18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Wayne County, Indiana

When 80,000 Pounds Changes Everything on I-70

One moment you’re merging onto Interstate 70 near Richmond, heading home from work or passing through Wayne County on your way to Indianapolis. The next, an 80,000-pound semi-truck is jackknifing across three lanes of traffic, or a tired driver drifts across the centerline on US 27 north of Fountain City. There’s no time to react. No chance to escape. Just the crushing force of metal against metal that leaves your life permanently altered.

If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Wayne County, or if you’re searching for answers after losing a loved one to a trucking accident on our Indiana highways, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of families across the Hoosier State face the same devastating reality: trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, and innocent drivers pay the price.

Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years fighting for families just like yours. Since 1998, he’s made trucking companies pay for the carnage they cause. Earlier in his career, he litigated against Fortune 500 corporations like BP after the Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more. That experience—going toe-to-toe with the world’s largest corporations—shaped how Attorney911 approaches every 18-wheeler case today. Whether it’s a catastrophic collision on I-70 near the Ohio border or a rollover on State Road 1, we know what’s at stake. And we know how to win.

Right now, the trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. Their rapid-response team might already be at the scene, collecting evidence to protect their interests—not yours. What are you doing to protect yourself?

Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (888-288-9911). We answer 24/7, and we serve trucking accident victims throughout Wayne County, Indiana, from Richmond to Centerville, and across the entire region.

The 18-Wheeler Threat on Wayne County’s Highways

Wayne County sits at the crossroads of Indiana’s busiest freight corridors. Interstate 70 cuts through the heart of our community, carrying thousands of commercial trucks daily between Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio. US 27 runs north-south through Richmond, connecting manufacturing hubs with agricultural centers. This heavy truck traffic creates unique dangers for local families and commuters.

The physics alone are terrifying. Your sedan weighs roughly 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds—twenty times heavier. When those two vehicles collide, the truck transfers massive kinetic energy to the smaller vehicle. The results are rarely “fender benders.” They’re catastrophic.

Consider the stopping distances. At 65 miles per hour, a loaded truck needs nearly 525 feet to stop—that’s almost two football fields. On icy I-70 during Wayne County’s brutal winters, that distance extends even further. When traffic suddenly slows near the Richmond exits, tired truck drivers often don’t have the time or space to react.

The trucking industry knows these risks. Federal regulations under 49 CFR Parts 390-399 exist specifically to prevent these tragedies. Yet companies routinely violate these rules to meet delivery deadlines and maximize profits.

Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in Wayne County

Jackknife Accidents on I-70

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes of traffic. These accidents frequently occur on Wayne County’s stretch of I-70 when drivers brake suddenly on slick pavement or take curves too fast near the Cambridge City overpass.

Jackknife accidents typically involve violations of 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake system deficiencies) or § 392.6 (speeding for conditions). The trucking company’s maintenance records often reveal deferred brake repairs or improperly adjusted brakes that caused the trailer to swing out of control.

If you’ve been caught in a jackknife wreck near the I-70/US-35 interchange, the evidence is already disappearing. Skid marks wash away within days. Electronic Control Module (ECM) data can be overwritten in 30 days. You need an attorney who acts fast.

Don’t wait. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

Rear-End Collisions and Underride Accidents

Rear-end collisions involving semi-trucks are particularly deadly on Wayne County highways. When an 80,000-pound truck crashes into the back of a passenger vehicle—or when a car rear-ends a truck and slides underneath—the results are often fatal.

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle hits the rear or side of a trailer and wedges underneath. These collisions frequently decapitate vehicle occupants or cause severe head and neck trauma. Federal law under 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after 1998, but many trucks on the road still lack adequate protection, or the guards fail upon impact.

Our firm recently handled a case where a truck driver fell asleep on I-70 and rear-ended a family vehicle. We discovered the driver had violated 49 CFR Part 395 (Hours of Service regulations) by driving 14 consecutive hours without the required 10-hour rest period. That violation—that choice to put profit over safety—made the trucking company liable for every dime of the family’s recovery.

Rollover Accidents on US 27 and State Roads

Rollovers happen when trucks take turns too fast or when improperly secured cargo shifts during transit. On winding sections of US 27 through Wayne County’s rural areas, or on tight ramps connecting to I-70, these accidents pose serious risks to oncoming traffic.

Cargo securement violations under 49 CFR § 393.100-136 often contribute to rollovers. When a load of grain from a Wayne County farm or manufactured goods shifts unexpectedly, it changes the truck’s center of gravity. The trailer tips, crushing anything in its path.

Brake Failure and Tire Blowouts

Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes, according to FMCSA data. On long descents from the Interstate 70 corridor through Wayne County, brakes can overheat and fail—a phenomenon called “brake fade.”

Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 396 require systematic inspection and maintenance of brake systems. Yet many trucking companies defer maintenance to save money. When those brakes fail on a downhill grade near Richmond, innocent families pay the price.

Tire blowouts create similar hazards. A failed steer tire can cause an immediate loss of control at highway speeds. 49 CFR § 393.75 mandates minimum tread depths and tire conditions, but enforcement often fails until after a tragedy occurs.

