Last updated on April 26th, 2024
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you need to contact a lawyer who has experience handling these specific types of claims. Having our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers from Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz at your side can make a big difference in what you receive in a final settlement.
Common causes of truck crashes range from driver fatigue and distractions while driving to low standards of vehicle maintenance. Overworked and overwhelmed with deadlines, some drivers feel exhausted, and their decision-making process becomes affected, if not impaired.
Besides this, transporters must also bear the burden of maneuvering huge commercial trucks that tend to be less manageable during bad weather or when moving through tight roadways.
Another cause for the increase in accidents is Ohio’s expanding economy and increased reliance on commercial transportation. As more goods are carried over the roads, more trucks and autos navigate the highways – adding to the risks of collisions.
To deal with this situation, lawmakers in Ohio have come up with several measures aimed at improving safety for trucks, including tightening regulations regarding driver hours, compulsory pre-trip inspections, and heightened traffic law compliance and enforcement.
Your chances of getting involved in a semi-truck crash in Ohio are better than average, as shown by the statistics. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported more than 3,000 semi-truck collisions in a recent year, which surpasses the number of crashes in prior years – highlighting a growing problem.
Moreover, many of the crashes are fatal. Over 100 deaths were attributed to semi-truck accidents in that same year in Ohio.
Determining liability when a truck collision happens can be difficult. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be determined to be at fault, including the following:
A truck driver may be held accountable for driving too fast, texting while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any other form of negligent driving. Truckers should be cognizant of road conditions and their surrounding environment.
Unfortunately, truck drivers can violate traffic laws and be careless like anyone else on the road. Some truck driver errors that commonly lead to crashes include:
A trucking company or motor transport carrier must train, license, and ensure their drivers are fit for the job. If they do not meet these criteria, they may be held liable in a truck accident case. Trucking companies must also maintain trucks, including conducting all necessary inspections and repairs. When they do not, and a truck malfunctions and causes an accident, the company should be liable.
Further, a trucking company does not have to be negligent to be liable for a truck accident. Under the legal principle of vicarious liability, a trucking company can often share liability for the negligence of drivers operating the company’s trucks. This is an important consideration, as companies should have larger insurance policies that provide more coverage for serious injuries to truck victims.
There is a possibility of holding the manufacturer liable if there was an accident caused by any mechanical failure or defect in the truck.
The responsibility, in this case, can be placed on the individual or entity that loaded the cargo improperly. If the cargo is improperly loaded or secured, the load could shift, leading to a loss of control for the truck driver. Cargo errors often lead to jackknife and rollover accidents.
Certain accidents may be attributable to poor road conditions or inadequate signage. These oversights may become the responsibility of the governmental entities that are responsible for road maintenance activities.
A case involving a truck crash necessitates a thorough investigation and understanding of relevant laws and regulations. A competent lawyer with experience handling such cases will help you sort through this difficult legal terrain – ensuring that all parties involved are held accountable.
You want to identify all potentially liable parties, as many truck accident cases involve more than one party. Our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz can take on multiple insurance claims when necessary to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available for your injuries and losses.
If you or your family member has been involved in a collision with a truck, you might have serious injuries. Injuries can be costly, as they require medical treatment, can keep you from working, and might generally disrupt your life in many different ways.
When another party is liable for the crash, they should be liable for compensation for various damages, such as the following.
These costs include expenses incurred for emergency medical care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and any other future medical attention resulting from the crash.
You may seek reimbursement for lost wages if injuries sustained during an accident have made it impossible to go back to work, including the damages to future earning potential.
Property damage expenses cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as any other personal property that was damaged in the accident.
You might be eligible for damages on account of physical pain and emotional distress resulting from an accident, including ongoing pain and suffering, loss of income capacity, disability, and reduced quality of life.
If the truck accident resulted in death, surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss, requesting funeral expenses, burial expenses, and compensation for the loss of support or companionship.
The specific damages you can recover will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case, how serious your injuries are, and how they have affected your life. An attorney experienced in truck accident cases can help you understand what rights you have and ensure that you receive all the compensation you need.
