18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Starke County, Indiana

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re driving through Starke County on US 30, navigating the rural highways of northern Indiana. The next, an 80,000-pound semi-truck is jackknifing across your lane, or worse—crashing directly into your vehicle. In Starke County, where agricultural traffic mixes with interstate commerce and winter storms create deadly conditions on Routes 35 and 10, trucking accidents aren’t just statistics—they’re life-altering events that leave families shattered and facing uncertain futures.

Every year, thousands of Americans are killed or catastrophically injured in commercial trucking accidents. In Indiana alone, the combination of heavy agricultural freight, manufacturing shipments, and harsh winter weather creates perfect conditions for disaster. When a truck driver falls asleep at the wheel after violating federal hours-of-service regulations, or when a trucking company sends an improperly maintained vehicle onto icy Starke County roads, innocent people pay the price.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims across the United States. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements against the largest trucking companies in America. Our firm includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working for insurance companies before joining our team—and his insider knowledge of how commercial trucking insurers evaluate and deny claims gives our clients a decisive advantage. We know exactly how trucking companies try to minimize your compensation, and we know how to stop them.

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Starke County, the clock is already ticking. Critical evidence—black box data, driver logs, maintenance records—can disappear within days. The trucking company has already called their lawyers. You need someone fighting for you immediately. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Starke County Are Different

The Physics of Devastation

An 18-wheeler isn’t just a bigger car—it’s a lethal weapon when operated negligently. Here’s the brutal mathematics that every Starke County driver should understand:

• Weight disparity: A fully loaded commercial truck weighs 80,000 pounds. Your passenger vehicle weighs roughly 3,500 to 4,000 pounds. The truck is twenty times heavier than your car.
• Stopping distance: At 65 mph, a tractor-trailer needs approximately 525 feet to stop—the length of nearly two football fields. On icy Starke County highways during Indiana winters, that distance doubles or triples.
• Impact force: Force equals mass times acceleration. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at highway speed carries approximately 80 times the kinetic energy of a passenger vehicle.

When these forces collide with a family sedan on US 30 or State Road 17, the results are catastrophic. The occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb the overwhelming majority of the impact energy, leading to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, and death.

Federal Regulations Create Special Liability

Unlike car accidents, commercial trucking is governed by strict federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules—included in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), Parts 390 through 399—create specific duties for trucking companies and drivers.

When a trucker violates these regulations, they aren’t just breaking rules—they’re acting negligently per se. This means violations of FMCSA standards automatically establish liability in many cases.

Key regulations that protect Starke County motorists include:

49 CFR Part 391 (Driver Qualification Standards): Requires trucking companies to verify drivers are medically qualified, hold valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), and have passed drug and alcohol testing. Violations prove negligent hiring.

49 CFR Part 392 (Driving Rules): Prohibits operating while fatigued, impaired, or distracted (including texting while driving under § 392.80). Violations establish direct negligence.

49 CFR Part 393 (Vehicle Safety Standards): Mandates proper cargo securement, functioning brakes, adequate lighting, and proper tire maintenance. Violations prove equipment negligence.

49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service): Limits driving to 11 hours maximum after 10 consecutive hours off-duty, requires 30-minute breaks after 8 hours, and mandates weekly limits of 60/70 hours. Fatigued driving causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes.

49 CFR Part 396 (Inspection and Maintenance): Requires systematic vehicle inspections, pre-trip safety checks, and proper maintenance records. Brake failures cause 29% of trucking accidents.

When we investigate your Starke County trucking accident, we subpoena these records immediately. We analyze ECM (electronic control module) data, ELD (electronic logging device) records, and maintenance logs to prove exactly which federal regulations the trucking company violated.

Indiana’s Unique Legal Landscape

Indiana law creates specific rights and responsibilities for trucking accident victims in Starke County:

Statute of Limitations: Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, you have just two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year clock starts running from the date of death. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to compensation forever—regardless of how severe your injuries or how clear the trucking company’s fault.

Modified Comparative Negligence: Indiana follows a “51% fault bar” rule under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6. You can recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 20% responsible, you receive 80% of your damages. But if you’re 51% at fault, you recover nothing.

