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Chagrin Falls Truck Accident Lawyers
Experienced trucking accident attorneys in Ohio seeking compensation for you
All types of trucks, from delivery trucks and vans to large tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers, regularly drive through Chagrin Falls. Whether the trucks are delivering shipments or just driving through, trucks are much more dangerous than cars. At Crandall & Pera Law, our lawyers are respected by former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our record of success representing truck accident victims. We work to show which trucking companies, in addition to the driver, are liable for truck injuries or deaths. Our dedicated team demands full compensation for all financial damages, pain and suffering, and other harm.
In one case, our Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyers obtained $20.5 million for a student and his family when he was run over by a truck at a construction site. We hired internationally known experts. After several years of contentious litigation, we settled the case for our client for $20.5 million.
In another case, we obtained a $5.5 million settlement for a woman who was broadsided by an 18-wheeler truck, causing a severe traumatic brain injury.
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Table of Contents
- What types of trucks cause accidents in Chagrin Falls?
- How dangerous are truck accidents?
- What types of truck accidents do you handle in Chagrin Falls?
- Why do truck accidents happen?
- What laws govern commercial trucks in Ohio?
- What types of injuries do you handle?
- Which defendants are liable for Chagrin Falls truck accidents?
- How do you show who’s responsible for Chagrin Falls truck accidents?
- Do you have a Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyer near me?
What types of trucks cause accidents in Chagrin Falls?
Large commercial trucks and small trucks regularly cause accidents. Often, car occupants and pedestrians are lucky to survive. Our Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyers represent victims no matter what type of truck is involved. We handle Ohio truck accidents involving:
- Tractor-trailers
- Semis
- Semis
- 18-wheelers
- HAZMAT trucks
- Flatbeds
- Delivery trucks
- Fire trucks
- Garbage and dump trucks
- Back-hoes
- All other types of trucks
How dangerous are truck accidents?
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 5,340 fatal truck accidents nationwide in 2021. Trucks are dangerous for many reasons, including:
- They’re difficult to control. That’s why drivers of commercial trucks need a special commercial driver’s license. Trucks have blind spots that make it hard for drivers to see.
- Cargo challenges. The cargo may shift or spill during the trip if it’s not properly loaded or secured.
- Their size. Trucks are longer, taller, wider, and heavier than most cars. Some trucks weigh as much as 20-30 times as much as a car.
- Stopping distance. Trucks need more time and distance to stop than most cars.
- Visibility problems. It can be hard for vehicles near the truck to see around the truck.
There are many other dangers depending on the type of truck. We understand those dangers and what steps truck drivers and truck companies should take to prevent accidents from happening.
What types of truck accidents do you handle in Chagrin Falls?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we have the experience and working relationships with investigators, traffic reconstruction experts, product safety experts, and other experts to handle all types of truck accidents, including:
- Jackknife. When truck drivers take turns too fast, the tractor or trailer skids, or the tractor and trailer move at different speeds or in different directions – both parts of the truck can close in on each other like the blades of a jackknife. The result is that the tractor-trailer spreads across the road, endangering the truck driver and any vehicles nearby.
- Truck rollovers.Trucks that aren’t properly loaded and trucks that speed or take turns too fast are prone to rolling over. Truck rollovers can kill the driver, cause cargo to spill, and jeopardize the safety of any cars or people near the site of the rollover.
- Blind spot accidents.Trucks have blind spots due to their length, width, and lack of windows. Truck drivers and trucking companies should be held liable when they fail to monitor their blind spots when passing, turning, backing out, or changing lanes.
- Wide-turn accidents. Our Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyers file lawsuits when drivers fail to be in the proper position when turning. Any cars near a turning truck can be crushed if the driver isn’t careful and/or fails to warn nearby vehicles.
- Underride accidents.Trucking companies must install rear safety guards and should install side guards to prevent small cars from sliding under the truck in case a car and truck collide. Cars that slide under tall trucks can kill or severely injure the occupants of the car.
- Override accidents. These accidents occur when a tall truck rides over a smaller car.
- Cargo spills and shifts.There are specific rules for loading every type of material. Loads can move while the truck is traveling, which can cause the driver to lose control. If cargo spills, any vehicles near the spill may collide with the spilled cargo or collide with other vehicles in an attempt to get out of the way of the spilled cargo.
Trucks are also often involved in the same types of accidents as cars. These accidents include head-on crashes, broadsides, rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, single-vehicle accidents, and multiple-vehicle accidents.
