Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyer

On the Side of Indiana Truck Accident Victims Since 1993

A collision with a semi-truck or commercial vehicle can change your life in an instant. These accidents often cause devastating injuries, expensive medical bills, and long-term emotional trauma. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in Indianapolis, you deserve a legal team with the experience and resources to take on powerful trucking companies and their insurers.

At Christie Bell & Marshall, our Indianapolis truck accident attorneys are here to hold negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable. We investigate every detail of your case – logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, and more – to prove fault and fight for the full compensation you’re owed.

Trucking companies waste no time protecting themselves. You shouldn’t wait either. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and find out how we can help you get justice.

Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500

Why Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

Indianapolis truck accident attorney Lee Christie has successfully represented clients in complex trucking cases for decades, securing multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Trucking companies and insurance adjusters aggressively defend these claims, immediately deploying teams to gather evidence and control narratives. Our firm matches this intensity with our own rapid-response team of investigators and accident reconstruction experts, ensuring evidence is preserved to strengthen your case.

At Christie Bell & Marshall, we are members of several trucking litigation groups with the American Association of Justice. We are members of the Association of Trucking Accident Attorneys. Lee Christie has been a member of both of those organizations for over 10 years and specializes in trucking and semi-tractor collisions. If you have been involved in a truck accident, time is of the essence. You need to contact Lee at Christie Bell & Marshall, and we will get a team immediately on your personal injury case to make sure that you are fully protected.

As a leading Indianapolis truck accident law firm, we have won several large multi-million trucking accident verdicts and settlements. We are the law firm Indianapolis residents trust when the stakes are high.

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Immediate Steps to Take After a Semi-Truck Crash

The moments following a collision with a commercial vehicle are chaotic, but your actions can significantly impact your future claim. As an experienced semi truck accident law firm, we recommend taking these steps immediately:

1. Ensure Safety and Call 911: Move to the shoulder of I-465, I-70, or I-65 if possible. Call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) or Indiana State Police. Their official accident report is a crucial piece of evidence our Indianapolis accident lawyers will use to establish facts.
2. Seek Medical Attention: Adrenaline can mask pain. Whether you are transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, Eskenazi Health, or a local urgent care, documenting your injuries immediately is vital. A serious truck accident lawyer knows that gaps in medical care are often used by insurance companies to deny claims.
3. Gather Evidence: If you are physically able, take photos of the vehicles, skid marks, and the trucking company logos on the cab and trailer. Get names and contact info from witnesses.
4. Do Not Admit Fault: Be polite to the police and the other driver, but do not apologize or speculate on what happened.
5. Contact a Specialist: Before speaking to an insurance adjuster, contact Christie Bell & Marshall.

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When Should You Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis?

You should contact us as soon as possible after the crash – ideally within days. Trucking companies and their insurers begin building their defense immediately, often sending investigators to the scene to protect their interests. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that key evidence like black box data, dashcam footage, or driver logs could be lost or destroyed.

Early legal involvement allows your accident attorney to:

• Preserve time-sensitive evidence.
• Communicate directly with insurance adjusters on your behalf.
• Protect you from lowball settlement offers or recorded statements that can be used against you.
• Ensure you meet important deadlines, such as Indiana’s two-year statute of limitations.

Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, speaking with an experienced truck accident attorney near you can clarify your options and help you make informed decisions.

How Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyers Build Your Case

• Rapid Response Investigation: Quickly gathering critical evidence from accident scenes, securing black box data, and interviewing witnesses.
• Expert Accident Reconstruction: Partnering with respected experts to analyze crash details, demonstrate fault, and clearly present liability.
• Aggressive Negotiations: Handling all negotiations with insurers, preventing tactics aimed at minimizing payouts.
• Comprehensive Legal Strategy: Preparing each case thoroughly, ready for trial if necessary to obtain maximum compensation for victims and their families.

