18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Vanderburgh County: When Trucks Change Lives Forever

The Impact of a Trucking Accident in Vanderburgh County Changes Everything

One moment you’re driving on I-69 toward Evansville or crossing the Ohio River into Henderson. The next moment, an 80,000-pound commercial truck has turned your world upside down. In Vanderburgh County, where I-69 and I-64 serve as vital commercial arteries connecting the Midwest to the South and East, truck accidents aren’t just statistics—they’re life-altering events that happen to real families every single month.

If you’re reading this from a hospital room in Evansville or from your home in Vanderburgh County while trying to manage the aftermath of a crash, you need to know something critical: the trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjusters are already looking for ways to minimize what they owe you. And somewhere in their system, potentially crucial evidence—black box data, driver logs, maintenance records—is waiting to be overwritten or deleted.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for families just like yours across Indiana and beyond. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for trucking accident victims, including those injured on the busy interstates serving Vanderburgh County. He brings federal court experience from his admission to the Southern District of Texas, giving our firm the capability to handle complex interstate trucking cases that cross state lines into Indiana.

We know the trucking corridors serving Vanderburgh County—the heavy freight traffic on I-69 running north toward Indianapolis, the east-west commercial flow on I-64 connecting St. Louis to Kentucky, and the local distribution centers feeding the Evansville metro area. We understand how Indiana’s modified comparative negligence rules work, and we know that you have just two years under Indiana law to file your lawsuit. More importantly, we know how to preserve the evidence that proves the trucking company was negligent before that evidence disappears forever.

Every hour you wait, the trucking company is building their defense. We believe you deserve someone building yours just as aggressively.

When 80,000 Pounds of Steel Hits a Passenger Vehicle: The Physics of Disaster

The trucks you share the road with in Vanderburgh County aren’t just big cars. An 18-wheeler weighing up to 80,000 pounds carries roughly 20 to 25 times the mass of your average sedan. That weight disparity creates catastrophic forces that passenger vehicles simply weren’t designed to withstand.

Consider the stopping distances alone. A fully loaded truck traveling at 65 miles per hour needs approximately 525 feet to come to a complete stop—that’s nearly two football fields of highway. When traffic slows suddenly on I-69 near the Evansville Regional Airport or congestion builds on I-64 approaching the Ohio River Bridge, truck drivers who are fatigued, distracted, or unprepared simply can’t stop in time.

The trucks serving Vanderburgh County’s industrial base carry more than just freight. They carry momentum that can crush passenger compartments, shear off roofs in underride collisions, and transform multi-vehicle crashes into mass casualty events. Whether it’s a jackknife blocking multiple lanes of I-69 during an Indiana winter storm or a rollover on the ramps near US 41, these accidents leave scars that last a lifetime.

We’ve seen what happens when trucking companies prioritize deadlines over safety. Ralph Manginello has been holding these companies accountable since 1998, and our firm includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working for insurance defense firms before joining our team. That insider experience gives us a strategic advantage—we know exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train their adjusters to minimize payouts, and strategize their defenses. Now Lupe uses that knowledge to fight for you, not against you.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents on Vanderburgh County Highways

Jackknife Accidents on Indiana’s Interstates

A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, folding like a pocket knife across multiple lanes of traffic. On I-69 through Vanderburgh County, where traffic moves at highway speeds and winter weather creates slick conditions, jackknives can trigger multi-vehicle pileups that block the interstate for hours.

These accidents often stem from sudden braking on wet or icy roads—a particular hazard during Indiana’s harsh winters when lake-effect snow and freezing rain make I-69 and I-64 treacherous. When a driver locks up their brakes or encounters a hazard they weren’t expecting, the trailer’s momentum carries it sideways, creating a sweeping wall of steel that smaller vehicles cannot avoid.

The evidence we gather in these cases includes skid mark analysis showing the trailer’s angle, engine control module (ECM) data revealing speed before braking, and maintenance records proving whether brakes were properly adjusted under 49 CFR § 393.48. We also examine whether the trucking company violated 49 CFR § 392.6 by scheduling runs that required unsafe speeds for conditions.

