Columbus, Ohio Truck Accident Attorneys
LEGAL MATTERS HANDLED PERSONALLY SINCE 1957
Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP has been helping trucking accident victims get the justice and compensation they deserve for over 65 years. Our Ohio truck accident lawyers secure justice for victims who’ve suffered from the negligence of others. We pride ourselves on having some of the best personal injury attorneys in the nation, so your trucking accident lawsuit is in good hands.
A trucking accident that results in personal injury is one of the most traumatic and stressful experiences an individual will ever go through. Not only does a victim suffer from physical and emotional trauma, but they also face financial responsibilities such as outstanding medical bills and future medical treatments.
At Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP, we aim to alleviate emotional and financial concerns in Columbus trucking accident lawsuits. From initial investigation, to obtaining the necessary medical treatment, to the final settlement and economic recovery, our Columbus truck accident lawyers handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on getting better.
Types and Causes of Columbus Trucking Accident Lawsuits
While Columbus trucking accident lawsuits can happen the same way as regular motor vehicle accidents—driver distraction, driving under the influence, disobeying roadway rules—truckers have other risk factors.
For example, truckers drive long hours by themselves, increasing the risk of drowsy driving, resulting in a collision. However, the leading cause of Columbus trucking accident lawsuits is negligence, which includes driver error, speeding, failure to yield right of way, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic signals, failure to keep an assured clear distance, and failure to alter driving techniques in inclement weather. Additionally, a truck accident could happen based on equipment failure or if truck drivers ignore federal laws or engage in negligent behavior.
When a truck gets into a collision or other adverse traffic event, it tends to crash in a few distinct ways. The size, weight, and structure of trucks cause them to crash differently than passenger vehicles. A few common types of truck accidents are jackknifing, rear-end collisions and blind-spot collisions, and lawyers from our firm stand ready to help you with each.
When the trailer skids out to the side, forming an “L,” or “jackknife” shape with the cab, it causes a jackknife crash. Lawyers can help with these types of cases. If a driver incorrectly uses the brakes on a decline or sharp turn, it likely results in a jackknife, where the driver cannot control the truck.
You need a rear-end collision lawyer when a truck collides with another vehicle from behind. Trucks and trailers are large and weigh an average of 80,000 pounds. Consequently, trucks need more room and time to come to a complete stop.
This type of collision may occur if a truck driver follows another vehicle too closely or ignores the road, or when passenger vehicles cut in front of a truck and do not allow them ample room for braking. In either case, a rear-end collision lawyer can help.
Blind-spot collisions frequently occur due to the significant blind spots that truckers experience. The length of 18-wheelers makes it impossible for truck drivers to see every side of the vehicle.
When smaller passenger vehicles stay in a truck’s danger zone or the side of the trailer, a blind-spot collision may occur. A blind-spot crash may happen if a truck merges lanes on top of the other car and doesn’t see them. If you’ve been in a blind-spot collision, our lawyers can help.
While trucking accidents can happen the same way as regular motor vehicle accidents—driver distraction, driving under the influence, disobeying roadway rules—truckers have other risk factors. For example, truckers drive long hours by themselves, increasing the risk of drowsy driving, resulting in a collision. However, two leading causes of truck accidents are driver error and equipment failure. Additionally, a truck accident could happen if truck drivers ignore federal laws or engage in negligent behavior.
Negligence, like driver error, is by far the leading cause of Columbus trucking accident lawsuits. Truck drivers are ten times more likely to be responsible for a crash than any other factor in road condition, vehicle performance, and weather.
Truck drivers are under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines, so they stay on the road for hours. Fatigue, use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, speeding, and inattention are among the most common factors contributing to driver error.
Malfunctioning equipment is another common cause of Columbus truck accident lawsuits, with the majority caused by a failure to perform regular maintenance on the truck.
An improperly inspected truck may have tire or brake issues that cause dangerous collisions. Parts failure may point to a problem with the item itself, not its maintenance. If a truck part had a defect at the time of installation, the manufacturer or distributor of the part might be liable in subsequent Columbus trucking accident lawsuits.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has hundreds of regulations to improve truck safety around the country. For example, the FMCSA sets standards for trucker hiring and training, fleet maintenance, driving techniques, cargo loading, sleep schedules, etc.
Truckers ignoring federal laws can increase the risk of an accident and lead to trucking company liability.
If a truck has problems with equipment, a parts failure, load shifting, lost loads, or maintenance, the trucking company may be liable for accidents resulting from this negligence. A failure to ensure the safety and performance of drivers and fleet vehicles is trucking company negligence, and a Columbus truck accident lawyer can help.
Determining Fault for a Truck Accident
If you’ve been in a truck accident, your personal injury claim may be more complicated than a simple vehicle accident. Many different people or companies could be at fault.
The first part of filing a Columbus trucking accident lawsuit is determining who is at fault and to what degree each party is to blame. Possible at-fault parties include:
- The truck driver. Many truckers own their trucks and work as independent contractors, in which case, the truck driver is to blame.
- The trucking company who employed the driver. Trucking company negligence might be a reasonable claim if they negligently hired the truck driver or failed to maintain the truck properly.
- The manufacturer of the truck. If a product defect leads to a crash, the manufacturer might be responsible.
- The shipper. The shipper is likely to blame in cases where improper loading plays a role in the accident.
One of these entities may shoulder all the blame for an accident, or the blame may be distributed amongst several parties. As a result, your Columbus trucking accident lawsuit may be complicated. The knowledgeable Ohio truck accident lawyers at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP can help.
Compensation for Trucking Accidents
If you or a loved one has suffered from a trucking accident, our lawyers can help establish your eligibility for a financial settlement to help you with:
- Outstanding medical bills
- Current and future medical treatments, rehabilitation, or therapy
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Vehicle downtime
- Legal fees
- Emotional and physical trauma
- Funeral expenses
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Contact Our Columbus Trucking Accident Attorneys
Give our Columbus truck accident lawyers a call at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP to see if you have a truck accident case and find out how we can help you get the justice and proper compensation you deserve.
Our team of Ohio truck accident attorneys at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP is here to help Ohioans get justice and compensation if they or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of another. Contact us today for a free consultation or give us a call at 614-221-4221 if you or a loved one have been in a truck accident.
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