Griffith, Indiana – Truck Accident Lawyer - Truck Accident Attorney – Serious Injury

Why Truck Accidents Occur in Griffith, Indiana:

While specific accident statistics for Griffith alone are not readily available, it’s located in Northwest Indiana, a region with a high volume of commercial truck traffic.

Several factors contribute to truck accidents in this area, including those that would apply to Griffith:

• High Truck Traffic Volume: Indiana, especially Northwest Indiana, is a major transportation corridor. The Indiana Department of Transportation has reported that over 724 million tons of freight move through Hoosier routes annually, ranking Indiana as the 5th busiest state for commercial freight traffic. This sheer volume of large trucks on the roads naturally increases the likelihood of accidents.
• Major Roadways: Griffith is intersected by or close to major roadways that carry significant commercial traffic. Historically, Broad Street (formerly Indiana State Route 73) was a key “feeder road” connecting US 6 and US 30, and its intersection with numerous rail lines was once considered the busiest railroad crossing in the country. While SR 73 has been decommissioned, the proximity to major routes like US 6, US 30, and the broader interstate system (I-80/94) in Northwest Indiana means a constant flow of large trucks.
• Intersections and Congestion: Areas with high traffic volume, especially at intersections and merging zones, are prone to accidents. The historical layout of Griffith, with its numerous rail lines, indicates a complex traffic environment, even if some of those specific rail crossings are no longer as active for vehicular traffic. Modern-day congestion on roadways can lead to sudden stops and challenging maneuvers for large trucks.
• Truck-Specific Challenges: Truck accidents are often more severe due to the immense size and weight of commercial vehicles.

Contributing factors in general, which would apply to trucks passing through Griffith, include:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours and demanding schedules can lead to tired drivers with slower reaction times.
• Distracted Driving: Use of cell phones, eating, or other distractions take a driver’s attention away from the road.
• Speeding/Unsafe Speeds: Trucks require significantly longer stopping distances, and exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions can be catastrophic.
• Improperly Loaded Cargo: Shifting or unsecured cargo can affect a truck’s stability and lead to loss of control.
• Mechanical Failure: Brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions can occur, especially if trucks are not properly maintained.
• Blind Spots: Commercial trucks have large “no-zones” where smaller vehicles can be invisible to the driver, increasing the risk of sideswipe or merging accidents.
• Lack of Experience: Inexperienced truck drivers may lack the skills to handle large vehicles in various situations.
• Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or challenging construction zones can contribute to accidents for all vehicles, including trucks.

In summary, Griffith’s location within a heavily trafficked commercial freight corridor in Northwest Indiana, combined with the inherent challenges of operating large trucks and general road safety issues, contribute to the occurrence of truck accidents in and around the town.

It is important to note that making a recovery against a trucking company is complex and difficult process, especially due to the circumstances of the collision and the nature of your injuries and damages. Trucking companies often have significant resources at their disposal, including teams of lawyers and insurance adjusters, and may vigorously defend against claims in order to protect their financial interests.

To ensure you are compensated by the trucking company, plaintiffs must establish that the truck driver and their employer were at fault for causing the collision. Proving your case will involve gathering evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and data from the semi-truck’s electronic control module (ECM).

In addition, trucking companies are subject to a range of federal and state regulations, including those related to driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement. If the truck driver and their employer have violated state and federal regulations which contributed to the collision, this can be used as evidence to prove your case and ensure a recovery for your damages.

Recovering damages for a collision usually involves multiple parties, including the semi-truck company, its driver as well as the company that employed them. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit or negotiate a settlement with one or more of these parties.  Overall, making a recovery against a trucking company can be challenging, but it is possible with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about trucking regulations and has experience in trucking accident cases. Gladish Law Group will investigate the accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.  Many of these case after they are fully developed settle at mediation.

Truck Driver and their employer’s Duty to the other drivers in Town of Griffith, Indiana:

In the Town of Griffith, Indiana, like anywhere else in the United States, truck drivers and their employers owe a significant “duty of care” to the public sharing the roads. This duty of care is a fundamental legal principle in negligence claims, meaning they have a legal responsibility to act reasonably to prevent harm to others.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the duty of care owed by truck drivers and their employers:

Duty of Care of a Truck Driver:
Preventing Fatigue: Adhering strictly to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Indiana state law. This includes limits on driving hours per day/week, mandatory rest breaks (e.g., 30 minutes after 8 hours of driving), and off-duty periods to prevent drowsy driving.
Maintaining Physical and Mental Fitness: Ensuring they are medically qualified to drive a CMV, including passing required DOT physical examinations.
Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections:
Conducting thorough pre-trip inspections to ensure the truck’s safety features (brakes, lights, tires, steering, coupling devices, etc.) are in proper working order.
Secure Cargo

Ensuring that cargo is properly loaded, distributed, and secured to prevent shifting, which can destabilize the truck and cause accidents.

Duty of Care of the Truck Driver’s Employer (Motor Carrier):

The trucking company (motor carrier) also owes a comprehensive duty of care to the public. This duty is broader and encompasses several aspects that ensure their drivers and vehicles are safe on the road. This is often established through concepts like vicarious liability (where an employer is responsible for the actions of their employee within the scope of employment) and negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, and negligent maintenance.

Key aspects of the employer’s duty of care include:

• Proper Hiring and Qualification
• Conducting thorough background checks, including driving records (10-year history), criminal history, and drug/alcohol screening
• Verifying that drivers possess the appropriate Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for the type of vehicle and cargo they will be transporting.
• Adequate Training and Supervision.
• Providing comprehensive training to drivers on safe driving practices, FMCSA regulations, company policies, and specific procedures for handling different types of cargo (e.g., hazardous materials).
• Regularly supervising drivers to ensure compliance with HOS regulations, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. This includes monitoring driver logs and performance.
• Not pressuring drivers to violate HOS rules or speed to meet unrealistic deadlines.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection
• Implementing and adhering to a rigorous maintenance program for all trucks in their fleet
• Ensuring that trucks comply with all state and federal safety standards and undergo required annual inspections.
• Maintaining detailed records of all maintenance and repairs.

