Semi-Truck Accidents Can Be Deadly
You read about them every day – accidents involving semi-trucks that severely injure or kill other drivers. What do you do if it happens to you or a loved one? How do you recover from the financial and emotional effects of an accident?
Kevin Boissoneault explains the complications that arise in accidents involving semi-trucks.
You’ll Need to Prove What Caused the Semi-Truck Accident
Truck accident victims in Ohio and Michigan who plan to sue the trucking company must establish that the driver or another party was negligent. They must also prove that the negligence caused or contributed to the wreck. This is where the expertise of an experienced truck accident lawyer is vital.
Common Types of Accidents and Examples of Negligence That Might Cause Them:
Jackknife Accidents: Truck driver error like driving aggressively or too fast for conditions (poor weather, curves in the road, etc.) or if he incorrectly applied the brakes and jackknifed. Similarly, problems with the brakes may point to negligent maintenance or repair of the brakes.
Accidents While Turning: Inadequate training or negligent hiring may put reckless drivers on the road who travel too fast to safely make a turn or do not look for other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians before turning.
Over- or Under-Ride Accidents: A truck that runs over the back of a vehicle in front may be the result of a trucker who was following too closely. An accident involving another vehicle running under the back of a truck could be the result of improper safety guards on the truck.
Of course, to prove that a driver or other party was negligent and caused the wreck, you’ll need the right evidence. An Ohio and Michigan semi-truck truck accident lawyer at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault can help you attain the proper evidence through on-scene investigations, review of truck company documents, and expert witness testimony. In many cases, this involves sending the truck company a letter of spoliation to prevent the destruction of evidence.
Some Evidence That You May Use in Your Case Include the Following:
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- Driver’s qualification file;
- Hours of service documentation;
- Inspection records;
- Maintenance history;
- Post-collision drug and alcohol screening;
- Data from on board communications systems and the GPS;
- Downloads of the on board systems (engine control module, brakes, etc.);
- And more.
While many trucking companies are run responsibly, others disregard federal motor carrier safety regulations by falsifying logbooks, failing to inspect their trucks and committing other violations of trucking laws. The purpose in this regard is simple: to be profitable at the expense of safety and accountability. We’ve dealt successful with many trucking companies in getting compensation and justice for our clients.
Don’t Go It Alone – a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Truck Accident Victims
After suffering serious injuries or losing a loved one in a truck accident, you could be facing an overwhelming amount of damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and expenses relating to permanent disability (long term medical care, extensive therapy, home/vehicle modifications, etc.). Accident victims may even suffer psychological effects and emotional pain after a wreck of this magnitude or after losing a loved one. And you are entitled to recover these damages.
The attorneys and staff at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault understand the difficulty people face after serious wrecks. We’ve helped many semi-truck accident victims find justice. Below are some past cases we have successfully handled:
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- A construction worker who was critically injured on the way to a job site when a semi-truck overturned on the Ohio Turnpike entrance ramp.
- A retired autoworker who suffered a leg amputation and severely injured his other leg and arm when a semi-truck swerved left of center and hit his small pickup truck head on.
- A motorist’s family after a semi-truck traveled left of center and struck another vehicle, killing the young driver.
- We also helped victims of an accident in which a semi-truck jackknifed on U.S. 23 in Michigan and collided with multiple vehicles, causing significant injury.
Call our office at 419-843-6663 and request a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced and dedicated semi-truck accident lawyer who understands the physical, emotional and financial difficulties you are facing. The Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault legal team fights to secure the compensation you deserve for your pain and losses.
What to Expect When You Hire Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault to Handle Your Semi-Truck Involved Car Accident Case
• Meet with one of our Car Accident Lawyers
Our car accident lawyer will meet you to discuss the details and consequences of your accident. The determination will be made the best steps to move forward.
• Gather Pertinent Documents
Our legal team will gather records related to your claim, including medical records, medical bills, and insurance policy information. These documents are vital to giving your attorney the needed information to build your case.
• Investigate the Accident
Your attorney and legal staff will investigate your accident in great detail to gather the necessary evidence. This can include police records, security camera video, accident scene photos, injury photos, witness photos or video and dash cam videos.
• Negotiate a Settlement or Prepare for Trial
Your attorney will negotiate with the defense, outside of the courtroom, to help get you the compensation you may be entitled to. If settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your semi-truck accident lawyer is prepared to go to trial and present your case in the strongest possible form.
• Additional Information on Semi-Truck Involved Accidents
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Why Choose Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault as Your Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer?
Our firm has been serving clients for nearly 65 years. When we take a case, we dedicate ourselves to serving our client in whatever way we can. Don’t know what your legal rights are or what your claim is worth? Being bullied or ignored by insurers? Don’t know how to maximize your settlement? We are here to help you resolve your issues. Whether it’s filing claims, collecting evidence, negotiating with insurers, filing appeals, or going head-to-head with insurers in court – our attorneys are amply qualified.
When people become hurt or disabled, or when they’ve lost a loved one in an untimely accident, they need not only care and emotional support, but financial resources to help them stay afloat. Fortunately, Ohio and Michigan law provides means for victims’ to recover damages and secure benefits when life doesn’t go according to planned. Call us at 419-843-6663 or contact us online. We are here to help you.
