Hammond Truck Accident Lawyers

Last updated on May 22, 2025

Occupants of passenger cars, motorcyclists and bicyclists rarely escape without injury in a collision with a truck. When these accidents happen, the victim will need help ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

At Westland & Bennett P.C., we can fiercely advocate for you or a loved one who is recovering from serious bodily injuries resulting from truck accidents in Indiana and Illinois.

For a FREE consultation with a Hammond tractor-trailer accident lawyer, contact us today at 219-809-6670, or fill out our online contact form.

How Can You Choose A Hammond Truck Accident Attorney?

Semitruck cases involve the trucking industry, federal safety regulations and a long list of liable parties. You need a personal injury lawyer with the following qualities:

• Extensive experience in handling truck accident cases
• Detailed understanding of both state and federal trucking regulations
• A track record of negotiating and litigating against large insurance companies
• Clear, responsive communication and client education
• Willingness to take a case to trial if needed

Our lawyers are always prepared, knowledgeable and ready to go toe-to-toe with powerful insurance companies.

We Understand Your Challenges And Are Here To Support You

You and your family may be struggling day to day in the aftermath of a truck collision. You may wonder how you will pay the monthly bills when you cannot work or how you can handle the unexpected medical costs. At Westland & Bennett P.C., we hear you and understand your concerns.

We are ready to apply our talents to help you pursue justice and get compensation for:

• Your medical bills, including hospitalization and rehabilitation
• Your lost wages and future earnings
• Accommodations for your temporary or permanent disabilities
• Your pain and suffering, as well as your family’s losses

Reach out to our team to learn more about what kind of damages you can recover.

How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Regular Car Accidents?

Truck crashes are far more complicated than other types of car accident cases. They often involve multiple parties such as the truck driver, the trucking company and perhaps the shipper, manufacturer or dispatcher. It’s all the more important in these complex cases to work with a skilled legal team that understands the intricacies of these cases.

Combatting Typical Causes Of Auto Accidents

Pursuing compensation for a truck accident is not just about covering the cost of your injuries, it is about sending a message that the actions that lead to these accidents are unacceptable. Some preventable causes of these accidents are:

• Using cell phones while driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Lack of or improper training
• Reckless driving
• Neglecting to account for poor weather or road conditions

Determining the cause of the accident can bolster the success of your claim and also help prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.

What Are Common Types Of Truck Accidents In Northwest Indiana?

Truck accidents involving delivery trucks, 18-wheelers or other commercial vehicles can involve:

• Rollovers
• Rear-end collisions
• Jackknifing
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone collisions
• Accidents backing up
• Falling debris or cargo

Our attorneys handle all types of these tragic accidents.

What Is An Unsecured Load?

An unsecured load refers to any cargo on a commercial truck that is not properly tied down, covered or otherwise secured during transport. When these loads shift, spill or fall onto the road, they can cause serious roadway hazards and lead to catastrophic accidents.

Common examples of unsecured loads include:

• Construction materials like lumber, concrete or metal beams
• Landscaping tools, gravel and mulch
• Industrial machinery not properly anchored
• Household items during a long-distance move
• Pallets or crates stacked without proper containment

Unsecured loads cause accidents when:

• Debris falls into traffic lanes, causing cars to crash or lose control
• Shifting loads through the truck off balance, leading to jackknifing or rollovers
• Unexpected weight shifts reduce stopping distance or increase impact severity

Victims of these truck crashes may be able to pursue truck accident claims against one or more liable parties.

Understanding Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents

An overloaded or overweight truck exceeds the safe weight limits set by Indiana law and federal trucking regulations. In Indiana, the legal weight limit for most commercial vehicles is 80,000 pounds, including trucks, trailers and cargo.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also enforces strict guidelines for axle weight distribution. When truckers or companies ignore these rules, the results can be devastating.

Signs that a truck may be overloaded include:

• Tires bulging or visibly strained
• Sagging trailer or uneven load distribution
• Slower stopping distance and delayed braking
• Excessive leaning during turns
• Difficulty maintaining lane position or speed

Overloaded trucks cause accidents when:

• Brake failure due to added stress from excessive weight
• Rollover risk increases during curves or sharp turns
• Tire blowouts from carrying too much load
• Bridge collapses or road damage under the truck’s weight

These accidents often involve complex liability questions and types of truck accident claims often involve aggressive insurance companies trying to deny responsibility.

What Rules Do Trucking Companies Have To Follow, And How Can This Play Into Your Truck Accident?

Trucking companies and semi-truck drivers must adhere to strict federal safety regulations on top of state and local traffic laws. Those regulations establish:

• Mandated rest periods for truck drivers
• Limits on how long truck drivers can stay behind the wheel
• Logbook requirements for tracking hours driven
• Rules for vehicle maintenance and inspections
• Training and qualification requirements for drivers
• Prohibitions on texting and using handheld devices while driving
• And other safety rules

Violations of federal safety regulations are often a contributing factor in accidents. If the driver violated one of these regulations, you may have a much stronger case for compensation.

What Is Black Box Data?

Semitrucks have engine control modules (ECMs) that function like “black boxes” on airplanes. They record valuable information such as speed, time, location, amount of time in service and other factors that can shed light on what contributed to an accident. Black box data often plays a key role in establishing liability in these cases.

What Types Of Trucks Can Be Involved In Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents involve all kinds of vehicles such as:

• 18-wheelers (also called tractor-trailers, big rigs or semitrucks)
• Flatbed trucks
• Delivery trucks
• Dump trucks
• Tanker trucks
• Logging trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Cement trucks
• And more

Different safety regulations may come into play depending on the type of truck involved.

We Focus On Getting Winning Results

Once we get to know you, our settlement negotiation and trial litigation skills can be assets on your side. The first step to hiring us and learning if you have a case is scheduling a free consultation.

Call 219-809-6670 or email us to start the conversation.