Ensuring the company and its drivers are in full compliance with all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Indiana state trucking laws.

These regulations cover a wide range of areas, including:

• Hours of Service (HOS): Strictly enforcing rules to prevent driver fatigue.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Implementing required pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing programs.
• Weight and Size Limits: Ensuring trucks comply with maximum weight and size limits for Indiana roads.
• Cargo Securement: Ensuring proper procedures are in place for safe loading and securement of cargo.
• Insurance: Maintaining the required minimum liability insurance coverage (e.g., $750,000 for general freight, higher for hazardous materials).
• Safety Culture

Fostering a strong safety culture within the company, prioritizing safety over speed or profit.

Responding promptly and effectively to safety concerns raised by drivers or others.

Consequences of Breaching the Duty of Care:

If a truck driver or their employer breaches this duty of care, and that breach directly causes an accident and injuries to others in Griffith, Indiana, they can be held legally liable for the damages.
These damages can include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Wrongful death, if the accident is fatal

In Indiana, the principle of modified comparative negligence applies. This means that if the injured party is found to be less than 51% at fault for the accident, they can still recover damages, but their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. If they are 51% or more at fault, they may be barred from recovery.

Ultimately, the duty of care for truck drivers and their employers in Griffith, Indiana, is about ensuring the safe operation of these large and potentially dangerous vehicles to protect everyone on the road.

Truck Accidents – Experts – Town of Griffith, Indiana:

Gladish Law Group employs high level experts who focus on trucking collision cases. Trucking accidents can be complex and involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and potentially other parties, such as cargo loaders, manufacturers, and maintenance companies. To effectively pursue a trucking accident case, you may need to retain various expert witnesses who can provide specialized knowledge and testimony related to the case.

Expert witnesses can be critical in trucking accident cases to provide testimony and evidence regarding the technical and specialized aspects of the case. Trucking accidents can be complex and involve a range of issues related to safety regulations, industry standards, and engineering, and expert witnesses can help clarify and explain these issues to the court or jury.

How a Griffith Truck Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Truck Accident Injury Claim

Retaining the services of an experienced Griffith truck accident attorney from Gladish Law Group allows you to navigate the complexities of a personal injury case stress-free. We can gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for your rights. Our legal team can provide the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.
You can trust Gladish Law Group to stand by your side, advocating for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.

Indiana Truck Accident Law

The value of your truck accident case will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of property damage as well as the fault of the truck driver which can be different from a car accident case. In general, you may be able to recover compensation for the following elements of damages:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of medical treatment, such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
• Lost wages: If you were unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages.
• Pain and suffering: This is a non-economic loss that includes the physical and emotional pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the accident.
• Property damage: If your car was damaged in the accident, you may be able to recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

The amount of compensation you receive will also depend on the laws in the State of Indiana, since that is where the accident occurred and state law controls the elements of damages that are recoverable in truck accident cases. If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to speak with the Gladish Law Group as soon as possible. Our attorneys will help you understand your legal rights and options and can represent you in negotiations with the trucking companies and their insurance companies.

The amount of compensation you receive will also depend on the laws in the State of Indiana, since that is where the accident occurred. If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to speak with the Gladish Law Group as soon as possible. Our attorneys will help you understand your legal rights and options and can represent you in negotiations with the insurance company.

About Griffith, Indiana

The Town of Griffith is a community deeply rooted in its railroad history, located in Lake County, Indiana, as part of the Chicago metropolitan area.  Griffith’s history is inextricably linked to the expansion of the railroad in the 19th century.  Early Settlement and Naming: The area that would become Griffith was initially swampland, bought by settlers in the 1850s after the U.S. Government’s Swamp Reclamation Acts. German immigrants like Mathias and Anna Miller were among the first to arrive. The town’s name is believed to come from E.P. Griffith, a surveyor for the Grand Trunk Railroad who mapped the terrain in the 1870s, leading the area to be known as “Griffith’s Section.”  In 1891, businessmen Jay and Elmer Dwiggins from Chicago founded the town, initially planning to call it “Dwiggins Junction.” However, they ultimately decided to keep the name Griffith. They laid out many of the current lots, roads, and alleys, envisioning it as “Chicago’s Best Factory Suburb.” The Michigan Central and Grand Trunk railroads were among the early lines that passed through, bringing people and progress.

Economic Challenges and Resilience: The Depression of 1893 brought an end to the Dwiggins brothers’ factory suburb dream. However, the existing railroads and the Indiana Pipeline Co. continued to provide jobs, allowing many residents to stay and build the town.  Griffith was officially incorporated on November 19, 1904. The early 20th century saw a transition from an agricultural setting to a more urban environment, with the establishment of industries, stores, shops, and a formal school system (Franklin School in 1911) and churches.  At its peak in the 1970s, Griffith was a major interchange for five railroads, with approximately 180 trains passing through daily, earning it the nickname “The town that came to the tracks.” Today, two railroads still operate through Griffith, and the town actively preserves its railroad heritage through the Griffith Historical Park and Railroad Museum.  Today, Griffith has a population of around 16,420 (2020 census) and continues to honor its past with events like the Rock ‘N’ Rail Music and Street Festival, a farmers’ market, and a vibrant downtown.

Additional Resources

Safety of Commercial Vehicles

Safety and Health Info

Traffic Safety Facts (PDF)