Our Attorneys

Tina M. Bell

Partner

Meet Lee C. Christie

Partner

Laura J. Conyers, RN

Associate

Meet Kevin P. Farrell

Of Counsel

Meet Kathy A. Lee

Retired

Meet Kyle L. Christie

Partner

Katherine M. Marshall

Partner

Christopher D. Simpkins

Partner

Types of Truck Accidents We Handle

Not all truck accidents are the same – and each type presents its own challenges when it comes to investigating liability, securing evidence, and pursuing compensation. At Christie Bell & Marshall, our truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling a wide variety of commercial vehicle crashes. We act as your specialized for:

• 18-Wheeler Accidents: Collisions involving large tractor-trailers are often devastating due to their size and weight. You need a dedicated accident lawyer to navigate the complex liability issues involving the driver, the carrier, and the owner of the rig.
• Amazon and Delivery Trucks: With the rise of e-commerce, last-mile delivery crashes are surging. We serve as an Amazon and delivery truck accident lawyer, understanding the distinct insurance policies carried by major logistics fleets like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS.
• Tire Blowout Accidents: When a truck’s tire fails, the driver can lose control and cause a multi-vehicle crash. These cases may involve tire manufacturers, maintenance teams, or the trucking company.
• Unsecured Load Accidents: Improperly secured cargo can shift or fall onto the road, putting nearby drivers at serious risk. Our attorneys fight for those injured by road debris. If the cargo shift caused the crash itself, you need an attorney to investigate the loading dock records.
• Jackknife Accidents: When a trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, it can sweep across lanes. Our lawyers understand how speed and weather conditions contribute to these wrecks.
• Dump Truck Accidents: Common in construction zones, these accidents often involve overloaded beds or tipping hazards.
• Concrete Truck Accidents: Concrete mixers are top-heavy and prone to rollovers, especially when navigating tight turns. Our team includes a specialized lawyer familiar with these dynamics.
• Fuel Tanker Accidents: Hazardous materials require specialized knowledge. If you are injured by a chemical spill or explosion, our lawyer can help navigate the environmental and personal injury laws involved.
• Construction Zone Crashes: Construction zones on I-69 or US 31 are hotspots for collisions. We serve as your construction truck accident law firm, handling cases involving mixers, cranes, and heavy haulers.
• Commercial Truck Accidents: We also handle crashes involving box trucks and other non-tractor commercial trucks.

No matter what type of truck caused your injury – whether you need a big truck accident attorney – our team is equipped to build a strong case, prove negligence, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Common Truck Accident Injuries 

Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks often cause far more severe injuries than typical passenger vehicles. Our firm regularly represents clients who suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Neck and back trauma
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Amputations
• Severe burns
• Broken bones and fractures
• Wrongful death and fatal crash injuries

As your trucking accident injury lawyer, we work with medical experts to ensure your future care needs are calculated into your settlement.

Investigating Driver Negligence and Federal Violations

Unlike standard car wrecks, truck crashes are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A general personal injury attorney may miss violations that a specialized accident lawyer would catch.

Fighting Driver Fatigue

Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulations dictate how long a driver can operate a rig. However, pressure to meet deadlines often leads to violations. We act as your truck driver fatigue accident lawyer, analyzing Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to prove the driver was overworked and dangerous.

Mechanical Failures and Overloading

Trucking companies must maintain their fleets. We review maintenance logs for ignored brake issues or bald tires. Furthermore, an overloaded truck accident lawyer from our firm can prove that excess weight made the vehicle impossible to stop in time.

Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Truck Accident in Indianapolis

Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, long-term disabilities, and overwhelming financial losses. If you’ve been hurt due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages under Indiana law.

Our truck accident law firm in Indianapolis team fights to maximize every category of compensation available, including:

Economic Damages

• Current and future medical expenses
• Surgical procedures, rehabilitation, and therapy
• Lost income due to time off work
• Loss of future earning capacity if you can’t return to your job
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Loss of consortium

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one was killed in a trucking accident, your family may also be entitled to funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.

How Common Are Truck Accidents in Indiana?

Over 16,000 people had an accident with a commercial vehicle in Indiana in 2017. These truck and commercial vehicle collisions included 16% of all fatal traffic collisions in Indiana, claiming 152 lives. Most shockingly, there was a 21% increase in Indiana commercial vehicle collision fatalities from 2016 to 2017.

Why? Almost 94% of these accidents were related to the behavior of one or more drivers involved. Here are the most common behaviors by truck drivers that led to catastrophic injuries:

• Unsafe lane movement: 2,774 (19.5%)
• Following too closely: 2,302 (16%)
• Unsafe backing: 1,542 (11%)
• Improper turning: 1,183 (8%)

High-Risk Truck Accident Areas in Indianapolis

Indianapolis sees concentrated truck accident risks on highways and intersections. Indianapolis is home to some of the busiest truck corridors in the state, making certain intersections particularly hazardous for truck drivers and other motorists. Traffic congestion, road construction, and the volume of vehicles contribute to high-risk zones where accidents occur with greater frequency.

