Aftermath Of Truck Accidents In Ohio
There are few accidents that are as devastating as semi-truck accidents. When a large commercial vehicle collides with a small car, the damages and injuries are often very serious. Ohio has one of the highest volumes of commercial truck usage in the country, and as a result, accidents involving these vehicles are more common here than in most other states. In fact, the Ohio Department of Public Safety released data identifying that there were 4,469 truck-related injury crashes and 132 fatal injury crashes in Ohio in a recent year. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, you have the right to recover compensation caused by another's negligence. Contact our skilled Strongsville truck accident attorney at Godinsky Law LLC today for a free consultation.
What To Do After A Truck Accident?
Any kind of accident can be a terrifying experience, but a collision with a large truck can be devastating. It’s natural for anyone involved to feel shaken and confused about what to do afterward. However, the moments directly after a truck accident hold some of the most crucial decisions an accident victim must make to protect their right to recovery. The more information a Strongsville truck accident attorney has to work with, the stronger your future personal injury claim will be.
Call 911 & Seek Medical Assistance
If you’ve been in involved an accident with a semi-truck in Ohio, the very first thing you should do is call 911 if you are physically able to. If you or anyone else involved in the crash needs emergency medical attention, you should also request medical assistance arrive at the scene of the crash. In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, it may be challenging to determine the severity of injuries. For this reason, it's better to call an ambulance whenever there is an injury involved, even if it does not first appear serious.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
Overall, the most important thing you can do after a truck accident is to gather and document as much information as possible. That being said, every accident is different. Depending on how the accident happened and the severity of your injuries, you may be limited in the amount of information you can gather. However, remembering to document even a portion of the information discussed below can significantly strengthen your future personal injury case.
Take Pictures & Get Witness Information
If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, you should take pictures after the incident. Be sure to take clear photos of your vehicle and any other vehicles involved in the accident. It's also very important to get photos of the other vehicle’s license plate. If possible, you should take pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident in the same position they were in immediately following the collision.
In addition to documenting the accident scene and the vehicles involved, you should also take photos of any visible injuries you sustained due to the truck accident. These photos are evidence that will demonstrate the true extent of the damage done to your vehicle and the severity of your injuries. Detailed and well-documented accident photos can make or break an accident claim. High-quality pictures can even be the difference between a truck accident case settling and going to court.
Determining Liability After A Truck Accident
Truck accidents in Ohio often require an in-depth investigation to determine fault. After a truck accident, our Strongsville semi-truck accident lawyer, Chris Godinsky, will investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the accident. This investigation is not limited to how the actual physical collision occurred. Unlike a typical car accident personal injury case, a truck driver may be liable for violating one of the many laws and regulations that dictate when and how truckers can safely operate their vehicles in Ohio.
Additionally, trucking companies sometimes encourage their drivers to bend regulations to meet deadlines, leading to liability claims against the trucking company itself. The manufacturer of the vehicle can also be liable if it failed to comply with all necessary regulations. When injured in a commercial vehicle accident, it's highly recommended to hire a Strongsville truck accident lawyer who is well versed in Ohio's commercial vehicle laws. Commercial vehicle laws include regulations such as license requirements, the duties of employers, proper equipment of vehicles, and vehicle size/weight requirements.
How Does A Truck Accident Claim Work?
When you hire a semi-truck accident lawyer, your personal injury claim will likely go through four phases before reaching a settlement:
Evidence Collection
To start the process, your Strongsville truck accident attorney will collect data about the accident to strengthen and prove your case. Possibilities include accessing police reports, interviewing witnesses, consulting experts, obtaining medical records, and much more.
Medical Treatment
While we are working on collecting evidence, your only job will be to undergo any medical treatment you need following the accident. The medical treatment process will aid in revealing the scope of the injuries you suffered in the crash, and how they might affect you in the short term and the long term. This will also help us better detail the complete cost of the truck accident.
Negotiation
Your Strongsville truck accident attorney will then enter into negotiations with the trucking company, their insurance company, and/or their appointed legal council. Don't worry, the majority of personal injury claims are settled out of court during this phase; however, there are scenarios where further litigation is needed. In the event that your case is escalated to court, Chris Godinsky is the attorney you want to have in your corner.
Litigation
Litigation means taking your case to court. Godinsky Law LLC will state the details of your case to a judge and jury to detail exactly why the other party was at fault and why compensation is deserved. Should they succeed, your settlement will then be awarded.
Accident Statistics In Cuyahoga County
The state of Ohio is prime real estate for the transportation of goods given that it's roughly within a day’s drive of many states. As a result, many large logistics companies are headquartered in Ohio for that very reason. But, due to the excess amount of commercial vehicles in the area, there are a lot of trucks driving through Strongsville, Parma, Olmsted Falls, North Royalton, and other surrounding cities. Although this may be good for business, the number of truck accidents in Ohio is higher than in most other states. In fact, the Ohio Department of Public Safety published a report in 2020 surfacing some eye-opening accident data in Cuyahoga County.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Godinsky Law LLC, we don't get paid unless you do. Meaning, there are no upfront fees for hiring us as your truck accident lawyer. If and when we win, your attorney fees will be a percentage of the settlement, which is known as a contingency fee arrangement. We don't believe that you should have to worry about additional bills while attempting to recover from an accident. Call us today for a free consultation.
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for truck accidents is two years. However, it's crucial to file a claim against the at-fault party as soon as possible. Information can be lost or forgotten over time. It can also be more difficult to prove the true extent of your injuries long after the accident occurred and your injuries have healed.
A semi-truck accident settlement will depend on a variety of factors. These include liability, the extent of damages, and the extent of insurance coverage. Trucking companies are required to carry commercial insurance policies which will typically cover your expenses. But you must be able to hold them accountable for their wrongdoing. Oftentimes, it can be very difficult to negotiate a fair settlement without the help of a skilled Ohio semi-truck accident attorney.
Contact A Strongsville Car Accident Attorney Today
The aftermath of a semi-truck accident can be devastating. At Godinsky Law LLC, we understand the sensitivity and importance of your personal injury case. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a semi-truck or 18 wheeler accident in or around the Cleveland area, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Contact our experienced Strongsville truck accident attorney, Chris Godisnky, today for a free consultation and to begin filing your personal injury claim.