Sandusky Truck Accident Attorneys
A Murray Will Take Your Call
When you call Murray & Murray in Sandusky for legal help after a truck accident, you do not need to worry about being bounced around to legal interns and assistants. We strive to connect every single caller with a Murray from our team, like Attorney Dennis Murray Jr. or Attorney Margaret Murray.
Protecting and upholding the rights of the wrongfully injured runs in the family, and it is why we treat all of our clients like family or close friends. This deliberate and compassionate approach to casework not only helps us better manage our clients’ cases but also helps put their worries at ease as their cases progress. At our law firm, you can trust that your trucking accident case is in the right hands.
On This Page
- What to Do After a Truck Accident
- Where Do Truck Accidents Happen the Most?
- Determining the Cause of Your Truck Accident
- Why Do Truck Accidents Cause Such Catastrophic Injuries?
- Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims
- How Our Sandusky Truck Accident Lawyers Help
- Giving You the Power to Fight Trucking Companies
- Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the difference that our representation can do for your truck accident claim. Call our truck accident law firm at (419) 664-3711.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Sandusky, OH
If you have been involved in a trucking accident in Sandusky, Ohio, there are several important steps that you should take to protect your rights. Doing so can help your attorney build a case that better pursues the compensation that you deserve.
After a truck accident, you should:
- Seek medical attention: Your health and safety should be your top priority after any accident. Even if you feel fine immediately following the crash, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent and could worsen over time if left untreated.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney: Truck accidents can be much more complex than car accidents due to the various parties involved (such as the truck driver, trucking company, and potentially even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts). An experienced trucking accident attorney can help investigate the accident and determine who may be liable for your injuries.
- Gather evidence: If possible, try to gather as much evidence as you can at the scene of the truck accident. This could include taking photos of the damage to vehicles or property, getting contact information from any witnesses, and obtaining a copy of the police report.
- Notify your insurance company: You will need to notify your own insurance company about the accident, even if the truck driver was at fault. However, it is important to avoid making statements that could be used against you later on.
- Be cautious with social media: Avoid posting anything on social media about the accident or your injuries until after your case has been resolved. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may use social media posts against you in court, such as to dispute the severity of your injuries.
By following these steps after a trucking accident, you can help protect yourself legally and financially while focusing on your physical recovery. Don't hesitate to reach out to an experienced attorney for guidance during this difficult time.
Where Do Truck Accidents Happen the Most?
Truck accidents can occur anywhere, but there are certain areas where truck accidents tend to happen more frequently than others, such as:
- Intersections: Because trucks are larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road, they require more time and space to make turns or stop at intersections or traffic lights. This can lead to trucking accidents if other drivers are not paying attention or do not give the truck enough room.
- Highways: Trucks travel long distances on highways and interstate roads and are often carrying heavy loads, which can increase the risk of an accident if something goes wrong. Speeding, reckless driving, or distracted driving by either the truck driver or other motorists can also contribute to highway accidents involving commercial trucks.
- Construction zones: In a construction zone, drivers will usually have to deal with reduced speed limits and narrow lanes, which can be challenging for even the most experienced truck drivers. Additionally, construction zones may have temporary barriers or uneven pavement that can be hazardous for large vehicles.
While it is impossible to predict exactly where a truck accident will occur, being aware of these common locations can help drivers stay alert and avoid potential hazards on the road.
Determining the Cause of Your Truck Accident
Murray & Murray has been handling difficult personal injury claims for clients in Sandusky since 1931. Throughout the decades, we have seen all sorts of truck accident claims and we have made numerous connections with local accident reconstruction experts. When it comes to figuring out what caused your semi-truck accident and who is liable for it, few trucking accident law firms in the nation can match our experience.
A truck accident can be caused by various forms of negligence, including:
- Truck driver exhaustion: There are few things more dangerous on the average highway than an exhausted truck driver. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations allow most truckers to be scheduled for 14 hours in one day with only 3 hours on break, meaning many truckers drive 11 hours a day. It is plain to see how exhaustion can set in, spiking the chances of a truck driver causing a crash.
- Truck driver intoxication: Another serious issue that contributes to trucking accidents across the nation is truck driver intoxication. Technically, it is only illegal for a truck driver to operate their vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.04 or more. Yet it is widely accepted that any detectable BAC level worsens a driver’s reaction times and motor controls. Truck drivers need to be completely focused to keep others in smaller vehicles safe, so not even one alcoholic drink on-the-job should be acceptable.
