Carmel Truck Accident Lawyer – Fighting for Truck Accident Victims

Truck accidents are different. When a fully loaded semi-truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic. People die. Lives change forever. And then the trucking company’s legal team springs into action to minimize their liability.

At Pavlack Law, we’ve spent decades representing truck accident victims throughout Carmel and Hamilton County. We understand the complex federal regulations governing the trucking industry. We know how to investigate these cases properly by preserving electronic logging data, obtaining maintenance records, and working with accident reconstruction experts. We’ve secured millions in compensation for clients devastated by truck crashes.

The trucking companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You need someone protecting yours.

Why Choose Pavlack Law for Your Truck Accident Case

Truck accident cases are fundamentally different from regular car accident cases. The stakes are higher and the injuries are more severe. The legal complexities multiply. Here’s what sets us apart:

Understanding of Federal Trucking Regulations: Commercial trucks operate under strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. This means that hours of service rules, maintenance requirements, and driver qualifications are all standardized. We know these regulations inside and out and use violations to build powerful cases.

Experience Taking On Trucking Companies: Trucking companies have insurance policies with multi-million dollar limits and legal teams ready to defend them. We’ve successfully fought these corporate defendants for decades. One example is our $1,250,000 settlement for the family of a young man killed in a collision with a negligently operated semi demonstrates our ability to win against well-funded opponents.

We Act Fast to Preserve Evidence: Trucking companies are required to maintain electronic logging device (ELD) data, driver logs, maintenance records, and black box information. But this evidence doesn’t last forever. We move quickly to send preservation letters and obtain this critical evidence before it disappears.

Proven Results: We’ve recovered numerous substantial settlements for seriously injured clients, including $6,000,000 for the family of a man who died due to negligence and $4,000,000 for a client paralyzed in a vehicle collision.

No Upfront Costs: We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. Zero consultation fees. No retainers. No hourly bills. We advance all case costs ourselves.

Trial-Ready Representation: While many cases settle, trucking companies know we’re fully prepared to take cases to trial. We’re admitted to practice in all Indiana state and federal courts.

Understanding Truck Accidents in Carmel, Indiana

Carmel’s location makes it a hub for commercial truck traffic. Major routes like I-465, I-69, I-65, U.S. Route 31, and Keystone Parkway see constant semi-truck traffic. With approximately 102,000 residents and thousands of daily commuters, the potential for devastating truck accidents is significant.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were nearly 500,000 trucking accidents nationwide in recent years. Indiana sees thousands of commercial vehicle collisions annually according to Indiana’s crash data.

Common Accident Locations in Carmel

We’ve represented truck accident victims injured at these high-traffic areas:

I-465 Interchanges: The beltway around Indianapolis connects to multiple Carmel roads. Truck drivers speeding or failing to properly merge cause serious crashes.

I-69 Corridor: This major interstate sees heavy commercial truck traffic. Accidents often occur when trucks change lanes without checking blind spots or fail to maintain safe following distances.

U.S. Route 31: The primary north-south corridor through Carmel. Trucks making deliveries to local businesses frequently cause accidents at intersections and in parking areas.

Keystone Parkway: This busy roadway wasn’t designed for the volume of truck traffic it now handles. Narrow lanes and complex intersections create dangerous conditions.

Carmel Roundabouts: Carmel is known as “the roundabout capital of the United States” with 142 roundabouts. The tight turning radius these create is particularly challenging for large trucks, leading to numerous accidents.

Understanding where truck accidents commonly occur helps us investigate cases more effectively.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents happen for many reasons. Determining the cause is critical to identifying all liable parties and building a strong case.

Driver Fatigue

Truck driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of serious accidents. Despite FMCSA hours of service regulations limiting driving time, many drivers and trucking companies violate these rules to meet delivery deadlines. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows drowsy truck drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them nearly as dangerous as drunk drivers.

