An unloaded semi-truck can weigh 35,000 pounds, and a loaded one can be as much as 80,000 pounds. When these vehicles are in a crash, they often lead to some of the most severe accidents. People involved in 18-wheeler crashes are left with high medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a wreck with a semi-truck, you should immediately contact an Ohio truck accident lawyer like Victor Kademenos. With decades of experience, our team is dedicated to fighting for the rights of their clients.
Call Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA today at 419-625-7770 or use our online contact form to reach out.
Our Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Investigate Your Case
It’s crucial to find out what caused your crash. Your attorney can investigate the scene, collect evidence, examine police reports, and interview eyewitnesses to determine the cause. Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA also has a network of experts who can recreate the accident scene or review the evidence to help us understand the case and its value.
We’ll Negotiate With Insurance Companies and Third Parties
There will be multiple parties involved in a semi-truck crash, and their insurance companies will have teams of lawyers on their sides. You deserve to have someone to represent your interests as well. Your attorney can handle all communication with the insurance companies and other third parties. An attorney can also negotiate with the insurance companies to get you a fair settlement offer.
Who Is Negligent in an 18-Wheeler Crash?
Most crashes, including those that involve semi-trucks, are caused by driver error. That might include the following actions:
- Texting and driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fatigued driving
Any of these actions are violations of state and federal trucking regulations, which automatically result in a finding of negligence.
Other third parties may also be liable, such as:
- Employer
- 18-wheeler owner
- Manufacturer
- Loader
- Maintenance company
- Trucking company
It’s essential to determine all the people who may be held accountable. If you fail to include anyone in your claim or lawsuit, you may not be able to get all the compensation you deserve.
How to Prove Negligence in Truck Crashes
Negligence is when a person or company had a legal duty, breached that duty, and caused injuries as a result. To prove that someone was negligent, your attorney will examine all the evidence collected at the scene of the accident and anything obtained through the discovery process (from the other parties).
Some evidence we look at to prove negligence includes:
- Videos and pictures of the scene
- Police reports
- Trucking regulations
- Truck black box
- Driver records
- GPS recordings
- Dashcam footage
- Traffic camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert opinions
Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co. LPA will leave no stone unturned when investigating your case.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents
Common types of 18-wheeler accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents
- T-Bone accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Truck rollover accidents
- Underride accidents
- Wide turn accidents
- Blindspot accidents
Some of these accidents pose even more of a threat to drivers than others, especially if an 18-wheeler carries heavy or dangerous materials.
