When 80,000 pounds of steel and cargo slams into a passenger vehicle on Interstate 70, there’s no such thing as a minor accident. If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler crash in Henry County, you’re facing medical bills that could climb into six figures, weeks or months away from work, and pain that might last a lifetime. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for families across Indiana whose lives changed in an instant when a commercial truck driver made a deadly mistake.
Ralph Manginello has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998. With admission to federal court and a track record that includes multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 corporations, our firm knows exactly what it takes to beat these companies at their own game. We bring something else to the table that most firms can’t match—our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working inside the insurance industry before joining our team. He knows every tactic adjusters use to minimize your claim because he used to train them. Now he fights against them.
Every hour you wait after a Henry County trucking accident, evidence disappears. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Dashcam footage gets deleted. Witnesses forget what they saw. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 if you’ve been injured. We send preservation letters within hours, not days, because trucking companies are already building their defense.
Why Henry County Trucking Accidents Demand Specialized Legal Representation
Henry County might feel like home to you, but to the trucking companies crisscrossing I-70, it’s just another stretch of highway where their drivers can push too hard and drive too long. The intersection of U.S. Route 35 and Interstate 70 near New Castle sees thousands of commercial trucks every week hauling manufactured goods from Indianapolis, agricultural products from rural Indiana, and materials bound for Richmond and Muncie.
Indiana law gives you just two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Henry County courts. Under our state’s modified comparative negligence rules, you can recover damages as long as you’re found 50% or less at fault—but every percentage point they shift onto you reduces your compensation. That’s why having an attorney who knows the local courts, the trucking corridors, and the specific federal regulations governing these cases matters from day one.
The physics alone make these cases different. A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds—that’s 20 to 25 times the weight of a typical car. At highway speeds, a truck needs nearly two football fields to stop. When drivers violate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations on hours of service, brake maintenance, or cargo securement, they’re essentially operating a missile on our highways.
We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies cut corners. Ralph Manginello was part of the litigation team that took on BP after the Texas City refinery explosion killed 15 workers. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case against the University of Houston. When we say we fight for families, we mean it—and we have the results to prove it. Our recent recoveries include $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim, $3.8+ million for a client who lost a limb after a car crash, and $2.5+ million for a trucking accident victim.
The FMCSA Regulations That Protect Henry County Families—and How Violations Prove Negligence
Every commercial truck operating on I-70 through Henry County must comply with strict federal safety standards codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These aren’t just technical rules—they’re lifelines that, when violated, prove the trucking company was negligent.
Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)
Federal law limits property-carrying truck drivers to:
- Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
- Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70-hour weekly limits with required 34-hour restart
When drivers violate these rules—often because trucking companies pressure them to meet impossible delivery schedules—they create fatal fatigue. ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data, which became mandatory in December 2017, records every minute a driver spends behind the wheel. This data can be overwritten in as little as 30 days, which is why we send spoliation letters immediately to preserve this evidence.
Driver Qualification Standards (49 CFR Part 391)
Before a trucking company lets a driver behind the wheel, they must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing:
- Employment application and background verification
- Motor vehicle record from every state where the driver held a license
- Medical examiner’s certificate (required every 2 years maximum)
- Road test certificate or equivalent
- Drug and alcohol test results
When companies skip these steps—hiring drivers with DUIs, failed medical certifications, or histories of logbook violations—they commit negligent hiring. We subpoena these files in every case because they often reveal patterns of dangerous behavior the company knew about.
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396)
Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections covering brakes, steering, tires, lighting, and coupling devices. Post-trip reports must document any defects found.
Brake failures alone cause approximately 29% of large truck crashes. When maintenance records show deferred repairs or missing inspections, we use that evidence to establish direct negligence.
Cargo Securement Rules (49 CFR Part 393)
Cargo must be secured to withstand specific force levels: 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g laterally. Improperly secured loads cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, and catastrophic spills on Indiana highways.
Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has been admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas since 1998, giving him federal jurisdiction expertise that matters when trucking accidents cross state lines or involve interstate commerce.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents on Henry County Roads—and Why They Happen
Interstate 70 cuts straight through Henry County, connecting Indianapolis with Richmond and continuing toward the Ohio border. This corridor, combined with State Road 3 and U.S. 35, creates conditions where specific accident types occur repeatedly.
