Were you recently injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck in Columbus, Ohio? An experienced Columbus truck accident lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover every available dollar—call (614) 587-8423 to schedule a free case review today.
We’ve developed a proven track record of success that you can trust. We put over 71 years of legal experience to work in every case we take on–and we’ve already used our skills to recover hundreds of millions in compensation awards for our injured clients.
Crashes involving semi-trucks and big rigs can be extremely dangerous. They can also be difficult to prove. You may deserve substantial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Contact our law offices to schedule your free consultation with a truck accident attorney.
How Can Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers Help Me Recover Compensation After a Truck Accident in Columbus?
Personal injury claims involving large trucks can be complex. They may involve federal trucking regulations. Multiple parties can share legal responsibility even if the truck driver is clearly at fault. The truck company’s insurers will force you to prove every element of your case.
You need a Columbus personal injury attorney with enough skills and experience to fight back successfully. At Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers, our lawyers have been recognized as Super Lawyers year after year. We’ve also earned the highest Martindale-Hubbell rating possible and are listed as AV-Preeminent lawyers.
You can count on our team to:
- Collect and evaluate all evidence to establish liability and causation
- Identify all parties who are legally responsible for your damages
- File your insurance claims and handle all paperwork
- Work with leading trucking industry experts and specialists
- Defend against any blame-shifting allegations
- Document your damages and calculate your case value
- Negotiate for the highest insurance settlement possible
- Fight to protect you in court if necessary
Without an experienced attorney, you risk taking a lowball settlement. Call our truck accident attorneys to get the legal advice you deserve today.
Do I Need A Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer?
We highly recommend that you hire an attorney after a semi-truck accident in Columbus. These cases are often complex because they involve multiple parties, state and federal regulations, and substantial insurance policies.
You’ll want a lawyer who knows trucking laws and how to interpret complicated insurance jargon. However, you may also need specific experts to step in and help strengthen your case. Examples include accident reconstructionists, specialists in the transportation industry, and medical professionals. A knowledgeable attorney will know who to call.
On top of receiving help with legal and insurance issues, retaining legal representation means you have a trusted advocate by your side throughout the process. They can explain your rights, ensure you obtain the necessary medical care, and provide support from start to finish.
How Common Are Accidents Involving Large Trucks in Ohio?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps track of crashes involving large trucks across the United States. According to FMCSA data, 3,969 accidents involving large trucks were reported in Ohio during 2022.
At least 1,769 people were injured in those truck crashes. Unfortunately, another 140 people lost their lives.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, most of those crashes were likely to occur on I-75, I-70, and I-80.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Truck Accidents in Ohio?
Damages are grouped according to whether they compensate a victim for economic or non-economic damages.
Truck accident victims are often entitled to economic damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Property damage
Non-economic damages vary from victim to victim.
Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium and damage to personal relationships
To get a fair deal, it’s important to take some time and identify all of the losses you have suffered because of the accident and injury. An attorney can help with the process. We can also help you put a dollar value on your personal and non-financial losses.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Columbus, Ohio?
While multiple factors can play a role in any crash, some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Fatigued truck drivers or ignoring FMCSA hours-of-service rules
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to account for wide turns and longer stopping times
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Drug use
- Inexperienced semi-truck drivers
- Problems with connecting the truck’s tractor and trailer
- Hazardous cargo or failure to secure the truck’s cargo
- Failure to maintain the truck
- Hazardous road conditions
Truck drivers must obtain a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) in Ohio. As we all know, however, merely obtaining the CDL doesn’t mean the driver is a safe driver. In fact, most accidents happen because of driver error.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Columbus
Our legal team can help you after any kind of truck crash, including those involving:
- Rollovers
- Jackknife truck accidents
- Sideswipes
- Tire blowouts
- Underride accidents
- Lost loads
- Wide turn accidents
- Cargo truck accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Brake failures
- Rear-end truck accidents
- Head-on crashes
Regardless of how your wreck occurred, reach out to us for assistance to get the legal process started.
What Types of Evidence Do I Need to Prove My Case?
Many types of evidence can be relevant, including:
- Police reports
- Data from the truck’s black box recorder
- Eyewitness statements
- The truck company’s records
- Information about the driver’s hiring procedures
- The driver’s qualifications and safety records
- Alcohol and drug test results
The trucking company will send investigative teams to the scene quickly–especially if the injuries are severe. Our lawyers can help you level the playing field and search for the evidence you need. Contact us right away to get started.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer in Columbus?
