A motor vehicle accident involving a large truck is typically more destructive, dangerous, and deadly than one involving only passenger cars. Since many large trucks are commercial and travel on interstate business, recovering compensation after a truck accident can also be more complex than a simple car accident.
However, you have a legal right to compensation if you were in a truck accident that was caused by someone else. If you suffered an injury or your loved one died in a truck accident in Columbus, Ohio, a Columbus truck accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC may be able to help you with your case. Call our team at (844) 430-1030 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we could help you.
Truck Accident Severity
Semis, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, utility trucks, other commercial trucks, and even large personal use pickup trucks — while these vehicles have important uses, they also present unique dangers on the road. Because of the massive weight and size of trucks, an accident involving one or more of them usually has much more severe consequences than a passenger car accident, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Additionally, long-haul truck drivers may be more prone to accidents because of the fatigue associated with many hours in a row spent on the road. The FMCSA also warns drivers of these dangers associated with trucks that may increase the incidence and severity of accidents:
- Their size and weight increase the difficulty of driving, including maneuverability, acceleration, and braking challenges.
- They gain speed quickly when on a decline and increase speed slowly when on an incline, which may present dangers to the vehicles around them.
- The height of trucks means they have a higher than usual center of gravity, which means they have an increased chance of rolling over, especially on ramps or curves.
- If they have high ground clearance, smaller vehicles can be pushed or pulled underneath trucks.
- Their size and speed can create powerful wind drafts that can force smaller vehicles into other lanes.
- They have large blind spots, making it difficult for truck drivers to be aware of other vehicles near them.
- They must make wider turns than smaller vehicles, often requiring them to enter other lanes.
All of these challenges that trucks present on the road can increase the danger of motor vehicle accidents involving them, especially if the other vehicle(s) involved in the crash are smaller ones. With the increased severity of truck accidents, the cost of property damage and medical bills also increases.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Columbus, call (844) 430-1030
Ways to Recover Compensation for a Truck Accident in Columbus
When you suffer injury or property damage or your loved one dies in a truck accident that was someone else’s fault, you have two main legal recourses for compensation: car insurance and civil lawsuits.
Since Ohio is a fault state, you can turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance provider to pay your property damage and medical treatment costs after an accident. A truck accident insurance claim can be complicated, however, since you may have to deal with the insurance company of the truck owner or parent company as well as the truck driver’s personal insurance. There are also federal regulations for truck drivers that can affect your claim; the FMCSA requires a particular investigation process for major truck accidents before settling a claim, and they also have strict requirements for the types and amounts of insurance that trucks must carry.
Besides trusting the car insurance system, you can also seek compensation for a car accident by pursuing a civil lawsuit. You could receive payment for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit or seek compensation for your loved one’s death through a wrongful death lawsuit.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC we can advise you of the best way to recover full compensation for all your suffering. A Columbus truck accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or represent your interests to the court to help you receive the payment you deserve for an accident that was not your fault.
Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 430-1030
Recoverable Damages for a Truck Accident in Columbus
You have the legal right to pursue damages, or financial compensation, when another person causes you harm. You could be able to recover both economic and non-economic losses caused by a truck accident, such as:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Embarrassment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
If you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit for your loved one, you could also sue for funeral expenses, burial expenses, loss of support, loss of companionship, and loss of services.
Click to contact our Columbus Personal Injury Lawyers today
Statute of Limitations for a Truck Accident
A statute of limitations is a state law that imposes a time limit on your right to pursue legal action for certain offenses. Ohio laws give you two years from the date of the accident or the death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to ORC §2305.10 and ORC §2125.02.
If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation, so it is best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. There can be rare exceptions to statutes of limitations, so you can always contact a lawyer regardless of the time frame to be sure you know your legal options.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC for Help with Your Truck Accident
Any accident or injury can be emotionally as well as physically debilitating. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC a Columbus truck accident lawyer can take care of all the details after your truck accident so you can spend your time focusing on your recovery.
Our team can investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove who was at fault for it, such as photos, video footage, police reports, maintenance records, truck driver records, and more. We can present this evidence on your behalf to insurance providers, in court, or directly to the defendants and negotiate for you to receive a full and fair settlement for all your suffering.
Since we work on contingency, you will never owe us anything unless we can earn a financial award for you. Get started by calling our team at (844) 430-1030 today to set up a free consultation.
Call or text (844) 430-1030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