Punitive Damage Caps: Indiana caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $50,000 (Indiana Code § 34-51-3-4). However, there’s no cap on compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Given Starke County’s rural nature and location along major agricultural shipping routes, accident cases here often involve unique factors: farm equipment sharing roads with semis, seasonal harvest traffic spikes, and severe winter weather that increases stopping distances and creates black ice conditions.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Starke County

Not all trucking accidents are the same. In Starke County, where winter weather creates hazardous conditions and agricultural corridors see heavy commercial traffic, certain accident types occur with troubling frequency:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, forming a 90-degree angle. On icy US 30 or during sudden braking on State Road 35, a jackknifed trailer can sweep across multiple lanes, creating an impassable barrier that causes multi-vehicle pileups.

These accidents typically result from:

• Sudden braking on wet or icy surfaces (violating 49 CFR § 392.6’s requirement to adjust speed for conditions)
• Improper cargo loading that shifts the center of gravity (violating 49 CFR § 393.100-136 cargo securement rules)
• Brake system failures from inadequate maintenance (violating 49 CFR § 396.3)

We analyze skid marks, ECM brake data, and cargo manifests to prove what caused the jackknife.

Underride Collisions

Among the most fatal accident types, underrides occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath. The trailer height shears off the passenger compartment at windshield level, causing immediate decapitation or catastrophic head trauma.

Despite federal requirements for rear impact guards under 49 CFR § 393.86, many trailers have inadequate guards or worn equipment that fails to prevent underride. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated, making side impacts particularly deadly.

In rural Starke County where visibility can be limited on dark county roads, underride accidents often occur when stalled or slow-moving trucks create unexpected hazards.

Rear-End Collisions

An 18-wheeler rear-ending a passenger vehicle creates devastating crushing injuries. Given the truck’s 525-foot stopping distance (nearly twice that of a car), following too closely on US 30 or Route 35 often proves fatal when traffic suddenly slows.

Common causes include:

• Distracted driving (violating 49 CFR § 392.82’s prohibition on mobile phone use)
• Fatigue after violating hours-of-service limits (49 CFR § 395)
• Speeding for conditions (49 CFR § 392.6)
• Brake failures from deferred maintenance (49 CFR § 396.3)

We subpoena ECM data to prove the truck driver never touched the brakes, and ELD records to establish if the driver was operating beyond legal hours limits.

Rollover Accidents

Starke County’s rural roads—particularly Route 10 and connecting county highways—feature curves and grades that become treacherous when combined with a truck’s high center of gravity. Rollovers occur when:

• Drivers take curves too fast (violating speed limits and 49 CFR § 392.6)
• Cargo loads shift during turns (violating 49 CFR § 393.100)
• Liquid cargo “sloshes” in partially filled tankers
• Drivers overcorrect after drifting, causing centrifugal forces to tip the trailer

Rollovers often result in multi-vehicle collisions when the falling trailer crushes nearby vehicles or when spilled cargo creates secondary accident hazards.

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

Large trucks need significant space to complete right turns, requiring them to swing wide left before turning right. In downtown Starke County communities like Knox or North Judson, these wide swings can trap passenger vehicles in the “squeeze play” space between the truck and the curb, crushing them against utility poles or buildings.

These accidents result from:

• Failure to signal turning intentions (violating Indiana traffic laws)
• Inadequate mirror checking (violating 49 CFR § 393.80 mirror requirements)
• Driver inexperience with trailer “off-tracking”
• Failure to yield right-of-way to vehicles in the turn path

Blind Spot Accidents

Commercial trucks have massive blind spots on all four sides—called “No-Zones” by safety advocates:

• Front: 20 feet directly ahead (the driver cannot see low vehicles)
• Rear: 30 feet behind the trailer (no rear-view mirrors)
• Left side: One lane wide, extending from the cab backward
• Right side: Two lanes wide, the most dangerous blind spot

When truckers change lanes on US 30 without checking these blind spots—or without properly adjusted mirrors required by 49 CFR § 393.80—they sideswipe vehicles, often pushing them off the road or into other traffic.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures

Starke County’s temperature fluctuations between hot summers and freezing winters cause accelerated tire wear. When trucking companies defer maintenance to save costs, tire blowouts cause immediate loss of control.

