Each year, thousands of lives are changed by devastating semi-truck crashes across the Midwest. These massive vehicles keep our regional economy running—transporting goods from factories in Toledo and Findlay to distribution centers in Detroit and Fort Wayne—but when trucking companies cut corners on safety, the results can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been injured in one of these crashes, working with an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer is essential to protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
According to federal transportation data, more than 5,700 fatal large-truck crashes occur annually in the United States, and tens of thousands more cause life-altering injuries. When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the difference in size and weight often leaves victims facing catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and overwhelming financial strain.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our semi-truck accident lawyers have spent more than 70 years standing up for injured drivers and families across Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and Northeast Indiana. We understand both the federal FMCSA safety regulations and the state negligence laws that govern trucking cases—and we know how to hold carriers, shippers, and negligent drivers accountable.
Why Semi-Truck Accidents Are So Devastating
Understanding the Complexities of Semi-Truck Accident Cases
Semi-truck accidents are far more complicated than ordinary car crashes. Determining liability requires a detailed investigation, specialized knowledge of trucking regulations, and immediate action to preserve critical evidence.
In this video, Managing Partner Kevin Boissoneault explains why it’s essential to move quickly after a semi-truck crash and how experienced legal representation can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. He discusses how national trucking companies have dedicated “go teams” — insurance adjusters, experts, and defense lawyers — who are dispatched to the crash scene within hours to protect the company’s interests.
Kevin emphasizes that injured victims need their own advocate on their side just as quickly. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney can send preservation letters to insurance carriers and trucking companies to secure vital evidence such as electronic data downloads from the truck’s black box, driver logbooks, and inspection records before they’re lost or destroyed.
Kevin Boissoneault explains the complications that arise in accidents involving semi-trucks.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we act immediately to protect our clients’ rights. Our legal team coordinates with accident reconstruction experts and federal compliance specialists to gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and strengthen your case. These cases are complex — but with experienced legal representation, victims can level the playing field against powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
Most semi-truck accidents are not random—they stem from decisions that ignore safety standards or violate federal law. Common causes include:
Driver fatigue: Federal Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules limit how long truckers can drive without rest. Violations remain a leading cause of serious crashes.
Distracted driving: Texting, using GPS devices, or eating behind the wheel can cause deadly lapses in attention.
Speeding and aggressive driving: Many collisions occur when truckers travel too fast for conditions or tailgate smaller vehicles.
Negligent maintenance: Worn brakes, tire blowouts, and steering failures often indicate a lack of required inspections or falsified maintenance records.
Improperly loaded or secured cargo: Uneven or unsecured freight can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or cargo spills that block entire highways.
Driving under the influence: Although subject to strict testing, impaired or medicated drivers continue to cause catastrophic harm on Midwest roads.
Every one of these scenarios points to a system failure in safety oversight—and each one is avoidable when companies follow the law.
Types of Semi-Truck Accidents
Different types of truck crashes reveal different forms of negligence. Understanding how they occur can help establish liability and strengthen your case.
Jackknife Accidents: Occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, often due to sudden braking, poor traction, or improper loading.
Rollover Accidents: Common on curved ramps or during high winds, rollovers often stem from unbalanced cargo or speeding.
Underride and Override Collisions: When a car becomes trapped under a truck’s trailer, or a truck runs over a smaller vehicle. These are frequently fatal and often linked to missing or defective underride guards.
Wide-Turn or Blind-Spot Accidents: Large trucks require significant space to turn or merge; failing to check mirrors or signal properly can crush nearby vehicles.
Rear-End Collisions: Trucks need much longer stopping distances than cars. Tailgating or distracted driving can lead to catastrophic rear-end crashes.
Each crash type requires a tailored legal strategy and often expert analysis to reconstruct what happened.
Common Injuries in Semi-Truck Crashes
Because of the sheer force of impact, victims in truck accidents often suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries.
Typical trauma includes:
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect memory, balance, and cognition
Spinal cord injuries leading to partial or total paralysis
Multiple fractures, crush injuries, and internal bleeding
Severe burns or chemical exposure from hazardous cargo spills
Amputations or permanent disfigurement
These injuries may require months or years of rehabilitation, multiple surgeries, and lifelong care. Many victims are unable to return to work, creating immense financial strain on top of emotional trauma.
