Beavercreek Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are devastating collisions that can cause catastrophic physical injuries and immense emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Beavercreek, Ohio, contact Elk & Elk to schedule a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers. Our Beavercreek personal injury lawyers are passionate about helping injured accident victims.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Ohio
Most accidents involving commercial trucks are avoidable. They stem from driver error or trucking company negligence. Under Ohio’s tort-based auto accident law, the party at fault for the truck accident is liable for injuries and losses. You may need a lawyer to help you identify the cause of your truck accident before you file an insurance claim.
Common causes are:
- Truck driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use
- Tailgating
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe passing
- Large blind spots
- Lack of truck maintenance
- Truck part defects
An attorney can revisit the scene of your truck accident and investigate for evidence of fault or causation, such as food wrappers or empty alcohol bottles in the truck driver’s cab. Once your lawyer identifies the at-fault party, he or she can help you bring a claim in Beavercreek.
Common Injuries Suffered in Beavercreek Truck Accidents
Injuries are often severe to catastrophic in truck accidents. In personal injury law, a catastrophic injury is one that will significantly and/or permanently affect a victim, such as brain damage or paralysis. Some of the most common injuries from truck accidents are:
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Skull fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
If you or someone you love suffered a catastrophic injury in a truck accident, it is important to hire an attorney. An insurance company may not offer what you require to pay for future medical needs. At Elk & Elk, we represent clients with many types of injuries, including catastrophic injuries.
Who Is Liable for Your Truck Accident?
One aspect that makes truck accident claims unique is the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. The Latin phrase for vicarious liability is respondeat superior, which translates to “let the master answer.” This rule holds employers legally responsible for the actions, mistakes and negligence of employees acting within the scope of employment.
Under this rule, trucking companies are liable for most truck accidents in Ohio. For example, a truck company is vicariously liable for a truck accident caused by a careless or reckless truck driver. A trucking company could also be directly liable for its own acts of negligence, such as poor hiring or retention procedures. Other parties may also be liable for your crash, however, including a cargo company, a third-party driver or a product manufacturer.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
Something else that makes truck accidents unique is the evidence available. Evidence preservation is one of the key reasons to hire a truck accident lawyer. A trucking company will have the resources to be at the scene of the truck accident almost immediately. A lawyer will put investigators of your own at the scene, allowing you to protect key evidence such as:
- The truck’s black box
- The truck driver’s driving history and employment records
- The truck’s inspection and repair logs
- The trucking company’s legal compliance history
- In-cab camera footage
- Photographs and surveillance videos
- Eyewitness testimony
- Police report
- Medical documentation
Your attorney can use this evidence to convince an insurance corporation, judge or jury that the defendant is at fault – making you eligible for financial compensation. A lawyer can give you greater peace of mind during this difficult time.
Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO for a Free Consultation in Beavercreek, Ohio
You don’t have to go through the legal process alone. If you were recently injured in a truck accident in Beavercreek, Ohio, contact our lawyers at Elk & Elk for a free consultation. Our Beavercreek car accident lawyers can help you protect your rights and pursue the financial compensation you deserve. Call 1-800-ELK-OHIO today.