Dayton Truck Accident Attorney

Truck drivers are responsible for transporting goods all over the country. While this transportation is essential, when truck drivers or trucking companies act negligently, they put innocent people at risk of sustaining terrible injuries in an accident.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck collision, a Dayton truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights by conducting a thorough investigation of your case and building a strong claim so that you have the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve.

We understand how truck accident injuries can change a person’s life forever and know that Dayton, Ohio has seen the dangers of truck accidents in the past.

To build a strong claim, you need to show the other party owed you a duty of care and that they failed to meet it, and because they did, you suffered harm, resulting in you incurring monetary losses.

At Thomas Law Offices, we know how to build strong claims. So, if you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries in a personal injury accident like a semi-truck collision, let’s meet for a free initial consultation. Email or call us to have a conversation with an experienced trucking accident attorney now.

Types of Truck Crashes

There are different types of truck accidents that can happen. Unfortunately, all these accidents can cause terrible accidents. Some possible semi-truck accidents include:

• When trucks roll over, it flips on its side and can hit the other vehicles around it. Rollover accidents, also known as overturn accidents, can occur when a truck is traveling at high speeds and turns without slowing down.
• Override and Underride Accidents. Truckers have blind spots on their sides, front, and back. When a car is traveling near the front or back of the 18-wheeler, the driver may not know they’re there. This puts the car driver and occupants at risk of underride and override accidents. The truck either drives over the back of the car or the front of the car gets trapped under the back of the truck. Once the automobile is stuck, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, and the big rig could crush the car’s roof.
• Jackknife Accidents. When a driver loses control of their trailer, it swings forward to form a right angle or L shape. The trailer may swing forward if it’s not weighted properly or improperly loaded. Those traveling near the big rig could get hit by the swinging trailer.
• Tire Blowouts Crashes. Tire failures result in an estimated 11,000 crashes and 200 fatalities annually here in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We even previously shared how sudden tire blowouts can cause truckers to lose control of their vehicles, leading to swerving, which can cause head-on crashes, sideswipe accidents, or a jackknifes.

There are many other types of truck-involved crashes aside from the ones mentioned above that often occur in Dayton. No matter the type of truck accident you were a party to, you can count on your attorney to study your accident report and consult with experts, like crash reconstructionists, to find out what happened and why. This is the first step to determining if you have a viable claim.

Causes of Trucking Accidents in Ohio

When you’ve been involved in a tractor-trailer crash or any other type of truck accident, it’s important for you to know how the collision occurred in the first place. This is necessary information for your claim and can help provide evidence for who was at fault.

Let’s look at the common ways that truck wrecks can occur:

• Maintenance Issues. A truck may not be roadworthy, meaning it’s not fit for operation on the road, if it hasn’t been properly maintained. It could have mechanical or other safety issues, leading to a loss of control while in operation. Trucking companies are supposed to make sure their trucks are safe to drive by performing regular inspections and maintenance. If they failed to do so, they could be responsible for your injuries.
• Driver Error. Truck driver errors, such as texting and driving, can result in a devastating accident. If the truck driver doesn’t have the necessary training and experience to operate a big rig, they may not fully comprehend how much time it takes for the truck to speed up or slow down and how to execute turns. Drivers can also be aggressive and resort to speeding or driving too fast for the conditions if they allow their dispatchers to pressure them to make deliveries on tight deadlines.
• Fatigued Driving. Federal hours of service regulations limit how long truckers can operate their tractor-trailer during a single day and during other intervals. These regulations exist to make our roadways in and around Dayton, OH safer. When truck drivers are drowsy, their ability to safely operate their trucks decreases. Fatigued driving can affect their decision-making skills, judgment, speed, and overall control of their vehicle. If a truck driver is fatigued, they could fall asleep at the wheel and veer off the road and collide head-on with other vehicles or strike smaller passenger cars in the lane next to them.

Truck Driving Hours of Service Regulations

To reduce fatigued driving and make sure truck drivers are getting enough sleep while transporting goods, the FMCSA has set the following regulations:

• The maximum driving limit is 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
• Drivers cannot drive beyond 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty. This is following 10 consecutive hours off duty. More time spent off-duty doesn’t increase the 14-hour period.
• Truck drivers can resume driving, following a rest break, if 8 hours or less have passed since the end of their last off-duty, or sleeper berth period of at least a half hour.
• A truck driver cannot drive after 60-70 hours on duty in 7-8 consecutive days. To start another 7-8 consecutive day period, they must spend 34 consecutive hours or more off duty.
• If the driver uses the sleeper berth provision, they need to take at least eight consecutive hours in the berth, plus two separate consecutive hours in the berth, off duty, or a combination.

Unfortunately, if a truck driver feels fatigued but they’re still in their hours where they can drive, they may prioritize keeping their schedule over safety and try and push through their exhaustion instead of taking a break.

They may also use caffeine or loud music to help break through their fatigue, but these methods don’t work, and the driver is still at risk of causing an accident.

If you believe trucker fatigue or any of the other factors described above may have played a role in causing the crash that hurt you or claimed a family member’s life in Ohio, a Dayton truck accident lawyer is here to help you make sense of your rights, which may include recovering compensation for your losses. So, if you’re ready to talk about what happened and the legal options available to you, know that we offer free consultations to do so.

Tractor-Trailer Crashes Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are ones that have permanent consequences. When someone suffers a serious injury like one of the following, they may no longer be able to return to work:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of limb (amputation)
• Burn injuries

If you’ve suffered a serious injury, it can inhibit more than just your ability to work, it can change how you move or complete tasks, and even how you live your daily life. Your injury could cause permanent disability or disfigurement that will require you to relearn how to get around your house, cook, and keep up with hygienic routines.

Severe truck accident injuries like these often require extensive medical care. After suffering one of these injuries, you may have been in the hospital for a period of time, time which may have included expensive procedures, treatments, therapies, and medication.

After you’re discharged, you may still require continued medical care, and as your medical bills start to add up, you may start to feel overwhelmed because you still have other expenses as well.

If you’re under financial stress while adjusting to a major life change, pursuing your legal options may seem like too much to add to your responsibilities.

That’s where your Dayton truck accident attorney comes in. They’ll help you get the compensation you deserve so you can get the care you need and not worry about being able to put food on the table or keep a roof over your head.

The Statute of Limitations Applicable to Ohio Truck Crash Cases

Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 spells out how the filing deadline in personal injury cases such as trucking accident ones is two years. While that may seem like a long time, it’s not. It’s important to act quickly on your claim. Why?

The sooner it is after a tractor-trailer crash like this occurs in Dayton, the better chances you have on preserving physical evidence that will help support your claim. Additionally, it ensures important details regarding the truck wreck will be fresh in your mind. These facts can help your lawyer build a strong claim and give you a better chance of getting the compensation you deserve.

You also don’t want to run the risk of putting your claim in jeopardy. Waiting too long could render you ineligible to receive compensation. There are some exceptions to the two-year filing deadline that apply to cases like these. You can count on our lawyers to tell you the specific deadline that applies to your unique case.

Let Our Dayton Truck Accident Lawyer Help You Hold Responsible Parties Accountable

Truck accidents are preventable. Drivers and companies that don’t prioritize safety can cause irreparable harm. Thomas Law Offices is here to stand up for those who have been harmed because of negligence. We’re prepared to fight for the rights of Dayton, Ohio residents.

When a truck accident puts your life on hold, our firm can help you move forward. A Dayton truck accident lawyer will take the necessary steps to help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and more.

To get started on your claim, contact Thomas Law Offices to schedule a free consultation today. We’re here to help.