When a Truck Accident Changes Everything
A semi-truck accident can turn an ordinary day into one of the worst moments of your life. In seconds, a collision involving a commercial truck can cause devastating injuries, long hospital stays, and months of uncertainty about how you’ll recover physically and financially. Because trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars, these crashes almost always lead to serious harm—and determining who is legally responsible is far more complicated than in a typical car accident.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict regulations on driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and load safety to reduce preventable crashes. Yet, when companies or drivers ignore these safety rules, the results can be catastrophic.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our attorneys have spent more than 70 years standing up for injured drivers and families across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana. We understand the devastation these accidents cause and know how to uncover the truth behind them—whether the fault lies with a negligent driver, an overworked trucking company, or unsafe maintenance practices.
Who Is Responsible After a Semi-Truck Crash?
Truck accidents are rarely caused by one simple mistake. Liability often extends beyond the driver to include multiple parties within the trucking operation.
When our Toledo truck accident attorneys investigate a case, we look at every layer of responsibility:
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The truck driver may have been distracted, fatigued, or speeding.
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The trucking company failed to supervise, train inadequately, or pressure drivers to meet impossible delivery schedules.
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The owner or lessor of the vehicle who ignored maintenance or safety repairs.
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The cargo loader or shipper who overloaded or improperly secured the freight.
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The parts or vehicle manufacturer that supplied defective brakes, tires, or steering components.
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A government entity or contractor that failed to maintain a safe roadway or construction zone.
In serious crashes, there’s often shared fault. Our team works to hold each responsible party accountable so clients receive full and fair compensation.
How Liability Differs by State
Truck accident cases are unique not only because of the size and complexity of the vehicles involved, but also because of the interstate nature of the trucking industry itself. A single crash can involve a driver licensed in Indiana, a carrier based in Michigan, and an accident that happened on an Ohio highway. Each state has its own laws governing negligence, insurance coverage, and recovery rights — and those differences can determine how much compensation an injured person ultimately receives.
In some states, you pursue damages directly from the at-fault party’s insurer. In others, you may first rely on your own no-fault or personal injury protection (PIP) benefits before filing a lawsuit. Understanding which state’s laws apply — and how those laws interact with federal trucking regulations — is essential to building a strong claim. Jurisdiction affects who can be sued, what damages are recoverable, and how comparative fault is measured.
Our attorneys handle trucking claims every day across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, tailoring legal strategies to each state’s system. While the facts of a collision might be similar, the path to recovery can look very different depending on where the crash occurred.
Ohio: A Fault-Based System
Ohio uses a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation if you’re 50 percent or less at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your share of blame. Trucking companies and insurers often try to shift part of the blame onto injured motorists—an experienced Ohio personal injury attorney can counter those tactics with clear evidence.
Michigan: No-Fault with Exceptions
Michigan’s no-fault system means your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage initially pays for medical expenses and certain wage losses. However, victims of serious impairment, wrongful death, or excess economic loss may still file a tort claim against the at-fault truck driver or company. Coordinating benefits between your PIP insurer and the trucking carrier’s policy is one of the most complex parts of these cases.
Indiana: Modified Comparative Fault
Indiana follows rules similar to Ohio’s—injured victims can recover damages as long as they are 50 percent or less responsible. Because trucking companies often operate across state lines, our attorneys frequently handle crashes where multiple states’ laws overlap.
What Evidence Determines Fault in a Trucking Case
Truck accident litigation is built on evidence—often the kind that disappears quickly. Within days, electronic data from the truck’s “black box” or electronic logging device (ELD) can be lost or overwritten. That’s why one of the first steps we take is to send preservation letters to ensure crucial data remains intact.
Key evidence includes:
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Electronic Control Module (ECM) data showing speed, braking, and mechanical performance.
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ELD and dispatch logs reveal driver hours, route patterns, and fatigue.
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Maintenance and inspection records proving whether safety issues were ignored.
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Cargo documentation showing who loaded and secured the freight.
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Driver qualification files detailing training and prior violations.
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Video evidence from dashcams, traffic cameras, or nearby businesses.