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck driver brakes suddenly on wet or icy pavement—a real danger during Indiana winters—the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, creating a wall of metal that sweeps across multiple lanes. Jackknifes often result from:
- Improper brake adjustment or failure (49 CFR § 393.48)
- Speeding for conditions (49 CFR § 392.6)
- Empty or lightly loaded trailers that lack traction
The result is often a multi-vehicle pileup affecting innocent drivers on their morning commute to New Castle or traveling to Indianapolis. These cases frequently involve traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage from secondary impacts.
Rollover Accidents
Indiana’s flat terrain might seem safe, but the combination of high speeds on I-70 and improperly secured cargo creates rollover risks. When liquid cargo sloshes or weight shifts during a lane change, an 80,000-pound truck becomes unstable. Rollovers crush smaller vehicles beneath them and cause secondary collisions from spilled fuel and debris.
We investigated one case where a trucking company loaded liquid agricultural chemicals without proper baffles. When the driver took the curve near the Henry County Fairgrounds too fast, the surge of liquid pulled the trailer over, killing one motorist and permanently disabling another.
Underride Collisions
When a passenger vehicle strikes the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, the result is often decapitation or severe head trauma. While rear impact guards are required on trailers manufactured after 1998 (49 CFR § 393.86), many trucks operate with damaged or missing guards, and side underride protection remains unregulated despite killing hundreds annually.
These accidents happen frequently at night on rural stretches of I-70 where lighting is poor and drivers fail to see slow-moving trucks entering from rest areas or agricultural access roads.
Rear-End Collisions
A truck traveling at 65 mph needs 525 feet to stop—almost twice what a car needs. When distracted drivers text, adjust GPS units, or simply fail to pay attention in heavy traffic near the New Castle exchanges, they rear-end stopped vehicles with catastrophic force.
We obtain cell phone records and ECM data to prove distraction. Our associate Lupe Peña knows exactly how insurance companies try to argue the victim “stopped suddenly”—and he counters those arguments with hard data.
Wide Turn and “Squeeze Play” Accidents
Trucks making right turns from narrow county roads onto U.S. 35 or State Road 3 must swing wide. Drivers who fail to check blind spots or signal their intentions trap passenger vehicles in the gap between truck and curb, causing crushing injuries.
Tire Blowouts
Indiana’s freeze-thaw cycles create potholes, and summer heat builds pressure in underinflated tires. When a steer tire blows at highway speed, the driver loses control instantly. FMCSA regulations require minimum tread depths (4/32″ for steer tires, 2/32″ for others) and mandate pre-trip inspections—but we find violations constantly.
Holding Every Liable Party Accountable—Not Just the Driver
Most law firms only sue the truck driver and maybe the trucking company. That’s leaving money on the table, and more importantly, it’s letting dangerous actors off the hook. In Henry County trucking accidents, we investigate:
The Truck Driver
Direct negligence through speeding, distraction, fatigue, or impairment. We obtain toxicology results, cell phone records, and driving histories.
The Trucking Company
Vicarious liability under respondeat superior, plus direct negligence for:
- Negligent hiring (failure to check qualifications)
- Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
- Negligent supervision (ignoring ELD violations)
- Negligent maintenance (skipping brake inspections)
The Cargo Owner/Shipper
When they demand overweight loads or fail to disclose hazardous materials, they share liability for the resulting accidents.
The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses that improperly secure cargo create shifting loads that cause rollovers. We examine bills of lading and securement documentation.
Manufacturers
Defective brakes, steering components, or tires that fail under normal use create product liability claims against manufacturers like those that supplied faulty air brake systems we’ve encountered.
Maintenance Companies
Third-party mechanics who perform negligent brake adjustments or return vehicles to service with known defects.
Freight Brokers
Brokers who arrange transportation using carriers with terrible safety records (visible on FMCSA’s SAFER database) just to save a few dollars.
Government Entities
Poor road design, inadequate signage on highway ramps, or failure to maintain safe conditions on county roads.
The 48-Hour Evidence Window—Why Immediate Action Saves Cases
Trucking companies deploy rapid-response teams to accident scenes within hours. Their lawyers arrive before the ambulance leaves, sometimes photographing the scene while you’re still being extricated from your vehicle. They are not there to help you—they’re there to protect the company.
Critical Evidence Disappears Fast:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes—overwrites in 30 days or less
- ELD Logs: Proves hours of service violations—only required to be kept for 6 months
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days unless preserved
- Driver Qualification Files: Can be “updated” to hide prior violations
- Maintenance Records: Sometimes “lost” when they show deferred repairs
Within 24 hours of being retained, we send spoliation letters to every potentially liable party, putting them on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in adverse inference instructions (juries told to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable), sanctions, or even default judgment.