Our attorneys fight to recover compensation that reflects the true long-term impact—not just immediate medical bills.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Liable parties may include:
The truck driver, for distracted, fatigued, or reckless driving
The trucking company, for negligent hiring, poor supervision, or safety violations
The cargo loading company, for failing to balance or secure freight
The vehicle maintenance provider, for neglecting required inspections or repairs
In some cases, the manufacturer, for defective brakes, tires, or underride guards
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists and FMCSA compliance experts to gather evidence such as:
Driver logs and electronic logging device (ELD) data
Black-box downloads showing speed and braking activity
Maintenance and inspection records
Cargo manifests and weigh-station reports
Witness statements and dash-cam footage
This evidence helps us prove how negligence led directly to your injuries and damages.
Compensation Available to Victims
Victims of semi-truck accidents are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These may include:
Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Loss of companionship in wrongful death cases
In severe cases involving reckless disregard for safety—such as falsified logs or ignored maintenance warnings—punitive damages may also apply.
Our legal team works with medical, vocational, and economic experts to calculate the full value of your claim so insurers cannot undervalue your losses.
The Legal Process After a Semi-Truck Accident
Time is critical after a semi-truck crash. Key evidence, such as driver logs, dash-cam video, and black-box data, can be lost, deleted, or overwritten within days. The trucking company’s insurance “go team” is often at the scene within hours—collecting information and building their defense. That’s why it’s essential to act quickly and secure experienced legal representation that understands how to protect your rights from day one.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we take immediate action to preserve crucial records and build a strong foundation for your claim. Our process is strategic, thorough, and designed to stay one step ahead of the trucking company’s defense team.
Step 1: Preserve and Protect Evidence
We send a formal spoliation or preservation letter to the trucking company, its insurer, and any related contractors. This legal notice requires them to retain all electronic data, logbooks, inspection reports, and black-box recordings. We also work to secure photos, witness statements, and police reports before they can be altered or misplaced.
Step 2: Conduct a Detailed Investigation
Our attorneys collaborate with accident reconstructionists, mechanical engineers, and FMCSA compliance experts to determine exactly what happened and why. We analyze skid marks, debris patterns, braking data, and load documentation to uncover safety violations, driver fatigue, or equipment failure.
Step 3: Identify All Liable Parties
Truck accident cases often involve multiple defendants. We identify every responsible entity—including drivers, carriers, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and out-of-state contractors—to ensure no avenue for compensation is overlooked. Many commercial carriers operate across state lines, making it essential to understand both federal and state trucking laws.
Step 4: Build and Present Your Case
Once the evidence is secured, we prepare a comprehensive claim supported by expert analysis, medical documentation, and financial impact statements. Our legal team negotiates directly with insurance carriers to demand a settlement that fully reflects your losses—both economic and emotional.
Step 5: Litigate When Necessary
If the responsible parties refuse fair compensation, our trial-ready attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. With decades of litigation experience, we know how to present complex trucking evidence clearly and effectively before a judge or jury.
Because our attorneys are licensed in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, we provide consistent representation across state lines. Whether your crash occurred on I-75, I-80, or a rural highway, our firm can pursue justice in the appropriate jurisdiction and handle all cross-state legal coordination for you.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we don’t wait for the evidence to disappear—we act fast to protect it. Our focused, aggressive approach has helped victims and families throughout the Midwest recover the compensation they deserve after catastrophic truck accidents.
Why Experience Matters in Truck Accident Claims
Truck cases differ from car accident claims in nearly every respect. Federal rules under the FMCSA require extensive documentation, and trucking companies often deploy defense teams immediately after a crash to protect their interests.
Our firm’s decades of experience give us a unique advantage:
We understand how carriers manipulate logs and dispatch records.
We know which experts to hire to prove violations of safety standards.
We’ve taken on national trucking companies—and won.
At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, we combine deep legal knowledge with a compassionate, client-first approach. We handle the legal battle so victims can focus on recovery.
Your Path to Justice Starts Here
The aftermath of a semi-truck accident can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone. With more than 70 years of proven success, Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault has helped injured drivers and families recover millions in compensation for trucking negligence across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Our semi-truck accident attorneys combine aggressive legal strategy with compassionate, client-centered advocacy. From the moment you contact us, we take on the burden of investigating your crash, preserving evidence, and negotiating with powerful insurance companies. Our legal team builds each case with precision—whether it’s through expert reconstruction, FMCSA regulation analysis, or testimony that proves the full extent of your injuries.
When settlement negotiations fall short, our truck accident lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to trial. We’ve stood up to national carriers, corporate insurers, and defense teams across multiple states—and we don’t back down until our clients receive the justice they deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a semi-truck accident, call 419-843-6663 or contact Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault online for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and you only pay if we win your case.
Local. Trusted. Fighting for the Injured.
