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? If you reside in or around any of the areas we serve in Ohio and MichiganMaumee, Defiance, Fremont, Findlay, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo, and Monroe – a truck accident lawyer at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault can represent you in a personal injury or wrongful death case after your accident.

 

You’ll Need to Prove What Caused the 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.

 

Below are some common types of accidents and examples of negligence that might cause them:

 

Jackknife Accidents

 

Truck driver errors include driving aggressively or too fast for conditions (poor weather, curves in the road, etc.) or incorrectly applying 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 make a turn safely 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 result from a trucker following too closely. An accident involving another vehicle running under the back of a truck could result from improper safety guards on the truck.

 

Importance of Proving Negligence

 

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 truck accident attorney 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:

  • Driver’s qualification file
  • Hours of service documentation
  • Inspection records
  • Maintenance history
  • Post-collision drug and alcohol screening
  • Data from onboard communications systems and the GPS
  • Downloads of the onboard systems (engine control module, brakes, etc.)

 

Trucking Company Irresponsibility

 

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. At Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault, our attorneys know the risks truck drivers pose under these circumstances and will hold the trucking companies responsible for their actions.

 

Past Cases Successfully Handled

 

The attorneys and staff at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault understand the difficulty people face after serious wrecks. We’ve helped many truck accident victims find justice. Below are some past cases we have successfully handled:

  • A construction worker was critically injured on the way to a job site when a semi-truck overturned on the Ohio Turnpike entrance ramp.
  • A retired autoworker 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.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help Truck Accident Victims in Ohio and Michigan

 

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.

Know your rights and protect your family. Call an Ohio truck accident lawyer at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault at 419-843-6663 to schedule a free consultation at one of our convenient office locations.