317-488-5500 South Bend 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney
Helping people is our priority
Since 1993
At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, our South Bend lawyers have handled truck accident claims throughout Indiana, recovering millions for clients whose lives were permanently altered.
Unlike routine personal injury cases, semi-truck crashes involve federal trucking regulations, corporate defendants, and insurers intent on minimizing payouts. We believe Northern Indiana victims need attorneys who act swiftly to preserve crucial evidence and build cases strong enough to withstand courtroom scrutiny.
Why Semi Truck Crashes Demand More Than Ordinary Injury Lawyers
A wreck with a passenger car can result in serious harm, but the scale of an 18-wheeler crash is entirely different. These vehicles weigh up to 40 times more than a standard car and take much longer to stop, which is why collisions so often cause severe spinal cord trauma, brain injuries, and multiple fractures. The “railroad-size disparity” between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles is what makes them uniquely dangerous on South Bend’s busy corridors.
Beyond the physical damage, trucking claims are complex because liability is rarely limited to a single driver. There are often multiple defendants: the operator, the company that employed them, maintenance providers, and sometimes cargo loaders or outside contractors. When a company pushes a driver past federal Hours-of-Service limits or fails to follow Indiana’s trucking laws, it creates the kind of negligence that makes crashes both more likely and more devastating.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500
Who Might Be Legally Responsible in a South Bend 18 Wheeler Crash
When multiple parties share responsibility, victims have a better chance of securing full recovery. As your 18 wheeler accident attorney will explain, settlements in multi-defendant cases are often higher because liability is spread across more insurance carriers.
Truck Drivers & Their Employers
Driver negligence is often the immediate cause of a crash. Fatigue, distraction, speeding, and impairment remain the leading factors in truck collisions across Indiana. But the deeper liability usually lies with the employer. Companies that overwork drivers, fail to screen new hires, or ignore required rest breaks are responsible for creating the dangerous conditions that put South Bend families at risk. Our attorneys regularly review logbooks and electronic logging device data to prove when a driver was on the road longer than the law allows.
Trucking Firms, Leasing Companies & Maintenance Providers
Trucking firms and leasing companies that own fleets have a duty to keep them roadworthy, and maintenance providers are legally responsible when negligent inspection or improper repair contributes to a crash. By working with engineering experts, we’ve demonstrated in past cases how a single neglected inspection can be the deciding factor in liability.
Cargo Loaders & Third Parties
Unsafe or overloaded cargo is another frequent contributor to semi-truck wrecks. When freight is poorly secured, it shifts during transit, destabilizing the trailer and causing rollovers or jackknife crashes. Third-party contractors often handle cargo loading, meaning liability may extend beyond the driver and employer. In other cases, another motorist’s reckless driving or hazardous road conditions – like unlit intersections or unrepaired potholes – play a role.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Evidence You’ll Need to Build a Strong Claim in South Bend
The success of truck accident cases in South Bend hinges on evidence quality. These claims involve multiple layers of documentation that must be secured promptly before it vanishes or gets altered by the trucking company.
- Crash scene documentation: Photos of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, and roadway conditions create the foundation for proving what happened. These details help reconstruction experts establish speed, impact angles, and braking distances.
- Black box and logbook data: Every commercial truck carries an electronic logging device (ELD) and event data recorder. These systems capture speed, braking, hours of operation, and driver rest periods. In northern Indiana, large trucks are restricted to lower maximum speeds than passenger vehicles, and exceeding those limits can serve as clear evidence of negligence. Our attorneys often combine ELD data with semi-truck speed laws to demonstrate when drivers were operating unlawfully.
- Witness statements and official reports: Accounts from other drivers, pedestrians, or first responders provide context that technical data alone cannot capture. Police and DOT reports also supply critical information, including citations for traffic violations or mechanical defects noted during post-crash inspections.
- Medical records and expert testimony: Establishing the full value of a claim requires more than showing immediate injuries. Our attorneys work with doctors, rehabilitation specialists, and life-care planners to show the long-term effects – whether that means permanent mobility limits, reduced earning capacity, or ongoing treatment needs.
