Zanesville Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, thousands of crashes involving commercial trucks occur throughout Ohio. The state 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.

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.

At Graham Law, our Zanesville truck accident attorneys represent drivers, passengers, and families in Zanesville, Cambridge, and throughout Ohio in claims involving commercial trucks, delivery vehicles, and other large commercial fleets. Contact us today to find out how we may be able to help you.

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. What you say and do in those first moments can later be scrutinized by insurers and defense attorneys.

If you are able, after a truck accident, it is often helpful to:

• Prioritize safety and medical care, moving to a safe location if possible and calling 911 to report the crash and any injuries.
• Avoid arguing about fault or making detailed statements about how the crash occurred while you are still in shock.
• Provide law enforcement with your name, address, and driver’s license, and cooperate with basic instructions, but consider waiting to provide a full statement until you have spoken with an attorney.
• Use your phone, if safe, to take photographs and videos of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
• Collect the truck driver’s name, employer, and insurance information, as well as contact information for any witnesses.
• Contact a Zanesville truck accident attorney as soon as possible so that critical evidence can be preserved.

It is important to remember that you are not required to give a statement to the truck driver’s insurance company. You are also not 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.

At Graham Law, our truck accident attorneys in Zanesville and Cambridge have been providing valuable legal help to residents of Muskingum County and Ohio for decades. Contact our legal team today for a free case review.

How Our Zanesville Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help Injured Clients

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 at Graham Law 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.

Understanding Insurance And Compensation After An Ohio Truck Accident

One of the most confusing parts of a truck crash is figuring out which insurance policies apply and how compensation is calculated. Unlike a typical two-car crash, commercial truck accidents can involve multiple layers of coverage and several companies that share financial responsibility.

In a serious truck accident, there may be:

• A liability policy for the truck driver
• Separate liability coverage for the trucking company or motor carrier
• Insurance held by the company that owns or leases the tractor or trailer
• Cargo or shipper-related policies in some circumstances
• Your own auto insurance coverage, including medical payments or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Each insurer will look for ways to limit what it pays. Adjusters may argue about who is primarily responsible, whether certain policies apply, or whether your injuries and losses are as serious as your records suggest. Our Zanesville truck accident attorneys work to identify all available policies, interpret the language in each one, and coordinate claims so important deadlines are not missed.

Compensation in a truck accident claim can include the costs of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, follow-up visits, and rehabilitation. It can also encompass lost wages, reduced future earning capacity, and the cost of assistive devices or home modifications if you are left with lasting limitations. In addition, you may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact of your injuries on family relationships.

Because truck accidents often cause more serious harm than typical passenger-vehicle crashes, it is especially important not to accept a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries and future needs is known. Our team reviews medical records, consults with your providers, and, when appropriate, works with outside experts to estimate long-term costs. That information becomes the foundation for negotiations with the trucking company’s insurers and, if necessary, for presenting your case in an Ohio courtroom.

Why Are Truck Accidents More Complex Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes?

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 also additional factors that make truck accidents very different than car accidents.

Multiple Layers of 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 attorney and potentially a car accident attorney in Zanesville.

Extensive 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 or catastrophic injuries will often lead to a more complicated claims process. A typical insurance company tactic is to offer a settlement that significantly undervalues a victim’s losses, but serious injuries can have repercussions that last for years, or even for a person’s lifetime.

Receiving full and fair compensation is vital to a victim’s long-term prognosis. Our Muskingum County 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.

Time-Sensitive 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 Ohio Department of Transportation. Time is of the essence, as this kind of data can be wiped out sooner rather than later. Hiring a truck accident attorney is essential to preserving evidence that could make or break your case.

Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash anywhere in Ohio, you do not have to go up against a trucking company and its insurers alone. Our Zanesville truck accident attorneys are ready to review your situation and explain your options.

To get started, call (740) 454-8585 or request a free case review online. There is no charge to talk with us, and no obligation to move forward.

Here are some common questions that we get asked.
Each legal case is unique, so we recommend you contact us for specific advice.