Rollover Crashes on Curved Ramps and Highways

Vanderburgh County’s position along the Ohio River means varied terrain and curved interchanges. Rollovers occur when a truck’s high center of gravity overcomes its stability—often during turns taken too quickly or when cargo shifts unexpectedly. The on-ramps and off-ramps connecting I-69 to Evansville’s commercial districts, or the curves along I-64 near the river, can become deadly when drivers fail to adjust their speed.

Approximately half of all rollover crashes result from failure to adjust speed on curves. When liquid cargo—like the chemicals transported through Vanderburgh County’s industrial corridors—sloshes inside tanker trailers, the shifting weight can destabilize a truck even at moderate speeds.

We investigate cargo securement violations under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, checking whether load distribution met federal performance criteria requiring securement systems to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward and 0.5 g laterally. We also subpoena the driver’s training records to determine if they received proper instruction on speed management for curved sections of Indiana highways.

Underride Collisions—The Most Fatal Type of Truck Crash

An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer, often shearing off the passenger compartment at windshield level. These accidents are particularly deadly and account for hundreds of fatalities annually across the United States.

Rear underrides often happen when trucks stop suddenly on I-69 or I-64 without adequate warning, or when slow-moving trucks merge into traffic without proper visibility. Side underrides occur during lane changes or turns at intersections throughout Evansville and Vanderburgh County, particularly at crossings along US 41 or Morgan Avenue where passenger vehicles may enter a truck’s blind spot.

Under 49 CFR § 393.86, trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, must have rear impact guards designed to prevent underride at 30 mph impacts. However, many trucks on the road lack adequate protection, and no federal mandate requires side underride guards—a gap in safety standards that continues to cost lives. We inspect underride guards for compliance and examine whether inadequate rear lighting or reflectors contributed to the crash under 49 CFR § 393.11.

Rear-End Collisions: The Danger of Following Too Close

When an 18-wheeler rear-ends a passenger vehicle, the results are catastrophic. The truck’s weight multiplies the impact force, often crushing smaller vehicles or pushing them into other lanes of traffic. These accidents frequently occur on I-69 during rush hour traffic or when congestion builds near the Evansville exits.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.11 require truck drivers to maintain following distances that are “reasonable and prudent” for conditions. Yet we frequently find that drivers were following too closely, distracted by cell phones or dispatch communications, or suffering from fatigue that delayed their reaction times.

Our associate attorney Lupe Peña, who previously defended insurance companies in these exact scenarios, knows how to extract cell phone records proving distraction and ELD (Electronic Logging Device) data showing whether the driver exceeded federal Hours of Service limits under 49 CFR Part 395. The ELD mandate, which took effect December 18, 2017, requires most trucks to record driving time automatically—data that can prove a driver was fatigued or speeding in the moments before impact.

Wide Turn Accidents in Evansville’s Urban Core

Eighteen-wheelers require significant space to execute turns, and drivers must often swing wide to the left before making a right turn. In Evansville’s commercial districts—whether near the Eastland Mall, along Green River Road, or navigating the tight intersections downtown—this “squeeze play” creates gaps that passenger vehicles enter, only to be crushed when the truck completes its turn.

These accidents often result from failure to signal properly, inadequate mirror checks, or driver inexperience with how trailers track inside the cab’s turning radius. We examine whether the driver violated state traffic laws or FMCSA regulations under 49 CFR § 392.2, and we analyze the trucking company’s training protocols to determine if they adequatelyprepare drivers for navigating Vanderburgh County’s mix of highway and urban environments.

Blind Spot Accidents: The “No-Zone” Danger

Commercial trucks have massive blind spots—20 feet directly in front, 30 feet behind, and extending alongside both sides of the trailer. The right-side blind spot is particularly dangerous and extends across multiple lanes. When truck drivers change lanes on I-69 or I-64 without properly checking these “no-zones,” they sideswipe passenger vehicles or force them off the road.

