Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in truck accidents in the United States. The state of Indiana is no exception, with hundreds of truck accidents occurring on its roads and highways each year.
According to data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, there were 1,276 crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in Indiana in 2019, resulting in 23 deaths and 247 injuries. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at truck accidents in Indiana, including accident statistics, dangerous stretches of highway, factors that contribute to truck accidents, Indiana laws related to truck accidents, and more.
Accident Statistics
As mentioned above, there were 1,276 crashes involving CMVs in Indiana in 2019. While this represents a decrease from previous years, truck accidents remain a significant issue in the state. In 2018, there were 1,423 CMV crashes in Indiana, resulting in 32 deaths and 267 injuries.
Of the 1,276 CMV crashes in 2019, the majority (831) occurred on rural roads, while 405 occurred on urban roads. The most common factors contributing to these accidents were:
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions (299 crashes)
- Following too closely (128 crashes)
- Failure to yield right of way (100 crashes)
- Driver inattention or distraction (77 crashes)
- Unsafe lane movement (63 crashes)
The Indiana State Police reported even more accidents, injuries, and deaths caused by CMVs; citing 5,048 commercial motor vehicle accidents in the state in 2019. Of these, 91 were fatal, and 1,305 resulted in injuries.
Dangerous Stretches of Highway In Indiana
There are several stretches of highway in Indiana that are particularly dangerous for truck accidents. One such stretch is Interstate 70, which runs from Ohio to Illinois and passes through Indianapolis. In 2018, there were 80 CMV crashes on I-70 in Indiana, resulting in 10 fatalities and 45 injuries.
Another dangerous stretch of highway is Interstate 65, which runs from Gary to Jeffersonville and passes through Indianapolis. In 2018, there were 134 CMV crashes on I-65 in Indiana, resulting in 6 fatalities and 48 injuries.
Other highways in Indiana that have seen a high number of truck accidents include:
- I-65 between Indianapolis and Lafayette
- I-70 between Indianapolis and Terre Haute
- I-80/90 between the Illinois state line and South Bend
- I-94 between Michigan City and the Illinois state line
Factors Contributing to Truck Accidents
There are many factors that can contribute to truck accidents in Indiana. Some of the most common include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours and may not get enough rest, leading to fatigue and decreased alertness behind the wheel.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers may be distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other electronic devices while driving.
- Improper loading: If a truck is loaded improperly, it can affect the vehicle’s stability and make it more difficult to control.
- Equipment failure: If a truck’s brakes, tires, or other equipment fail, it can lead to a serious accident.
- Poor road conditions: Road hazards such as potholes and uneven pavement can be particularly dangerous for trucks, which are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles.
Indiana Laws Related to Truck Accidents
Indiana has several laws related to truck accidents that are designed to promote safety on the roads. For example, Indiana law requires that all CMVs carry a minimum amount of insurance. Additionally, truck drivers in Indiana are subject to strict regulations related to driving hours and rest periods. The trucking company may also be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees. This means that if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, the company may be held liable.
If you are involved in a truck accident in Indiana, it is important to understand your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. An experienced Indiana truck accident attorney can help you navigate the legal system and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Conclusion
Truck accidents often have devastating consequences and they are, unfortunately, all too common on Indiana’s roads and highways. If you are injured in a truck accident, it is important to seek medical attention and contact an attorney as soon as you can. Take it from us, trucking companies and their insurance companies have teams of attorneys to defend them when they cause these losses, you need to have someone on your side fighting for you.
References
Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2021). Indiana transportation by the numbers. Retrieved from https://www.bts.gov/state-transportation-by-the-numbers/indiana
Indiana Department of Transportation. (n.d.). Indiana crash facts. Retrieved from https://www.in.gov/indot/3129.htm
Indiana State Police. (2021). Indiana vehicle crash reports. Retrieved from https://www.in.gov/isp/2364.htm
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2021). Traffic safety facts: Large trucks. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/traffic-safety/traffic-safety-facts-large-trucks
United States Department of Transportation. (2021). Federal motor carrier safety administration. Retrieved from https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
Indiana Code § 9-21-10-2 (2019). Retrieved from https://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2019/ic/titles/009#9-21-10-2