When a truck is too heavy, large, or improperly loaded, it can cause serious truck accidents in Columbus, Ohio. Commercial trucks including semi-trucks are subject to strict regulations on how they can legally operate. This is because wide-load and oversize trucks are dangerous to other drivers when they get into accidents.
If you or a loved one were injured in an oversize load truck accident in Columbus, you could seek financial compensation with the help of an experienced Columbus oversize load truck accident lawyer. The dedicated truck accident attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers know your legal rights and options after an oversize load truck accident in Ohio. To learn more, contact our law office online or call (614) 587 8423 to schedule a free consultation.
How Can Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers Help You After an Oversize Load Truck Accident in Columbus, OH?
Oversize truck accidents in Ohio can involve liability by a driver, their employer, or other third parties involved in the truck’s operation. Determining how a truck crash happened and who was responsible can be challenging. If you were injured in an accident, however, you will face unexpected costs and have a legal right to compensation if someone’s negligence caused your injuries.
Our Columbus personal injury lawyers have 71 years of combined experience handling personal injury claims and will know where to look for evidence that can prove your case. We have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for our clients. Our Columbus truck accident lawyers have been recognized with the AV Preeminent Rating and by Super Lawyers.
When you hire Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to handle your truck accident case, we will:
- Investigate the facts of the accident to find out who was at fault;
- Analyze the evidence, including police reports, video footage, photos, physical evidence, and medical records;
- Work with accident reconstruction experts to prove how the accident started;
- Negotiating with insurance companies to fight for a fair settlement;
- Take your case to court to collect damages if the insurance company won’t pay.
If you were injured in an accident involving an oversize load truck, you need to act quickly to secure payment for your losses. Our proven Columbus oversize load truck accident lawyers will fight for you. You can trust our attorneys to listen to you and work hard for the results you deserve.
What Causes Oversize Load Truck Accidents in Columbus, Ohio?
Commercial trucks are subject to federal and state regulations for size and weight. This is to protect truck drivers and others on the road from accidents.
Federal weight limits for trucks are 20,000 pounds for a single axle, or 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle. The federal limit for gross vehicle weight is 80,000 pounds.
Ohio has its own limits for trucks, which are:
- 650 pounds per inch of pneumatic tires
- 20,000 pounds for a single axle
- 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle
- 80,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight.
Factors such as the truck’s design or intended purposes can also impact how heavy the truck should be. Weight restrictions exist for a reason. When trucks are too heavy or overloaded, the risks of accidents increase. Overloaded trucks are often imbalanced, and improperly balanced trucks can be hard for the driver to handle and maneuver causing large truck crashes. In bad weather, the dangers can be made worse.
Overloaded cargo can move and shift during transit, especially if it was not properly secured. Speeding, sharp turns, and sudden stops can lead a truck to tip or roll over. Too much weight can also increase wear and tear on the truck, damaging the brakes, tires, and other critical mechanisms.
Compared to other trucks, overloaded and oversize trucks are more likely to cause:
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Tipping
- Runaway trucks or trailers
Not all truck accidents are solely the truck driver’s fault. Negligence by a trucking company, manufacturer, or others can contribute to truck accidents that injure innocent drivers on Ohio’s roadways.
Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
Most truck accident claims involve the legal theory of negligence.
Proving negligence in an Ohio truck accident case requires proof of the following four elements:
- Duty of care. Truck drivers and their employers owe duties of care to others on the road.
- Breach of duty. A breach happens when a driver, employer, or other party fails to act reasonably and follow their duty of care.
- Causation. There must be a causal connection between a negligent act and the victim’s injuries.
- Damages. Damages in a truck accident claim can include medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, future medical costs, reduced future income, pain and suffering, and more. Truck accident lawyers will fight to maximize the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to collect after an oversized load truck accident.
Proving negligence in a truck accident claim can take time and involve a serious investigation. Our dedicated truck accident lawyers will work with you step by step to pursue your financial recovery after a devastating truck accident.
Call an Experienced Columbus Oversize Load Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The Columbus oversize load truck accident lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers know how serious a truck accident can be, and how to collect the compensation an injured victim deserves. Our dependable legal team will work to secure the financial relief you could be legally entitled to in Columbus, Ohio. Get started today by contacting our law office to schedule a free consultation.