Federal Regulations That Could Save Your Case

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates every commercial truck on American highways. When trucking companies violate these rules, they create liability that can lead to substantial compensation for victims.

Driver Qualification Requirements (49 CFR Part 391)

Before a trucking company allows a driver to operate an 18-wheeler, they must verify:

• The driver is at least 21 years old (for interstate commerce)
• Possesses a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for the vehicle class
• Passed a DOT physical examination within the last 24 months
• Has no disqualifying medical conditions
• Underwent proper road testing or training

The company must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing these records. When companies hire unqualified drivers—perhaps someone with a history of DUIs or medical conditions that affect alertness—they commit negligent hiring. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working for insurance defense firms before joining Attorney911, knows exactly how to spot these violations. He used to defend trucking companies; now he uses that insider knowledge to fight them.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

This is where we find evidence of fatigue—the leading cause of commercial truck accidents. Federal rules limit property-carrying drivers to:

• 11 hours maximum driving time after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window—drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-minute break required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70 hour weekly limits—no driving after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days

Since December 18, 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) that automatically record driving time. These devices provide objective proof of violations. When a driver exceeds the 11-hour limit and causes a wreck on I-70 near Centerville, that ELD data becomes the smoking gun in your case.

But here’s the critical part: ELD data only exists if we preserve it. Trucking companies can legally destroy these records after six months—or sometimes sooner if the device overwrites old data. We send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained to lock down this evidence before it disappears.

Cargo Securement Rules (49 CFR Part 393)

A load of steel coils, farm equipment, or manufactured goods must be secured to withstand specific force levels:

• Forward: 0.8 g deceleration (sudden stop)
• Rearward: 0.5 g acceleration
• Lateral: 0.5 g side-to-side force

When loaders in Wayne County fail to properly secure cargo, the shifting weight can cause rollovers or spill accidents that shut down highways and endanger everyone nearby.

Vehicle Inspection Requirements (49 CFR Part 396)

Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections before every drive and submit written reports on vehicle condition. When companies skip these inspections to keep trucks rolling, brake failures, tire blowouts, and lighting failures follow.

Who Can Be Held Responsible in Wayne County?

Unlike a simple car crash, 18-wheeler accidents often involve multiple liable parties. We investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery because more defendants mean more insurance coverage.

1. The Truck Driver
The individual behind the wheel may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment. Cell phone records often reveal texting while driving violations of 49 CFR § 392.82.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under Indiana’s respondeat superior doctrine, employers are responsible for their employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. Additionally, companies are directly liable for:

• Negligent hiring (failing to check driving records)
• Negligent training (inadequate safety instruction)
• Negligent supervision (ignoring ELD violations)
• Negligent maintenance (deferring repairs)

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Companies shipping goods from Wayne County manufacturing plants or agricultural operations may be liable if they demanded unsafe delivery schedules or failed to disclose hazardous materials.

4. The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses or farm operations that loaded the truck may be responsible for improper securement that caused cargo to shift.

5. Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Defective brakes, steering systems, or tires can support product liability claims against manufacturers.

6. Maintenance Companies
Third-party repair shops that performed negligent brake jobs or safety inspections may share liability.

7. Freight Brokers
Brokers who arranged the shipment may be liable for negligently selecting carriers with poor safety records.

8. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator situations, the individual leasing the truck to a company may bear responsibility.

9. Government Entities
Poorly designed roads, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe highway conditions can create municipal or state liability—though these claims face strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines in Indiana.

As client Glenda Walker told us after we handled her case: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s our promise to every Wayne County family we represent.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis

Here’s what most Wayne County families don’t know: the trucking company dispatched lawyers and investigators to the accident scene before the ambulance even left. While you were being treated at Reid Health or rushed to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, the trucking company was already building their defense.

Critical evidence disappears fast:

The moment you hire Attorney911, we send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This letter puts them on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in severe sanctions, including adverse inference instructions (where the jury is told to assume the destroyed evidence was unfavorable to the trucking company).

Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar settlements precisely because we move faster than the trucking companies expect. We’ve recovered amounts ranging from $1.5 million to $9.8 million for traumatic brain injury victims, and from $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation cases. But we can’t help if the evidence is gone.

Evidence never waits. Neither should you. Call 888-ATTY-911 now.

Catastrophic Injuries and Your Future

Trucking accidents in Wayne County often result in life-changing injuries that require millions of dollars in lifetime care:

Traumatic Brain Injury ($1.5M – $9.8M+ range)
TBI can range from concussions to severe brain damage requiring 24/7 care. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, cognitive deficits, and emotional disorders. Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million for severe cases.

Spinal Cord Injury ($4.7M – $25.8M+ range)
Paralysis from spinal damage requires wheelchairs, home modifications, and lifelong assistance. A C1-C4 injury may require ventilator support. These cases often result in the highest settlements due to the permanent nature of the disability.

Amputation ($1.9M – $8.6M range)
Limb loss requires prosthetics ($5,000-$50,000+ per device), replacement every few years, extensive rehabilitation, and career retraining.

Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M range)
When a trucking accident takes a loved one, surviving family members in Wayne County can recover lost income, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.

