The Columbus, OH Truck Accident Attorneys You Need

We handle all types of truck accident claims in Ohio

Heavy trucks are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars. They are much heavier, take wide turns, and have a high center of gravity that can result in loss of stability. We know how to handle all types of truck accident claims, including:

• Jackknife accidents: When a truck’s brakes lock up, the cab can fold in against the trailer, forming the shape of a jackknife. This can be incredibly dangerous for smaller cars that hit the trailer or are caught between the cab and the trailer.
• Underride accidents: If a smaller vehicle hits the back or side of the trailer, it can slide underneath, causing devastating injuries as part of the trailer enters the cab of the car.
• Truck rollover accidents: Truckers who drive too fast or take curves at unsafe speeds may cause a loss of stability, creating a huge hazard for everyone else on the road. Rollovers can also be caused by poorly balanced cargo.
• Rear-end truck accidents: A semi-truck has a much longer stopping distance than a car, and a trucker who follows another vehicle too closely can cause a devastating rear-end collision.

The trucking companies need to make sure their drivers are trained and experienced to avoid these types of accidents, but too often, they put profits ahead of safety. That’s why we work so hard to hold them accountable.

Common truck accident injuries

Truck accidents, especially those involving massive 18-wheelers, are often catastrophic and can lead to many serious injuries. The size and weight of these trucks make them dangerous in collisions, resulting in life-altering injuries and fatal accidents. Some of the most common types of truck accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Amputations
• Lacerations
• Burns

Our legal team will get to the bottom of your truck accident

After a truck accident in Columbus or a nearby community, it’s normal to feel dazed and confused. You may not know why it happened – you just know you’re hurting. Our job is to launch a full investigation to find out why you were hurt. Was the trucker distracted, driving under the influence, or asleep at the wheel? Was the truck improperly maintained or overloaded? The answers to those questions are the key to protecting your legal rights.

We’ll secure evidence and pore over documents, including:

• Hours of Service (HOS) logs: By law, truckers are required to take certain rest breaks and work no more than a certain number of hours in a day and in a week. The HOS log records this information – and the information in it may show whether those safety regulations were followed.
• The “black box” data: The truck’s event data recorder (EDR), commonly known as the black box, stores a wealth of information on what the truck was doing at the time of the crash, such as speed and direction of travel and whether the brakes were applied. This helps reconstruct what happened and what the truck driver did.
• Hiring and supervision records: The trucking company’s records will show whether they conducted a background check and whether they were aware of any safety concerns about the driver. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for trucking companies to cut corners on safety to get more drivers on the road faster.
• Truck maintenance records: Bald tires, bad brakes, and other maintenance issues can be incredibly dangerous. Trucking companies are responsible for keeping their vehicles maintained, so the maintenance records can be an important part of building a case.
• Witness testimony: Witnesses can be a critical part of any case against a truck driver. We may talk to both people who witnessed the accident itself and people who interacted with the trucker previously.

Remember, much of this evidence is the trucking company’s property, and by law, they are only required to preserve it for a certain period of time unless an attorney intervenes. That’s why it’s critical that you talk to a Columbus truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. We need to start our investigation right away to secure this important evidence and build your case.

We know how to navigate complex truck accident cases

When you’re hit by a tractor-trailer or other commercial truck, there is almost always more than one insurance company involved. The cab and the trailer usually have separate insurance, as does the cargo. If the accident involved liability on the part of a manufacturer or a company that maintained the truck, those companies have their own liability insurance as well. Accepting a settlement from one insurance company can affect the other companies’ liability as well. Each of those companies has lawyers and representatives working to protect their bottom line – which means paying you as little as possible.

For them, it’s just business. Your claim is so many numbers on a spreadsheet. For us, it’s personal. We know the accident has affected your life and your future, and we believe you should be made whole again. That’s why we’ll build a strong case for all the compensation you deserve – medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and more – and take a hard line in negotiations and, if necessary, file a lawsuit.

Usually, when the insurance companies see what they’re up against, they offer a settlement. Otherwise, we’ll take them to trial. Either way, you can count on the truck accident lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne to keep you informed and protect your rights throughout the process while you focus on healing.

Schedule your free consultation with a Columbus, OH truck accident lawyer

Again, you have to act fast after a truck accident. The statute of limitations (legal deadline) for most truck accidents in Ohio is two years from the date of the accident, but there are other deadlines that can expire much sooner. If you’re worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, remember that we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless we win. You don’t pay us anything out of pocket. We only get paid if we get a positive result for you.

Resolving a claim through a truck accident settlement or lawsuit can be complicated. Call the firm with the experience you need.

If you’ve been in a truck accident in Central Ohio, don’t panic, and don’t go it alone. Contact us today for a free consultation with a truck accident attorney who will fight hard for you.