• Home
  • About Us
    • David Bressman – Attorney
    • Thomas F. Martello, Jr. – Attorney
    • Jedidiah Bressman – Attorney
    • Karen Bressman – Paralegal
    • Scholarship
    • Safe Roads Policy Scholarship
  • Cases We Handle
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Bike Accidents
    • Bus Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Product Liability
    • Dog Bites
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Wrongful Death
  • Areas We Serve
    • Dublin
    • Cincinnati
    • Columbus
    • Grove City
    • Gahanna
    • Hilliard
    • Marion
    • Marysville
    • Ohio
    • Powell
    • Worthington
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
    • Ohio Uninsured Drunk Driver Case Study
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
    • Press Releases
    • Free Book
    • Blog Archive
  • Contact Us
Bressman Law
Call Us Today: (614) 538-1116
  • Home
  • About Us
    • David Bressman – Attorney
    • Thomas F. Martello, Jr. – Attorney
    • Jedidiah Bressman – Attorney
    • Karen Bressman – Paralegal
    • Scholarship
    • Safe Roads Policy Scholarship
  • Cases We Handle
    • Car Accidents
    • Truck Accidents
    • Bike Accidents
    • Bus Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Product Liability
    • Dog Bites
    • Traumatic Brain Injury
    • Wrongful Death
  • Areas We Serve
    • Dublin
    • Cincinnati
    • Columbus
    • Grove City
    • Gahanna
    • Hilliard
    • Marion
    • Marysville
    • Ohio
    • Powell
    • Worthington
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
    • Ohio Uninsured Drunk Driver Case Study
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
    • Press Releases
    • Free Book
    • Blog Archive
  • Contact Us

Home » Blog » Frequently Asked Questions » What Are My Legal Options If a Semi Truck Hit Me?

What Are My Legal Options If a Semi Truck Hit Me?

Posted on: May 8, 2020

What Are My Legal Options If a Semi Truck Hit Me?
accident, truck, trucks, semi, legal, driving, lawyer, situation, drivers, employers

If you or a loved one was involved in an accident caused by semi-truck, you have the option to:

  • Sue the negligent party in a lawsuit
  • Settle with the at-fault party’s insurance company without going to court
  • Bring multiple lawsuits if you were injured and also lost a loved one in the collision

Your legal options will be contingent on the circumstances of your situation. You may have choices that another person in a similar situation would not. For this reason, you may want to work with a lawyer to understand your potential for financial recovery.

Semi-Trucks Are Large, Heavy, and Dangerous

There are several classifications of trucks, as listed by the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. These classifications include vehicles that range from 6,000 pounds to more than 33,000 pounds, with semi-trucks falling into the latter category.

A car, SUV, or even a pickup truck is no match for such a heavy vehicle when a collision occurs. In an accident, it is usually the passengers of the smaller car that suffer the brute force of the impact.

Semi-trucks pose a considerable threat to others if appropriate safety measures are not taken.

Semi-Truck Drivers Have a Great Responsibility to the Public

Truck drivers are not immune to the dangers of the road. In fact, they must take great care not to injure others since an accident may not implicate just themselves, but also the company for which they work.

The risk of a semi-truck accident may increase when:

  • There are high numbers of trucks on the road, which may be more common during periods of strong economic activity
  • Dangerous road conditions, especially during inclement weather
  • Truckers partake in risky behavior or actions

Truckers undergo special training to appropriately respond to unexpected hazards and driving conditions. Failure to do so may result in the loss of their commercial driver’s license, termination, or legal implication.

Some actions and behaviors that can increase the chance of a semi-truck accident include:

  • Driving too closely to the car in front (also known as tailgating)
  • Speeding
  • Failing to use turn signals when changing lanes or turning
  • Failing to check blind spots before merging
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or fatigue
  • Engaging in distracted driving, such as texting or using a dispatch device

Some of these actions are punishable by law. For example, if a trucker was found to be under the influence of drugs while driving, and later caused an accident, they could face criminal charges for their actions. Yet, this does not bar you from filing a lawsuit. While the truck is undergoing penalties from the state, you can concurrently file a personal injury claim to recover the cost of your injuries and related expenses.

For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116

Negligence Can Come from Truckers, Their Employers, or Both

In your situation, it may be obvious who is at-fault in your collision. Other times, assigning negligence is not so easy. While the semi-truck driver who struck you or your vehicle may be the most obvious candidate for liability, their employer may be liable as well under “respondeat superior.” This means that employers can be held vicariously responsible for the actions of their employers if they were reasonably acting within the scope of their job.

To avoid liability in an accident, truck employers must undertake certain obligations, including:

  • Conducting thorough background checks for prospective employees
  • Conducting random drug and alcohol testing on all drivers, as is a requirement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
  • Ensuring that their fleet of trucks is roadworthy at all times
  • Immediately suspending or firing any driver they suspect of violating FMCSA regulations, laws, or driver fitness requirements

Truck accident cases sometimes feature more than one responsible party. Your legal team may also find that the manufacturer of the truck itself was responsible for your accident if a faulty vehicular component contributed to the crash.

A Lawyer Will Aim to Prove Negligence in Your Case

You may choose to accept the help of a lawyer, who could bring a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf if you have an eligible case for awards.

