Ohio Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Free Case Evaluation

Ohio Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Strong advocacy when construction vehicle accidents harm drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and workers

cpw-design-element

Construction companies regularly build and repair roads, install bridges, raise new buildings, and develop whole new communities. Each of these construction projects requires different types of construction vehicles to bring materials into the site, build the site, and clear the site. At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand why construction vehicle accidents happen and how to hold the responsible parties accountable. Our Ohio construction vehicle accident attorneys demand compensation for all your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and all other damages. Call us today to hold construction companies and drivers liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one.

In one construction vehicle accident case, we obtained a $20.5 million settlement, one of the largest in Ohio history, for our client who was run over by a truck on a construction site. We represented the victim (a student) and his family against several companies, some of which were worth billions of dollars. Our firm hired internationally known experts and litigated this case fiercely. We settled the case on the first day of the scheduled trial after several years of contentious litigation.

Free Case Evaluation

Injury Attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law

Table of Contents

What are the different types of construction vehicles in Ohio?

Some construction vehicles are common to most construction jobs, while other vehicles are unique to certain projects. Some vehicles work at the construction site throughout the full term of the project, while other vehicles are brought in for specific purposes. All construction vehicles require unique skills to operate the vehicle safely. All construction vehicles can cause severe injuries or death if the operator causes an accident.

Some of the construction vehicles that construction companies regularly use include the following:

  • Articulated haulers – heavy-duty dump trucks
  • Asphalt pavers – for roadways, parking lots, and walkways
  • Backhoe loaders – often used for excavation
  • Boom lifts – to raise workers and materials
  • Bulldozers – construction vehicles “assist with pushing, digging, excavating, and leveling materials at a construction site”
  • Cranes – to lift and move heavy materials
  • Cold planers – to grind and remove asphalt or concrete
  • Combine harvesters – for harvesting crops
  • Concrete mixer trucks
  • Double drum rollers
  • Dump trucks – for transporting large volumes of loose material easily
  • Excavators – for lifting and moving heavy loads
  • Feller bunchers – for cutting down trees
  • Forklifts – for lifting and moving heavy materials a short distance
  • Forwarders – for logging projects
  • Manlifts – for elevating workers
  • Motor graders – for flattening and leveling surfaces
  • Scissor lifts – for elevating workers and materials
  • Skidders – for logging projects
  • Skid steer loaders – often used for digging
  • Telehandlers – for carrying heavy materials and placing them with precision
  • Tractors – for agricultural projects
  • Trenchers – for creating trenches
  • Wheel tractor scrapers

What OSHA guidelines regulate construction vehicles

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the safe use of construction vehicles. The rules vary depending on whether the project is or isn’t open to the public.

These regulations cover such safety issues as:

  • Braking systems – including emergency brakes, parking brakes, and service brakes.
  • Visibility issues – such as the need for additional headlights and taillights.
  • Audible warning devices – to alert other workers and pedestrians.

The OSHA regulations also require that the rear view of the vehicle should not be obstructed unless the vehicle has a reverse signal alarm that can be heard above the surrounding noise level or the vehicle only backs up when an observer/spotter signals that the driver can back up.

There are other OSHA regulations on how to properly secure loads, use seat belts, and inspect vehicles.

Injury Attorneys

Why do construction vehicle accidents happen in Ohio?

Our Ohio construction accident lawyers work with investigators, question everyone involved in the accident, review the construction contracts, examine other complaints against construction owners, and work with construction industry professionals to show the cause of your construction accident.

Some of the reasons construction accidents happen in Ohio include the following:

  • Operator negligence. The operators of these vehicles need to have the requisite skills to operate their vehicles. They may need to have a commercial driver’s license. Operators at the sites need to be on the constant lookout for other workers, pedestrians, and cars. The drivers who bring materials in and out of the site are responsible for any accidents they cause due to driver distraction, unsecured cargo, speeding, blind spots, and other causes.
  • Failure to vet and train the drivers. Construction companies and contractors should conduct background checks to ensure their drivers have the proper qualifications. They should educate their drivers about the safety issues they are likely to face.
  • Improperly secured loads. Trucks that drive on main roads should be loaded properly so the loads don’t shift or spill. Shifting cargo can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. Spilled cargo can create havoc for anyone near the truck as they try to avoid the materials and debris.
  • Backing accidents. Construction vehicles may need to back into traffic from the construction. These maneuvers require extra caution.
  • Blind spot accidents. The visibility lines of most construction vehicles are very poor. Operators need to ensure they can see behind and around their vehicles whether they are driving on main roads or working at the construction site.
  • Defective equipment. If the brakes fail, the mechanisms to raise and lower workers and materials fail, or other failures prevent the same operation of the construction vehicles, these defects can cause serious accidents.
  • Failing to conduct routine inspections. The owners of the construction vehicles should regularly inspect their vehicles to ensure they are operable and safe for use.

Who is responsible if a construction vehicle is in an accident in Ohio?

cpw-design-element

At Crandall & Pera Law, we file personal injury claims against everyone responsible for a construction vehicle accident. We represent pedestrians, the drivers and passengers in the vehicles the construction vehicles collide with, and any independent contractors at the construction site. We also represent employees who have claims against manufacturers for defective vehicles. Our Ohio construction vehicle accident lawyers also file wrongful death claims on behalf of families when a construction accident is fatal.

The possible defendants include the following:

  • The operator of the commercial vehicle. The onsite operators may be liable if they fail to comply with federal or state laws and construction company safety policies or if they are negligent for any reason. Commercial vehicle drivers are generally liable for any accidents they cause at the construction site or away from the construction site.
  • The employer of the commercial vehicle operator. Generally, the construction company or any contractors who employ a commercial vehicle operator are liable for any accidents their employees cause. The employers may also be liable for other reasons, such as failing to educate or monitor their employees.
  • The owner of the construction site. Construction site companies have a duty to comply with federal construction safety regulations such as OSHA regulations, Ohio construction safety regulations, and industry standards.
  • Manufacturers. At Crandall & Pera Law, we file product liability claims when defective commercial vehicles are the cause of your accident.
  • Other defendants. These may include:
    • The owners of the commercial vehicles if different than the construction company or the operator’s employer
    • Maintenance and repair companies
    • Other defendants, depending on how the accident happens

Do you have an Ohio construction vehicle accident lawyer near me?

Yes. We meet accident victims at the following locations:

  • Chesterland. Cambridge Square, 8251. Mayfield Rd. Suite 24
  • Cleveland. 850 Euclid Ave #1122
  • Cincinnati (Downtown). 810 Sycamore St.
  • Cincinnati (East Side). 4628 Aicholtz Rd.
  • Chagrin Falls. 15 1/2 N. Franklin St.

We conduct phone conversations and online video consultations. Our lawyers will make other arrangements to meet you if your injuries prevent you from coming to one of our offices.

We’re happy to answer all your questions and explain your rights.

Speak with our Ohio construction vehicle accident lawyers now

We understand how anxious and frightened you are. Construction vehicles are big machines. When accidents happen, victims are likely to suffer catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, dismemberment, broken bones, and back and shoulder pain. At Crandall & Pera Law, we’ve helped many accident victims like you obtain substantial recoveries. Please call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.