Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Columbus

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Columbus, Ohio?

  Non-emergency calls like non-violent incidents can be directed to Columbus police's non-emergency line at 614-645-4545. Call takers gather information and dispatch an officer depending on personnel availability, with emergency calls always taking precedence.

• Where can you get a copy of the police report for the accident in Columbus, Ohio?

  The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) receives electronic accident reports from the Columbus Division of Police. Once submitted and accepted, these documents are made available on the ODPS website. Note that reports submitted through hard copy will not be available on the website for numerous weeks. You don't need to pay to obtain your accident report online.

• Is it necessary for someone involved in a truck accident in Columbus to seek medical attention even if they feel fine?

  Anyone involved in a vehicle accident should seek medical attention right away because there is a risk of internal bleeding or a brain concussion. By seeking medical attention as soon as possible after the incident, healthcare providers in Columbus can ensure that any injuries sustained are directly related to the accident, and they can provide official medical records to aid in the process of recovering the maximum compensation from insurance companies.

• Who is responsible for a truck accident in Columbus?

  List of possible responsible parties includes the following:

  • Drivers who operate trucks while intoxicated, distracted, or tired.
  • Motorists involved in the accident.
  • Other drivers on the road (such as a driver who cuts off the truck).
  • Truck owners.
  • Trucking companies for pressuring their drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines or for performing insufficient vehicle inspections.
  • Truck maintenance companies.
  • Truck parts manufacturers for defective items, including tires and brakes.
  • Government entities for defective road design.

• What evidence can be used by a Columbus truck accident lawyer to prove the liability of the at-fault party?

  Attorneys can collect a wide range of evidence, from police reports and surveillance footage videos to Ohio toll booth receipts and testimonies of mechanics, in order to build a claim against truck drivers, their employers, and their insurance companies. The black box, an electronic monitoring device installed in trucks, can also provide useful data such as tire pressure and travel time.

• What actions should be avoided in order to receive the maximum compensation for injuries sustained in a truck accident in Columbus?

  • Admitting fault without being aware of external factors such as a drunk truck operator or a defective vehicle component can lead to unintended consequences for the injured party. A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states that over 29% of truck accidents are caused by brake problems.

  • Not monitoring and keeping records of accident-related expenses, such as ambulance transportation and vehicle replacement costs, might hamper an attorney's ability to prove the actual losses incurred.

  • Not filing a truck accident claim in time. According to Ohio law, injured individuals or surviving family members have 24 months from the day of the incident to file lawsuits against at-fault parties.

• Is it possible to sue the City of Columbus for a truck accident involving a government vehicle?

  As stated in section 2744 of the Ohio Revised Code, public entities may be held liable for an individual's injuries in certain circumstances, such as the negligent use of a government-owned vehicle. However, recovering damages from fire and police truck operators may be more difficult if the accident happened while they were responding to an emergency.

• What does a truck accident attorney do?

  A truck accident lawyer is a personal injury attorney specializing in truck accidents. These lawyers help their clients navigate the legally complex terrain of truck accident law by gathering evidence, sending demand letters, negotiating with insurance companies, and preparing the case for trial.In most cases, they are personal injury lawyers who specialize in this particular type of claim.

• Who can be sued in a truck accident case?

  Truck accident liability is a notoriously complex area. In car accidents, liability is typically shared by one or more drivers, but that’s not always the case with truck collisions. These are just a few of the parties that may be responsible for truck accidents and subsequent injuries:

  • Equipment owners, including leasing companies
  • Truck drivers who are reckless, intoxicated, or make mistakes
  • Trucking companies accountable for hiring and keeping records
  • Maintenance providers who are negligent or fail to perform routine tasks
  • Loading personnel in accidents caused by shifting loads
  • Third-party drivers, especially in multi-vehicle collisions
  • Equipment manufacturers that sell defective parts

• What do I need to know about truck accident cases in court?

  In truck accident cases, as in all personal injury cases, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff or party filing the lawsuit. To prevail in court, the plaintiff must prove four things:

  • The plaintiff must show that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, such as having a legal responsibility to hire qualified drivers and maintain safe equipment.
  • In negligence claims, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached this duty.
  • The plaintiff must show that they suffered damages or experienced harm.
  • Finally, the plaintiff must prove that these losses were a direct result of the defendant’s breach.

  
  

• What are the common causes of truck accidents?

  Driver error is the single most common cause of motor vehicle accidents, but a variety of factors come into play on busy highways and secondary roads. Other potential causes of truck accidents include the following:

  • Inadequate or improper driver training
  • Severe weather, including rain, sleet, ice, and fog
  • Dangerous roadways, potholes, and construction zones
  • Improper loading, excess weight, and shifting cargo
  • Reckless driving involving intoxication or distractions
  • Faulty equipment, such as failing brakes

  
  

• Can I sue if I was hit by a truck owned by a big company?

  Yes, all trucking companies are responsible for hiring qualified drivers and maintaining safe equipment. However, a lengthy investigation may be required to document the scene, establish contributing factors, and hold the company responsible. Personal injury attorneys generally focus on the following points during the investigation:

  • Checking the truck driver’s record
  • Securing phone records to prove distracted driving
  • Photographing skid marks and road conditions
  • Verifying the truck’s weight and maintenance history
  • Establishing the driver’s physical and mental health
  • Reviewing logbooks to identify times of service violations
  • Checking for previous violations to establish a pattern of misconduct

  
  

• How many semi truck accidents are there per year?

  In the U.S., it's estimated that there are 500,000 large truck accidents per year with an average of nearly 1,400 per day, according to data collected from police reports. Of those 500,000 accidents, approximately 4,000 result in a death. The majority of semi truck accidents are caused by mechanical defects and driver fatigue.

• Can I sue for being hit by a semi truck?

  If you have been injured in an accident with a semi truck that is not your fault, you are entitled to compensation for the damages to your vehicle as well as for your medical bills, time missed from work, and other damages suffered. You can sue if the person or company refuses to offer fair compensation.

• What should I do after a truck accident?

  The most important thing to do after a serious accident is to seek medical attention. You should also collect witness information, photographs of the accident scene, a copy of the police report, and contact information from the driver of the truck. Gather all of your paperwork related to the accident, including copies of your medical bills. Avoid posting about the accident on social media or speaking to the driver's insurance company before seeking legal advice, because anything you say can be used against you and affect your compensation.

• How long does an 18-wheeler lawsuit take?

  Most lawsuits are settled without going to court, so reaching a settlement can happen at any point that both parties agree on fair compensation. However, in most states, once an agreement has been reached, it cannot be changed, so it's a good idea to wait long enough to ensure that there are no additional injuries before settling.

• Do semi truck accidents go to trial?

  Litigation for semi truck accidents is similar to auto accidents, but it's usually more complicated because any number of parties may ultimately be responsible for the accident, including the company that handles the truck's maintenance or repairs. If attempts at negotiating a settlement with the responsible party are unsuccessful, the lawsuit may proceed to trial. In some cases, more than one party is responsible and one of the parties may fight the lawsuit and claim no responsibility. For these reasons, it's important to seek legal help from an attorney with experience in litigating semi truck accidents.