18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Tipton County: Your Fight for Justice Starts Now

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything

The impact was catastrophic. One moment you’re driving along I-69 or US-31 through Tipton County, and the next, an 80,000-pound semi-truck has slammed into your vehicle. In that split second, your life changed forever. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Tipton County, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a fighter who understands the brutal physics of these crashes and the complex federal regulations that govern commercial trucking.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and winning. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injured victims since 1998, recovering multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours across Indiana and beyond. We know the trucking corridors that cut through Tipton County, from the busy I-69 interchange to the agricultural routes along State Road 28 where farm trucks and passenger vehicles collide. We understand how Indiana’s modified comparative negligence laws affect your case, and we know exactly how to preserve the evidence that trucking companies hope you’ll never see.

Time is not on your side. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. The trucking company has already dispatched their rapid-response team to protect their interests. You need someone protecting yours. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free consultation. We answer 24/7, and we work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

Why Tipton County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

Tipton County sits at a critical crossroads in central Indiana. With I-69 running north-south through the county and US-31 serving as a major trucking corridor connecting Indianapolis to northern Indiana, our roads see constant heavy truck traffic. Add the agricultural reality of Indiana—where harvest season brings massive combines, grain trucks, and livestock trailers onto narrow rural roads—and you have a recipe for devastating accidents.

The statistics are grim. Every 16 minutes, someone in America is injured in a commercial truck crash. In Indiana specifically, the combination of winter weather, high-speed interstate traffic, and agricultural vehicles creates unique dangers that require specialized legal knowledge. When an 18-wheeler jackknifes on icy I-69 during an Indiana winter, or when an overloaded grain truck runs a stop sign on a rural Tipton County road, the results are often catastrophic.

Unlike regular car accidents, trucking accidents involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and massive insurance policies—between $750,000 and $5 million in coverage. This complexity demands an attorney with specific trucking litigation experience. Ralph Manginello brings that experience, plus federal court admission to the Southern District of Texas (allowing us to handle interstate trucking cases), and a track record that includes standing toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP in the Texas City refinery explosion litigation—a case involving 15 deaths and over $2.1 billion in settlements.

Meet Your Tipton County Trucking Accident Team

Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years Fighting for Victims

When your family’s future is on the line, experience matters. Ralph Manginello has spent over two decades holding negligent parties accountable. Since 1998, he’s built a reputation for aggressive representation and multi-million dollar results. His federal court experience is crucial for interstate trucking cases that often involve out-of-state carriers and complex jurisdictional issues.

Ralph doesn’t just handle cases—he wins them. Our firm has recovered over $50 million for clients across all practice areas, including substantial settlements for traumatic brain injuries ($1.5 million to $9.8 million range), amputations ($1.9 million to $8.6 million), and wrongful death claims ($1.9 million to $9.5 million). When you’re facing a trucking company with deep pockets and teams of lawyers, you want Ralph Manginello in your corner.

Lupe Peña: Your Secret Weapon Against Insurance Companies

Here’s something most firms can’t offer: Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, used to work for a national insurance defense firm. He spent years inside the system, learning exactly how insurance companies evaluate, minimize, and deny legitimate claims. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight FOR accident victims.

Lupe knows the playbook because he used to be on the other team. He understands how adjusters are trained to manipulate statements, how they use software like Colossus to lowball settlements, and when they’re bluffing versus when they’ll actually pay. That knowledge translates directly into higher settlements for our Tipton County clients. As one of our clients, Chad Harris, said: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Lupe is also fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation to Tipton County’s Hispanic community without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Indiana Law & Your Tipton County Case

Understanding Indiana law is critical to maximizing your recovery. In Indiana, you have two years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wait longer, and you lose your right to compensation forever—no matter how serious your injuries or how clear the truck driver’s fault.

Indiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% responsible and your damages total $500,000, you’d receive $400,000. This makes establishing the truck driver’s fault absolutely critical, which is why we immediately send spoliation letters to preserve electronic evidence.

Indiana does cap punitive damages in some instances (the greater of three times compensatory damages or $50,000), but there’s no cap on compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering—meaning catastrophic injury cases can result in substantial recoveries to cover lifelong care.

The 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Tipton County

Jackknife Accidents on I-69

Jackknifes occur when a truck’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic on busy interstates like I-69. These accidents frequently happen when drivers brake improperly on Indiana’s icy winter roads or when they violate hours-of-service regulations and drive fatigued.