Brake failures—responsible for approximately 29% of large truck crashes—occur when companies violate 49 CFR § 396 by failing to:

• Conduct required pre-trip inspections
• Replace worn brake pads or shoes
• Properly adjust air brake systems
• Address mechanical defects noted by drivers

Cargo Spills and Hazmat Incidents

Indiana’s agricultural economy means Starke County roads see heavy volumes of grain trucks, livestock haulers, and chemical transport vehicles. When cargo isn’t properly secured under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, spills create chaos:

• Grain spills causing vehicles to lose traction
• Chemical spills creating toxic exposure and evacuation zones
• Livestock creating collision hazards on highways

These cases often involve liability against the cargo loading company, not just the driver.

Every Party Who May Owe You Money

Most law firms only sue the truck driver and trucking company. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants means more insurance coverage means higher compensation for you.

1. The Truck Driver

Individual drivers face direct liability for:

• Speeding or reckless driving
• Distracted driving (cell phone use, eating, adjusting GPS)
• Operating while fatigued
• Driving under the influence
• Violating traffic laws

We obtain the driver’s complete history, including prior accidents, violations, and medical certifications.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

Under Indiana’s doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. Additionally, trucking companies face direct liability for:

Negligent Hiring: Failing to verify CDL status, driving history, or medical qualifications required by 49 CFR § 391.

Negligent Training: Providing inadequate safety instruction on cargo securement, hours-of-service compliance, or winter weather driving.

Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor ELD data for hours violations or ignoring known safety violations.

Negligent Maintenance: Systematically deferring repairs to save costs, violating 49 CFR § 396.

Pressure to Violate Regulations: Dispatchers who pressure drivers to exceed hours limits or speed to meet delivery deadlines.

3. Cargo Owner / Shipper

Companies shipping goods through Starke County may be liable when they:

• Require overweight loading that exceeds safe braking capacity
• Fail to disclose hazardous cargo properties
• Provide improper loading instructions
• Pressure carriers to expedite shipments unsafely

4. Cargo Loading Company

Third-party warehouses that load trailers may be liable under 49 CFR § 393 for:

• Improper cargo securement using inadequate tiedowns
• Unbalanced load distribution causing rollover risks
• Failure to use blocking, bracing, or friction mats
• Loading beyond trailer weight ratings

5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturers

Defective vehicle systems create liability for:

• Brake system design flaws
• Stability control failures
• Fuel tank placement causing fire risks
• Defective underride guards
• Inadequate warning systems

6. Parts Manufacturers

Companies manufacturing brakes, tires, steering components, or lighting systems may be strictly liable when defective parts cause accidents.

7. Maintenance Companies

Third-party repair shops that negligently perform brake adjustments, tire replacements, or safety inspections can be liable when their shoddy work causes crashes.

8. Freight Brokers

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection—hiring trucking companies with known safety violations or inadequate insurance to handle Starke County shipments.

9. Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)

In owner-operator arrangements, the individual truck owner may bear separate liability for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain equipment.

10. Government Entities

Indiana counties and the Indiana Department of Transportation may be liable for:

• Dangerous road designs on Starke County highways
• Failure to maintain safe road surfaces
• Inadequate signage for known hazards
• Improper work zone setups on state roads

Government claims require immediate action—Indiana requires notice within 180 days for claims against county or state entities.

The Evidence That Wins Cases (And Why It Disappears Fast)

Trucking companies don’t play fair. Within hours of an accident in Starke County, they deploy rapid-response teams to protect their interests—not yours. They have one goal: minimize your claim or deny it entirely.

That’s why Attorney911 sends spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. These legal notices put the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence will result in severe court sanctions, including adverse inference instructions (telling the jury the destroyed evidence would have hurt the trucking company’s case).

Critical Evidence We Preserve Immediately

ECM/Black Box Data: The electronic control module records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. This objective data often contradicts driver claims of “I hit the brakes immediately.” ECM data can be overwritten within 30 days or with subsequent driving events.

ELD Records: Electronic logging devices mandated since December 2017 record hours of service, GPS locations, and duty status. These prove whether the driver was fatigued or violating 49 CFR § 395. FMCSA only requires 6-month retention, and data is vulnerable to deletion.

