Interstate 70 crosses Indiana from Illinois to Ohio and is one of the busiest east–west freight routes in the country. Around Indianapolis it is lined with warehouses and distribution centers, which means a constant flow of semis entering, exiting, and changing lanes.
The route
I-70 enters from Illinois west of Terre Haute and runs east past Brazil and through rural Clay, Putnam, and Hendricks counties to Plainfield and the Indianapolis International Airport area. It passes through downtown Indianapolis, where it shares the inner-loop splits with I-65, then continues east past Mt. Comfort and Greenfield in Hancock County and across Henry and Wayne counties to Richmond and the Ohio line.
Truck crash risks on this corridor
- Dense distribution and logistics traffic around Plainfield, the airport, and the east side near Mt. Comfort.
- Multi-state through traffic, often on long overnight runs.
- Construction projects that add lanes and rebuild interchanges, with lane shifts and sudden slowdowns.
- Downtown Indianapolis interchanges and short merge areas.
- Rural stretches where speed, fatigue, and winter weather combine.
What we look at after a crash here
On I-70 cases we look at the carrier and also at who loaded the trailer—many I-70 trips begin at nearby warehouses. We check ELD and engine data, bills of lading, and dock or gate records that can show how long the driver had been on duty.
Where a case may be handled
A case may be filed in Vigo, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Wayne, or another county on the route, or in federal court in some cases. Nearby guides: Terre Haute, Plainfield, Indianapolis, and Richmond.
Indiana’s general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the crash (IC 34-11-2-4), and Indiana’s modified comparative fault rules apply (IC 34-51-2). If a government vehicle or a road or work-zone condition may be involved, written notice deadlines are much shorter—180 days for local governments and 270 days for the State. For a full overview, read our Indiana truck accident lawyer page and our page on preserving black box and ELD evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Who investigates truck crashes on I-70?
Crashes on Indiana interstates are commonly investigated by the Indiana State Police, sometimes with local police or sheriff’s deputies. The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division may also be involved with commercial vehicles. The crash report usually identifies the investigating agency.
How long do I have to bring a claim for a truck crash on I-70?
For most injury claims in Indiana, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the crash (IC 34-11-2-4). Claims involving government entities require written notice within 180 days (local) or 270 days (State).
Can Poynter & Bucheri help if I live outside Indiana but crashed on I-70?
Yes, we can review crashes that happened in Indiana even if you live in another state. Where a case is filed can depend on where the crash happened and where the defendants are located.
Sources
- Indiana University Public Policy Institute (for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute), Indiana Traffic Safety Facts: Indiana Crash Facts 2024 (PDF; 2024 data from Indiana officer crash reports)
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Traffic Safety Facts: Large Trucks, 2024 Data, DOT HS 813 816 (PDF)
- IC 34-11-2-4 — official heading: “Injury or forfeiture of penalty actions.” An action for injury to a person or to personal property generally must be started within two years after the cause of action accrues.
- IC 34-51-2 — official heading: “Chapter 2. Compensatory Damages: Comparative Fault.” Indiana’s comparative fault chapter: a claimant’s own fault reduces damages in proportion, and recovery is barred if the claimant’s fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone whose fault contributed (sections 5 and 6).
Indiana Code links open the official chapter PDF from the Indiana General Assembly (2026 Code); federal rules link to the current eCFR text.
More official links: Indiana accident resources · Indiana crash statistics · How to get your crash report
General information only—not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different; deadlines can be shorter in some situations. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.