Hit by a Truck in Indianapolis?

Truck accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries — broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and crush injuries. Even if you can walk away from the scene, the force of a collision with a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds can cause internal damage that isn't immediately apparent.

Call 911 immediately. Under Indiana law, any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to law enforcement. IU Health Methodist Hospital operates the region's only Level I trauma center and is equipped for the most severe injuries. Eskenazi Health, Ascension St. Vincent, and Community Health Network also provide emergency trauma care throughout Marion County.

If you're able to move safely, get away from the roadway. Truck accidents on I-465, I-65, I-70, and I-69 create particularly dangerous scenes because of high traffic speeds and limited visibility. Secondary collisions are a real risk — especially on the I-465 loop where trucks are a constant presence.

If possible, turn on your hazard lights. Do not attempt to move a commercial vehicle or tamper with any cargo. Hazardous materials may be involved — the I-465/I-70 interchange on Indianapolis's west side has seen hazmat incidents from commercial truck crashes.

If you're physically able, use your phone to photograph the truck (including the company name, USDOT number, and license plate), all vehicles involved, the roadway, skid marks, debris, and any visible injuries. The DOT number on the side of the truck is critical — it identifies the trucking company and links to their federal safety record.

Get the truck driver's name, employer, insurance information, and license number. Collect witness contact information. In truck accident cases, evidence can disappear quickly on busy interstates.

Truck accident claims are far more complex than standard car accident cases. Multiple parties may be liable — the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loading company, the vehicle manufacturer, or a maintenance provider. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and cargo securement. Violations of these regulations can establish negligence.

Trucking companies typically carry insurance policies of $1 million or more and have aggressive legal teams that begin investigating immediately. They may send their own investigators to the scene within hours. This is why it's critical to preserve evidence and seek legal representation early.

IMPD or Indiana State Police will investigate and generate a crash report. For truck accidents on interstates, Indiana State Police typically responds. Request the report number at the scene.

Critical evidence in truck cases includes the truck's electronic logging device (ELD) data showing driver hours, the event data recorder ("black box") capturing speed and braking data, maintenance logs, and driver qualification files. This evidence can be destroyed or overwritten quickly — an attorney can send a spoliation letter to ensure it's preserved.

Obtain your crash report through the Indiana State Police BuyCrash portal at buycrash.com or the IMPD Records Division at 50 N. Alabama Street, E100, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The trucking company's insurer will contact you quickly. They handle high-value claims daily and are experienced at minimizing payouts. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement. Do not sign any documents or accept any settlement offers without legal advice. Early offers in truck accident cases are almost always a fraction of the claim's true value.

Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death (Ind. Code § 34-23-1-1).

Truck accident cases require extensive investigation — obtaining trucking company records, driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data takes time. Don't wait to start the process.

Truck accident cases require specialized knowledge of FMCSA regulations, trucking industry practices, and the ability to take on well-funded corporate defendants. Most truck accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

An experienced attorney can identify all liable parties, preserve critical evidence, retain accident reconstruction experts, and negotiate with commercial trucking insurers.