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Ohio Truck Accident Lawyers
Legal help after you are injured in an accident with an Ohio commercial truck
Truck accidents in Ohio pose a significant danger due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. When these massive trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicles, the consequences can be devastating, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Common causes of truck accidents include driver fatigue, improper maintenance, overloaded cargo, and reckless driving. For victims and their families, the aftermath of such accidents can be overwhelming, involving extensive medical treatment, lost wages, and immense emotional distress.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we house a team of experienced Ohio commercial truck injury lawyers. We bring wrongful death actions and personal injury actions on behalf of families and victims throughout Ohio, including Cleveland, Columbus, Chagrin Falls, Chesterfield, and Cincinnati. Our many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements include a $5.5 million settlement on behalf of a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury when her car was broadsided by an 18-wheel truck. We hold truck drivers and truck owners who cause severe injuries accountable when they alter someone’s life.
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How often do Ohio truck accidents happen?
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports an average of 165 commercial truck accident-related fatalities annually out of an average of 1,123 fatal traffic crashes.
Why are truck accidents so dangerous?
Commercial trucks, on average, cause much more serious injuries than passenger vehicle accidents because of their increased size, weight, and dimensions. The sheer physics of truck collisions means anyone in a car, motorcycle, or on the sidewalk is likely to suffer fatal injuries or permanent harm. Many truck drivers operate at high speeds and cause severe injuries and fatalities because they have to get their delivery to a loading dock on time.
Because they are so deadly and forceful, commercial trucks are highly regulated. Drivers of semi-rigs, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks must carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Truck operators and owners must also comply with the rules and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FMCSA, and other federal and Ohio transportation laws. Trucks need to undergo routine inspections before drivers can operate them.
Why do Ohio truck accidents happen?
Truck accidents in Ohio can occur for various reasons, often involving a combination of human error, mechanical issues, and environmental factors. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours with insufficient rest, leading to drowsiness and decreased reaction times. Fatigue can impair judgment and increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Distracted driving: Using cell phones, eating, adjusting controls, or other distractions can divert a truck driver's attention from the road, resulting in collisions.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications can significantly impair a driver's abilities, leading to dangerous driving behaviors.
- Speeding and reckless driving: Exceeding speed limits or engaging in aggressive driving maneuvers, such as tailgating or frequent lane changes, increases the risk of accidents, especially for large trucks that require longer stopping distances.
- Improper maintenance: Failure to regularly inspect and maintain trucks can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, contributing to accidents.
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: Trucks carrying excessive weight or improperly secured loads can become unstable, making them harder to control and increasing the likelihood of rollover accidents or cargo spills.
- Weather conditions: Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can reduce visibility and create slippery road conditions, making it more difficult for truck drivers to maintain control.
- Driver inexperience or inadequate training: Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers may lack the necessary skills to safely operate large commercial vehicles, leading to mistakes and accidents.
- Road conditions: Poorly maintained roads, construction zones, and unexpected obstacles can contribute to truck accidents by making navigation more challenging.
What types of injuries happen in Ohio truck accidents?
Truck accidents in Ohio can result in a range of severe and life-altering injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. Common types of injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Collisions can cause severe head trauma, leading to concussions, brain contusions, or more severe brain injuries, which can have long-term cognitive and physical effects.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and requiring extensive rehabilitation and long-term care.
- Fractures and broken bones: The impact of a truck accident can cause multiple fractures, including broken arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis, often necessitating surgery and prolonged recovery.
- Internal injuries: The force of a collision can cause internal bleeding and damage to vital organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs, which can be life-threatening and require emergency medical intervention.
- Burns: In accidents involving fuel spills and fires, victims can suffer severe burns, leading to significant pain, scarring, and the need for reconstructive surgery.
- Amputations: The severity of some truck accidents can result in traumatic amputations of limbs, profoundly impacting the victim's quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
- Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass, debris, and contact with the truck or other vehicles can cause deep cuts and lacerations, which may lead to significant blood loss and scarring.
- Psychological trauma: Beyond physical injuries, truck accidents can cause emotional and psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care, significantly impacting the lives of victims and their families.
Who is liable for my Ohio truck accident and injuries?
Determining liability in an Ohio truck accident can be complex, as multiple parties may be responsible for the collision. Potentially liable parties include:
- Truck drivers: If the accident was caused by driver error, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or failing to follow traffic laws, the truck driver may be held liable.
- The trucking company: The company that employs the truck driver may be held responsible if they failed to properly train the driver, enforced unrealistic schedules leading to fatigue, or neglected to maintain the vehicle adequately.
- The truck manufacturer: If a mechanical failure or defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the truck or its parts (such as brakes or tires) could be held liable for producing faulty equipment.
- Cargo loaders: If the accident was caused by improperly loaded or overloaded cargo, the individuals or companies responsible for loading the truck may be held accountable.
- Maintenance providers: Companies or individuals responsible for maintaining and inspecting the truck may be liable if the accident resulted from improper maintenance or failure to address known issues.
- Other drivers: In some cases, other motorists involved in the accident may share liability if their actions contributed to the collision.
- Government entities: If poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or lack of maintenance contributed to the accident, government entities responsible for road upkeep might be held liable.
To determine liability, a thorough investigation is necessary, often involving the examination of evidence such as driver logs, maintenance records, eyewitness accounts, and expert analyses. Our experienced Ohio personal injury attorneys can help identify all responsible parties and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What is the value of my Ohio truck accident case?
The value of an Ohio truck accident case depends on various factors unique to your situation. Typically, key elements that influence the potential compensation include:
- Severity of injuries: The extent and severity of your injuries significantly affect the value of your case. More severe injuries typically result in higher compensation due to increased medical expenses, long-term care needs, and greater pain and suffering.
- Medical expenses: Compensation covers all medical costs related to the accident, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and future medical expenses.
- Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages. This includes not only the income you already lost but also future earnings if you are unable to return to work or must take a lower-paying job due to your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident is often significant, especially in cases involving severe or long-term injuries.
- Property damage: You may be reimbursed for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of consortium: If the accident affects your relationship with your spouse, such as a loss of companionship or support, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving particularly reckless or negligent behavior by the defendant, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
- Degree of fault: Ohio follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. If a court finds that you are more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover any damages.
- Insurance coverage: The insurance policies of the at-fault parties play a crucial role in determining the available compensation. The limits of these policies can affect the total amount you can recover.
To accurately assess the value of your truck accident case, consulting with the experienced personal injury attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law is essential. We can evaluate the specifics of your situation, gather evidence, and work with experts to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Dedicated Ohio truck accident lawyers protecting your rights
Accident victims and their families should contact an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after suffering an injury in a truck accident. Delays can harm the ability to study the physical evidence and can hurt your medical prognosis. Too much delay may mean you lose your right to sue completely. At Crandall & Pera Law, our lawyers compassionately guide clients through each phase of litigation while aggressively fighting to get victims every dollar they deserve. To speak with a lawyer about your case, please call our offices or fill out our contact form. We represent clients in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chesterfield, and Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the surrounding areas.