Columbus Intersections Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a truck accident at an intersection in Columbus, you could recover damages with a claim or lawsuit. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including property damage, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and more.

A Columbus intersections truck accident lawyer from The Fitch Law Firm LLC can investigate your accident. We can also identify the liable parties, help you hold those parties accountable, and pursue monetary reimbursement for your losses.

Compensation You Could Receive After a Truck Accident at a Columbus Intersection

If you’ve been involved in a serious truck collision, you may be suffering from a wide range of physical, psychological, and financial difficulties. The amount of compensation that a truck accident victim in Columbus can obtain depends on many factors, including:

• The types of injuries the victim suffered
• The victim’s prognosis
• How the victim’s injuries affect their life and ability to earn income
• Whether the victim is also partially at fault for the accident
• The costs resulting from the accident

At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we help truck accident victims fight for the compensation they need. A Columbus intersections truck accident attorney from our team can investigate your case, calculate the damages you sustained, and pursue financial recovery on your behalf.

Our Auto Accident Lawyers Will Pursue Reimbursement for Accident-Related Losses

One of the highest costs after a major truck accident is often medical bills. An intersections truck accident lawyer in Columbus can review your medical expenses and pursue compensation for costs related to:

• Hospital care
• X-rays and other imaging tests
• Medications
• Medical devices and equipment
• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Ambulance transport
• Doctor’s appointments

In addition to medical expenses, there are a number of other losses that you could receive compensation for, such as:

Lost Earnings

Many truck accident victims must miss work while they heal from their injuries. You could recover compensation for lost income if you had to take time off from work because of your truck accident injuries.

Lost Earning Capacity

Your earning capacity refers to your ability to work and earn money. If your injuries forced you to quit your job or take a lower-paying position, an intersections truck accident attorney in Columbus can request compensation for your reduced earning capacity.

Property Damage

Being struck by a semi-truck may have left your vehicle badly damaged or totaled. The costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle may also be recoverable. Make sure to save your auto repair or replacement bills, as your attorney can use them to secure the correct amount of compensation. 

Non-Economic Damages

Although non-economic damages are not financial in nature, you may still receive monetary compensation for these losses. You could receive compensation for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental DIstress
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Lost enjoyment of life

A Columbus truck accident attorney familiar with intersection truck accident cases can help you determine a fair value for your losses, including non-economic losses that can be tricky to quantify.

Wrongful Death Damages

If your loved one died due to injuries caused by a truck collision, you have the right to pursue legal action. An intersections truck accident lawyer from our team in Columbus can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the individuals or entities responsible for your loved one’s fatal injuries.

Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2125.02, you could receive compensation for the following:

• Loss of financial support and services
• Loss of society and companionship
• Mental anguish
• Loss of inheritance

Our compassionate wrongful death lawyers understand the challenges you face after losing someone close to you. We will work with you to seek justice for your loved one and financial compensation for your losses. 

How Our Attorneys Can Help You Build a Strong Truck Accident Case

If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident at an intersection, let a Columbus intersections truck accident lawyer from our team handle your injury case so that you can concentrate on recovering. Our lawyers are ready to help you assert your rights.

We can help your truck accident case by:

• Discussing your legal options with you
• Launching a full investigation into your accident’s circumstances
• Identifying the liable parties
• Obtaining evidence and witness statements
• Calculating the damages you suffered
• Managing communications with the trucking company or other responsible parties
• Handling negotiations with the insurance company
• Fighting for your best interests
• Representing you during a truck accident lawsuit if a suitable settlement is not reached

How A Truck Accident Attorney Demonstrates Negligence in Your Case

Most truck accident cases hinge upon proving the defendant’s “negligence.” Negligence is the failure to act with a reasonable amount of caution and attention. If the truck driver or another liable party acted negligently and this carelessness led to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.

Intersection truck accidents may be caused by:

• A truck driver running a red light
• Distracted driving, such as cell phone use while driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Falling asleep at the wheel or fatigued driving
• Defective brakes or other faulty truck parts
• Insufficient truck maintenance
• Poor intersection design

An intersections truck accident attorney from our office in Columbus, OH, can help you identify who is liable for your truck accident. Our team can also locate evidence of the defendant’s negligence and use it to secure your compensation.

You Can Still Recover Compensation if You Were Partially at Fault

Some people assume they cannot bring a personal injury case and collect compensation if they were speeding or contributed to the injury-causing incident somehow. Fortunately, this is not the case in Ohio.