When dealing with a truck accident, hiring a competent truck accident lawyer is critical to protecting your rights and ensuring that you get properly paid. Below are only some of the many reasons why an attorney’s help is invaluable.
An experienced Cincinnati lawyer will conduct thorough investigations into an incident by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with experts who will make them aware of what caused the crash and who is liable for the accident.
Insurance companies often try to minimize what they pay out for their claim. However, a good truck accident attorney knows what to say to ensure a fair settlement.
In case an insurance company refuses to agree to an amicable settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit to ensure you receive what you need.
A good Cincinnati truck accident lawyer will lead you through all stages of the legal process – thereby guaranteeing the preservation of your rights and financial recovery.
An experienced attorney specializing in trucking accidents will work hard to ensure that you get the maximum compensation possible for your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Hiring a truck accident attorney allows you to focus on getting better while they handle all the legal and administrative aspects of your case. This gives you the best chance of achieving a positive outcome and obtaining the compensation that will help you move forward with your life.
The amount of truck accident compensation depends on several things: the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and the impact the accident has had on your life.
Again, you can receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you lost a family member in a truck-car accident, you can sue for wrongful death.
Though there is no predetermined amount to award for truck accident compensation, reports show that those who have engaged a seasoned lawyer in truck accident claims tend to receive much more than litigants who self-negotiate a claim with an insurance company.
An attorney will quantify each of your damages so you can get the highest settlement amount possible.
You should file your claim as soon as possible. In Ohio, you have two years from the accident or the discovery of a related injury to file a truck accident lawsuit. Courts impose a time limit, so plaintiffs and defendants can recount the crash while it’s still fresh on their minds.
The sooner you file your claim, the higher the chances that important evidence will not be lost along with witness testimonies. The preservation of evidence can play a vital role in proving negligence – leading to the determination of liability and the eventual payment of damages.
Therefore, don’t waste any time in scheduling a consultation with a truck accident attorney. The consultation is free and you don’t owe anything unless your lawyer wins your case. They will take the time to explain your rights and make sure that all requisite formalities are observed before filing a suit on your behalf.
When filing a claim for a truck accident, it is important to have solid evidence to support your case. This evidence includes:
Request a copy of the police report, which contains important information concerning the accident such as time, place, and any charges filed against the involved parties.
Take photographs of the scene of the accident, any injuries that you may have suffered, and any type of property damage that may exist. These types of proofs are very influential when filing a truck accident claim.
Records include doctor’s notes, test results, and receipts for all medical costs incurred in relation to treatment for the incident. You’ll also want to include the diagnoses you received regarding your injuries.
Collect witness accounts from people who saw what happened during or just before the occurrence.
Ask for copies of the log books of the truck driver, which clearly show their driving habits and service hours.
Provide copies of all documents that relate to the maintenance and inspection of the commercial truck involved in the accident.
The more proof you have, the stronger your case will be. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you gather this information and organize it for use as evidence in support of your claim.
By following the above steps and working closely with your personal injury attorney, you can improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries.
By contacting our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz right away, you can ensure that your rights are protected from the very beginning. We will thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait to reach out for help – the earlier we get involved, the stronger your case will be.
Remember, time is of the essence in truck accident cases. Witness testimony can fade, physical evidence can be lost, and important deadlines can be missed. By contacting our team as soon as possible, you give yourself the best chance at a successful outcome.
Never try to face the aftermath of a truck accident alone – let our dedicated attorneys guide you through this challenging time and fight for your rights. Reach out to our Cincinnati truck accident lawyers today to schedule a consultation and start your journey to justice.
Before establishing Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A., the top Ohio Injury Attorney served as a bodily injury claims adjuster at a major insurance firm. With over 40+ years of experience, Doug’s background has proven invaluable in securing maximum cash settlements for his clients swiftly. Since leaving the insurance industry, Doug has devoted his entire legal career to assisting injured clients during their times of greatest need.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 1.937.222.2222