We obtain electronic logging device (ELD) data and driver logs to prove hours of service violations.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers spend long hours on the road. Many get distracted by phones, GPS devices, eating, or adjusting controls. According to FMCSA distracted driving data, when a driver operating an 80,000-pound vehicle takes their eyes off the road for even two seconds, the results can be catastrophic.

Speeding and Aggressive Driving

Trucks take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. The physics of stopping distance shows that when truck drivers speed or drive aggressively, they drastically reduce their ability to avoid collisions. This is especially dangerous on Carmel’s busy roads during rush hour.

Improper Loading

Overweight trucks or improperly secured cargo can cause accidents. Federal regulations limit truck weight to 80,000 pounds. Overloaded trucks are harder to control and take longer to stop. Unsecured cargo can shift during transport, causing the truck to roll over or jackknife.

Inadequate Maintenance

Trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicles properly under FMCSA maintenance regulations. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues caused by poor maintenance frequently lead to serious accidents.

We investigate maintenance records to identify when companies cut corners on safety.

Inadequate Training

Not all truck drivers receive proper training. Federal driver qualification standards exist for good reason. Some trucking companies rush drivers through training to get them on the road quickly. Inexperienced drivers make mistakes that cause accidents.

Blind Spots

Large trucks have massive blind spots where the driver cannot see other vehicles. The FMCSA’s “No-Zone” safety campaign educates the public about these dangerous areas. When truck drivers change lanes or turn without properly checking these blind spots, they cause serious accidents.

Poor Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, ice, and fog create hazardous conditions. According to weather-related crash statistics, truck drivers have a responsibility to adjust their driving to weather conditions. When they fail to slow down or maintain safe following distances in bad weather, accidents result.

Drunk or Drugged Driving

While commercial drivers are subject to strict drug and alcohol testing requirements, some still drive impaired. When this happens, we pursue maximum compensation including punitive damages under Indiana law.

Multiple Liable Parties in Truck Accidents

Unlike regular car accidents, truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. Identifying all of them is crucial to recovering full compensation.

The Truck Driver: The driver may be liable for negligent operation of the vehicle.

The Trucking Company: Companies can be held liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, forcing drivers to violate hours of service rules, or failing to maintain vehicles properly.

The Truck Owner: If the truck is leased, the owner may share liability.

The Loading Company: If improper loading contributed to the accident under cargo securement standards, the company that loaded the cargo may be liable.

The Maintenance Company: If mechanical failures caused by poor maintenance led to the accident, the maintenance provider may be liable.

The Truck or Parts Manufacturer: If defective parts or design flaws caused the accident under product liability law, the manufacturer may be liable.

Other Drivers: Sometimes multiple vehicles are involved, and other drivers may share responsibility.

We investigate thoroughly to identify every liable party and maximize your recovery.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

The size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles means truck accident injuries are often severe or fatal.

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head injuries from truck accidents range from concussions to severe TBIs causing permanent cognitive impairment. The CDC’s TBI data shows these injuries may not show immediate symptoms.

Spinal Cord Injuries: Truck accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. These catastrophic injuries often result in partial or complete paralysis requiring lifelong care.

Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma causes internal bleeding, organ damage, and other life-threatening injuries that aren’t immediately visible.

Broken Bones and Fractures: The violent impact of truck collisions frequently causes multiple fractures requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

Amputations: Severe crashes sometimes result in traumatic amputations or injuries so extensive that surgical amputation becomes necessary.

Burns: If the truck was carrying hazardous materials or if vehicles caught fire after the collision, burn injuries can be devastating.

Psychological Trauma: Many truck accident survivors develop PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The American Psychological Association recognizes these psychological injuries deserve serious attention and compensation.

Wrongful Death: Too many truck accidents result in fatalities. We help families pursue wrongful death claims under Indiana law to hold negligent parties accountable.

Whatever injuries you’ve suffered, we work with medical experts to document everything and ensure your compensation accounts for both current and future needs.

