Collisions involving 18-wheelers are among the most serious accidents that can occur on today’s streets. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully loaded 18-wheeler truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When colliding with a smaller passenger vehicle, there is no limit to the number of losses that can occur.
Bressman Law represents victims of 18-wheeler collisions in Ohio. A Marion 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the cause of the collision, assign liability, and pursue the cost of your damages. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, call our office today for a free consultation at (614) 538-1116.
Injuries We Have Seen From 18-Wheeler Crashes
Injuries can be life-altering for survivors of large truck accidents.
Some examples of injuries you may be recovering from include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Dismemberment
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Back pain
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal bleeding
- Contusions, scratches, and lacerations
Regardless of whether or not your injury is on the list above, our team wants to help you fight to recover compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a 18-wheeler accident attorney in Marion, call (614) 538-1116
Contributing Elements to an 18-Wheeler Accident
Before your Marion 18-wheeler accident lawyer can get started pursuing the cost of your collision-related expenses, we must determine what caused the accident. From there, we can get started assigning fault and liability. Because there are many different entities involved with the operation of an 18-wheeler, multiple parties could be held accountable for your losses.
Some contributing elements to your collision could include:
- A driver operating their truck under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or fatigue
- Distracted driving, such as texting or using a dispatch device
- Road defects, such as potholes or uneven lanes
- Tire blow-outs
- Road rage
- Speeding
- Vehicle design defect
- Inclement weather
- Sudden changes in traffic patterns
- Jackknifing
The results of an 18-wheeler accident can be disastrous. If you or a loved one was involved in such an accident, a Marion 18-wheeler accident lawyer may be able to assist you in recovering compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Marion 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney (614) 538-1116
Recoverable Damages in 18-Wheeler Accidents
Depending on the course your case takes, you could recover compensation through a settlement with the insurance company or an award granted at a judge’s discretion. As we mentioned before, more than one party could be held responsible for your losses. Examples include the truck driver, their employer, and even the company that built the truck. Your lawyer must prove that one or more of these parties’ negligence resulted in your financial losses.
Should your case be successful, some compensable damages include:
- The cost of your current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, if you had to take time off work to recover from your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity, if your injuries forced you to take a lower-paying job
- Property damage, if your vehicle needs repairs or was totaled
- Pain and suffering, which compensates you for the physical pain and emotional turmoil of the collision
- Disability, which compensates you for the challenge of living with a lifelong impairment
If you are a qualifying representative filing a wrongful death action on a late loved one’s behalf, beneficiaries could recover the cost of:
- The decedent’s end-of-life medical bills, including life support and hospice
- Funeral, burial/cremation, and memorial expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household benefits and parental guidance
- Loss of income
Your Marion 18-wheeler accident lawyer can calculate the cost of your expenses so that you understand what constitutes a fair settlement offer. If you cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, then you have the option of filing a lawsuit and going to court. Yet, you have a limited time to do so.
In Ohio, under Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages. However, there are some exceptions that could extend this deadline. If so, your lawyer can share those details with you.
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Considerations After a Truck Accident
As soon as you are able, we encourage you to take legal action. While you usually have a two-year window to pursue damages, over time, evidence fades, and testimony can become less compelling. You reasonably want to do everything in your power to promote your case’s success.
While you recover from your injuries and spend time with your family, your lawyer can review the facts of your situation and strategize a plan of action on your behalf.
However, some things that you can do to help your case include:
- Filing or obtaining a police or crash report, which can be used to tie your injuries to the collision
- Seeking medical attention for your injuries and keeping all documents relating to your care
- Notifying the insurance company of the collision
- Refraining from posting to social media about the accident
- Writing down a personal statement regarding the crash and your experience
- Following through with your doctor’s recommended course of medical treatment
Our legal team can advise you on additional measures that could help your case. To learn more, call Bressman Law at (614) 538-1116.
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Get Started Pursuing Compensation With a Free Case Review
If you were injured or lost a loved one after being in a collision with an 18-wheeler, you do not have to go through the financial recovery process alone. When you work with Bressman Law, your lawyer will guide you through the legal proceedings and advise you on your options for pursuing compensation.
Because we take claimants’ cases seriously, we offer services on a contingency-fee basis. There are no upfront fees or retainers to get our help. We get paid a percentage of the settlement amount we recover on your behalf. If we cannot recover compensation, then you do not pay our attorney’s fees.
Call Bressman Law today to learn more about how a Marion 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you. To get started, call (614) 538-1116.
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