inches in height  
• 8 feet and 6 inches in width  
• 53 feet in length  
• 80,000 gross vehicle weight 

If you were involved in an accident with a large commercial truck and an investigation discovered that the truck was overweight and the driver did not have the correct permit, you could have a strong personal injury claim on your hands.  

There could be multiple parties held accountable after your accident

Personal injury cases can be incredibly complicated. But things get a little more complex when multiple parties are potentially responsible for the damages. In the case of a crash involving an overweight commercial vehicle, multiple parties could certainly be held responsible. It all boils down to the specifics of your case.  

For example, the company that owns the commercial truck could be held responsible, since they likely played a role in loading the truck above the legal limit. The truck driver could also be responsible, as they are also required to obey all the rules and regulations set out for commercial vehicles.  

Since personal injury lawsuits involving multiple parties can be so complicated, it’s a wise idea to hire an experienced Indiana truck accident lawyer after your case.  

They will go over the details of your accident and gather evidence to prove that the other parties were responsible for causing the accident, not you. Your lawyer will do everything in their power to prove that you were an innocent victim and deserve compensation for your injuries.  

While you are not required to have a personal injury lawyer to pursue a claim, it’s highly advisable to do so. The commercial trucking company and their insurance company will try to do everything in their power to prove their own innocence in the situation. You need someone on your side who understands the intricacies of cases like this to increase the chances of winning your case.  

Trust our team to help you navigate the aftermath of your accident

Crashes with large commercial vehicles can cause a wide range of serious accidents. At the end of the day, their sheer size alone makes them dangerous when they aren’t handled responsibly.  

If you were involved in an accident with a commercial truck because of someone else’s carelessness, you absolutely should not have to pay to fix the damages. That should be the other party’s responsibility.  

Here at Hensley Legal Group, we vow to do everything we possibly can to maximize your chances of receiving compensation. We’ve worked with many Hoosiers involved in commercial truck accidents to recover the damages they truly deserve.  

If you have any questions at all, you can always reach out to us and ask for more information. Day or night, someone will be available to speak with you. Give us a call at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or use our online contact form to reach our team.  

Crashes with large commercial trucks are no joke. Let our team stand up for you in your time of need.