Colliding with a tractor trailer can cause serious harm, vehicle damage, and a mountain of accident-related bills. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a big rig, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and other losses.
However, filing a claim can be complex, so you’ll want to hire a truck accident attorney to walk you through the process. A Columbus tractor trailer accident lawyer at The Fitch Law Firm LLC can help you understand your rights, evaluate your case, and determine whether you have grounds for filing a lawsuit.
How a Columbus Lawyer Can Help You File a Successful Claim
A Columbus tractor-trailer accident attorney from our firm can take a variety of measures and actions to ensure that your claim is successful. Here’s what your lawyer can do to hold the at-fault party responsible for the emotional suffering, financial loss, and pain you’ve been dealt:
- Identify fault in your accident
- Gather evidence in support of your claim, including the official police report on the accident, dashcam footage, and eyewitness testimony
- Quantify the extent of the damages you suffered
- Put together a claim if the circumstances surrounding your accident warrant one
- Negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies, truck company representatives, and others
- If necessary, take your case to court
- Meet relevant filing deadlines
- Keep you updated on your case and answer any questions you have
For a free legal consultation with a Columbus tractor trailer accident lawyer
(614) 545-3930
Compensation You Can Expect to Receive From a Claim
While we can’t guarantee that you’ll receive compensation from a claim or lawsuit, we can promise that our lawyers will work tirelessly to secure the money you need to pay your bills and support yourself during this uncertain time.
A tractor trailer accident lawyer from our team in Columbus can work with you to determine how the accident has impacted your life and livelihood. They’ll also assign a monetary value to all of your losses and calculate the ideal value of your settlement.
Once they know how much the insurance company owes you, they’ll demand that insurers offer the following damages:
Medical Bills
As you probably know, receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a truck accident can be extremely expensive. If you didn’t cause the crash, you shouldn’t be expected to pay for the medical treatment you need to get back on your feet.
A tractor trailer truck accident lawyer from Columbus can use your medical bills to calculate how much you’re owed for your treatment costs. Then, they’ll negotiate a settlement that covers the cost of your current, ongoing, and future medical care.
Lost Wages
Missing work after a serious truck accident is inevitable. You’ll need to call out from your job to attend medical appointments and get the rest that your body needs to heal. Luckily, an attorney can request compensation for the wages you miss out on after a collision.
Auto Repair Costs
A big rig truck’s sheer size and weight are enough to total any car it collides with. If your car has been badly damaged or totaled, don’t worry. A lawyer from our firm can get a portion of your vehicle repair or replacement bills reimbursed.
Decreased Earning Ability
Unfortunately, many truck accident survivors are left with lasting health conditions that permanently bar them from working at their old jobs. If that happens to you, these damages can help you support yourself.
Pain and Suffering
The pain of a serious car accident injury can be incredibly difficult to deal with. While the money you receive for your medical expenses can cover the cost of pain medication, you still deserve a settlement for your pain and suffering.
Mental Distress
Traumatic collisions can cause significant physical and mental pain. If you’ve experienced anxiety about getting back on the road, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression, these damages can help you cope with the mental distress you’re experiencing.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
(614) 545-3930
Injuries a Columbus Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney Can File a Claim for
Due to the massive size of big rig trucks, colliding with one can result in life-threatening injuries and fatal complications. Fortunately, a tractor trailer accident attorney in Columbus can secure compensation for your current medical bills and ongoing care costs.
Our team can fight for the damages you need to recover from or manage any of the following conditions:
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and cuts
- Scarring
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
We understand how difficult and painful it can be to recover from one of the injuries listed above. Our team can handle every aspect of your claim, so you have the time and peace of mind you need to recuperate as much as possible.
We Can Help You File a Wrongful Death Claim
Sadly, truck accidents kill innocent drivers every year. If someone close to you has passed away due to injuries from a collision with a tractor-trailer, our Columbus attorneys can help you stay sane throughout this tragic time.