A lawyer may:

  • Collect evidence and witness testimony to establish the circumstances that led to your accident
  • Consult with field experts, such as medical professionals, to learn more about your injuries
  • Conduct any additional investigation that may benefit your case
  • Serve as your representative in settlement negotiations or at trial
  • Handle the legal aspects of a lawsuit

Your legal team will likely provide services that meet the needs of your situation. For that reason, this is not an exhaustive list of the duties your lawyer may undertake to assign negligence.

Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today

Call Our Team at Bressman Law Today

At Bressman Law, we understand the impact that a semi-truck accident can have on your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. We offer a free initial case review and work on a contingency-fee basis.

To get started, call us today at (614) 538-1116.

Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Share
Tweet
Share

Truck Accidents Blog Posts:

Truck Accidents Caused by Poor Maintenance
Truck Accidents Caused by Poor Maintenance

Imagine an 80,000-lb. 18-wheeler barreling down the Interstate at 60 miles an hour. If you were near that massive hunk of steel and cargo, the last thing you’d want is for it to malfunction. Proper

Truckers' No-Zones: Truck Blind Spots Motorists Must Know
Truckers’ No-Zones: Truck Blind Spots Motorists Must Know

Columbus motorists often assume that truck drivers can see traffic clearly and have a much better view because they're so high above road level. That isn't the case. In fact, there are many truck

Drunk Truck Drivers: Breaking the Law
Drunk Truck Drivers: Breaking the Law

Driving while intoxicated is irresponsible, illegal, and deadly. In 2013, one person died every 52 minutes in an alcohol-related traffic accident, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety

Ohio Truck Accident Statistics from the CDC
Ohio Truck Accident Statistics from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than 30,000 people die in accidents involving motor vehicles in the United States every year. The most damaging of these accidents

Truck Accidents FAQ:

How Do I Know How Much My Truck Accident Settlement Is Worth?
How Do I Know How Much My Truck Accident Settlement Is Worth?

The value of how much your truck accident settlement is worth will be based on where fault is assigned, in what degree fault is assigned, and on a careful calculation of the following accident-related

Compensatory Damages
What Damages Can You Recover for an Injury in a Truck Accident in Ohio?

When a truck driver’s negligence leads to an accident that leaves another person injured, the at-fault driver is responsible for damages. The injured party can claim compensatory damages through

What to Do After a Truck Accident
What to Do After a Truck Accident?

When an Ohio truck driver acts carelessly or recklessly and causes an accident, you can file a liability claim or personal injury lawsuit and hold their employer liable for your financial and

Which Factors Will Impact My Settlement
If I’m in an Accident Involving a Car and Semi-Trailer, and the Truck Is at Fault, Should I Settle?

If you are in an accident involving a car and semi-trailer, and the truck is at fault, should you settle? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The specific circumstances of the truck

    Free Case Evaluation





      Scholarship
      Application Form

      Mailing Address

      Contact Details

      Academic Information


      YesNo

      Academic Requirements



      Authorization*

      I hereby certify that all information provided is true, complete and correct.


      Click Here to Chat Live - 24/7
      Dublin Location
      5186 Blazer Pkwy
      Dublin, OH 43017
      Phone: 614-538-1116
      Cincinnati Location
      9435 Waterstone Blvd #130
      Cincinnati, OH 45249
      Phone: 513-434-1818
      Columbus Location
      255A E Livingston Ave
      Columbus, Ohio 43215
      Phone: 614-538-1116

      Categories

      • Back Injury
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Burn Injuries
      • Bus Accidents
      • Car Accidents
      • Construction Accidents
      • Distracted Driving Accidents
      • Dog Bites
      • Head Injury
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Personal Injury
      • Premises Liability
      • Product Liability
      • Rear End Collisions
      • Recover Compensation
      • Slip and Fall Accidents
      • Traumatic Brain Injury
      • Truck Accidents
      • Wrong-Way Accidents
      • Wrongful Death

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Marysville Whiplash Lawyer

      Marysville Whiplash Lawyer
      Car Accidents

      Do I Need to File a Lawsuit to Recover Damages from a Car Accident in Ohio?

      Do I Need to File a Lawsuit to Recover Damages from a Car Accident in Ohio?
      Car Accidents

      What Do I Do If I Am Injured In a Car Accident In Ohio?

      What Do I Do If I Am Injured In a Car Accident In Ohio?
      Car Accidents

      Find A Personal Injury Lawyer Now!

      • Marion Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Whitehall Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Dublin Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Gahanna Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Marysville Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Westerville Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Cleveland Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Powell Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Worthington Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      • Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me
      Latest Blog Posts
      • Meet Grace Traina, Bressman Law Safe Roads Policy Scholarship Recipient
      • What Are My Legal Options If a Semi Truck Hit Me?
      • Tips to Stay Safe While Driving on I-270 in Ohio

      Contact Us For a Free Case Evaluation



        Dublin Location
        5186 Blazer Pkwy
        Dublin, OH 43017
        Phone: 614-538-1116
        Dublin Location
        Union County
        Cincinnati Location
        9435 Waterstone Blvd #130
        Cincinnati, OH 45249
        Phone: 513-434-1818
        Cincinnati Location
        Columbus Location
        255A E Livingston Ave
        Columbus, OH 43215
        Phone: 614-538-1116
        Columbus Location
        David Bressman Law
        Follow Us On:

        Message Us on Facebook | Disclaimer | Site Map