Were you injured in a truck accident in Westlake, Ohio? Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers for a free consultation at (419)502-5821. Our award-winning Westlake truck accident lawyers can help you review your legal options and pursue a claim for maximum compensation from there.
Our top-rated Ohio law firm has been standing up for accident victims in Westlake and across the state for decades. With 181 years of combined experience and over $100 million recovered on behalf of our clients, you can count on our trial attorneys to help you make the most of your opportunity to take legal action.
Why Hire Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers After a Truck Accident in Westlake, Ohio?
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has a track record of success that is virtually unmatched in the State of Ohio. Insurance companies and other opposing parties in Westlake, OH, take note when they see us on the other side of the case because they know they won’t be able to take advantage of our clients.
Here are some of the reasons to choose our Westlake personal injury lawyers for your truck accident case:
- We have nearly two full centuries of combined legal experience.
- Our case results include notable recoveries in the seven figures.
- We can hire leading expert witnesses to make your claim as robust as possible.
- We’ll take care of all of the communications and negotiations while you focus on your recovery.
- We won’t hesitate to take your case to court and all the way to trial if necessary.
Contact our Westlake truck accident attorneys today to get started with a free consultation. We can answer all of your questions at that time and fill you in on your legal rights and options as well.
How Much Is My Westlake Truck Accident Case Worth?
Many factors can influence what your truck accident claim is ultimately worth. No two cases involve the same exact facts and circumstances, so each one carries a unique value.
Some of the things our Westlake personal injury attorneys will look into as we evaluate your case include:
- What kinds of injuries have you sustained?
- How severe are those injuries, and will you make a full recovery?
- How much time have you missed from work, and will you be able to return to your job?
- Were multiple parties responsible for the crash?
- How compelling is the evidence supporting your claim?
- What are the limits of the at-fault party’s insurance policy?
Federal law requires most commercial freight carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance. Trucks hauling hazardous materials may be required to carry up to $5 million in liability coverage. These higher policy limits mean there is often significantly more compensation available in truck accident cases compared to standard car accident claims.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in Westlake?
If you file a personal injury lawsuit after a truck accident in Westlake, both economic and non-economic damages will be available to you. These are referred to as “compensatory damages” and are designed to make you whole again as best as possible. In rare cases that go to trial, punitive damages may also be awarded.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills and equipment
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages represent your more subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are generally only available in cases that reach trial and require clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with malice or egregious disregard for the safety of others.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Westlake, OH?
Our firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay anything up front to hire our attorneys, and you won’t be billed an hourly rate or flat fee at any point during the process. Instead, you only owe attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
This arrangement benefits both you and your legal team. Our personal injury attorneys will be motivated to fight hard in your case because our fee is tied directly to the result we achieve for you.
It also means you can hire experienced legal representation regardless of your current financial situation, which is especially important when medical bills and lost wages are already putting financial pressure on you.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Westlake Truck Accident?
You can usually still recover compensation after a truck accident in Ohio, even if the other side claims you were partially at fault. Under Ohio’s modified comparative negligence law (O.R.C. § 2315.33), you are typically eligible to receive damages as long as your share of fault does not reach 51% or higher. If it does, you will likely be barred from recovering anything.
Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney in Westlake can make all the difference if you’re being blamed for your crash. Our lawyers know how to push back against these tactics and advocate aggressively for your interests, aiming to minimize the level of fault you’re assessed, if any.
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Westlake, OH
Considering the size and weight of commercial trucks, the injuries sustained in these collisions tend to be far more severe than those in a typical car accident.
Our attorneys are qualified to help you pursue compensation for any type of truck accident injury, including the following, just to name a few examples:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe burn injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash
- Knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Eye injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- The wrongful death of a loved one
We’re here to help you no matter the exact injuries you’ve suffered. Get in touch with our legal team for more information about our services and how we can help you.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Westlake, Ohio
Truck accidents happen for many different reasons, but driver error is a factor in the vast majority of them.
Some of the most common causes our truck accident lawyers encounter include:
- Driver fatigue from violating FMCSA hours-of-service regulations
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use behind the wheel
- Speeding and traveling too fast for the conditions
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Failure to maintain brakes and tires
- Driving under the influence
- Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating and unsafe lane changes
- Negligent hiring by the trucking company
- Pressure from carriers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
These are just some of the ways truck accidents can occur in and around Westlake. If you or a loved one were injured, contact our lawyers to help determine your next steps. You may be entitled to substantial compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Westlake?
Under Ohio law, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you miss that deadline, you will almost certainly lose the right to pursue compensation through the court system.
There are only limited exceptions to this rule, and they apply in rare circumstances. We strongly recommend reaching out to our team as soon as possible so we can help you take legal action appropriately and on time.
What Is Negligence and How Do I Prove It in a Truck Accident Case?
Negligence is the legal term for a failure to act with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under similar circumstances. Most truck accident cases are founded on a negligence cause of action.
To establish negligence in your case, four legal elements must be proven:
- Duty of care: The defendant owed you a duty to act safely
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to meet that standard of care
- Causation: The defendant’s breach caused the accident
- Damages: You suffered measurable losses as a result
Each of these must be established on a “by a preponderance of the evidence” basis in most cases, which means about a 51% likelihood or greater.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After a truck accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and aggressive insurance adjusters.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, a truck accident attorney can support you by:
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Preserving and collect important evidence
- Identifying all liable parties
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit and represent you at trial if necessary
Having an attorney on your side can help level the playing field and protect your right to seek full compensation for your injuries and losses.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Westlake Truck Accident Attorneys
Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in Westlake, Ohio? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and associated damages. The Westlake truck accident attorneys at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers can handle your claim from start to finish.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ve won over tens of millions for our deserving clients to date and will work just as hard for you and your family if you hire us to represent you.