Under 49 CFR § 393.80, trucks must have mirrors providing a clear view to the rear on both sides. We investigate whether mirrors were properly adjusted, whether the driver was adequately trained on blind spot awareness, and whether turn signals were activated before lane changes. Dashcam footage, when available, often proves the driver failed to check their blind spots before moving into occupied lanes.

Tire Blowouts on High-Speed Corridors

Indiana’s fluctuating temperatures—from summer heat exceeding 90°F to winter cold dropping below zero—place enormous stress on truck tires. A blowout at highway speeds can cause a driver to lose control instantly, particularly dangerous on I-69 where traffic moves at 70 mph through Vanderburgh County.

“Road gators”—shredded tire treads left on the highway—cause thousands of secondary accidents annually. When a tire fails, the debris can strike windshields of following vehicles or create obstacles that force dangerous evasive maneuvers.

We examine tire maintenance records under 49 CFR § 393.75, which requires minimum tread depths of 4/32″ on steer tires and 2/32″ on other positions. We also check whether pre-trip inspections required under 49 CFR § 396.13 identified tire defects that were ignored, and whether overloading contributed to tire failure.

Brake Failure Accidents

Brake problems contribute to approximately 29% of large truck crashes. When air brake systems fail or brakes overheat on long descents, 80,000 pounds of steel becomes an unguided missile. This is particularly relevant on the bridges and elevated sections of I-64 crossing the Ohio River, where steep grades and heavy traffic create demanding braking conditions.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR §§ 393.40-55 establish strict brake system requirements, including proper adjustment of air brake pushrods. We demand maintenance records going back years, not just months, to identify patterns of deferred repairs. If the trucking company ignored Known defects or failed to conduct annual inspections required under 49 CFR § 396.17, we pursue direct negligence claims against the carrier for putting a dangerous vehicle on Vanderburgh County roads.

Cargo Spills and Shift Accidents

Vanderburgh County serves as a logistics hub for manufacturing and distribution. When improperly secured cargo falls from trucks onto I-69 or shifts during transport causing rollovers, the results can block traffic for hours and cause secondary accidents among swerving vehicles.

Federal cargo securement rules under 49 CFR §§ 393.100-136 require tiedowns with aggregate working load limits of at least 50% of cargo weight for loose items. We photograph securement devices, analyze load distribution documentation, and examine whether the loading company—not just the trucking company—shares liability for improper blocking, bracing, or friction mats.

Head-On Collisions from Lane Departure

When fatigued or distracted drivers cross median barriers or centerlines on two-lane roads in Vanderburgh County, the closing speed combined with the truck’s mass makes these accidents almost always fatal. Whether on rural routes or highway crossovers, these crashes represent the worst outcomes of Hours of Service violations.

We immediately subpoena ELD data to check for 49 CFR § 395 violations, including driving beyond the 11-hour limit or the 14-hour duty window. We also examine medical certification records under 49 CFR § 391.41 to determine if the driver had disqualifying conditions like sleep apnea that the carrier knew or should have known about.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations That Protect Vanderburgh County Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes binding federal regulations that apply to every commercial truck operating on Vanderburgh County highways. When trucking companies violate these rules, they create the dangerous conditions that cause catastrophic accidents.

Part 390: General Applicability and Definitions

Under 49 CFR § 390.3, FMCSA regulations apply to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles transporting property in interstate commerce. This includes trucks traveling through Vanderburgh County on I-69 from Michigan to Texas or on I-64 between St. Louis and Kentucky. The regulations define commercial motor vehicles as those with GVWR over 10,001 pounds, vehicles designed for 16 or more passengers, or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring placards.

Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards

Perhaps no regulations are more important for safety than those establishing who can legally operate an 18-wheeler. Under 49 CFR § 391.11, drivers must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce, physically qualified under § 391.41, and possess a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Critically, § 391.51 requires motor carriers to maintain a Driver Qualification (DQ) File for every driver containing:

• Employment application and three-year employment history verification
• Motor vehicle records from state licensing authorities
• Road test certificates or equivalent documentation
• Current medical examiner’s certificates (valid maximum two years)
• Annual driving record reviews
• Drug and alcohol test records

When we investigate trucking accidents in Vanderburgh County, we immediately demand these files. Missing DQ files, incomplete background checks, or failure to verify previous employment often prove negligent hiring or retention—liability theories that allow us to pursue damages directly against the trucking company, not just the driver.