What Is Your Carmel, IN Truck Accident Case Worth?

Truck accident cases typically have higher values than regular car accident cases because the injuries are more severe and the available insurance coverage is greater, especially if there is a a commercial policy involved. Indiana law allows you to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages Include:

Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, medical equipment, future medical care

Lost Wages: Income missed during recovery

Lost Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job

Property Damage: Vehicle repair or replacement

Out-of-Pocket Costs: Transportation, home modifications, household help

Non-Economic Damages Include:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain endured

Emotional Distress: Mental anguish, anxiety, depression, PTSD

Loss of Quality of Life: Inability to enjoy activities

Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent physical changes

Loss of Consortium: For spouses, loss of companionship

During your free consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific circumstances and give you an honest assessment of your case’s potential value.

Federal Trucking Regulations and Your Case

Commercial trucks operate under strict federal regulations. Violations of these regulations strengthen your case significantly.

Hours of Service Regulations

FMCSA hours of service rules limit how long truck drivers can drive:

• Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• Maximum 14-hour work day
• Required 30-minute break after 8 hours
• Maximum 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days (or 70 hours in 8 days)
• We obtain ELD data and driver logs to prove violations.

Maintenance Requirements

Trucking companies must maintain vehicles according to strict federal standards and keep detailed maintenance records. We review these records to identify negligent maintenance.

Driver Qualification Standards

Commercial drivers must hold proper commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), pass medical examinations, and undergo background checks. We investigate whether trucking companies properly vetted their drivers.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drivers are subject to pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, and reasonable suspicion testing. We obtain testing records when relevant.

Weight Limits

Federal law limits truck weight to 80,000 pounds. Overweight trucks are harder to control and cause more damage in accidents. We investigate whether overloading contributed to your crash.

Indiana’s Modified Comparative Fault Law

Indiana follows modified comparative fault under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6. You can recover compensation even if you’re partially at fault, but only if you’re 50% or less responsible.

Here’s how it works. If a jury determines you’re 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you’d recover $80,000 (reduced by your 20% share). But if you’re 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.

Trucking companies will try shifting as much blame onto you as possible. We build strong cases that accurately establish fault and aggressively fight attempts to blame you unfairly.

Dealing With Trucking Companies and Their Insurers

Trucking companies have massive insurance policies, often $1 million or more as required by FMCSA financial responsibility regulations. They also have legal teams and insurance adjusters ready to minimize payouts.

Tactics They Use

Quick Contact: They’ll contact you immediately, often before you’ve left the hospital, trying to get recorded statements.

Early Settlement Offers: They’ll make lowball offers hoping you’ll accept before understanding the full extent of your injuries.

Blame Shifting: They’ll argue you were speeding, distracted, or otherwise at fault.

Destroying Evidence: Without a proper preservation letter, critical evidence gets destroyed or “lost.”

Surveillance: They’ll hire investigators to surveil you looking for anything to undermine your claim.

When you hire Pavlack Law, all communication goes through us. We know their tactics and protect your interests. We fight for you all the way. 

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

At the Accident Scene:

1. Call 911 immediately to get police and medical help
2. Stay at the scene if you’re able
3. Document everything with photos: the truck, all vehicles, road conditions, your injuries, truck company name, DOT numbers
4. Get driver information and insurance details
5. Identify witnesses
6. Don’t admit fault or apologize
7. Seek immediate medical attention

In the Days Following:

1. See a doctor immediately even if you feel okay
2. Follow all medical advice
3. Keep detailed records of everything
4. Don’t post on social media
5. Don’t sign anything from the trucking company or their insurer
6. Contact a truck accident lawyer immediately because evidence disappears fast in truck cases

Our Case Results

Over the years, we’ve helped families throughout Carmel and Hamilton County. These are actual results we’ve achieved:

$19,000,000: Settlement with numerous ready mix concrete suppliers who conspired to fix and inflate prices

