Truck Accident FAQ
Answers from Ohio attorneys you can trust
After a truck accident, injury victims often have many important legal questions. But knowing who to trust and where to find accurate information can often be a challenge. Friends and family members might tell you one thing. Insurance companies might say something completely different.
That’s why our experienced Ohio truck accident attorneys at Merriman Legal, LLC, compiled this list of some of the most frequently asked questions about truck accidents. We also realize that every truck accident is unique. That’s why we strongly urge you to contact our law firm as soon as possible and schedule your free case evaluation today.
What is your question?
- What are common types of truck accidents?
- What are common causes of truck accidents?
- Who investigates truck accidents in Ohio?
- Should I talk to an insurance company if they contact me after my truck accident?
- Should I accept an offer from an insurance company for my truck accident?
- What can I be financially compensated for after a truck accident?
- How much is my truck accident worth?
- Can I file a lawsuit if I’m a victim of a truck accident?
- How long do I have to take legal action after my truck accident in Ohio?
- How can a lawyer help me with my truck accident claim?
What are common types of truck accidents?
There are many different types of commercial truck accidents. Some of the most common ones we deal with at out law firm include:
- Rear-end truck accidents (large, commercial trucks often crash into vehicles in front of them, especially on congested highways where smaller cars stop much faster)
- Rollover truck accidents (poorly loaded trucks or improperly secured contents can shift during transportation, resulting in a truck rolling over, especially on sharp curves)
- Jackknife truck accidents (tractor trailer cab and trailer fold in on each other, crushing vehicles trapped in space)
- Underride truck accident (term used to describe small vehicles that get trapped in the rear underside of a truck. This situation often occurs in rear-end accidents involving cars striking the rear end of a tractor-trailer)
- Tire blowout accident (These accidents often occur because a worn-out tire on a truck blows out, causing the truck driver to lose control of the truck and crash into other vehicles.)
What are common causes of truck accidents?
There are many different reasons why commercial truck accidents happen. Some of the most common causes include:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Poor truck maintenance
- Inexperienced truck drivers
Who investigates truck accidents in Ohio?
Several different local, state and federal law enforcement agencies may be investigating your accident depending on the circumstances of your crash. Along with local police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may be investigating your crash, depending on where and how your accident occurred in Ohio.
Should I talk to an insurance company if they contact me after my truck accident?
If someone from the insurance company representing the truck driver contacts you, do not talk to them or answer any of their questions. Simply and politely tell them you have hired an attorney and instruct them to direct all their questions to us. Anything you say can be used by insurance companies to reduce or deny your accident claim.
Should I accept an offer from an insurance company for my truck accident?
Always be suspicious of insurance companies that want to settle your truck accident claim as soon as possible. In many cases, what might seem like a generous offer might not even come close to covering all your accident-related expenses. And once you accept an offer, you often cannot ask for any additional money for the rest of your life for your truck accident.
What can I be financially compensated for after a truck accident?
Any expense associated with your truck accident can – and should – be covered by your settlement offer or verdict. Such expenses can include:
- Emergency medical care
- Lost income during recovery
- Additional medical care, including follow-up surgical procedures
- Physical therapy
- Home modifications due a permanent disability
- Future lost income due to not being able to work
- Transportation costs to and from medical procedures
- In-home health care
- Pain and suffering
How much is my truck accident worth?
There is no set dollar amount. Each truck accident is different. Some are worth a few hundred or a few thousand dollars. Others may potentially be worth hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. That’s what it’s critical that you talk an attorney as soon as possible about your crash.
Can I file a lawsuit if I’m a victim of a truck accident?
Yes. And in many cases, filing a lawsuit against the trucking company – or the insurance company representing them – often turns out to be the best way to obtain the money you rightfully deserve for your Ohio truck accident.
How long do I have to take legal action after my truck accident in Ohio?
Under Ohio state law, you have up to two years in most cases to take legal action from the date of your accident. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Two years might seem like a long time. But the reality is – gathering the evidence for a commercial truck accident case often takes a tremendous amount of time. And if you wait to take legal action, some of the evidence you need to build a strong, legal case might no longer exist. That’s because trucking companies only have to legally keep certain records for a minimum amount of time. And these records can often serve as important pieces of evidence in an accident claim.
How can a lawyer help me with my truck accident claim?
There are so many different ways a truck accident attorney can help you with your case – from helping you fill out official, accident forms to dealing directly with insurance companies or trucking companies on your behalf. Our experienced Ohio truck accident attorneys thoroughly understand how the system works here and we’re eager to work with you. Your case isn’t just about money. It’s about justice, about holding people responsible for their actions.