Physical qualification requirements under § 391.41 disqualify drivers with established medical histories of epilepsy, current clinical diagnosis of alcoholism, or use of Schedule I controlled substances. Vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye. When trucking companies allow medically unqualified drivers on Indiana roads, they violate federal law and endanger everyone sharing the highway.

Part 392: Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles

This section contains the operational rules that prevent accidents. Section 392.3 prohibits drivers from operating commercial vehicles while impaired by fatigue, illness, or any cause that makes driving unsafe. It’s not enough that a driver feels awake—they must be capable of safe operation. This regulation applies with particular force in Vanderburgh County, where long-haul drivers on I-69 may have been driving for hours before reaching Indiana.

Section 392.4 and 392.5 establish strict prohibitions on drug and alcohol use. Drivers cannot use alcohol within four hours of going on duty or possess alcohol while on duty (with limited exceptions). The federal blood alcohol concentration limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%—half the standard for passenger vehicle drivers.

Section 392.6 prohibits motor carriers from scheduling runs that would require exceeding speed limits, a common cause of rollover accidents on curved Indiana ramps. Section 392.11 requires following distances that are “reasonable and prudent”—a standard violated when trucks tailgate passenger vehicles on I-69.

Importantly, § 392.82 prohibits hand-held mobile telephone use while driving, and § 392.80 prohibits texting. We subpoena cell phone records to prove violations that often explain why a driver failed to stop in time on Vanderburgh County highways.

Part 393: Parts and Accessories for Safe Operation

These technical regulations govern vehicle safety equipment. The cargo securement standards under §§ 393.100-136 require that cargo be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, falling, or shifting that affects vehicle stability. Performance criteria require securement systems to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward, 0.5 g acceleration rearward, and 0.5 g laterally.

Brake requirements under §§ 393.40-55 mandate service brakes on all wheels, properly adjusted air brake systems, and functional parking brakes. Lighting regulations under §§ 393.11-26 require headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, clearance lights, and reflectors—all critical for visibility during Indiana’s winter storms and foggy mornings along the Ohio River.

Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

These are the most commonly violated regulations in fatal trucking accidents. For property-carrying drivers (most 18-wheelers), federal law limits:

• 11-hour driving limit: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window: 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: Cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
• 34-hour restart: May restart the 60/70-hour clock after 34 consecutive hours off duty

Since December 18, 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) under § 395.8. These devices automatically record driving time, synchronize with the vehicle engine, and prevent falsification of paper logs. The data they generate—showing exactly when a driver was moving, stopped, or exceeding speed limits—is objective evidence we use to prove Hours of Service violations in Vanderburgh County accidents.

Part 396: Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance

Section 396.3 requires motor carriers to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” all vehicles under their control. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections under § 396.13 and prepare written post-trip reports under § 396.11 documenting any defects in service brakes, parking brakes, steering mechanisms, lighting, tires, horns, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, and wheels.

Annual inspections under § 396.17 require comprehensive reviews of 16+ systems, with documentation retained for 14 months. When we demand maintenance records in Vanderburgh County cases, we’re looking for patterns of deferred repairs, repeated brake adjustments suggesting underlying problems, and violations that put dangerous trucks on Indiana highways despite known defects.

Every Potentially Liable Party in Your Vanderburgh County Trucking Accident

Unlike car accidents where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler accidents often involve multiple parties who share liability. Identifying every responsible party is crucial because each may carry separate insurance policies, increasing the total compensation available for your recovery.

The Truck Driver

The driver who caused the accident may be personally liable for negligent operation—speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, impaired driving, or failure to conduct proper inspections. We examine the driver’s personal driving record, ELD data showing Hours of Service compliance, cell phone records for distraction evidence, and post-accident drug and alcohol test results required under federal regulations.

