18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer Columbus, Ohio

Expert Columbus 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer Serving Your Needs

The Federal Motor Carrier Association (FMCSA) lists Ohio in the top 10 states for fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles. According to the agency that regulates interstate trucking and tour bus operation, more than half of the motor vehicle accidents in Ohio between 2015 and 2018 involved at least one tractor-trailer or chartered passenger vehicle. Speed and trucker driver distraction were among the leading causes of those deadly collisions. Columbus 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer of Heit Law, LLC. are dedicated to working hard on behalf of accident victims and their rights.

Getting hit by a negligent or reckless 18 wheeler tuck driver is even more likely to result in catastrophic injuries, which Ohio law defines as:

• Permanent and substantial physical deformity such as visible scarring;
• Paralysis;
• Loss of an arm, leg, hand, or foot;
• Loss of an organ such as an eye or kidney. or
• Permanent loss of the ability to care for oneself and “perform life-sustaining activities.”

As an 18-wheeler accident attorney based in Westerville, Ohio, and serving the greater Columbus region, I have seen the terrible toll truck crashes take on innocent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bike riders, and motorcyclists. The size and weight of a tractor-trailer or other type of big rig ensures that walking away from a collision unharmed is practically impossible.

But what can victims of 18-wheeler accidents do?

Federal and state laws require commercial truck drivers, trucking companies and freight shippers to carry multiple forms of insurance that can be invoked following a crash that results in injuries or a death. For instance, the FMCSA states on its website that every freight-hauling vehicle weighing more than 10,001 lbs. must be insured for between $750,000 and $5,000,000 “depending on commodities transported.”

Other coverages may exist for the trailer or flatbed, the cargo, the tires and other equipment, and the truck driver him or herself. Figuring out which insurance policies apply and submitting claims to the appropriate insurers in a timely manner is one of my primary responsibilities as an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Columbus, Ohio.

Our Columbus 18 wheeler accident lawyer also works hard to preserve, access, and analyze key evidence such as trip and duty logs, vehicle maintenance records, and the truck and trailer themselves. Data from onboard event recorders—so-called “black boxes” —can also prove invaluable for establishing unsafe driving by the truck operator or the use of faulty equipment such as failing brakes.

My duty as a Columbus 18-wheeler accident attorney is to build my client’s case and deal with insurance company claims adjusters while the injured person or grieving family member focuses on regaining their physical health and emotional well-being. If you or a loved one got hit and hurt by a commercial truck driver, consider letting me know how I can be of assistance.

Contact our Columbus 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer for Free Consultation

Our Westerville 18 wheeler accident lawyer offer free consultations to all potential clients, and I take appointments online. I am also available to answer questions over the phone at (614) 898-5300. If your health makes traveling to my Westerville offices for a face-to-face meeting impractical, I can even come to you.

Do not wait to think about filing insurance claims or taking other legal action, however. Ohio sets a strict two-year statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. If you miss the deadline that, in nearly all cases, falls 24 months to the day after the crash, you will lose your ability to hold a truck driver and trucking company accountable.