Zanesville Commercial Vehicle Accidents Attorneys
Commercial vehicle accidents remain a serious safety issue on Ohio roads. The latest official statewide summary shows 131 commercial-involved fatal traffic crashes resulting in 150 deaths in Ohio in 2024. Commercial vehicles may include public transportation buses, private passenger taxis, ride-shares, box trucks, delivery vans, transport trucks, utility vehicles, and other types of vehicles.
Larger vehicles have more mass, which makes it more difficult to brake or steer away from a collision. Regardless of who is at fault, a person in a smaller vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist is at greater risk of serious or fatal injury after an impact with a larger vehicle, such as a commercial bus or transport truck.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible for compensation that may help cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and more. At Graham Law, our Zanesville personal injury attorneys help clients in Zanesville, Cambridge, Muskingum County, and throughout Ohio pursue claims involving commercial vehicle negligence. You can meet with us in Zanesville or Cambridge, and your first case review is free.
Contact our Zanesville car accident attorneys today to schedule a free case review with our commercial vehicle accident attorneys and learn how Graham Law may be able to help.
Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Ohio
According to Ohio’s Department of Public Safety, commercial and heavy-vehicle crashes involve many of the same negligent behaviors seen in other traffic collisions, including impaired driving, distraction, speeding, and fatigue. Ohio’s crash and traffic safety systems also continue to identify roadway and driver-related factors in statewide crash reporting.
Common causes of commercial vehicle accidents may include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Distracted driving (eg, texting at the wheel)
- Reckless driving
- Driver fatigue
- And more
Adverse weather conditions and poor road maintenance may likewise play a role in road collisions. Particularly in commercial vehicles, which may be prone to greater wear and tear as a result of frequent use, faulty vehicle mechanics (eg, worn-out brakes, broken headlights) can contribute to a collision.
The drivers of transport vehicles, whether passenger buses or cargo trucks, are often beholden to a schedule that may influence their choices behind the wheel. When a schedule places extreme pressure on a driver, the resulting speed or route alternatives may increase the risk of a collision.
The way cargo is loaded in a transport truck is also essential to its safety on the road. Uneven cargo can cause a truck to tip over in a sudden turn, and poorly secured cargo can spill out onto the road, forcing other vehicles to swerve, brake, and potentially crash into one another.
Driving a large vehicle may require specialized training, close compliance with safety policies, and proper maintenance oversight. Unfortunately, some businesses attempt to save time and money by minimizing training or cutting corners on inspection and repair practices. This may increase the likelihood of a serious Ohio truck accident or another type of commercial vehicle accident.
Why Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims Are Often More Complicated
One of the most confusing parts of a commercial vehicle crash is figuring out which insurance policies apply and how compensation is calculated. Unlike a typical two-car crash, commercial vehicle accident claims can involve multiple layers of coverage and several companies that share financial responsibility. This can include the driver, the driver’s employer, the owner of the vehicle, a maintenance company, a cargo-loading company, or another business entity.
For example, if your collision involved a delivery vehicle, a utility truck, a shuttle, or a rideshare vehicle, the person behind the wheel may not be the only party whose actions matter. A careful investigation may be needed to determine whether the company’s policies, training, vehicle maintenance, dispatch pressure, or hiring practices played a role in the crash.
That is one reason many injured people in Zanesville, Cambridge, and Muskingum County choose to speak with an attorney early. Preserving records, obtaining reports, and identifying all potentially responsible parties can be important to the outcome of the claim.
Common Injuries in a Commercial Vehicle Accident
Injuries sustained in a collision with a commercial vehicle accident can range widely, from minor to life-threatening. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Organ damage
- And more
Injuries such as trauma to the brain or spinal cord can result in life-altering conditions such as complete or partial paralysis, loss of cognitive functions, and more. As a result, an injured accident survivor may not be able to continue working in their current job, or potentially in any job.
The resulting financial stress may be made worse by mounting medical bills, the costs of rehabilitative treatments, medication, possible attendant care, and necessary home alterations (eg, ramps, railings). In especially severe cases, a person may also need long-term support for injuries that qualify as catastrophic injuries.
There may be financial support available. With the assistance of our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Zanesville, you may be eligible to receive compensation to help offset the costs incurred as a result of your accident. Contact us at Graham Law today to learn more.
What is Required as Proof in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim?
A personal injury claim, including a commercial vehicle accident claim, requires evidence as to the nature and circumstances of the accident and its effects. When you work with our commercial vehicle accident attorneys, we will ask guiding questions to clarify your story and provide tailored support as to the evidence you may need.