- Reconstruction analysis: In cases where liability is disputed, we bring in engineers and accident reconstruction experts who can model the crash using 3D simulations and physics-based calculations. These demonstrations often make the difference in settlement negotiations or at trial.
At Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, we move fast to secure these forms of evidence because trucking companies often deploy their own teams immediately after a crash. By preserving data before it is lost and building testimony from qualified experts, we make sure our South Bend clients have the strongest possible case.
Click to contact us today
Injuries and Losses You Can Claim After a Truck Crash
To pursue compensation, the injury must be tied to measurable damages such as medical expenses, income loss, or permanent disability. In South Bend truck accident cases, some of the most common injuries that form the basis of successful claims include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe orthopedic injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Your attorney will project the lifetime costs associated with catastrophic injuries, including future medical treatment, long-term care, and the loss of career opportunities. We represent clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Our Attorneys
Contact a South Bend 18 Wheeler Crash Lawyer Today
During a free consultation, an expert 18 wheeler attorney will review your case, explain your legal options, and outline the evidence we need to preserve right away. With a South Bend office serving clients across St. Joseph County and surrounding communities, we’re ready to stand with you against the companies that caused your losses.
Contact us today to begin your case review and protect your right to full compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Accidents in South Bend
What should I do after being hit by a semi-truck in South Bend?
First, seek emergency medical care even if you think injuries are minor. Then, ensure the crash is reported to local police or Indiana State Police so an official record is created. Finally, contact an attorney at CFLB quickly – because trucking companies often dispatch investigators the same day to start protecting their interests, while vital evidence like black box data can be lost if not preserved.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Indiana?
Indiana law gives victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim, under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. Missing this statute of limitations usually means losing your right to recover damages. Acting early also allows your attorney to secure trucking records and ELD data before companies destroy or alter them.
Who can be held responsible in a South Bend 18-wheeler crash?
Liability may rest with more than just the driver. Trucking companies, leasing firms, maintenance providers, and even cargo loaders can share responsibility when safety violations or negligence contribute to the crash. In some cases, another motorist or a hazardous roadway is also a factor. Our attorneys frequently pursue multi-defendant claims, which increases the chances of securing compensation from all available insurance carriers.
What damages can victims claim after a truck accident?
Eligible damages include emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, lost income, reduced earning potential, and long-term medical care. Indiana also recognizes compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. Families who lose a loved one may pursue wrongful death damages, including funeral costs and the loss of financial support.
Why are semi-truck cases more complex than car accident cases?
These cases involve multiple parties, layers of insurance coverage, and strict federal and state regulations. For example, Indiana enforces unique rules on truck weight, inspections, and semi-truck speed limits, while federal law governs driver rest and hours-of-service compliance. Trucking companies and insurers know how to use these complexities to their advantage, which is why victims need attorneys with deep experience in this field.
How does Christie Farrell Lee & Bell help truck accident victims in South Bend?
Our firm combines decades of trial-tested experience with a network of experts in accident reconstruction, medicine, and economics. We’ve recovered millions for Indiana families, including results where trucking companies were forced to pay after safety failures were exposed in court. We keep clients informed at every stage and prepare every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring insurers know we are serious about securing maximum compensation.
Professional, very knowledgeable, and realistic.
“From my first telephone conference with Mr. Christie to the settlement of my case, I found Lee and his office staff to be professional, courteous, and extremely helpful. Mr. Christie is professional, very knowledgeable, thorough, and realistic.”
Simply the best.
“Tina Bell is the best. She continued to pursue the case resulting in an agreeable settlement.”
Truly kind and had best interest at heart.
“Lee Christie represented my parents after an auto accident and he was wonderful! He always answered any questions or concerns we had and I would recommend him to anyone!”
Very compassionate & caring in a stressful situation.
“Lee Christie and Jill DuVall were very compassionate and caring in a stressful situation. They always answered our questions promptly, sometimes very late in the evening.”
I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder.
“They were professional, yet very personally involved in our case. After hiring them, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder so I concentrate on taking care of my husband.”
Get a FREE Case Review
Schedule Your Free Consultation