If an 18-wheeler or another commercial truck hit your vehicle, you may face challenges as you try to recover compensation for your damages. You do not have to face the trucking company and its insurer alone. A truck accident lawyer serving Powell, OH, can help.
At Bressman Law, we handle truck crash cases, no matter how complex. If you have a viable case, we can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other financial and emotional losses. If your loved one passed away in the crash, we can help you pursue a survival action or a wrongful death claim.
A Powell truck accident lawyer can handle all aspects of your case, from filing a claim to negotiating a settlement. Call us today at (614) 538-1116 for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
Bressman Law’s Powell Truck Accident Attorneys Work on Contingency
Even a seemingly minor truck accident can generate thousands of dollars in damages. Going into debt over these losses may discourage you from hiring a lawyer. Yet, you don’t have any financial concerns when you partner with Bressman Law. That’s because we work on contingency.
You pay nothing up front or out of pocket to retain our help. We take a percentage of your settlement as payment for our attorney’s fees. During your free case review, you can learn more about our Powell truck accident team and how we can advocate for you.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident attorney in Powell, call (614) 538-1116
Our Law Firm Will Investigate Your Truck Accident
To build a solid case for you, we will conduct a thorough investigation of your truck accident. Ohio uses a fault-based auto insurance system. This means that the party liable for causing an accident pays for damages.
Our investigation will identify the party at fault for your truck accident in Powell. Once we prove fault, you can hold them responsible for their behavior.
Our Truck Accident Attorneys Will Determine Your Collision’s Cause
We will examine the role the truck driver’s negligence played in causing the accident. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), certain unsafe truck driving behaviors increase the likelihood of crashes. These include improper turning or passing and speeding.
Other dangerous driving errors include:
- Failing to obey traffic signs;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving;
- Distracted driving;
- Impaired driving; and
- Failing to adjust to deteriorating weather conditions.
In most cases, we can hold the truck driver’s employer liable for any negligent behavior.
Powell Truck Accident Attorney (614) 538-1116
Understanding a Trucking Company’s Role in a Powell, OH, Accident
A truck driver may cause an accident, but a trucking company can contribute to the crash by:
- Failing to properly train the driver to handle large trucks;
- Failing to perform routine maintenance on the truck;
- Placing drivers under pressure to meet delivery deadlines; or
- Failing to check a driver’s history for past accidents and moving traffic violations.
Vicarious Liability
Trucking companies are often liable for driver mistakes because of a legal doctrine called vicarious liability. Vicarious liability holds employers legally responsible for the negligent or unlawful actions of employees.
That means even in cases where the truck driver’s behavior caused your crash, the truck carrier that employs them could still be responsible for your damages. This gives us the opportunity to pursue compensation from a much larger corporate insurance policy instead of filing a claim with an individual driver’s coverage.
Your truck accident attorney serving Powell will determine who should pay for your injury-related losses. In that time, you can focus on putting the collision behind you.
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Our Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Collect Evidence to Support Your Claim
Before we file a claim on your behalf, we must prove that the truck driver’s or the trucking company’s negligence caused your accident and injuries. We can do this by collecting several types of evidence, including:
- Traffic camera or surveillance video;
- Photographs of the accident scene;
- Eyewitness testimony;
- A police report of the accident;
- Your medical records; and
- Photos of your injuries.
We might also work with an accident reconstruction expert who can recreate the accident scene to determine causation and liability. Depending on the severity of your injuries, we can also ask a medical expert to give an opinion about your injuries and your present and future medical needs. Our truck accident lawyers partner with many consultants whose testimony can support your claim.
Other Evidence Available in a Truck Accident Case
Because trucking companies keep detailed records about drivers and vehicles, there is often additional evidence available after a truck crash. This includes:
- Dash cam video footage;
- Maintenance records on the vehicle;
- Employment records of the driver;
- Post-accident drug and alcohol test results; and
- Other relevant records.
While this evidence is in the hands of the trucking company, federal industry regulations restrict when it can be destroyed. If we take your case, we will work quickly to secure any available documentation the trucking company has that could benefit your case.
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Our Powell Truck Accident Lawyers Will Help You File Your Insurance Claim
Our attorneys will file an insurance claim on your behalf. Because of the serious—or fatal injuries—you or your loved one sustained in the truck accident, you can seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses;
- Hospital bills;
- Medical mobility devices;
- Prescription drugs;
- Physical therapy;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning capacity;
- Vehicle repair bills;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish; and
- Funeral expenses, if your loved one passed away in the accident.
We will negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf with the insurance company to cover your present and future expenses. If the insurer attempts to delay or deny your claim, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and go to court. Our truck accident lawyers are on your side. We intend to do everything possible to resolve your injury case.
You Have Legal Options Even if You Contributed to the Truck Accident in Powell
If your negligence contributed to the crash, Ohio’s contributory fault law would apply to your case. This rule reduces the total amount of your claim based on your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you were 20 percent at fault for the accident, you would receive $80,000.
Your Truck Accident Case Is on a Deadline
Ohio’s statute of limitations generally gives injured claimants two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. While two years sounds like a sufficient amount of time, keep in mind that it takes time to secure solid evidence to build a strong case. The sooner you meet with us to discuss your truck accident, the sooner we can take legal action on your behalf.
What Happens if I Miss the Truck Accident Lawsuit Deadline?
If you don’t file your truck accident lawsuit within Ohio’s filing deadline, the court will dismiss your case. This could leave you with few options for recovering your collision-related damages. The personal injury team at Bressman Law can manage your case-related deadlines. The sooner we learn about your circumstances, the sooner we can advocate for you.
Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys to Start a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one sustained a serious or fatal injury in a truck accident, turn to the legal team at Bressman Law. We serve clients in Powell, OH, and the surrounding area.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
