Truck Accident Reports in Ohio

A truck accident lawyer can help you report the crash on time and build your case for damages.

Filing a Truck Accident Report in Ohio

To file your car accident report, you first need to determine the municipality having jurisdiction. It may be a city, county, or state agency, depending on the location of the accident. Also, depending on the agency, you may be able to file the report online. There may be a form to download, complete, and scan or mail. You may even have to go to the local police station in person to complete the report.

However, if you called law enforcement to the crash scene, which you should, the responding officer should have written a report. The document must contain the following information:

• The date, time, and location of the crash
• The events that led up to the accident
• The parties involved

If you’re not sure whether the police officer issued a report, you can file one yourself.

How You Can Access Your Truck Accident Report

The Ohio Department of Public Safety (DPS) explains that you can access your unofficial accident report online up to six weeks after the incident. Just enter the following information:

• The report document or crash number
• The date of the accident
• The county where the accident took place
• Your last name
• The responding law enforcement agency

If you prefer to pick up the report in person, contact your local law enforcement agency.

How Long You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Ohio

Per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, there is typically a two-year window for filing a personal injury lawsuit. The same limit goes for bringing wrongful death lawsuits, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02. There may be exceptions to your case.

If you are too late in submitting your case in court, you may not be allowed to pursue the other party for your damages. Once we take on your case, we can work to meet any relevant deadlines and streamline the legal process as much as possible.

Note that this deadline pertains to lawsuits as opposed to insurance claims. Each insurance company has its own filing time limits, so get in touch with your insurer to see how much time you have to file a claim.

How to Act Following a Truck Accident in Ohio

Once you call the police to the truck accident scene, consider taking the following steps:

Seek Medical Attention Promptly

You should get medical help as soon as possible after the accident. You may have sustained injuries with symptoms that do not show up immediately, such as internal bleeding.

In addition, it may be hard to prove your injuries were a direct result of the crash if you delay seeing a doctor. Furthermore, an insurer may try to undervalue or deny a claim if your injuries worsen due to a lack of treatment.

Document the Truck Accident

If you are able to get out of your vehicle, you should take photographs of:

• The scene of the accident at different angles
• The conditions of the road
• The damaged vehicles
• Your injuries

Also, get contact details from the other party and any witnesses. The latter can give their account of the accident, which can work as evidence for your case.

Damages You Can Claim in an Ohio Truck Accident Case

Depending on the type of accident and the severity of your injuries, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Damage to property
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Loss of future earning potential
• Mental anguish

You can request compensation for funeral expenses, loss of consortium, and end-of-life care costs if you’re filing a wrongful death case. Only certain people can file wrongful death lawsuits. Usually, a representative of the deceased’s estate can. If the deceased’s will does not name one, the court can appoint a representative, such as a spouse, child, or parent.

Parties Who May Be Responsible for Your Truck Accident Damages

Gathering evidence will help you determine who is responsible for the crash. Some information and documentation that can point us to this party include:

• Photos
• Traffic citations
• Medical records
• Video footage
• Black box information from the involved truck
• Employee records
• Driver logs
• Witness testimony
• The accident report

We may find that one or more of the following parties caused your accident:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• A truck parts manufacturer
• The cargo company
• The maintenance company
• A mechanic
• Another road user

In some cases, even a government entity may be liable for an accident. For example, if your truck accident occurred due to a poorly maintained road, you can work to hold the local governing agency liable for your losses. Different time limits apply when taking legal action against a government entity, so act quickly to start your case.

The Fitch Law Firm LLC Can Manage Your Truck Accident on Contingency

If you need help reporting a truck accident in Ohio, a personal injury attorney with The Fitch Law Firm LLC is here for you. In addition to taking on this task for you, they can assist you with collecting evidence, identifying the responsible party, evaluating your damages, and fighting for the compensation you need.

Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our members of staff. Since we serve our truck accident clients on contingency, we won’t ask for any upfront payments. We only get compensated if you do.