When a massive commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences often leave victims with both physical and emotional wounds.
An 18-wheeler’s immense size and weight can result in a devastating impact when it strikes a much smaller car. The sheer force of the collision can cause catastrophic injuries, ranging from broken bones to life-altering head and spinal trauma.
In addition to the physical toll, truck accidents often lead to significant property damage, compounding the emotional distress and financial strain on victims and their families. The path to recovery can involve extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Those affected by a truck accident should know that support is available. Seeking help from loved ones, medical experts, and skilled legal professionals can provide the guidance and resources to pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.
If you sustained injuries due to a truck crash, a dedicated truck accident injury attorney might help you.
You can seek monetary compensation if a negligent truck driver caused your injuries. Thankfully, you do not have to take on these large trucking companies or their insurance providers alone.
Our Columbus truck accident lawyer will help you obtain the damages owed to you.
Working with one of our dedicated injury attorneys gives you access to years of experience in these cases and assurance that your claim will be filed within a reasonable time.
Get a free, no-obligation consultation today to see if you deserve compensation.
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Columbus Truck Accident Guide
Why Choose Our Columbus Truck Accident Lawyers?
With over 25 years of experience, the Cincinnati personal injury lawyers at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy have a proven track record of successfully defending the rights of injured individuals.
Our dedicated team is committed to fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve for your suffering and losses.
No Upfront Costs: Everyone should have access to an attorney, regardless of their economic circumstances.
That’s why we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay any fees unless we win your case. Case closed.
Proven Results: Our firm has a history of locking in considerable settlements for our clients, including:
- $4.9 million for a 24-year-old student severely injured in a bicycle accident
- $1.1 million for a man permanently maimed while performing maintenance on industrial equipment
- Over $300,000 for a 66-year-old man injured during a dog attack
We know that the physical, emotional, and financial toll truck accident injuries can take on you and your loved ones.
When you choose O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, you know your case is in the hands of experienced, dedicated professionals who will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Factors in a Tractor-Trailer Crash
You can hold a truck operator liable in an accident if they act negligently, such as by driving too fast for conditions or failing to yield the right-of-way.
Many careless and illegal actions a truck driver can take increase the chance of a collision. A moving violation involving a truck is hazardous, given the challenge of maneuvering these large vehicles without causing a crash.
Truck drivers are not immune to the risks of distraction, either. Distracted driving by truck and 18-wheeler operators has quickly become a significant cause for concern on Columbus roadways.
When truckers take their eyes off the road to operate a radio or read an email, they can fail to see changing road conditions until it is too late to avoid a crash.
A knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Columbus could begin the investigation by examining the common factors in shipping company collisions.
Commercial Vehicle Regulations
Other hazardous factors cause truck crashes besides driver negligence. A Columbus attorney will advise victims of special rules and regulations that, when violated, can contribute to a truck collision.
Commercial truck laws include federal regulations restricting how long a trucker can be on the road without a break. These “hours of service” rules require a driver to take mandatory breaks daily and weekly to avoid fatigue.
Weight regulations also apply to commercial trucks. Due to their mass, overweight or unbalanced trucks are more likely to roll over and cause significant damage.
Compensation In a Columbus Truck Accident Lawsuit
Due to the potential for severe injuries, the damages available in a truck crash lawsuit can be substantial.
No two semi-truck collision cases are the same, and obtaining fair compensation can require the skill of an experienced lawyer.
Ohio Truck Accident Litigation Process
Maneuvering Ohio’s truck accident claims process is complicated and time-consuming. Understanding the key steps is fundamental to seeking justice and compensation.
Here’s a summary:
- Prioritize Your Health: After an accident, your physical well-being takes precedence. Seek prompt medical attention to address your injuries and create a record of your treatment to use in litigation.
- Retain Legal Representation: Enlist the aid of a skilled personal injury attorney who can navigate the complexities of the legal system and advocate for your interests.
- Gather Evidence: Your legal team will conduct a thorough investigation into your case, assembling evidence, securing witness testimony, and enlisting expert opinions to strengthen your position.