Under 49 CFR § 392.3, no driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle while their ability is impaired by fatigue. When we investigate jackknife accidents, we immediately subpoena Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data to prove hours-of-service violations. Ralph Manginello has secured evidence showing drivers were on the road for 14, 16, even 18 hours—far beyond the legal 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour duty window mandated by 49 CFR Part 395.

Rollover Crashes on Rural Roads

Tipton County’s agricultural economy means heavy farm equipment shares roads with passenger vehicles. When an 18-wheeler takes a curve too fast on State Road 28 or encounters unexpected farm equipment, rollovers can occur. These accidents often result from improper cargo securement or speeding.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.100-136 require specific cargo securement standards designed to prevent shifting loads. We investigate whether the trucking company violated these regulations, securing maintenance records and loading documentation that prove negligence. Our client Glenda Walker put it best: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved”—and that’s exactly what we do when rollover injuries leave you unable to work.

Underride Collisions

Perhaps the most horrific truck accidents involve underrides—when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the trailer, often shearing off the roof and causing decapitation or catastrophic head injuries. While federal law requires rear underride guards (49 CFR § 393.86), many trucks have inadequate guards, and side underride guards are not federally mandated.

We investigate guard integrity, lighting compliance, and whether the truck failed to use proper conspicuity tape (49 CFR § 393.11). These cases require immediate evidence preservation because the trucking company will quickly repair or replace defective equipment. That’s why we send investigators to Tipton County crash scenes within hours of being retained.

Rear-End Collisions

A fully loaded truck needs approximately 525 feet to stop from 65 mph—nearly two football fields. When truck drivers follow too closely (49 CFR § 392.11) or drive distracted (49 CFR § 392.82), they can’t stop in time, crushing smaller vehicles. We pull ECM (Electronic Control Module) data to prove exactly when brakes were applied and how fast the truck was traveling—evidence that often contradicts the driver’s claims.

Brake Failure Accidents

Approximately 29% of large truck crashes involve brake problems. Indiana’s harsh winters and the heavy stop-and-go traffic on routes like US-31 create severe demands on braking systems. Trucking companies must maintain brake systems according to 49 CFR § 393.40-55, conduct systematic inspections per 49 CFR § 396.3, and drivers must complete pre-trip inspections (49 CFR § 396.13).

When brakes fail, we examine maintenance records, Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), and out-of-service records. Deferred maintenance to save costs equals negligence—and we make companies pay for putting profits over safety.

Tire Blowouts

Indiana’s extreme temperature variations and the heavy loads traversing I-69 contribute to tire failures. Federal law requires minimum tread depths (49 CFR § 393.75) and mandates pre-trip tire inspections. When blowouts cause loss of control, we investigate tire age, inflation records, and whether the company exceeded tire load ratings—violations of 49 CFR Part 393 that establish clear liability.

We Hold Every Liable Party Accountable

Unlike car accidents where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler accidents often involve multiple responsible parties. We investigate and pursue claims against:

The Truck Driver: For speeding, fatigue, distraction, impairment, or violation of traffic laws.

The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for their drivers’ negligent acts. Additionally, trucking companies face direct liability for negligent hiring (49 CFR § 391.11 requires minimum qualifications), negligent training, negligent supervision, and negligent maintenance.

The Cargo Owner/Shipper: When improper loading instructions, overweight cargo, or hazardous materials contribute to crashes.

The Loading Company: For improper cargo securement violations of 49 CFR § 393.100.

Truck/Parts Manufacturers: When defective brakes, steering systems, or other components cause failures.

Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs or failed to identify critical safety issues.

Freight Brokers: Who may be liable for negligently selecting carriers with poor safety records.

Government Entities: If road design defects or inadequate signage in Tipton County contributed to the crash.

Every additional defendant means additional insurance coverage and a higher potential recovery. We leave no stone unturned because your family’s financial security depends on it.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Rule

The trucking industry knows evidence disappears fast. That’s why they dispatch lawyers and investigators to crash scenes before the ambulance even leaves. If you wait even a few days to hire an attorney, critical evidence may be lost forever.

Critical Evidence at Risk:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Overwrites in 30 days or with new driving events
• ELD Logs: Only required to be kept for 6 months under FMCSA regulations
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
• Driver Qualification Files: Must be preserved but can “go missing”
• Maintenance Records: Companies may “lose” incriminating repair logs

We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. These formal legal notices put the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence will result in severe court sanctions, including adverse inference instructions (where the jury is told to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable) or even default judgment.

Lupe Peña’s insurance defense background gives us unique insight into how companies try to hide evidence—and how to stop them. We know their tactics because he used them. Now he dismantles them.