Notable high-risk areas include:

• I-465 & I-70 Interchange
• Southport Road & I-65
• Keystone Avenue & 86th Street

According to Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) data, these areas consistently rank among Indianapolis’s most hazardous for severe trucking accidents. As a local Indianapolis semi-truck accident lawyer, we understand the specific dangers of these roadways.

Indiana Highways With High Truck Accident Rates

Truck accidents in Indiana are often concentrated on major interstate highways, especially those passing through Indianapolis. Interstate 65, Interstate 70, and Interstate 465 are significant truck routes, but their high traffic volumes and speed limits increase the likelihood of accidents. These highways are often subject to congestion, high-speed travel, and weather-related hazards. Understanding the dangers associated with these highways is essential for both motorists and trucking companies.

Can You Recover Punitive Damages After a Truck Accident in Indiana?

In Indiana, punitive damages are not awarded in most personal injury cases – but they can apply in truck accident claims where the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. You may be eligible if, for example:

• A truck driver was knowingly operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• The trucking company ignored federal safety violations or falsified logbooks.
• The truck had serious mechanical defects the company failed to fix.

These cases require clear and convincing evidence. If we uncover a pattern of reckless behavior, our lawyers will aggressively pursue punitive damages in addition to full compensation for your injuries.

How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

Truck accidents are much more complex and dangerous than regular car accidents. A trucking accident lawyer knows that:

• Regulations: Truck drivers are governed by federal laws, which regulate everything from driving hours to vehicle maintenance.
• Increased Risk: Due to the size and weight of trucks, crashes are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
• Multiple Liable Parties: Trucking accidents may involve the driver, the trucking company, and even third parties (like cargo loaders or maintenance companies).

Trucking Accidents Cause Greater Damages

Obviously, every accident is unique. However, across the board, trucking accidents have the ability to cause a much greater level of damage and permanent disability than those involving regular-sized automobiles. In early 2020, a truck driver on I-65 looked away to put down his coffee cup. He did not see the backed-up traffic in front of him and crashed into the stopped line of cars, killing three people, and injuring 14. This driver’s negligence may have been the same as in other accidents, but the impact was far more deadly and damaging due to the size of the truck.

Trucks are much heavier than cars, and the impact of a 3,700-pound sedan versus an 80,000-pound semi-truck barreling into another vehicle can be far more severe. In 2023, 4,354 people died as the result of large truck crashes, a 38 percent increase from the lowest count of deaths in 2009.

Indiana Trucking Accident Cases Have Different Regulations

Accidents involving commercial trucking are handled differently by trucking accident attorneys because of the laws and regulations surrounding them. Establishing liability in a trucking case starts with the FMCSA. If any of these rules regarding rest, drug testing, or maintenance are broken, an Indianapolis truck accident lawyer can use this to establish negligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a specific attorney for an 18-wheeler crash?

Yes. A truck accident lawyer understands the complex layers of liability that don’t exist in standard car crashes. Whether you need a wheeler accident lawyer, specialized knowledge is key to winning against corporate legal teams.

How do I find the best truck accident attorney Indianapolis has?

Look for experience, results, and local presence. When searching for the best lawyer offers, review their track record with commercial cases. Christie Bell & Marshall is widely recognized as a premier truck accident lawyer in Indianapolis.

Do you handle cases involving big rigs?

Absolutely. We act as a big rig accident lawyer for victims across the state.

Can I sue if the truck was from out of state?

Yes. If the accident happened here, you need an Indiana truck accident lawyer to file suit in local courts, regardless of where the trucking company is based.

What if I was hit by a semi-truck in a construction zone?

Fines and liabilities are often doubled in work zones. We can act as your commercial truck accident lawyer to navigate these specific statutes.

I am looking for a truck accident lawyer Indianapolis in…

If you are looking for a truck accident lawyer Indianapolis in local directories, you will find Christie Bell & Marshall at the top of the list for experience and client satisfaction.

What makes a “semi crash lawyer” different?

A semi crash lawyer or semi truck attorney specializes in the unique physics of heavy vehicles and the specific insurance policies (often exceeding $1 million) that cover them.

Contact Our Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorney Today

Trucking accidents are complex and unique. In order to properly handle these cases, you need the experience and knowledge of a truck accident attorney Indiana residents trust. We are the Indianapolis personal injury lawyer team that trucking companies fear.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a trucking accident, do not face the insurance companies alone. Contact Christie Bell & Marshall today.

Whether you are looking for a truck accident lawyer near you, a semi-truck or a commercial truck attorney, we are here to help you secure the justice you deserve!