Our team can help you file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. If successful, a wrongful death claim can yield the compensation you need to cover expenses and losses related to your loved one’s passing and help you pay for their funeral. Your wrongful death settlement may also include the following damages:
- Decedent’s remaining medical expenses
- Loss of the decedent’s financial support
- Loss of services
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Mental anguish
- Funeral and burial costs
The state of Ohio only allows certain relatives to file a wrongful death claim after losing a loved one. The following parties may file a wrongful death action after a loved one is killed in a truck collision:
- The decedent’s spouse
- The decedent’s children
- The decedent’s parents
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A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Prove Fault
Since Ohio is a fault state, the party who caused the accident will be responsible for the losses you’ve endured. As a consequence, the success of your case rests on your attorney’s ability to prove that another party caused the accident you were injured in.
Fortunately, our team has a great deal of experience and is especially skilled at gathering solid evidence that can be used to prove fault. They have what it takes to hold any of the following parties liable for your injuries and expenses:
The Maintenance Team
Most commercial trucking companies have maintenance teams responsible for keeping the company’s fleet in good condition. If the maintenance team does not perform proper safety checks and a vehicle malfunction occurs, they can be held liable for an accident.
The Trucking Company
Dealing with trucking companies after a collision can be difficult, as they’re always eager to reduce their liability and discount the severity of your injuries. Our team will handle all communications and negotiations with the trucking company and its insurance provider.
If the trucking company skipped important checks to save truck downtime and lower maintenance costs, it could be expected to pay damages if an accident occurs. The company may also be held liable if it pushes its drivers to meet aggressive delivery deadlines, causing them to drive drowsy or speed.
The Truck Driver
If the truck driver was intoxicated, distracted, speeding, or violating the rules of the road, a Columbus tractor trailer accident lawyer can take legal action against them. Your attorney can use evidence such as traffic camera footage, blood tests, and other records to prove that the driver caused the collision.
Parts Manufacturer
In some cases, truck crashes are caused by poorly manufactured auto parts. If your attorney suspects a faulty truck part caused your collision, they’ll call on an expert witness.
The auto engineering expert witness can inspect the vehicle for signs of faulty components and obtain the evidence your attorney needs to file a claim against the manufacturing company that produced the faulty part.
The Cargo Loading Team
Tractor trailers carrying cargo require a team of workers to load freight securely. If the cargo loading team fails to balance and secure the truck’s goods properly, they could come loose and cause a serious crash. If your attorney finds that a cargo issue caused your accident, they’ll file a claim against the loading team.
For each scenario above, a different party may shoulder some of the blame for an accident. A lawyer can help you determine who is at fault for an accident and what percentage of blame they are responsible for.
Whether your accident was caused by a driver, a truck owner, a truck operating company, a maintenance team, or a parts manufacturer, a tractor trailer accident attorney located in Columbus can assist you with identifying who may owe you damages so we can prepare a claim accordingly.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases
In order to receive the damages you need to move on with your life, you must abide by Ohio’s statute of limitations for truck accident cases. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you have two years from the date of your collision to submit a lawsuit.
If you fail to adhere to the state’s filing deadline, you could risk having your case thrown out and going uncompensated for the suffering and financial loss you’ve been burdened with. Contact a tractor trailer attorney today to get your suit filed on time.
If your filing due date has passed, you may be able to take advantage of an exception to the statute of limitations. Reach out to our team today to find out if you can still pursue compensation for your losses.
No Fee Unless You Receive Compensation
At the Fitch Law Firm LLC, we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. If we decide to take on your case, you will not have to pay us anything until your case is over and we secure compensation on your behalf.
We do not charge attorney’s fees unless we win. If we win your case, we’ll take a fair portion of the compensation you receive. To discuss our contingency fee policy further, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a tractor trailer accident attorney from our office in Columbus.
Contact Us Today for Your Free Consultation
The personal injuries and financial losses you may suffer after a tractor-trailer accident can be substantial. If you’ve been injured in a collision, we encourage you to reach out to legal counsel ASAP, as statutes of limitations apply to personal injury and vehicle accident cases.
Contact The Fitch Law Firm LLC for free consultation, learn if your case warrants a claim, and initiate the legal process for your accident. If we determine that you’re eligible to take legal action, a Columbus tractor trailer accident lawyer from our firm will begin constructing your claim.