The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

The trucking company is often the primary defendant because they carry the highest insurance limits—typically $750,000 to $5 million or more. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment.

Beyond vicarious liability, we pursue direct negligence claims for:

• Negligent hiring: Failing to check driving records or verify CDL status
• Negligent training: Inadequate safety training on Indiana weather conditions or cargo securement
• Negligent supervision: Failing to monitor ELD data for Hours of Service violations
• Negligent maintenance: Ignoring vehicle defects or deferring critical repairs
• Negligent scheduling: Pressuring drivers to violate federal rest requirements to meet delivery deadlines

Our firm subpoenas the carrier’s Driver Qualification Files, CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores from FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System, and internal safety policies to prove systemic failures.

Cargo Owner or Shipper

The company that owns the freight may be liable if they provided improper loading instructions, failed to disclose hazardous materials, required overweight loading, or pressured the carrier to expedite delivery beyond safe limits. We examine shipping contracts and bills of lading to determine if the shipper contributed to unsafe conditions.

Cargo Loading Company

Third-party loading companies that physically secure cargo onto trailers may be liable for improper securement under 49 CFR § 393. When cargo shifts on Indiana curves causing rollovers, or when items fall onto I-69 creating obstacles, the loading company shares responsibility for failing to use proper tiedowns, blocking, or bracing.

Truck and Trailer Manufacturer

Defective brake systems, unstable designs, or inadequate underride guards may trigger product liability claims against manufacturers. We research recall notices, technical service bulletins, and similar defect complaints through NHTSA databases to identify patterns of dangerous design or manufacturing errors.

Parts Manufacturer

Companies that produce defective tires, brake components, or steering mechanisms may be liable when their products fail on Vanderburgh County highways. We preserve failed components for expert analysis and examine manufacturing quality control records.

Maintenance Company

Third-party mechanics who service trucking fleets may be liable for negligent repairs or failure to identify critical safety issues. When brakes fail on the I-64 Ohio River Bridge or steering mechanisms malfunction due to improper maintenance, the mechanic who signed off on the vehicle may share liability.

Freight Broker

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection—choosing carriers with poor safety records, inadequate insurance, or histories of FMCSA violations. We examine broker-carrier agreements and due diligence procedures to determine if the broker prioritized low cost over safety.

Truck Owner

In owner-operator arrangements where drivers own their equipment, separate liability may attach to the owner for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain owned equipment.

Government Entities

Federal, state, or local government may bear responsibility for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe conditions on Indiana highways. While sovereign immunity limits these claims and requires strict notice procedures, we investigate whether road design contributed to accidents on curved ramps or inadequate barriers on bridge approaches.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol: Why Immediate Action Matters

In Vanderburgh County trucking accidents, evidence disappears fast—faster than in standard car accidents because trucking companies deploy rapid-response teams immediately after crashes.

Critical Evidence Timelines:

• ECM/Black Box Data: May overwrite within 30 days or with subsequent driving events
• ELD Logs: FMCSA requires only 6-month retention; we need them preserved immediately
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days if not flagged
• Surveillance Video: Businesses along Green River Road or I-69 service areas typically overwrite cameras within 7-30 days
• Witness Memories: Degrade significantly within weeks
• Physical Evidence: Trucks may be repaired, sold, or scrapped, destroying component evidence

The Spoliation Letter: Your Legal Shield Against Evidence Destruction

Within 24 hours of being retained, we send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This formal legal notice demands preservation of:

Electronic Data: ECM downloads, ELD records, GPS tracking, dispatch communications, and cell phone records.

Driver Records: Complete Driver Qualification Files, employment applications, medical certifications, drug test results, and training records.

Vehicle Records: Maintenance logs, inspection reports, repair orders, and tire/brake replacement history.

Corporate Records: Hours of Service records for six months prior, safety policies, and previous accident registers.

