One minute you’re driving home on I-71 in Strongsville, and the next your life is forever changed. Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, damage to your vehicle, doctor appointments, insurance calls, and leave you wondering what is going to happen next. If you find yourself searching for a Strongsville truck accident lawyer, you are probably looking for help at one of the hardest times in your life.
Learning about your options is the first step towards understanding what you can do next.
Unless you’ve been involved in one, most people do not think about truck accidents on a daily basis. When they do happen, many injured people assume the legal process is similar to handling a traditional car accident claim. Unfortunately, truck accident cases are often more complicated than people realize.
Truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including the truck driver. Other responsible parties may include the trucking company, maintenance crews, cargo loaders, and various insurance carriers. Identifying who may be at fault often requires a full investigation and review of the evidence.
When investigating a truck accident case in Ohio, a Strongsville truck accident attorney at Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A may consider several different laws. For example, Ohio’s contributory negligence law states that more than one person can be at fault for an accident, which may affect compensation.
Additionally, there are deadlines for pursuing legal claims, and waiting too long can cost you your case. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Ohio, you typically have two years to file a claim against a party for personal injury.
Many other state and federal laws may impact a truck accident claim as well. Federal trucking regulations may come into play if there are issues related to driver fatigue, vehicle inspections, maintenance records, and safety procedures used by a trucking company.
Clients have turned to Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A. for more than three decades to provide legal representation for individuals and families from all walks of life across Northeast Ohio. Located in Middleburg Heights, we’re known for our practical approach to legal matters and explaining things in a way that is easy to understand.
Our attorneys believe everyone should have access to answers when they need guidance the most. If you are going through a difficult time, we are here to provide support and lend a compassionate ear. We can help you understand your options and make informed decisions about your future.
Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A. wants to make your life easier during this difficult time. That means helping you understand your options without any pressure or confusion. We recommend you contact our office to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. Clients can tell us about what happened, provide us with information regarding the accident and injuries sustained, and we can answer any questions that you may have.
After that consultation, we can provide you with more information regarding your potential case. We can explain Ohio truck accident laws, go over your options, and identify what information we need to help you move forward. Working with us, we can help you gain clarity and understanding about your situation. That way, you can make informed decisions about how to proceed.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer at Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A. to assist with your truck accident claim in Strongsville, we want you to be successful. Success means different things to different people. It may mean collecting resources to pay for medical bills and lost wages. It may also mean having the answers you need and understanding your legal rights.
Typically, success means our clients have confidence in their decision. Whether that’s moving forward with pursuing litigation or accepting a pre-litigation settlement proposal, the clinet has peace of mind knowing they did everything they could to stand up for their rights.
Yes, Ohio is an at-fault state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. This means that the person who caused the crash may be liable for damages caused by the collision. Following a truck accident, victims may pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company and through other channels. Accident reports, witness statements, and other evidence can help determine who was at fault.
The 60/70-hour rule refers to federal regulations regarding truck driver hours of service. Commercial drivers cannot drive more than 60/70 hours over a fixed period of time before taking a break to rest. States and the federal government have passed these laws to prevent driver fatigue and increase safety on the road. Speeding violations and driving beyond regulated hours could become key factors during your truck accident investigation and liability assessment.
The police, the insurance company, and possibly the truck driver’s employer investigate the accident after a crash. The investigating parties may scrutinize driver logs, maintenance and repair records, electronic tracking data, vehicle inspection reports, witness statements, and more. Depending on what they find, a number of parties may be held liable.
Average truck accident settlements range from very low to millions of dollars. This is because each truck accident involves unique facts, injuries, losses, and liability issues. Some of the variables that go into calculating a settlement include severity of injury, need for medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, and insurance policy limits.
Truck accidents are both serious and complex. Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A. understands these laws and can help you advocate for your future. Contact us today for a consultation.
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