According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the trucking industry employs over 3.5 million truck drivers. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the trucking industry hauls 70% of domestic goods each year. This information illustrates not only the presence of 18-wheelers on America’s streets but also the responsibilities that go into driving a large truck.
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision involving an 18-wheeler, you may be able to collect compensation for your injuries and other losses related to the incident. However, crashes with big rigs can present many legal challenges, as they sometimes involve multiple parties. While this may provide several avenues from which to seek compensation, it adds complexity to the legal process.
A Pickerington 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you understand the financial recovery process. At Bressman Law, we have been helping personal injury claimants for more than 30 years. To discuss your case with a member of our team, call (614) 538-1116.
Truck Accidents Come with Their Own Set of Challenges
According to the NHTSA, large trucks are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents than passenger vehicles. When multiple parties are involved in an auto accident, the legal process can become complicated.
Truck accidents, in particular, have several factors that can present legal challenges, namely:
For a free legal consultation with a 18-wheeler accident attorney in Pickerington, call (614) 538-1116
18-Wheeler Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries
Due to their size, weight, and complicated maneuverability, trucks can cause serious injuries in the event of a crash. This can complicate the financial recovery process in many different ways. Namely, it can be difficult to calculate a claimant’s medical bills when their condition is continuously evolving. You do not want to accept an insurance settlement if you do not fully understand the implications of your injury on your life.
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It Can Be Difficult to Determine Who Is Responsible for the Accident
Establishing who is responsible for your injuries will be one of the most critical aspects of your truck accident case. Liability in your case could rest on a negligent truck driver, their employer, or a third-party.
Further challenges can arise when multiple parties’ negligence contributes to an accident. Consider the following scenario: suppose you were injured by a drowsy driver who was speeding to meet their delivery quotas. Perhaps in addition to these factors, the truck’s brakes were not properly maintained, ultimately causing your accident. In this situation, the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck’s maintenance contractors could share responsibility.
Your Pickerington 18-wheeler accident lawyer can determine the parties who share liability for your losses. You can call Bressman Law today to learn more.
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Resistance from the At-Fault Parties Insurers or Their Legal Team
Medical bills can quickly become expensive following a serious truck accident. Ideally, a fair settlement would be enough to cover your current and ongoing medical expenses. However, upon being assigned fault and liability for an accident, the involved parties may put up a fight to pay as little money as possible.
It can be beneficial to work with a lawyer who understands how to overcome these challenges. Your lawyer can manage communications with the other parties’ insurers and legal counsel, protect you against any bad faith insurance practices, and defend your right to fair compensation.
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Possible Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
As mentioned above, a truck driver may not be solely to blame for your accident. Other liable parties could include the haulage company, maintenance contractors, parts manufacturers, or the cargo loading company.
While this presents several avenues from which to seek compensation, it can make the process of determining liability for your damages more challenging. At Bressman Law, our legal team can determine the cause of your accident and take action accordingly.
Some contributing factors to your crash may have included:
- Fatigued driving due to potentially unreasonable work schedules
- Speeding and other forms of reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol
- Inexperienced drivers or a lack of sufficient training
- Poorly vetted employees
- Mechanical malfunction, such as faulty braking systems
- Insufficient fleet maintenance
- Poor weather conditions
Understandably, the aftermath of a major truck accident can leave injured parties unsure of their legal options. This is one of the main reasons why many victims seek representation to recover compensation.
You May Be Able to Hire a Lawyer at No Cost to You
Many people worry about the cost of hiring legal representation. At Bressman Law, we are acutely aware of the financial pressures that can arise when being injured keeps you out of work. As a solution, we provide our services on a contingency-fee basis. This means we finance the entire legal process and only request payment when we achieve a favorable settlement or verdict for you.
We encourage you to seek prompt legal representation because of Ohio’s statute of limitations. Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10, you typically have two years to file a truck accident lawsuit.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more about how we can help, call (614) 538-1116 for a free case review today.
We Can Help You Navigate the Legal Process
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by another party’s negligence, the team at Bressman Law can help you understand your legal options.
Knowing what to do (and what not to do) after the accident could affect your financial recovery prospects. It can be beneficial to seek legal advice to understand the processes involved in filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Some recoverable damages that may be available to you include, but are not limited to:
- Current and ongoing medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Property damage costs
If we take your case, we can work with the insurance company to settle your claim. If we cannot reach a fair settlement, we can use our decades of courtroom experience to fight for the compensation you and your family deserve. A Pickerington 18-wheeler accident lawyer can get started advocating for your legal rights today. To begin a free, no-obligation case review with Bressman Law, dial (614) 538-1116.
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