We also immediately canvas for surveillance cameras from nearby businesses along I-70, obtain police crash reports through the Indiana State Police or Henry County Sheriff’s Department, and interview witnesses while memories are fresh.
Catastrophic Injuries Require Catastrophic Settlements
The forces involved in Henry County trucking accidents don’t cause minor injuries. We’ve represented victims suffering from:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Settlement range: $1,548,000 – $9,838,000+
Concussions, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and permanent disability requiring lifetime care. One client in a similar case recovered over $5 million after a logging truck accident caused vision loss and brain trauma.
Spinal Cord Injury
Settlement range: $4,770,000 – $25,880,000+
Paraplegia, quadriplegia, and permanent paralysis requiring home modifications, wheelchairs, and 24-hour care. These cases often involve lifetime costs exceeding $5 million in medical care alone.
Amputation
Settlement range: $1,945,000 – $8,630,000
One of our clients received $3.8 million after a car accident led to staph infections and partial leg amputation. Trucking accidents often cause traumatic amputations at the scene or require surgical removal of crushed limbs.
Severe Burns
Fuel fires from ruptured tanks cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts, multiple surgeries, and permanent scarring that affects every aspect of life.
Wrongful Death
Settlement range: $1,910,000 – $9,520,000
When trucking negligence kills a loved one, Indiana law allows recovery for lost income, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental anguish. We recently recovered millions for a family who lost their primary wage earner.
Internal Organ Damage
Liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, and kidney damage requiring emergency surgery and permanent lifestyle modifications.
As Ernest Cano, one of our clients, said: “Mr. Manginello and his firm are first class. Will fight tooth and nail for you.” And Chad Harris told us: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
Indiana Insurance Requirements and Damage Caps
Commercial trucking companies operating in Indiana must carry minimum liability insurance:
- $750,000 for non-hazardous freight
- $1,000,000 for oil and equipment transport
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials
Unlike typical car accidents where policies might top out at $30,000 or $50,000, these policies can actually cover catastrophic injuries. However, accessing them requires proving the full extent of your damages.
Indiana caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $50,000, but there’s no cap on compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Henry County Trucking Accidents
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Indiana?
Two years from the accident date. But waiting is dangerous—evidence disappears and witnesses move away. Contact us immediately.
What if the trucking company claims I was partially at fault?
Indiana uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. We gather ECM data, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence to minimize any fault attributed to you.
Can I sue if I was a passenger?
Yes. Passengers have claims against the truck driver, their own driver (if applicable), and any other negligent parties.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance. Our track record includes settlements from hundreds of thousands to millions. We don’t accept lowball offers.
Will I have to go to trial?
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are afraid of court—we’re not. That reputation gets you better settlement offers.
Do you offer Spanish-language services?
Yes. Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, is fluent in Spanish. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
How do I pay for a lawyer?
We work on contingency—one-third (33.33%) pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all costs. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.
The Attorney911 Advantage for Henry County Families
When you hire Attorney911, you’re getting more than a lawyer—you’re getting a team that includes:
- Ralph Manginello: 25+ years of experience, federal court admission, Trial Lawyers Achievement Association Million Dollar Member
- Lupe Peña: Former insurance defense attorney who knows the industry’s playbook
- Three office locations: Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, with capability to serve clients throughout Indiana
- 24/7 availability: Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime, day or night
- No upfront costs: We only get paid if you do
As Glenda Walker told us after her settlement: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s what we do—we fight for every dime because we know Henry County families deserve justice when trucking companies put profits over safety.
The trucking company called their lawyers the moment their driver hit you. They’re already building a defense, looking for ways to blame you, and calculating the minimum they can get away with paying. They’re hoping you don’t know about the black box data, the hours of service violations, or the negligent hiring practices that caused your injuries.
Don’t let them win. Call Attorney911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 or (888) 288-9911. Visit us at https://attorney911.com. Email Ralph directly at ralph@atty911.com or Lupe at lupe@atty911.com.
“We’re not just any law firm. We’re the firm insurers fear.” Let us put our experience to work for you in Henry County. Your consultation is free, and we’re available right now to start preserving the evidence that will win your case.
Hablamos Español. Call 888-288-9911 today.