- Engage in Insurance Discussions: Your attorney will typically initiate a dialogue with the responsible party’s insurance provider to pursue a just settlement on your behalf.
- Initiate Legal Action: Should negotiations fail to produce an acceptable resolution, your lawyer may advise filing a lawsuit to assert your rights in court.
- Exchange Information: In the discovery stage, both parties share relevant information and evidence, such as depositions, to illuminate the case’s details.
- Pursue Resolution: Many personal injury disputes conclude through mediation, where an impartial mediator facilitates a mutually beneficial settlement. If mediation efforts are unsuccessful, the case may advance to trial, where a judge or jury will decide.
- Consider an Appeal: Should either side find the trial’s outcome unsatisfactory, they may seek review by a higher court through the appeal process.
Throughout this intricate process, having a dedicated and experienced personal injury attorney by your side can make all the difference in achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Truck Accident in Ohio?
After a truck accident in Ohio, you may be able to claim various types of damages depending on the specifics of your case.
Some of the common damages sought in truck accident claims include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and other medical costs related to your injuries.
- Future medical costs: If your injuries require ongoing treatment or care, you can seek compensation for anticipated future medical expenses.
- Lost wages: This includes reimbursement for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries and any future lost earning capacity if your ability to work is impaired.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident and your injuries.
- Property damage: Compensation for repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed, you may be able to seek damages for this loss.
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the negative impact your injuries have on your relationship with your spouse, such as loss of companionship, affection, and support.
- Punitive damages: When extreme negligence or intentional misconduct is involved, the court may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one died in a truck accident, family members might be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
An experienced truck accident attorney can assess the full extent of your damages and fight for the compensation you deserve based on the unique circumstances of your case.
Top Injuries in Columbus Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and skull fractures can result from the forceful impact of a truck collision.
- Neck and back injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and paralysis can occur due to the sudden jerking motion or blunt force trauma experienced in a truck accident.
- Broken bones: Fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, and other bones are common in truck accidents due to the immense force of the impact.
- Chest injuries: Blunt force trauma to the chest can cause broken ribs, punctured lungs, cardiac contusions, and internal bleeding.
- Abdominal injuries: The force of a truck accident can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can result from the sudden and forceful movement experienced in a truck crash.
- Lacerations and contusions: Broken glass, metal, and other debris in the collision can cause deep cuts, bruises, and abrasions.
- Crush injuries: When a passenger vehicle is pinned under or between a truck and another object, occupants may suffer crushing injuries, severely damaging to body parts or internal organs.
- Burn injuries: If a truck accident involves a fire or explosion, victims may suffer from severe burns and disfigurement.
- Emotional trauma: Truck accidents can also cause emotional distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
How bad a truck accident injury is depends on the speed of the vehicles, the point of impact, and whether the occupants were wearing seat belts.
Truck accident victims must seek prompt medical attention and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.
Let a Columbus Truck Accident Attorney Assist with Your Claim
When you pursue a truck accident claim, you hope to recover compensation that can simplify your recovery.
While monetary damages will not undo what happened, our attorneys ease the recovery process and remove some of the financial strain that can come with a crash.
Life after an accident is uber-stressful. Hiring a reputable Columbus truck attorney is vital to protecting your rights.
We know you want to put the accident behind you ASAP, and we work to resolve your case quickly. We will provide personalized attention to your case every step of the process.
We are experienced negotiators who work directly with insurance companies so you can focus on the most essential thing: your health.
Although we are prepared to handle your case outside the courtroom, our injury attorneys are also prepared to take your case to court if the insurance company fails to provide you with fair compensation.
At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, we put your best interests first and do everything possible to help ensure you receive the compensation you need.
If you are interested in discussing your claim, don’t wait. O’Connor, Acciani & Levy have been representing the rights of the injured for more than 30 years, and we have successfully recovered tens of millions on behalf of our clients.
Contact one of our trusted personal injury attorneys in Columbus immediately at (614) 545-5162 to discuss your legal situation.