Under Indiana law and federal regulations, once a party receives notice of potential litigation, destruction of evidence constitutes spoliation. Courts may impose sanctions, instruct juries to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable, or award punitive damages for intentional destruction. The sooner we send these letters, the stronger your position.

Catastrophic Injuries Require Catastrophic Resources

The physics of 18-wheeler accidents in Vanderburgh County create catastrophic injuries that require lifelong care. We’ve represented victims suffering from:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

When an 80,000-pound truck strikes a passenger vehicle, occupants often suffer TBI even without direct head impact—the violent acceleration-deceleration forces cause the brain to collide with the skull’s interior. Symptoms include memory loss, confusion, personality changes, mood disorders, and sensory problems. Severe TBI cases often settle in the range of $1.5 million to $9.8 million due to the need for lifelong cognitive rehabilitation and loss of earning capacity.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

The crushing forces in trucking accidents frequently cause spinal cord damage resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million, not including lost wages or pain and suffering. These cases demand comprehensive life care planning and economic analysis to ensure adequate future funding.

Amputation

Traumatic amputations at the scene or surgical amputations necessitated by crush injuries require prosthetics costing $5,000 to $50,000 per device, with replacements needed every few years. Settlement ranges of $1.9 million to $8.6 million reflect these ongoing costs plus home modifications and career retraining.

Severe Burns

Fuel tank ruptures and hazmat spills on Indiana interstates cause thermal and chemical burns requiring multiple skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and psychological treatment for disfigurement trauma.

Internal Organ Damage

Blunt force trauma from truck impacts causes liver lacerations, kidney damage, and bowel injuries requiring emergency surgery and potentially organ removal.

Wrongful Death

When trucking accidents kill loved ones on Vanderburgh County roads, Indiana law allows wrongful death claims for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These cases typically range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million depending on the decedent’s age, earning capacity, and family circumstances.

Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Differ from Car Accidents

Federal law mandates minimum liability insurance for commercial trucks far exceeding passenger vehicle requirements:

• $750,000: Non-hazardous freight over 10,001 lbs
• $1,000,000: Oil, petroleum, and large equipment
• $5,000,000: Hazardous materials and passenger carriers

These higher limits mean catastrophic injuries can actually be compensated, unlike car accidents where $30,000 minimum policies leave victims with unpaid medical bills. However, accessing these policies requires understanding complex commercial insurance structures, MCS-90 endorsements, and how multiple policies layer when trailers are interchanged between carriers.

Why Vanderburgh County Families Choose Attorney911

When you’re facing the aftermath of a trucking accident, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a team with specific experience fighting the insurance companies that protect trucking operations.

Ralph Manginello: 25+ Years of Federal Court Experience

Ralph Manginello has represented injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, giving our firm federal court capability for interstate trucking cases involving carriers from multiple states. His experience includes litigation against Fortune 500 corporations like BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation—$2.1 billion in total industry settlements—proving he can stand toe-to-toe with massive corporate defendants.

Lupe Peña: The Former Insurance Defense Advantage

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working for national insurance defense firms. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train adjusters to minimize payouts, and develop defense strategies. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for you. As client Chad Harris told us about our team: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Multi-Million Dollar Results

Our track record includes:

• $5+ million for traumatic brain injury victims
• $3.8+ million for amputation cases
• $2+ million for maritime back injuries
• $2.5+ million for truck crash recoveries
• Currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston involving institutional negligence

As Donald Wilcox, a client another firm 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.”

4.9-Star Reputation

With over 251 Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars, we’ve built a reputation for treating clients like family. Glenda Walker put it simply: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Ernest Cano noted we “fight tooth and nail for you,” while Angel Walle appreciated that we “solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”

Three Offices Serving Indiana and Beyond

While our main office is in Houston at 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, we maintain offices in Austin and Beaumont, and we handle trucking accident cases throughout Indiana, including Vanderburgh County. Our federal court admission allows us to represent you in Indiana federal court if your case involves interstate commerce issues.

