Ohio Truck Accident Lawyers

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 case 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 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 for trucking accident victims. From initial investigation to obtaining the necessary medical treatment to the final settlement and economic recovery, our Ohio truck accident attorneys handle all aspects of your case, so you can focus on getting better.

 

Determining Fault for a Truck Accident

If you’ve been in a truck accident, your personal injury claim will be more complicated than a simple vehicle accident. Many different people or companies could be at fault. The first part of filing a truck 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. A trucking company might be responsible 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 truck accident case may be complicated. The knowledgeable Ohio truck accident lawyers at Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP can help.

 

Types of Trucking Accidents

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 caused them to crash differently than passenger vehicles. A few common types of truck accidents are jackknifing, rear-end collisions and blind-spot collisions.

 

Jackknife Crash

A jackknife crash happens when the trailer skids out to the side, forming an “L,” or jackknife shape with the cab. 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.

 

Rear-end Collision

A rear-end collision happens when a truck collides with another vehicle from behind. Trucks do not possess the same stopping power as smaller cars, so the immense weight (up to 80,000 pounds, including loads!) puts tremendous stress on the braking system. As a result, trucks need more room and time to come to a complete stop. Unfortunately, passenger vehicle drivers often forget this and cut trucks off on the highway, causing a rear-end collision. This type of collision may also occur if a truck driver follows another vehicle too closely or ignores the road.

 

Blind-spot Collision

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 cars stay in a truck’s danger zone or the side of the vehicle, a blind-spot collision may occur. A blind-spot crash may happen if a trucker merges lanes on top of the other car and doesn’t see them.

 

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

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.

 

Driver Error

By far, driver error is the leading cause of truck collisions. 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.

 

Equipment Failure

Malfunctioning equipment is another common cause of truck accidents, which the majority caused by failing to maintain 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 installation time, the manufacturer or distributor of the part might be liable for subsequent accidents.

 

Ignoring Federal Laws

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. Breaking any of these rules can increase the risk of an accident and lead to trucking company liability.

 

Trucking Company Negligence

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. It is a trucking company’s job to ensure the safety and performance of drivers and fleet vehicles.

 

Compensation for a Trucking Accident

If you or a loved one has suffered from a trucking accident, you might be eligible 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
  • Legal fees
  • Emotional and physical trauma
  • Funeral expenses
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses

 

Not sure if this applies to you? Give our Ohio 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.

 

Ohio Trucking Accident Lawsuits

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 negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation and secure a settlement if you or a loved one has been in a truck accident.

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