Ohio is one of the deadliest states for truck accidents. Every year thousands of crashes involving commercial trucks occur throughout Ohio. Most crash victims are not tractor-trailer occupants, but rather the occupants of passenger vehicles. Accidents between 80,000-pound commercial trucks and 4,000-pound cars are predictably devastating. Common truck accident injuries, such as broken bones, back and neck injuries, head injuries, and internal trauma, can result in extensive missed work, substantial medical bills, and permanent pain and disability. Fatal injuries are also a genuine possibility in a truck accident.
Ohio is a significant crossroad for truck commerce, with the nation’s fourth-largest interstate highway system. Trucks deliver more than 80 percent of all freight shipments by Ohio businesses. In recent years, Ohio truck accidents have increased roughly 15 percent to more than 22,000 annually. These crashes cause, on average, close to 200 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries per year. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ranks Ohio as one of the top ten states for fatal large truck crashes. According to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, truck drivers cause about 60 percent of large truck crashes.
What to Do Following a Truck Accident in Ohio
The moments following a truck accident can be terrifying and stressful. When you are involved in a truck accident, it is challenging to keep a cool head while talking to first responders and other parties at the accident scene. But everything you say—to police officers, other drivers, and insurance companies—can and will be used against you during the claims process. To be clear, you are not required to give a statement to the truck driver’s insurance company. Nor are you required to give a statement to the police at the accident scene (except to present your driver’s license, your name, and address). In fact, doing either could lead to unintended consequences. The accident scene is a legal minefield. Saying the wrong thing could undermine your interests and even lead to self-incrimination.
If you’re able to secure photos of the accident scene, please do so when it’s safe to do so. After seeking medical attention, we recommend you contact one of our truck accident attorneys as soon as possible for legal help.
At Graham Law, our truck accident attorneys have been providing valuable legal help to residents of Ohio for decades. Located in Zanesville and Cambridge, Ohio – our attorneys can serve clients all over Ohio thanks to virtual technology. Contact our legal team today for a free consultation.
How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
Having a competent truck accident attorney from the beginning not only prevents you from making costly mistakes, but we take care of all the heavy lifting so you can focus on your recovery. Our truck accident attorneys will take care of insurance documents, speak to insurance adjusters, and work with experts to build the strongest case possible. We’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and prepare the case for trial if necessary. An injured person’s priority is to get well again. Our priority is to take care of the injury claim process so that you can focus on a fast and full recovery.
Why Truck Accidents Are Different From Other Motor-vehicle Accidents
The most apparent difference between car accidents and large truck accidents is the size discrepancy of the vehicles involved. From a legal standpoint, there are additional factors that make truck accidents very different than car accidents. They include:
- Liability: Unlike car accident liability, which usually comes down to the two drivers, truck accidents can have an extensive web of parties who may be liable. Not only the truck driver, but also the trucking company, the person or company that leased the truck or trailer from the owner, the company that loaded the cargo, the shipper, and the manufacturer of the truck or truck parts may bear liability for an accident. These entities often try to blame one another and minimize their responsibility. Untangling this web requires an experienced truck accident lawyer.
- Government regulations: The trucking industry is subject to numerous state and federal regulations. For example, the FMCSA places restrictions on the number of hours truckers can drive and requires detailed records of the number of hours driven. Truck companies must also perform driver background checks, keep their fleet in good working order, and obey length, width, and weight limits. If a driver and the trucking company violated FMCSA regulations—and this was a contributing factor to an accident—they may be held liable.
- Increased damages: More severe injuries lead to a more complicated claims process. A typical insurance company tactic is to offer a settlement that significantly undervalues a victim’s injuries. Serious injuries can have repercussions that last for years, or even for a person’s lifetime. Recovering full and fair compensation is vital to a victim’s long-term prognosis. Our truck accident attorneys work with medical and financial experts to calculate the real value of an injury claim, including future considerations such as physical therapy, home care, vocational rehabilitation, and diminished earning capacity.
- Preserving evidence: Trucking companies are only required to retain certain vital documents for a relatively short amount of time. Therefore, victims must take quick action to present their best case. For example, you’ll want to secure any cell phone data or video assets from the Department of Transportation and time is of the essence as this kind of data can be wiped out sooner than later. Hiring a truck accident attorney is essential to preserve evidence that could make or break your case.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, contact one of our truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We can help you no matter where you reside in Ohio thanks to virtual technology. Don’t delay and contact our law firm today