Under Indiana law, punitive damages may be available in cases of gross negligence—for example, when a company knowingly kept a dangerous driver on the road or falsified maintenance records. Indiana caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $50,000, though this cap doesn’t apply to compensatory damages for your actual losses.

Indiana Law: What Wayne County Families Need to Know

Statute of Limitations

In Indiana, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the clock starts at the date of death. Miss this deadline, and you lose your right to sue forever—regardless of how severe your injuries or how clear the trucking company’s liability.

Comparative Fault (Modified Comparative 51% Bar)

Indiana follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 51% bar. This means:

• If you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing

Trucking companies and their insurers will try to blame you for the accident. They’ll claim you were speeding, distracted, or failed to yield. Our job is to prove the truck driver and company were primarily responsible using ECM data, ELD logs, and FMCSA violation evidence.

Where Wayne County Cases Are Filed

Trucking accident cases in Wayne County are typically filed in the Wayne County Circuit Court in Richmond, Indiana. However, if the trucking company is from out of state or the accident involved interstate commerce, we may file in federal court. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, demonstrates his federal court experience—a crucial advantage for complex interstate trucking cases.

Frequently Asked Questions for Wayne County Truck Accident Victims

Q: What should I do immediately after a truck accident on I-70 in Wayne County?

Call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention at Reid Health in Richmond or the nearest emergency room—even if you feel “okay” initially. Document the scene with photos of the truck, your vehicle, and the surrounding area. Get the truck driver’s DOT number and company information. Then call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911 before talking to any insurance company.

Q: Who pays my medical bills while I wait for the case to settle?

Your health insurance or auto insurance (MedPay) typically covers initial treatment. We work with medical providers throughout Wayne County and eastern Indiana who will treat you under a Letter of Protection (LOP), meaning they get paid when your case settles. Don’t delay treatment because you’re worried about costs.

Q: Can I still recover if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Under Indiana’s comparative negligence laws, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still receive substantial compensation. Don’t let the trucking company convince you that you have no case.

Q: What if the truck driver was an independent contractor, not an employee?

You can still sue. Many “independent contractors” are actually employees under federal trucking regulations. Even if the driver is truly independent, the trucking company may still be liable for negligent hiring or supervision, and the driver’s insurance (often $750,000-$1 million) is available.

Q: How long will my case take?

Straightforward cases with clear liability may settle in 6-12 months. Complex cases involving catastrophic injuries or multiple defendants may take 18-36 months. We move as fast as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation, not a quick, lowball offer.

Q: How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery—standard contingency rates apply (typically 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if litigation is required). We also advance all investigation costs.

Q: Do you handle cases for Spanish-speaking families in Wayne County?

Yes. Hablamos Español. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 to speak with Lupe directly.

Q: What if the trucking company offers me a settlement right away?

Don’t accept it. Early offers are designed to pay you far less than you deserve before you understand the full extent of your injuries. As client Donald Wilcox found when another firm rejected his case: “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 ensure you get every dime you deserve, not just the first check they wave in front of you.

Why Wayne County Chooses Attorney911

Experience That Matters
Ralph Manginello has handled personal injury cases since 1998. He’s litigated against BP and other Fortune 500 companies. He’s currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for hazing that caused kidney failure—demonstrating our firm’s willingness to take on powerful institutions.

Insider Knowledge Working for You
Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who used to represent trucking companies. He knows their playbook—their valuation software, their delay tactics, their “lowball first offer” strategy. Now he uses that knowledge to fight for injured families in Wayne County.

Proven Results
We’ve recovered over $50 million for our clients across all practice areas. Specific ranges include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: $1.5 million – $9.8 million
• Amputation: $1.9 million – $8.6 million
• Wrongful Death: $1.9 million – $9.5 million

Client-First Approach
With 251+ Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, our reputation speaks for itself. As client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Angel Walle put it simply: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Accessibility
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas, we serve clients nationwide, including throughout Indiana. We travel to Wayne County for client meetings, depositions, and court appearances. Virtual consultations are also available.

24/7 Availability
Trucking accidents don’t happen on a 9-to-5 schedule. Neither does our availability. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 any time, day or night.

Don’t Face the Trucking Industry Alone

The trucking company that hit you has teams of lawyers, millions in insurance, and decades of experience minimizing claims. You need someone who knows how to fight back.

On I-70 through Wayne County, US 27, or any local road where a trucking accident changed your life, the clock is already ticking. Black box data is being overwritten. Witnesses are forgetting details. The trucking company is already building its defense.

But you have rights. Under Indiana law, under federal FMCSA regulations, and under the simple principle that wrongdoers should pay for the harm they cause—you deserve justice.

Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 have spent 25 years turning that principle into reality for families just like yours. From multi-million dollar brain injury settlements to complex wrongful death cases, we’ve seen what trucking companies do after an accident. And we know how to stop them.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we won’t rest until you get every dime you deserve.

Wayne County families work hard. You deserve a law firm that works just as hard for you.

Attorney911
The Firm Insurers Fear™
Wayne County, Indiana 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

Hablamos Español • Available 24/7 • Free Consultations • No Fee Unless We Win