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Accident reconstruction and expert analysis linking corporate decisions to unsafe conditions.
Our team regularly works with reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and financial analysts to connect these pieces of evidence into a clear, persuasive case.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
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Driver fatigue from violating hours-of-service limits.
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Distracted or impaired driving due to mobile devices or medications.
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Poor vehicle maintenance, such as worn brakes or tires.
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Improperly loaded cargo that shifts or exceeds weight limits.
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Unsafe corporate policies that reward speed over safety.
When we expose systemic negligence, we not only strengthen your case but also help make our highways safer for others.
Damages You Can Recover
A semi-truck crash can impact nearly every part of your life. Victims often face extensive medical bills, time away from work, and long-term pain. Compensation in these cases may include:
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Medical costs—past, current, and future.
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Lost income and reduced earning capacity.
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Pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
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Property damage and vehicle replacement.
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Loss of consortium or companionship.
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Wrongful death damages for families who have lost a loved one.
In Michigan, we coordinate with your PIP benefits to maximize available recovery. In Ohio and Indiana, we pursue full fault-based compensation and ensure insurers don’t minimize your injuries.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Local Roads, Real Risks
Our experienced truck accident attorneys handle truck accident claims across regional freight corridors, including I-75, I-80/90, US-20, and US-23. These routes see heavy semi-traffic year-round, especially near Toledo’s logistics hubs, the Sandusky and Fremont industrial areas, and along Monroe’s I-75 corridor in Michigan. Winter weather and tight delivery windows add to the danger.
We’ve represented clients in crashes caused by out-of-state carriers passing through Findlay, Defiance, Lima, Mansfield, Fremont, and Monroe, Michigan. No matter where the crash occurs, we bring the same level of preparation and tenacity.
Why Choose Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault
For over seven decades, our firm has fought for people—not corporations. Clients choose GT&B because we offer:
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Experience that matters. We’ve handled complex trucking and personal injury cases throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
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Thorough investigation. Our attorneys act immediately to preserve black-box data, logbooks, and dispatch records.
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Trial-ready preparation. We build every case as if it will go to court, strengthening settlement leverage.
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Personal attention. We take time to listen, explain the process, and help you make informed decisions.
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No upfront costs. You owe nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Learn more about truck accident investigations and your legal rights.
Client-Centered Legal Advocacy
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our semi-truck accident and personal injury attorneys know recovery is about more than a settlement—it’s about rebuilding your life after a serious crash. We stay personally involved, working with your doctors to document injuries, monitor progress, and calculate the full physical, emotional, and financial impact.
Serving clients across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, we handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing. With decades of proven results, our compassionate, client-centered advocacy ensures your recovery—and your rights—always come first.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a semi-truck accident in Ohio, Michigan, or Indiana, don’t face the aftermath alone. The trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect themselves—you need a legal team that moves faster.
No Risk. No Upfront Costs. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call 419-843-6663 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Offices: Toledo | Maumee | Defiance | Fremont | Findlay | Lima | Mansfield | Sandusky | Monroe, MI
Serving Clients Across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be liable after a truck accident?
Liability may be assigned to the driver, the motor carrier, the owner-operator, the shipper, a maintenance company, or even a government entity responsible for road safety.
Do I have a case if I’m partly at fault?
Yes. In Ohio and Indiana, you can still recover if you are 50% or less at fault. In Michigan, PIP benefits apply regardless of fault, and you can sue for serious injuries or excess losses.
What evidence matters most?
Electronic data, driver logs, maintenance records, video footage, and expert reconstruction are essential to proving negligence and corporate fault.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Deadlines differ by state. Ohio and Indiana generally allow two years; Michigan has specific time limits for no-fault and tort claims. Acting quickly protects both your evidence and your rights.
Kevin Boissoneault, is the President and Managing Partner of GT&B. He began his career at GT&B in 1992 and has built the Personal Injury section into one of the strongest and most successful firms in the region. His hard work and dedication as a compelling trial attorney and litigator has won many verdicts and settlements for his clients and their families. Kevin’s commitment to protecting those who have been injured through accident or negligence has brought justice for thousands of clients.