$6,000,000: Settlement for the widow and surviving children of a man who died due to negligence

$4,000,000: Settlement for a woman paralyzed from the waist down in a vehicle collision

$1,800,000: Medical malpractice settlement for family of married father of four who died due to failure to diagnose serious cardiac condition

$1,250,000: Settlement for family of young man killed in collision with negligently operated semi

$925,000: Settlement for construction worker badly injured when he fell through unmarked opening in roof

$750,000: Settlement for woman injured at work when she slipped on untreated ice

What Our Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Eric Pavlack handled my father’s case with the level of professionalism and care it required. He worked with us for a long while and kept up communication extremely well. Eric oversaw the situation with care even after long periods of waiting. We appreciate all he’s done for us. He is truly exceptional!”
Desirae Michaels

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Eric and his team are top notch. Handled my son’s case with the upmost professionalism. Great communication and responsiveness. Would highly recommend his services.”
Jennifer Hart

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I give my upmost recommendation to Eric and the Pavlack Law team. At my age, 65, when I first inquired about services due to a work injury, I was not optimistic about what could happen for me and my situation. The first thing I can say about my experience is that Eric put my mind at ease. He did not promise the world, but had real conversation and discussed what the best and worst outcomes could be in this situation. Expectations were set not on the outcome, but on the process. I felt he was going to battle for me with his demeanor and explanations the whole way through the experience. During mediation, he helped me get fully prepared and made sure I was aware that the final say was totally up to me. Rest assured you are in good care with Eric and his team. I was extremely happy with the outcome.”
Randy Hartley

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Eric was always there for our family. I highly recommend his law office. A very professional law firm. Thank you and God Bless you”
Joyce Kendall

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

The Legal Process

Step 1: Free Consultation

Your first meeting costs nothing. We’ll review your case and give you an honest assessment.

Step 2: Investigation

We immediately begin preserving evidence. Send preservation letters to trucking companies. Obtain ELD data and driver logs. Get maintenance records. Review police reports from the Carmel Police Department. Consult accident reconstruction experts. Interview witnesses.

Step 3: Medical Treatment

You continue treatment while we build your case and work with medical experts.

Step 4: Demand and Negotiation

We calculate full value and submit comprehensive demand packages. Our experience provides leverage in negotiations.

Step 5: Litigation if Necessary

If they won’t make fair offers, we file lawsuits in Hamilton County Superior Court and take cases to trial.

Step 6: Recovery

We handle all final details and get you your money quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of recovery. If we don’t win, you owe nothing.

How Long Do I Have to File?

Generally two years from the accident date under Indiana’s statute of limitations. Government vehicle accidents require tort claim notices within 180 to 270 days. Don’t wait because evidence disappears fast in truck cases.

What If Multiple Vehicles Were Involved?

We investigate to identify all liable parties and maximize recovery from all available sources.

Will My Case Go to Trial?

Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. This preparation gives us leverage in negotiations.

About Pavlack Law

Attorney Eric Pavlack has devoted his career to representing injured people throughout Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Biology in 1996 and earned his Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1999.

Eric’s been recognized as Super Lawyers Rising Star and Super Lawyer consistently from 2009 through 2025. He’s admitted to practice in all Indiana state and federal courts.

Our firm handles all types of personal injury cases in Carmel, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck crashes, medical malpractice, premises liability, and wrongful death cases.

Eric and his wife Lorrie are proud parents of two college students. When not working, Eric enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, home improvement projects, sports, and playing guitar.

Contact Pavlack Law Today

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Carmel or Hamilton County, don’t face trucking companies alone. You need an experienced truck accident lawyer who understands federal regulations and will fight for your rights.

Call Us 24/7 at: 317-733-5171

Pavlack Law Firm
8955 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46217

We’re available around the clock. If you can’t travel, we’ll come to you.

Don’t let trucking companies minimize what you deserve. Contact Pavlack Law today for your free consultation.