Per ORC § 2315.33, personal injury cases in the state are subject to modified comparative negligence. If your degree of fault is less than that of the defendant, you may be able to get compensation.

For example, if you were speeding when you were struck by a truck driver who ran a red light, you may be considered 10% at fault, while the trucker is 90% at fault. In this hypothetical example, you could still recover 90% of the damages you suffered.

Parties That May Be Held Responsible for the Accident

One of your attorney’s most important jobs is identifying the at-fault party. An intersections truck accident attorney from Columbus will review the evidence and work with experts to determine which of the following parties should be held liable:

A Government Entity

Sometimes, a truck accident at an intersection is partly or entirely caused by poor road or intersection design. Suppose a city, state, or other government entity designed a road with inadequate signs, confusing lanes, blind spots, or other problems. In that case, the government entity might be at fault for the collision.

A Shipping or Trucking Company

Commercial truck drivers often operate on behalf of a shipping or distribution company. If the company owns the vehicle, the company is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and recalls. An accident caused by the company’s failure to maintain or repair a commercial truck could give you grounds to file a claim against it.

Unsafe driving policies, such as long hours or insufficient breaks, can also affect driver safety. If the company permits (or turns a blind eye to) unsafe policies and procedures—especially if those procedures don’t comply with regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)—you can hold the company liable for accidents that occur as a result.

The trucking company is responsible for keeping records of the truck’s maintenance, the driver’s drug tests, and driving hours. To stop the company from destroying valuable evidence, we must issue a spoliation letter that compels them to keep this important information. Hiring an attorney ASAP will ensure that evidence is preserved.

A Vehicle Manufacturer

Manufacturers and distributors of motor vehicles must meet specific safety standards regarding auto parts and system operations. If your accident was due to a system or component failure from a defective part, you could also pursue legal action against the vehicle manufacturer or distributor.

Common Truck Accident Injuries in Ohio

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 24 percent of crashes involving large trucks resulted in injuries in 2020. Because of the size and weight of these vehicles, they collide with much more force than smaller cars and trucks. As a result, many truck accident victims suffer severe injuries.

Among these injuries, some are more likely to occur, including:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injury
• Broken bones
• Lacerations, bruising, and burns
• Scarring
• Internal injuries

After a traumatic event, it may be difficult to notice an injury right away. It’s important to see a doctor immediately after an accident, especially in a collision with a truck. Not only will this help you identify and treat looming health problems, but it will also protect your case for compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Auto Accident Claims

The Ohio personal injury statute of limitation is two years, per ORC §2305.10. The wrongful death statute of limitations is also two years, per ORC §2125.02 (d)(1). Whether you’re pursuing a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit, you’ll have two years from the date of the incident to submit your suit.

Because these times can vary depending on your case, a truck accident attorney from our firm in Columbus can advise you on the time frames that apply to your case. If your filing deadline has passed, you should still reach out to a lawyer to find out about other options.

No Fee Unless We Win

Recovering from a truck accident injury can be extremely stressful and expensive. The intersections truck accident team at our firm doesn’t want to put any more financial burdens on you during this difficult time.

That’s why we operate on a contingency-fee-basis. Instead of charging you an out-of-pocket legal fee before starting your case, we’ll take a portion of your settlement at the end of your case. If we cannot secure compensation for your losses, you won’t have to pay a dime.

What To Do After an Intersection Truck Accident in Columbus

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t feel like you’re injured, you could have a condition with delayed symptoms like whiplash. However, if you feel comfortable enough, there are a few things you can do to help your case before you see a doctor. 

Here’s what you can do after a truck collision to increase your chances of receiving compensation:

• Call local law enforcement
• Exchange insurance and contact information with the driver
• Take photos of the accident and vehicle damage
• Take photos of your injuries
• Speak with witnesses and take down their information
• Don’t speak to insurance companies without a lawyer
• Only state the facts if police ask you for a statement

Once you’ve completed these steps, we strongly encourage you to get checked out by a medical professional. After all, your health is the most important thing in situations like these. Once a doctor has treated you, make sure to contact a Columbus intersections truck accident attorney ASAP. 

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck collision, reach out to the truck accident attorneys at our firm today. A Columbus intersections truck accident lawyer can help you bring a powerful claim and fight for the compensation you need to recuperate from your injuries.

With over 30 years of experience in Ohio injury law, The Fitch Law Firm LLC understands the complexities of Ohio law regarding truck accidents and negligence. We can help you compile evidence to prove fault and protect your right to compensation, even against large corporations and giant insurance companies. Contact us today for a free consultation.