Driver Qualification Files: Under 49 CFR § 391.51, trucking companies must maintain files showing the driver was qualified to operate the vehicle. We look for:

• Missing background checks
• Expired medical certifications
• Previous employer inquiries that revealed safety violations
• Training records showing inadequate preparation

Maintenance Records: Required under 49 CFR § 396.3, these show whether the company ignored known defects. We examine:

• Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
• Brake adjustment logs
• Tire replacement schedules
• Out-of-service repair orders

Cell Phone Records: Prove distracted driving violations under 49 CFR § 392.82. We establish whether the driver was texting, calling, or using apps at the moment of impact.

Dashcam and Surveillance Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing and cab-facing cameras. This footage often shows the driver’s eyes closing from fatigue or looking at a phone rather than the road. However, trucking companies often “lose” this footage within days unless we demand preservation.

Dispatch Records: Reveal whether the company pressured the driver to violate hours limits or speed to meet delivery windows on Starke County routes.

Drug and Alcohol Tests: Required under 49 CFR Part 382 after accidents involving fatalities or drivers cited for moving violations. Positive tests create automatic liability.

Catastrophic Injuries and Real Settlement Values

At Attorney911, we’ve recovered $50 million plus for injury victims. Our experience handling catastrophic trucking cases allows us to maximize compensation for Starke County families facing life-altering injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury: $1.5 Million to $9.8 Million

TBIs range from concussions to severe brain damage requiring 24/7 care. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, cognitive impairment, and loss of executive function. These cases require lifetime care planning and significant future medical expense calculations.

As our client Glenda Walker said after we resolved her case: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Spinal Cord Injury: $4.7 Million to $25.8 Million

Paralysis cases (paraplegia or quadriplegia) involve astronomical lifetime care costs. We work with life care planners to document:

• Wheelchairs and adaptive equipment replacements
• Home modifications (ramps, roll-in showers, widened doorways)
• Personal care assistance ($50,000+ annually)
• Lost earning capacity over decades

Amputation: $1.9 Million to $8.6 Million

Whether traumatic (amputation at scene) or surgical (required after crush injuries), amputation cases involve:

• Prosthetic limbs ($5,000-$50,000 each, requiring replacement every 3-7 years)
• Phantom limb pain management
• Psychological counseling for body image trauma
• Career retraining or total disability

Wrongful Death: $1.9 Million to $9.5 Million

When trucking accidents kill loved ones on Starke County roads, Indiana law allows surviving spouses and children to recover:

• Lost future income and employment benefits
• Loss of parental guidance and consortium
• Mental anguish and emotional suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical costs incurred before death

We’ve handled wrongful death cases against major carriers, securing millions for families who lost breadwinners.

Severe Burns and Internal Injuries

Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills can cause third-degree burns requiring skin grafts and multiple surgeries. Internal organ damage from crushing forces may require transplants or create permanent disabilities.

Indiana Law Specifics for Starke County Accidents

Understanding state-specific rules is crucial for protecting your rights:

Comparative Fault Defense

Indiana’s modified comparative negligence system (§ 34-51-2-6) means the trucking company will try to blame you—even partially—to reduce their payout. If they convince a jury you were 30% at fault, your $1 million case becomes $700,000.

We combat this by:

• Analyzing ECM data to prove the truck driver’s exact speed and braking
• Using accident reconstruction experts to prove the trucker’s sole responsibility
• Examining ELD records to show HOS violations that caused fatigue
• Reviewing maintenance logs to establish equipment failure

Damage Caps

While Indiana caps punitive damages (§ 34-51-3-4), there’s no limit on compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering in trucking cases. Given that commercial carriers carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage (far exceeding Indiana’s $25,000/$50,000 minimum auto liability), catastrophic injury cases can pursue substantial recoveries.

Venue Considerations

Starke County Circuit Court serves residents of Starke County from the courthouse in Knox. Depending on where the accident occurred and where defendants are headquartered, cases may be filed in Starke County or transferred to federal court if the trucking company is out-of-state. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, and his extensive federal litigation experience means we can handle your case regardless of jurisdiction.

Why Starke County Families Choose Attorney911

25+ Years of Experience Against Fortune 500 Companies

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. That experience includes litigation against BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion—a $2.1 billion industrial disaster where 15 workers died and 170 suffered injuries. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations, and we bring that firepower to every Starke County trucking case.