Contingency Fee Representation

We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. Our standard fee is 33.33% pre-trial and 40% if trial is necessary. We advance all investigation costs, including expert fees and evidence preservation expenses.

Hablamos Español

Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, providing direct representation without interpreters for Vanderburgh County’s Spanish-speaking community. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.

Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Accidents in Vanderburgh County

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

Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from trucking accidents. However, waiting that long is dangerous—evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and trucking companies build their defenses. Contact us immediately so we can send spoliation letters preserving critical ELD and ECM data.

Who can be held liable in a Vanderburgh County trucking accident?

Multiple parties may share liability: the driver, trucking company, cargo owner, loading company, truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, maintenance company, freight broker, and potentially government entities for dangerous road conditions. We investigate every possible defendant because more liable parties mean more insurance coverage available for your recovery.

What is modified comparative negligence, and how does it affect my Indiana case?

Indiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This makes thorough accident investigation and evidence preservation critical—we must prove the truck driver bore the majority of responsibility.

What should I do immediately after a truck accident on I-69 or I-64?

Call 911 immediately. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay—adrenaline masks injuries. Document everything: photograph the truck’s DOT number, company name, license plates, all vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not give recorded statements to insurance adjusters. Contact an attorney within 24 hours to preserve black box data and driver logs.

How much are trucking accident cases worth in Vanderburgh County?

Values vary based on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage—far more than passenger vehicles. Catastrophic injury cases involving brain damage, paralysis, or wrongful death often settle for $1 million to $10 million or more depending on the specific circumstances and the strength of liability evidence.

What if the trucking company’s insurance adjuster calls me?

Do not speak with them without legal counsel. Adjusters are trained to minimize your claim, record statements that can be used against you, and pressure you into quick settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Refer them to your attorney. Remember—anything you say can and will be used to reduce your compensation.

Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes, under Indiana law, as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. However, the trucking company will try to shift blame to you to reduce their payout. We gather ECM data, ELD logs, witness statements, and accident reconstruction evidence to prove the truck driver and company were primarily responsible.

What is a spoliation letter, and why does my attorney need to send one immediately?

A spoliation letter is a formal legal notice demanding that the trucking company preserve all evidence related to the accident, including electronic data, driver files, and maintenance records. Once sent, the company cannot legally destroy this evidence without facing sanctions. We send these letters within 24 hours of being retained because black box data can be overwritten within 30 days.

Do I need an attorney who knows federal trucking regulations?

Absolutely. Trucking cases involve complex FMCSA regulations, interstate commerce laws, and federal insurance requirements that car accident attorneys may not understand. You need a firm that knows how to obtain Driver Qualification Files, interpret ELD data, and identify Hours of Service violations. Our experience includes federal court litigation and Fortune 500 corporate defense—experience we put to work for Vanderburgh County families.

Hablamos Español. ¿Necesita ayuda después de un accidente de camión?

Lupe Peña ofrece representación legal directa en español sin necesidad de intérpretes. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita sobre su accidente en Vanderburgh County.

The Clock Is Already Ticking

The trucking company that hit you has lawyers working right now to protect their interests. Their insurance company is already calculating how to pay you as little as possible. Evidence that could prove they violated federal safety regulations is sitting in their trucks and servers, waiting to be deleted or overwritten.

You don’t have to face this alone. You don’t have to accept their first lowball offer. You don’t have to let them convince you that your injuries aren’t serious or that you were at fault.

At Attorney911, we bring 25 years of experience, former insurance defense insider knowledge, and a track record of multi-million dollar victories to every case we handle in Vanderburgh County. We know I-69, we know I-64, and we know how to hold trucking companies accountable when they put profits over safety.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. We answer calls 24/7 because we know trucking accidents don’t happen on business hours. Your consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we will fight to get you every dime you deserve.

From Evansville to the Ohio River and throughout Vanderburgh County, when trucks change lives forever, we’re the attorneys who help families get their lives back.

Attorney911. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.

Attorney Advertising. Ralph P. Manginello, Managing Partner, admitted to Indiana federal courts and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The information provided is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.