Lakewood Trucking Accident Attorney Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

Trucking accidents often lead to devastating, life-changing or fatal injuries, and they require a specific legal strategy. These cases involve complex state and federal laws, companies with deep pockets and other factors that make determining fault and liability a complicated endeavor. Pursuing fair compensation can be challenging due to the many parties involved in the legal process.

At The Keefe Law Firm, LLC, we understand the often devastating results of truck accidents. We fight for severely injured victims throughout the greater Cleveland area from our offices in Lakewood and Hinckley. For over 25 years, skilled trucking accident attorney Stephen T. Keefe Jr. has focused on helping the injured and their families recover from these complicated accidents that often result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Why Truck Accidents Are Different

Being involved in a truck accident is a very different experience from being in a car accident. The sheer size and weight of a commercial vehicle compared to a standard car or SUV means the impact can be severe. It is essential to know that these cases are often more complex than standard motor vehicle crashes. These factors include:

• Semi trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. The mass of these vehicles means that when a crash occurs, the driver and occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer catastrophic truck accident injuries.
• Trucking companies and their insurance companies have a vested interest in limiting their liability and minimizing the value of your commercial truck accident settlement. They will often act quickly to investigate the scene and gather evidence, so you need a lawyer who will act just as fast.
• The Ohio truck accident statute of limitations sets a two-year deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be thrown out, leaving you with no compensation.
• Truck drivers are subject to specific Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, which determine when and how they can drive. They must keep detailed logs of their travel, cargo and rest. We have extensive experience using these regulations to build a strong trucking accident lawsuit.
• A single trucking accident may have multiple at-fault parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, the shipping company or even the manufacturer of defective truck parts.

Our firm is committed to holding all negligent parties responsible. Attorney Keefe has the experience and resources to build a solid case for you. He also helps families pursue wrongful death claims when negligence results in the death of a loved one. We are ready to fight for your interests.

Causes Of Trucking Accidents

While the same factors can cause truck accidents as car accidents, they are often the result of unique characteristics. These factors can stem from negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company, including:

• Truck driver fatigue often causes the driver to fall asleep at the wheel or lose focus on the road.
• A driver failing to follow hours of service restrictions can cause them to be on the road for too long without adequate rest.
• Distracted driving truck accidents can include texting while driving, eating or talking on the phone.
• Reckless truck driving often involves truckers who violate traffic laws by speeding, tailgating or making improper lane changes.
• Overloaded truck accident cases can happen when a truck is loaded improperly or with too much weight, making it difficult to stop and steer.
• Defective truck parts can include things such as faulty brakes, tires or steering components.
• Trucking company negligence can involve poor hiring practices, inadequate training or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules to meet deadlines.

An experienced Ohio trucking accident attorney can investigate all of these factors, including third-party liability, to determine all at-fault parties. We will ensure all those responsible are held accountable. We can provide the answers you need to other common questions surrounding these devastating accidents.

What To Do After A Truck Accident

After a severe crash, you or a loved one may suffer catastrophic injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury. However, if you can, take specific steps to protect yourself. These actions will help us, as your legal team, build the strongest claim possible. These steps include:

• Calling 911 immediately and reporting the accident
• Getting a copy of the police report as soon as you can
• Seeking medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you are hurt, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent
• Not admitting fault to anyone at the scene, including the police officer or the other driver
• Not providing a statement to the trucking company or their insurance company
• Gathering evidence in truck accident cases by taking photos or videos of the accident scene, the truck and your injuries
• Keeping a detailed journal of your physical pain, mental suffering and emotional distress
• Retaining all documents related to the accident, including medical bills, police reports and repair estimates

A trusted Ohio truck accident lawyer can assist you and your family with the trucking accident claims process. We can help you gather evidence and document all of your injuries and losses.

Investigating Trucking Accidents

Building a trucking accident case is a complex process that requires deep knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations. Many aspects are different from car accident cases, including:

• A black box, or electronic data recorder (EDR), is a device in a semi truck that records critical information about the truck’s speed, braking and other performance factors.
• A spoliation letter is a legal document that our firm can send to the trucking company, instructing them to preserve all evidence related to the crash.
• The truck driver’s logs will show how long they have been driving, if they have been resting and other information that may show hours of service violations.
• An investigation may involve hiring a truck accident expert witness to analyze the scene and determine the cause of the crash.