The Insurance Defense Advantage

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside the system working for national defense firms. Lupe knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train adjusters to minimize payouts, and calculate settlement offers using software like Colossus. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for accident victims, anticipating every tactic the defense will use before they deploy it.

As client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Documented Multi-Million Dollar Results

Our track record speaks for itself:

• $5+ Million: Traumatic brain injury from falling log at workplace
• $3.8+ Million: Partial leg amputation following car accident with medical complications
• $2.5+ Million: Commercial trucking accident settlement
• $2+ Million: Maritime back injury under Jones Act
• $10 Million Lawsuit: Currently litigating against University of Houston for hazing injuries (2025)

We’ve recovered over $50 million total for our clients.

Currently Active Major Litigation

We’re not resting on past successes. Right now, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity involving severe hazing that caused rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. This case—covered by KHOU 11, ABC13 Houston, KPRC 2, and the Houston Chronicle—demonstrates our willingness to take on powerful institutional defendants when they harm innocent people.

Three Office Locations Serving Indiana and Beyond

While our roots are in Texas, we handle 18-wheeler cases nationwide. With offices in Houston (1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600), Austin (316 West 12th Street, Suite 311), and Beaumont, we serve trucking accident victims across the country. For Starke County clients, we offer remote consultations and travel to Indiana for your case.

Contingency Fee Representation

You pay nothing unless we win. Our standard contingency fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if litigation is required. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and litigation expenses. You never receive a bill from us—our fee comes from the recovery, not your pocket.

Donald Wilcox, a client other firms rejected, told us: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

Spanish Language Services

Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña provides fluent Spanish representation without interpreters. For Starke County’s Hispanic community—many of whom work in agriculture and trucking—this means clear communication and cultural understanding during the most stressful time of your life.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Starke County

If you’re reading this after an accident on US 30, Route 35, or any Starke County road:

1. Call 911 immediately: Indiana law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
2. Seek medical attention: Even minor symptoms can indicate severe internal injuries or TBI.
3. Document everything: Photograph vehicles, license plates, the accident scene, weather conditions, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses.
4. Do NOT speak to the trucking company’s insurance: Adjusters are trained to get you to say things that minimize your claim. Refer all communication to your attorney.
5. Do NOT sign anything: Early settlement offers are designed to pay you pennies on the dollar before you understand your injuries’ full extent.
6. Call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a trucking accident in Starke County?

Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, you have two years from the accident date for personal injury, and two years from the date of death for wrongful death. However, if government entities are involved (poor road maintenance claims), you must file a notice of tort claim within 180 days. Evidence disappears much faster—call us immediately.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Indiana uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. But if you’re 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This makes aggressive investigation crucial—we work to prove the trucker was 100% responsible.

How much is my trucking accident case worth?

Values depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and insurance coverage. Commercial trucks carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage—far more than passenger vehicles. We’ve secured settlements from hundreds of thousands to millions. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free evaluation.

Will my case go to trial?

Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your attorney has the resources and willingness to litigate. Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of courtroom experience, including federal court admission.

What if the trucking company was from out of state?

We regularly handle cases against national carriers. Federal court admission allows us to litigate interstate trucking cases, and we have experience with Indiana’s federal district courts and jurisdiction rules.

Can I afford an attorney?

Absolutely. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid when you win. As Angel Walle told us: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Your Fight Starts Now

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. Their insurance adjuster is looking for ways to pay you less. Their safety director is reviewing records to see what can be hidden.

You need someone fighting just as hard for you.

At Attorney911, we’ve made trucking companies pay for 25 years. We’ve stood up to BP, to major carriers, to insurance giants. We know the playbook because Lupe Peña used to write it when he worked in insurance defense. Now he uses that knowledge to maximize your recovery.

Don’t let them push you around. Don’t accept a lowball offer. Don’t sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. 24/7 availability.

Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para hablar con Lupe Peña directamente.

Your family deserves justice. Your future deserves protection. Let Attorney911 fight for every dime you deserve—just like Glenda Walker said we would.

The call is free. The advice is priceless. Your future depends on what you do next.

1-888-ATTY-911

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Indiana state law governs this communication. Principal office: Houston, TX. Serving Starke County, Indiana and nationwide.