Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting For Ohio Victims’ Compensation
Accidents involving large commercial trucks are some of the most devastating for victims. The massive size and weight of semi-trucks often leave survivors with a lifetime of catastrophic personal injuries, resulting in significant mental anguish and potentially a lifetime of medical care. If the negligent actions of a truck driver or a trucking company left you with such devastating consequences, it is time to seek an exceptional legal team to protect your rights.
At Leeseberg Tuttle, we offer our clients more than 75 combined years of experience in personal injury law. We serve the victims of Columbus trucking accidents in their efforts to secure fair compensation. Through our experience, dedication, and knowledge, we have recovered multimillion-dollar settlements and awards for clients throughout Ohio.
Handling All Varieties Of Commercial Truck Accidents
There are several types of semi-truck crashes, which only take a moment to occur. These types of accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents: When a truck driver brakes and turns suddenly, it can cause their trailer to jackknife and hit other cars.
- Blindspot accidents: Most of the area surrounding 18-wheelers makes passenger cars invisible or otherwise difficult to see for the truck driver.
- Blowouts: A blown tire can cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle and hit someone around them.
- Rear-end and head-on collisions: When a truck driver fails to maintain control of the vehicle or is distracted, they may barrel into a vehicle directly in front of them.
No matter how the accident happened, you deserve the guidance of an experienced attorney to help you secure the compensation you need. The members of our law firm have handled many cases involving commercial vehicles. We know exactly how to assist you, no matter which type of crash you or your loved one endured.
Why You Need Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers
When a major shipping company’s truck driver causes an accident, its legal team will act swiftly in the company’s defense. It may offer you a fast settlement for your damages, but accepting that offer may not be the right decision. A fast settlement is often an attempt to pay victims less financial compensation than they deserve.
You will need a semi-truck injury attorney to advocate for your rights and prevent insurance companies for the trucking industry from taking advantage of you. We can help you determine a fair compensation value based on all relevant factors, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Burial expenses, in cases of wrongful death
Once we know the full value of your damages, we act to negotiate and secure that value. Our personal injury attorneys frequently recover a fair settlement through strategic negotiations. As tough litigators, we are not afraid to continue the fight through litigation if necessary.
The Devastating Damages Caused By Commercial Vehicles
A standard sedan – or even a large sport utility vehicle – is nothing compared to the size of 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers or other commercial trucks. Even a seemingly minor rear-end accident involving these massive trucks can cause irreparable harm to the victim. Some accidents even cause fatal injuries. Just a few of the most common conditions resulting from commercial truck crashes include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Whiplash or neck damage
- Internal organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Amputation
- Partial or total paralysis
- Wrongful death
In addition to physical harm, these crashes can result in mental anguish and emotional distress that haunt you for years. Even if you have one or more of these severe injuries, the trucking industry is often quick to minimize the severity of your accident. Thus, it is critical that you seek medical attention immediately following a commercial truck accident, even if you do not have visible bruises or lacerations.
Answers To Common Questions About Truck Accidents
You probably have a variety of questions that you want to ask an attorney. We understand. Our knowledgeable team members can provide the information you need. Below, we’ve provided answers to some of the questions we receive most often from clients and prospective clients.
What are the most common causes of trucking accidents?
In many cases, truck drivers and/or trucking companies are to blame for causing auto accidents. Specific causes include:
- Commercial driver fatigue or drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Speeding
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to inspect, repair and maintain trucks
- Cargo that is too heavy, improperly secured or unbalanced
- Failure to respond to changing weather conditions, road conditions, or traffic patterns
- Poorly trained and inexperienced truck drivers
As soon as you contact our firm, we begin a thorough investigation into the crash to determine why it happened and who was to blame.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
Each case is unique. Your compensation will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, lost wages, property damage, and more. Truck accidents tend to result in higher settlements and jury awards than other auto accident claims because they are more likely to involve catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries or wrongful death.
Who is liable for the truck accident?
Truck crash litigation often involves numerous defendants. If the truck driver is at fault, their employer may be jointly or vicariously liable. Depending on the details of the incident, we may also help you bring a claim against the business that owned the transported cargo, a repair shop that inadequately serviced the truck, the warehouse that loaded the vehicle, or an auto manufacturer that supplied faulty parts.
How long can I wait before taking legal action?
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. However, you will want to act much sooner than that. It takes considerable time and effort to gather evidence and build a compelling case.
You should seek legal help immediately to preserve evidence and maximize your legal options. After a trucking accident, insurance companies are typically on the scene within hours, working diligently to control both the evidence and the narrative. By hiring a good attorney as soon as reasonably possible, you are giving yourself the best chance of a successful outcome in future settlement negotiations or litigation.
Can any personal injury lawyer handle my truck accident claim?
Legally, the answer is yes. However, truck accident claims are highly complex and insurance companies will aggressively defend these lawsuits. Many attorneys lack the knowledge, skill, and experience to effectively represent accident victims and their families.
As one of Ohio’s premier personal injury firms, we are more than ready to provide the representation you need, both in and out of the courtroom. Our Columbus trucking accident lawyers have a strong record of success in litigation. We don’t tolerate an insurance company’s lowball settlement offer or attempts to evade responsibility.
What should I do if the trucking company’s insurer contacts me?
Do not speak to the other party’s insurance representatives. They are calling in the hopes that you will agree to accept a lowball settlement offer or that you will accidentally say something that could weaken your claim. You have no obligation to speak with the insurance company, and you have nothing to gain and much to lose by doing so. It is best to simply decline to answer any questions and refer them to your attorney.
Speak With Our Compassionate and Experienced Team Members Today
If you are ready to meet with our committed team of Columbus trucking accident lawyers, contact us by calling us toll-free at 855-445-6266 or by using our online contact form. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin to fight for you; so contact us today. We provide free initial consultations.