The more evidence you are able to gather regarding your accident, the better. This may include:
- Photographs and videos at the accident scene
- A medical report from your physician
- Eyewitness testimony
- A police report from the collision scene
- Information about the other driver(s) involved
- Information about any other parties involved in the accident
- And more
If your commercial vehicle accident involved a truck, there may be relevant evidence in the driver’s logbook or the vehicle’s “black box.” If the accident involved a rideshare vehicle, there may be information available in the driver’s rideshare account.
Evidence may also be important when a pedestrian or cyclist is involved. Vulnerable road users can suffer especially severe injuries when struck by larger vehicles.
What Compensation May Be Available After A Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Depending on the facts of the case, compensation in a commercial vehicle accident claim may include support for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash
- And more
If a commercial vehicle collision causes fatal injuries, surviving family members may also need to explore whether a wrongful death claim should be considered under Ohio law. Families in Zanesville, Cambridge, and across Muskingum County may be facing funeral costs, lost household income, and profound emotional loss all at once. Graham Law can help evaluate what legal options may exist.
Why Work With Graham Law After A Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Recovering from a commercial vehicle accident can be a challenging process. At Graham Law, we strive to lift the burden of legal questions so that you can focus on your health. Our team serves clients from offices in Zanesville and Cambridge, and we regularly work with injured people and families throughout Muskingum County and across Ohio.
When appropriate, we help clients investigate liability, identify potentially responsible companies, gather records, evaluate damages, and deal with insurance companies that may try to reduce or deny their claims. Whether your collision involved a delivery van, a company car, a rideshare vehicle, a shuttle, a utility truck, or a larger commercial fleet vehicle, our attorneys can help you understand your next steps.
Book a Free Case Review with our Zanesville Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Today
Recovering from a commercial vehicle accident can be a challenging process. At Graham Law, we strive to lift the burden of legal questions so that you can focus on your health. An initial consultation with our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Zanesville is free of charge.
Contact us today online or by phone at (740) 454-8585 and see how we might make a difference for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions that we get asked.
Each legal case is unique, so we recommend you contact us for specific advice.
What counts as a commercial vehicle accident in Ohio?
A commercial vehicle accident generally involves a vehicle being used for business or commercial purposes. This may include semi-trucks, delivery vans, box trucks, buses, utility vehicles, company cars, rideshare vehicles, taxis, and other vehicles operated for work. These cases can be more complex than ordinary car accidents because they may involve additional insurance policies and multiple potentially responsible parties.
What should I do after a commercial vehicle accident in Zanesville or Cambridge?
After a commercial vehicle accident, your health should come first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, report the crash to law enforcement, and try to document the scene if you are physically able. Photographs, witness information, and details about the commercial vehicle and company involved may be helpful later. It is also often wise to speak with an attorney before giving detailed statements to an insurance company.
Who can be held responsible for a commercial vehicle accident?
Depending on the facts, liability may extend beyond the driver. A claim could involve the driver, the driver’s employer, the company that owns the vehicle, a maintenance provider, a cargo-loading company, or another business connected to the vehicle’s operation. Determining responsibility often requires a careful review of records, policies, and the circumstances of the crash.
Are commercial vehicle accident claims different from regular car accident claims?
In most cases, yes. Commercial vehicle accident claims are often more complicated than standard car accident cases. They may involve larger insurance policies, corporate defendants, maintenance issues, driver qualification concerns, or business records that are not present in an ordinary two-vehicle crash. Because of that, these cases often require a more detailed investigation.
What if I was hit by a delivery van, rideshare driver, or company vehicle?
You may still have a personal injury claim. Even if the vehicle was not a semi-truck, a crash involving a delivery van, rideshare vehicle, work truck, or other company-operated vehicle can raise commercial liability issues. These cases may involve questions about whether the driver was working at the time of the crash and whether a business or insurer may share responsibility.
How long do I have to file a commercial vehicle accident claim in Ohio?
Deadlines can apply to injury claims, and waiting too long can make it harder to protect your rights or preserve important evidence. Generally, under Ohio law, personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the accident taking place. However, because the facts of every case are different, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Early action may also help preserve records that could later become difficult to obtain.
What if a commercial vehicle accident caused a catastrophic injury or wrongful death?
Commercial vehicle accidents can cause extremely serious harm, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other life-changing conditions. In fatal cases, surviving family members may also need to consider whether a wrongful death claim should be pursued. These cases are often financially and emotionally overwhelming, which is one reason many families seek legal guidance early.