Ohio Underride Accident Lawyer
An underride accident is a type of truck accident in which a passenger vehicle goes beneath the trailer or bed of a large commercial truck. These accidents can cause devastating injuries and tragic deaths. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Ohio underride accident, contact our lawyers at Elk & Elk to find out how we can help. We are available for free consultations 24/7.
Why Choose Elk & Elk Co., Ltd
- Our Ohio personal injury attorneys have over 50 years of experience in personal injury and auto accident law.
- We have multiple offices throughout Ohio to conveniently assist you with your legal needs.
- We stand with our clients through every phase of the legal process.
- We understand how truck accident cases work and what they need to succeed.
- Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning no fees unless we win.
What Is an Underride Accident?
A truck underride accident describes a collision between an 18-wheeler and a passenger car, where the car slides under the trailer or container of the big rig. These accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and are often fatal for victims due to death by decapitation. Underride accidents are preventable. When a truck driver or truck company is careless and this causes an underride accident, that party may be liable for damages.
How Do Underride Accidents Happen?
Underride accidents can take the form of rear-end collisions when the front of a passenger car crashes into the back of a trailer. This type of collision may take place if the driver fails to pay attention or is driving while distracted. However, a rear-end underride accident may be the fault of the truck driver if the driver abruptly slams on the brakes, cuts a car off or makes an unsafe lane change.
An underride accident can also involve a side impact. A side impact accident could take place if one driver makes an unsafe merge or lane change, leading to a collision between the car and the side of the trailer. Both types of underride accidents can be equally devastating for the occupants of the passenger vehicle.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Underride Accident in Ohio?
Ohio is a fault-based auto accident state, meaning a person or party who causes an auto accident is responsible for paying for damages through his or her insurance carrier. It is necessary to identify the at-fault party in your underride accident before you or your lawyer can file an injury claim. The liable party could be:
- The truck driver. A truck driver guilty of speeding, reckless driving, driving drunk, driving distracted, tailgating, making an unsafe lane change or another act of carelessness could be liable for a related underride accident. A truck company could also bear vicarious liability for the actions of an employed truck driver.
- The truck company. A truck company could be directly responsible if it contributed to the underride accident, such as by failing to make sure its trucks meet the requirement for rear underride guards. This is a piece of equipment that can prevent deaths in underride accidents by blocking the car from sliding beneath the trailer.
- A third party. A third party may bear financial responsibility for your truck underride accident if that party caused or contributed to the crash, such as the government for a road defect that caused the wreck.
Our lawyers can thoroughly investigate your underride truck accident for signs of fault and causation. Once we determine the appropriate defendant(s), we can help you file your claim and prove that party is liable for your collision.
Contact an Ohio Underride Accident Attorney Today
A truck underride accident can significantly disrupt your life. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride accident, do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at Elk & Elk to request a free consultation. Our truck accident attorneys can help you understand and defend your rights.
Schedule your case review in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Beavercreek, Youngstown or one of our other local offices in Ohio today online or by calling 1-800-ELK-OHIO.