Many different parties may share fault. This can include the trucking company, the owner of the truck, the company that loaded the semi or even the manufacturer of a defective truck part. Contacting us promptly is crucial. We move quickly to preserve evidence and protect against insurance company tactics to reduce or deny compensation.

Challenges Of Receiving Damages

Trucking companies and their insurers will do everything in their power to avoid paying fair compensation after a crash. They have a team of legal professionals who work fast to limit their liability and minimize the value of your personal injury case. We know how to handle trucking company insurance and their legal teams.

We will fight for you to receive full compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, current and future lost wages, and pain and suffering. We will either negotiate a fair commercial truck accident settlement or fight the negligent parties in court. Attorney Keefe has a proven track record of success, recovering over $45 million for his clients in nearly three decades.

Ohio Truck Accident FAQ

Our team at The Keefe Law Firm, LLC, aggressively protects the interests of those injured by someone’s negligence in Lakewood and throughout the greater Cleveland area. Skilled Ohio trucking accident attorney Stephen T. Keefe Jr. brings decades of experience fighting for victims of truck accidents and helping them achieve the best possible outcome. Here are answers to some of the most common questions our firm receives.

What Should I Do Immediately After A Truck Accident In Ohio?

Your health and safety are the priorities. Move to a safe location away from traffic. Immediately call 911 to report the accident and get help. Even if you feel okay, you should seek medical attention. Some serious common truck accident injuries in Ohio, like a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, may not show symptoms right away.

It is also essential to document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions and any visible injuries. Get contact information from the truck driver and any witnesses. Finally, do not admit fault or give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. This is a critical time for gathering evidence after a truck accident.

What Is The Deadline To File A Truck Accident Lawsuit In Ohio?

The Ohio truck accident statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is typically two years from the accident date. In the event your loved one was killed, you usually have two years from the date of their death to file a wrongful death claim. This is a strict deadline. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to any truck accident compensation permanently.

Evidence can disappear and memories fade over time, so it is always best to act quickly. A semi truck accident requires a thorough investigation, and we need to move fast to preserve crucial evidence like driver logs and the truck’s black box data.

Who Can Be Held Liable In A Cleveland Truck Accident Case?

Figuring out commercial truck accident liability can be complex. In a big rig accident in Ohio, multiple parties may be at fault. We might pursue a claim against the truck driver for negligence, such as distracted driving or being fatigued.

We can also hold the trucking company liable for issues, such as improper cargo loading or neglecting to maintain their fleet. Other parties can include the company that owns the truck or a third party that loaded the cargo. An experienced Ohio truck accident lawyer investigates all potential parties to find out who is responsible for your injuries and damages.

What Types Of Compensation Can I Recover After A Truck Accident In Ohio?

The purpose of a successful Ohio truck accident settlement or lawsuit is to make you whole again. We can help you recover what are called economic damages, which cover things like lost wages and medical bills. This also includes future medical expenses and lost earning potential.

We also pursue noneconomic damages to cover things like pain and suffering and the long-term emotional effects of truck accident injuries. In tragic cases, we also pursue wrongful death damages. Ohio law also follows the rule of modified comparative negligence. This means a court can reduce your compensation if you are partially at fault.

Why Are Truck Accidents More Complex Than Regular Car Accidents In Ohio?

Truck accidents often involve catastrophic injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries. The sheer size and weight of a commercial vehicle can cause severe damage. These cases also involve a wider range of liable parties beyond just the driver. We meticulously investigate the trucking company, cargo loader and even the truck manufacturer.

The trucking industry is also governed by complex Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, which we thoroughly understand in order to prove negligence. These cases often require specialized evidence like black box data, and we may need to hire an accident reconstruction team. The defense teams are also well-funded and will fight hard to avoid paying you.

How Do I Choose The Right Truck Accident Lawyer In Cleveland, Ohio?

When selecting an Ohio trucking accident attorney, look for someone who has a track record of success in these specific cases. You want a firm with the resources to hire experts for things like accident reconstruction.

Attorney Keefe has been an Ohio lawyer since 1996, with over 25 years of experience and recovering over $45 million for injured parties. He takes on a limited number of cases to give each case the attention it deserves. This personal attention is critically important, and both former clients and peers have recognized his accomplishments in these types of cases.

Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us no legal fees unless we win your case. This allows us to pursue a truck accident lawsuit in Ohio without you having to worry about upfront costs.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation

At The Keefe Law Firm, LLC, we support the severely injured and the families who tragically lose loved ones in these catastrophic accidents. We stand ready to fight for you. Call 216-815-3574 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn how we can protect your interests.