Your bill for attorneys’ fees will depend on the value of your settlement or verdict. We don’t charge any upfront fees for our services. Instead, we work on a contingency fee arrangement where we take our fees as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Contingency fee arrangements are common in personal injury law firms. Most firms charge between 33% and 40% of the victim’s final compensation. That way, you don’t have to worry about legal expenses while you’re still recovering from your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Ohio?
The statute of limitations in Ohio is two years. If you don’t file a lawsuit within two years of the accident, you lose your right to damages.
Who Is Liable for Your Columbus, OH, Truck Accident?
In truck accident cases, you must identify the parties responsible for the crash. The at-fault party may very likely be someone other than the driver.
For example, parties who may share blame include:
- Trucking companies
- Maintenance companies
- Companies responsible for a truck’s cargo
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts or safety equipment
- Government agencies tasked with oversight
- Third-party drivers
A large trucking corporation often employs truck drivers. If that’s the case, the corporation itself can be liable for the truck driver’s negligent driving.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Columbus, Ohio
The aftermath of an 18-wheeler crash can be overwhelming. You may have sustained severe injuries, and victims are often in a state of shock.
If possible, try taking the following steps to protect yourself:
- Call 911 to report the truck crash and request emergency services. You need to have law enforcement investigate the incident and prepare a formal report.
- Exchange information with the truck driver, including info regarding their insurance coverage and employer.
- Gather evidence at the truck accident scene. Take photos and videos of your vehicle, the tractor-trailer, damaged property, debris, and any other relevant details. Ask witnesses for their contact info.
- Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene. Wait for the police or an attorney to fully investigate the accident to determine what caused it.
- Seek prompt medical treatment at the nearest ER or urgent care center. You may be transported to the hospital by EMS, but if not, do not overlook this step. You may have suffered injuries that you don’t know about. Your medical record will help establish that they resulted from the collision.
Once you’ve ensured your health by obtaining medical attention, contact a truck accident lawyer right away for guidance on the next steps you should take.
Truck Accidents FAQ’s:
What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury case depends on many different factors. However, the severity of the injuries tends to be the most important. More serious injuries tend to be more expensive. They also impact a victim’s life in more dramatic ways.
While that’s broadly true, our Columbus truck accident attorneys evaluate a variety of different issues when calculating the value of a personal injury claim, including:
- Your medical treatment costs and other expenses, considering likely future costs
- Your property damage and vehicle repair costs
- Any loss of earnings during your recovery
- Your prognosis for making a full physical recovery
- Whether you’ll be able to return to work in the same capacity
- Your need for ongoing rehabilitation and medical care
- Your physical pain, emotional trauma, and other intangible losses
- The overall circumstances, including whether shared fault is an issue
Trucking companies typically carry commercial insurance. Policy limits may be higher, but the insurance company is also likely to fight your claim harder. Remember that they have tricks up their sleeves that can be used to undervalue your case.
It’s critical to know how much your personal injury claim is worth. Contact our lawyers today for more information.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Share Fault for a Trucking Accident?
You could walk away with a reduced settlement or nothing at all. You lose your right to compensation under Ohio’s comparative negligence law if the insurance company can prove you were at least 51% responsible for your injuries. If your share of fault is less than 51%, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Damages After a Truck Accident in Ohio?
You’ll have to establish the legal basis for your truck accident case. Most of the time, truck accident claims are based on negligence. Drivers are negligent when they fail to exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would use under the circumstances.
The four basic elements of the claim are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Columbus, OH, Truck Accident Case?
It is difficult to provide an answer without knowing the specifics of your truck accident claim. It could take weeks, months, or even longer, depending on the circumstances.
For example, some of the factors that can affect your case’s timeline include:
- Your recovery and how long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)
- The investigation period and the time needed to gather the necessary evidence
- The opposing party’s cooperation and willingness to negotiate and settle
- Whether your truck accident case goes to trial
Ultimately, various things can affect the time it takes for your case to conclude. We will keep you informed so that you know where you stand.
Contact a Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may have questions about your legal options. A Columbus truck accident attorney can offer answers. Call Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule your free case review today.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT US
Read more of our Google Reviews.
Highly Rated Physical Therapy Clinics
- Perpetual Motion Physical Therapy – 1271 Edgehill Rd Suite B, Columbus, OH 43212
- Fitness Matters Grandview – 1391 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215
- Insight Physical Therapy and Wellness – 4400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.