Catastrophic Injuries & Real Settlement Values

18-wheeler accidents cause catastrophic injuries due to the massive weight disparity—a truck can weigh 20 to 25 times more than a passenger car. We handle cases involving:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Ranging from concussions to severe cognitive impairment. Settlements typically range from $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on severity and lifelong care needs.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Including paraplegia and quadriplegia. These cases often settle for $4.7 million to $25.8 million when accounting for lifetime medical costs and lost earning capacity.

Amputations: Whether traumatic (occurring at the scene) or surgical (required due to crush injuries). These cases range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Severe Burns: Often occurring in post-crash fires or when hauling hazardous materials through Tipton County. These require multiple skin grafts and result in permanent disfigurement.

Wrongful Death: When negligence takes a loved one, Indiana law allows recovery for lost income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These settlements range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.

These figures represent real results we’ve achieved and trends in trucking litigation. As our client Donald Wilcox said: “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.” We take the cases other firms reject—and we win.

Federal Regulations That Prove Negligence

Trucking companies must comply with strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Violations create automatic liability:

Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395): Limits driving to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty; prohibits driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty; requires 30-minute breaks after 8 hours driving.

Driver Qualifications (49 CFR Part 391): Requires valid CDLs, medical certifications, background checks, and proper training.

Vehicle Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396): Mandates systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance programs.

Drug and Alcohol Testing (49 CFR Part 382): Requires pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.

Cargo Securement (49 CFR § 393.100-136): Specific performance criteria for tiedowns and loading.

Mobile Phone Restrictions (49 CFR § 392.82): Prohibits texting and hand-held mobile device use while driving.

When we find violations—and we almost always do—we use them to prove negligence per se, meaning the violation itself establishes fault without requiring additional proof.

Insurance Requirements & Your Recovery

Federal law mandates substantial insurance coverage for commercial trucks:

• $750,000 for general freight (non-hazardous)
• $1,000,000 for oil, large equipment, or automobiles
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials

This is why trucking cases settle for much higher amounts than regular car accidents. However, accessing these funds requires navigating complex commercial insurance policies, MCS-90 endorsements, and excess/umbrella coverage—tasks that require experienced counsel.

Ralph Manginello currently serves as lead counsel in a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, demonstrating our firm’s capacity to handle major litigation against well-funded institutional defendants. Whether facing a major university or a national trucking carrier, we bring the same aggressive approach and resources.

Frequently Asked Questions for Tipton County Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Tipton County?
Indiana law gives you two years from the accident date. However, you should contact us immediately because evidence disappears quickly. The trucking company is already building their defense.

What if I was partially at fault?
Under Indiana’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover as long as you were 50% or less at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Don’t assume you can’t recover—let us investigate.

Do I have to pay upfront legal fees?
Absolutely not. We work on contingency—33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary. We advance all investigation costs. You pay nothing unless we win. As our client Kiimarii Yup shared: “I lost everything… 1 year later I have gained so much in return.”

What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
Call 911, seek medical attention even if you feel okay (adrenaline masks injuries), photograph everything (vehicles, scene, injuries), get the truck’s DOT number, and call Attorney911 before talking to any insurance adjuster.

Can undocumented immigrants file claims?
Yes. Immigration status does not affect your right to compensation for injuries caused by another’s negligence. Lupe Peña provides confidential Spanish-language representation.

How long will my case take?
Simple cases may settle in 6-12 months. Complex trucking cases with catastrophic injuries typically take 18-36 months. We prepare every case for trial while negotiating for fair settlement—insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you’re willing to go to court.

Your Next Step: Call Attorney911 Today

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to minimize what they pay you. They have investigators at the scene within hours. They have insurance adjusters trained to get you to say things that hurt your case.

What do you have?

You can have Attorney911. Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of experience. Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge of insurance tactics. Our 4.9-star Google rating from 251+ satisfied clients. Our three offices serving Indiana and beyond. And our promise: We don’t get paid unless you do.

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Tipton County—whether on I-69 near the Kempton exit, on US-31 through Tipton city, or on a rural road near Sharpsville—call us now.

1-888-ATTY-911
Available 24/7
Free Consultation
No Fee Unless We Win

Hablamos Español.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Don’t wait until evidence disappears. Call Attorney911 today and let us fight for the justice and compensation your family needs to rebuild.

Attorney Ralph Manginello, admitted to practice in Texas and New York, with associate attorney Lupe Peña, former insurance defense lawyer, standing ready to serve Tipton County trucking accident victims.