Truck accidents along U.S. Route 6, Ohio State Route 4, and other roadways in Sandusky, OH, are common. They also can have devastating results. Because of the size of these large vehicles and the speeds at which these crashes often occur, severe injuries and even fatalities often happen. This can result in overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Suppose you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident. In that case, you should immediately contact the Sandusky truck accident lawyers at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA. Attorney Victor Kademenos and his legal team will immediately get to work for you. Call us at 419-625-7770 or use our online contact form to reach out.
Our Truck Accident Lawyers Conduct a Thorough Investigation
You must find out what caused your accident to determine who’s financially liable. Your attorney will review the police report, interview witnesses, visit the scene of the accident, and talk to experts regarding your crash.
The sooner you contact an attorney to get this process started, the better. Evidence can disappear, and memories fade. Additionally, the trucking insurance company will begin its investigation immediately, often arriving at the scene before the police.
They may also try to do away with evidence that isn’t favorable to them. Make sure your attorney gets the chance to contact them right away and demand that they preserve any evidence they collected.
We Negotiate With the Insurance Companies
You should never give a statement to an insurance company without first talking to your attorney. Insurance companies are only interested in making money and paying out as little as possible. Let your attorney communicate with the insurance companies so you can focus on your own needs.
Your attorney will also attempt to skillfully negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance companies on your behalf. The experienced Sandusky truck accident lawyers at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA have helped countless clients get the truck accident settlement they need.
We’ll Help File a Truck Accident Claim or Go to Court
Your attorney can also help you file a truck accident claim with the insurance companies. This must be done as quickly as possible. If your claim is denied or delayed, you only have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit so that you can get the compensation you deserve. This deadline is called a statute of limitations.
If you must take your case to court, your attorney will draft and file all the complex legal documents. They will also engage in the discovery process, which involves managing thousands of pages of documents and other evidence that both parties have collected.
The best truck accident lawyers can use that evidence to support your case.
What Is the Value of a Truck Accident?
A truck accident claim is generally worth more than a typical crash that involves two passenger vehicles. That is because big rigs have larger insurance policy limitations, and you may be able to make a claim with more than one responsible party.
You can get compensation for the following losses after a truck accident:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain and mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disability
- Punitive damages
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
There may be one or more parties responsible for your truck accident. It’s crucial to conduct a thorough investigation to determine who caused the crash. Then, you can learn about their insurance company, which is ultimately the financially liable party.
In many cases, truck accidents are caused by driver error. If the truck driver is to blame, they may be at fault for failing to follow state or federal trucking regulations. A violation of a trucking regulation automatically means they were negligent, and they may be held responsible for damages that occurred as a result.
However, other parties may be liable for the crash as well, including the following:
- Trucking company
- Truck owner
- Employer
- Maintenance company
- Parts manufacturer
- Loader
It’s essential to include all parties who could be liable in your truck accident claim or lawsuit. If you fail to include someone, you could miss out on potential compensation.
Ohio Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are more than 350,000 commercial vehicle accidents annually in the United States. That makes up about 6% of all crashes nationwide.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol indicates that there were 132 fatal crashes caused by commercial motor vehicles in 2020. That is approximately 11% of all fatal crashes in the state. That number is down from previous years, but not by much.
Truck accidents are a serious problem throughout Ohio. This is especially true in Sandusky, with traffic in and around Cedar Point, Lake Erie, and other popular tourist locations near the city.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Large trucks operate differently than most standard passenger vehicles. It can be challenging to determine the exact cause of a crash, but some things that contribute to truck accidents include the following:
- Increased stopping time
- Speeding
- Blind spots
- Wide turns
- Overall trailer size
- Improper maintenance
- Drowsiness
- Improper loading of cargo
