What to Do in the First 72 Hours After a Truck Accident on the Borman Expressway (I-80/94)

August 18, 2026

• Truck accidents on the Borman Expressway in Hammond can be devastating, resulting in extensive bills and long recovery times.
• The actions you take in the first 72 hours, including going to an ER to generate a medical record and photographing and preserving evidence, are crucial to getting the financial recovery you deserve.
• One very important step is contacting a Hammond truck accident lawyer, who can safeguard your rights and stand up to the big trucking companies.

A truck accident could take place almost anywhere when you’re driving on the Borman Expressway through Hammond, IN (also known as I-80/94), like the confusing and complicated interchange at 80/94 and Indianapolis Avenue. Cars are trying to figure out where to go and trucks are rumbling along. Suddenly, the worst happens.

A Borman Expressway truck accident could have serious consequences. You could face devastating injuries, an extended recovery time, spiraling medical bills, and potentially the loss of your ability to work for a long stretch (or even permanently). You will demand and deserve financial recovery for your pain and suffering.

That recovery isn’t guaranteed though. You’ll need the help of dedicated and experienced Hammond truck accident lawyers. And you’ll also need to take the right steps, starting right after the crash and for the first 72 hours after the accident. It isn’t easy, but it’s what you’ll have to do to get your life where you want it to be.

Hours 0-1: At The Scene of the Truck Accident on the Borman Expressway

A sudden move, a symphony of horns, a crash: what to do now?

Here are steps to take at the scene.

1. Call 911. On the Borman Expressway, the Indiana State Police will most likely respond to your call. This is important because the accident report is the basis for your claim.
2. Ensure your safety. Stay in your vehicle or get completely off the road. Don’t get out while traffic is still moving around you.
3. Gather evidence and document everything. Take pictures of vehicle positions and the road conditions. Make sure you capture the trucking company’s name, the DOT number on the door, and any cargo that is visible.
4. AVOID SPEAKING TO ANYONE FROM THE TRUCKING COMPANY. The company may arrive and try to blame you. That’s its job. Yours is to take care of yourself – starting with your well-being.

Hours 1-24: Seek Medical Attention

Maybe you’ll feel like you’re okay. But you should be aware of two things: adrenaline masks pain, and there are a lot of debilitating effects that might not present immediate symptoms. Go to the ER (Methodist Northlake in Gary and Munster Community Hospital are the nearest). This will allow you to:

1. Search for injuries such as internal bleeding, spinal damage, and TBI.
2. Initiate a record of your injuries and your medical progress. This is crucial for your case.

Remember, you have to keep every document. Your paperwork-loving attorney uses them to build the damages portion of your claim. And follow every instruction your doctor gives you. Opposing insurance companies will look at any gap and argue that you weren’t injured.

Also, don’t go on social media after a Hammond accident. An insurer could use a picture of you smiling or a post reassuring people that you’re “fine” as proof that your Hammond truck accident wasn’t a big deal.

Hours 24-48: Don’t Let Evidence Disappear

Truck accidents generate a lot of evidence. Your case could involve both electronic and analog evidence, including:

• Dashcam footage
• Driver personnel files about training and accident history
• Inspection and maintenance records
• “Black box” data from the moments before the accident
• Driver logs detailing the hours spent behind the wheel

Now, the trucking companies are supposed to preserve evidence following an accident. But they don’t have to preserve it forever. The digital data can be overwritten. Records can go missing. And your case can start to fall apart.

The best way to prevent this is with a spoliation letter. This is a binding notice from your Hammond truck accident lawyer prohibiting the trucking company from overwriting the evidence. It also is a way to tell the company not to “accidentally” lose it.

But this legal demand needs to happen quickly.

Hours 48-72: Find a Partner Who Can Protect You

You are shaken and hurt after your accident. The lawyers and insurers for the trucking company? They’re fine. They’re working to protect their client. They might offer you a quick settlement to minimize payouts. Remember, they are offering it so that they can pay less than what your case is worth.

Don’t accept any offer. Don’t sign anything. When you do, you waive your right to further compensation. And at this point, you may have no idea how serious your injuries are or how long the road to recovery will be.

They’ll lowball you. They’ll try to blame you. They’ll do whatever it takes to not pay you. And it is hard to resist them.

That’s why you need a legal team that can protect drivers in Northwest Indiana. You need someone who is on your side and can both build your case and prevent you from making mistakes.

Reach Out to Our Experienced Hammond Truck Accident Attorneys

It might not be fair that in the immediate aftermath of your accident you have to start thinking so far ahead. But those first 72 hours can determine the rest of your life, and you want someone who can make them run smoothly.

The lawyers who know how to stand up to the trucking companies and stand up for your rights are right here in Hammond: Hensley Legal Group, PC a dedicated Indiana personal injury law firm whose experienced attorneys have been fighting on behalf of the wrongfully injured since 1998.

Simply call us at (317) 472-3333, chat with us online, or fill out our contact form now for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Hammond truck accident attorney.