What are the most common causes of truck accidents?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we’re skilled at showing why a truck driver and trucking companies should be held accountable for your accident. Some of the many causes of truck accidents in Chagrin Falls include:
Driver negligence
- Driver distractions such as texting or looking at a GPS
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driver fatigue
- Speeding and other traffic violations
- Failing to inspect the tires and other key parts of the truck before each trip
Trucking company negligence
- Failing to vet drivers who lack experience or have poor driving records
- Failing to educate drivers about how to drive the truck to avoid possible accidents
- Failing to monitor the driving performance of truck drivers
- Not inspecting their trucks on a regular basis
- Not removing unsafe vehicles from the roads until repairs are made
- Employer liability – employers are generally liable for the negligence of the truck drivers they employ
- Pressuring drivers to prioritize delivery time over traffic safety
- Improperly loading the truck
Other types of negligence
- Defective truck parts
- Defective road design
What laws govern commercial trucks in Ohio?
Crandall & Pera Law understands the federal and Ohio laws that regulate commercial driving. These laws include:
- The Hours of Service rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules regulate how long truck drivers can drive on a daily basis and over a 6/7 day period.
- The loading and unloading rules of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. These rules determine how different types of cargo should be loaded onto commercial trucks.
- Other rules that regulate:
- The size and weight of trucks
- Commercial driver’s license requirements
- Truck maintenance
- Black box and electronic log requirements
- Trucks with hazardous materials
- Other safety regulations
- The state and local traffic laws
Violations of these laws help show that a truck driver or trucking company was liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one.
In addition to using these laws to help show the liability of drivers, we also work with professionals who understand the truck industry standards for the type of truck that caused your accident.
What types of injuries do Chagrin Falls accidents cause?
Truck accidents are often life-changing. The victims often suffer catastrophic or permanent injuries. Many truck accident victims live with chronic pain.
At Crandall & Pera Law, our personal injury lawyers are skilled at handling all types of serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and other types of head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis and herniated discs
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Burn injuries
- Lung, kidney, and other types of organ damage
- Nerve, tendon, ligament, tissue, and muscle injuries – including whiplash
- Loss of hearing or sight
- Shoulder, neck, and back pain
- Severe cuts, lacerations, and bruises
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
- Other severe injuries
Our Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyers represent families when a close family member tragically dies.
Which defendants are liable for Chagrin Falls truck accidents?
Our Chagrin Falls truck accident attorneys file claims against everyone who caused your accident, including:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The owner of the truck
- The trucking companies involved in the shipment
- Truck maintenance and repair companies
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts
- A seller of alcohol to a driver who was visibly intoxicated or a minor who caused your accident due to their intoxication
- The Ohio Department of Transportation or other governmental agencies/entities
How do you show who’s responsible for Chagrin Falls truck accidents?
At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand the unique challenges involved when truck accidents cause injuries or take the life of a loved one. Our advocates handle all phases of your truck accident claim, including:
- Investigating how the accident happened. We work with investigators, the police, federal and state officials, traffic reconstruction experts, product safety experts, truck industry specialists, and others to show how your accident occurred, who is responsible, and why they’re responsible.
- Assessing your medical injuries. We work with your physicians and our own medical experts when necessary to verify your injuries and determine all the medical care you’ll need (for the rest of your life), the cost of your medical care, and every way your injuries are affecting every part of your life.
- Preparing your claim. We review all of your damages, including your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, loss of bodily function, and all other economic and personal damages. Our team can then determine the value of your claim.
- Negotiating with the insurance company. We prepare formal demand letters and negotiate with the insurance companies for the defendants. Many truck accident cases conclude through a settlement.
- Arguing your case in court. Our Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyers are seasoned trial lawyers. We have an impressive record of jury verdicts. Our lawyers are skilled at persuasively arguing your case before judges and juries.
We also understand the different defenses that insurance companies and defense lawyers may use to try to deny or limit your claim. Our lawyers are ready to respond to those defenses.
Do you have a Chagrin Falls truck accident lawyer near me?
Crandall & Pera Law meets truck accident victims at our office located at 15 ½ N Franklin St.
in Chagrin Falls. If your injuries prevent you from coming to our office, we will meet you away from the office. Our lawyers consult with accident victims and families by phone and through online conferences.
We’re prepared to fight for all the compensation you deserve to help you restart your life and pay your bills.
Get help today by calling our respected truck accident lawyers
The truck companies have high-priced lawyers on their side. You need experienced lawyers who have successfully negotiated settlements and tried cases in court. At Crandall & Pera Law, we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we only receive compensation if you do. To schedule an appointment, call us or use our contact form. We also have offices in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Chesterland.