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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a trucking accident, you might be eligible for a financial settlement to help you with:
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.
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.
“Bob DeRose was a huge help in getting my complaint settled. They were responsive and a huge help with all my questions. Would recommend them to anyone who needs help!”
My experience with this Law firm was phenomenal. I found my way into their offices after an unexpected workplace injury. Initially I was clueless about their performance.
The fact that I was not merely looking out for a supplement for my financial budget, I was simply there to explore whatever compensation was due me since the injury legitimately occcured “during and in the course of my employment”.
After an initial visit to the offices where the necessary documentation were initiated, the rest were simply a phone call for updates. Sometimes it was even needless.
They frankly discussed the pathway as well as the unpredictability of the timing for the process.This was necessary. I took that in good faith. The fact that there was no upfront payment was also a good thing.
Without monitoring my calendar, I waited patiently for the various
phases of the process to unfold.
Finally the claim was settled with so much transparency. The unpredictable journey ended with a check delivered to my mailbox.
In fact communications from this Law office is always expedient. The Front Desk Associate was very helpful and polite at all times. My attorney’s paralegal was always available to play her part whenever necessary.“
“They are top-notch attorneys who are experts in their fields. They do great work and are easy to work with. They care about their clients and always try to do the best job possible for them.”
“I had an amazing experience working with Sandy and Robin on my case. Robin was just a short email or call away from all of my questions. The communication I had with Sandy was just as great. Both Sandy and Robin made sure I knew exactly what was going on with my case at all times. I will be recommending them to others. If I ever need help legal matters in the future, I know I can get the help from Sandy Meizlish.”
“Hi Mr. Sanford A. Meizlish,
Just want to thank you and Robin Griffin for taking care of my case. You were very helpful from my very first call. I appreciate it very much.” – Marina S. (email published with permission)
“I could not be any more pleased with my experience with Jason Cox and Barkan Meizlish. The service, care, and communication with my legal counsel was outstanding and I truly appreciate the quick and thorough resolution to my case. I am grateful for the dedicated hard work of the legal team, they deserve all the thank I can give.”
“Barkan Meizlish DeRose Cox, LLP brought great attention to my case when I needed it. They fought right by my side and were fair with the entire process. Their team was a great help. I’d recommend them to anyone.”
“A-1 team to work with indeed”
Fill out the form below to get started.