- Incorrectly loaded cargo: The freight that a commercial truck hauls can significantly contribute to or directly cause a truck accident. If a truck is overloaded and exceeds its FMCSA weight limit, then it will take longer for the truck’s brake to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, raising the risk of a rear-end accident. Or a poorly loaded trailer can become top-heavy and prone to tipping over in the wind or when the truck turns. Weakly secured cargo can fall off or out of a trailer, hitting vehicles behind it.
- Poorly maintained trucks: There are many components to a commercial truck that need to be in excellent condition for the truck to be driven safely. Everything from the brakes and the trailer hitch to the engine and steering column should be inspected and maintained frequently. This responsibility usually falls upon whatever party owns the truck, not necessarily the trucker who drives it.
Given how many common causes of truck accidents there are, multiple parties may be liable for your truck crash injuries. Everyone from the trucker and the parent trucking company to third-party crews placing freight in a tractor-trailer could be partially liable for the accident. Rather than trying to sort through all of those details on your own, allow our Sandusky truck accident attorneys to do that work for you.
Injured in a truck accident in Sandusky or within the surrounding area? If so, contact us today at (419) 664-3711 for a free consultation.
Why Do Truck Accidents Cause Such Catastrophic Injuries?
Truck accidents are notorious for causing catastrophic injuries at even low speeds. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other severe injuries are often reported after a crash. What is it about truck accidents that make them so dangerous?
The answer lies in the physics behind a trucking accident. In a collision between two objects traveling at the same speed, more force will affect the smaller object than the larger. In terms of a truck accident, this equates to big rigs devastating cars, trucks, and SUVs that they hit, even if both vehicles are traveling at low speeds. Underride accidents are another serious type of truck accident that can occur, often resulting in catastrophic injuries.
With this in mind, truck drivers need to always exercise the utmost care and responsibility when behind the wheel. Any sort of negligence, no matter how slight it might seem, could result in a catastrophic crash. It is only fair that they are held financially liable for the harm they cause through their mistakes.
Ohio’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents is two years from the date of the accident. This means that if you do not file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your truck accident, you will more than likely lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.
How Our Sandusky Truck Accident Attorneys Help
You can depend on our law firm to help with a truck accident claim by:
- Investigating the accident: A skilled truck accident attorney from our firm can thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine who was at fault and what factors contributed to the crash. This may involve reviewing police reports, analyzing witness statements, and consulting with accident reconstruction experts.
- Calculating damages owed: We can calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future costs associated with your injuries.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Insurance companies are often more concerned with protecting their bottom line than fairly compensating injury victims. An experienced truck accident attorney can negotiate on your behalf to fight for a fair settlement offer.
- Representing you in court: If necessary, we can take your case to court to fight for maximum compensation for your injuries before a judge and/or jury.
- Providing emotional support: Dealing with the aftermath of a serious truck accident can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. At Murray & Murray, we provide much-needed emotional support throughout the legal process, helping you navigate complex legal issues while also addressing any personal concerns or anxieties you may have.
Giving You the Power to Fight Trucking Companies
Although it might seem obvious that a trucking company should cover your damages after a commercial truck or 18-wheeler crashes into you, the insurance companies that represent them will say otherwise. Most trucking companies invest in insurance defense teams that are devoted to contesting claims and preventing insurance payouts.
To take them on without stressing yourself when you should be resting, contact Murray & Murray and our Sandusky truck accident attorneys today. We are proud to give legal strength and opportunities to the wrongfully injured who need to challenge major insurance providers in pursuit of fair compensation.
Call our firm at (419) 664-3711 today. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing how we can help.
Sandusky Truck Accident FAQ
What information should you collect from the truck driver?
You will need to get insurance and identifying information from the truck driver, including commercial driver’s license information, the company that employs them, and any trailer-specific ID numbers on the truck.
How do I find a good truck accident lawyer?
When looking for a truck accident attorney, you can start by paying attention to their practice experience that specifically applies to truck accident cases. You should also check to see if the law firm can take your case to trial if needed. However, the easiest way to find the right truck accident attorney is to call a firm and ask for an initial consultation, so you can discuss the basics of your case with them.
When should you call a lawyer after a truck accident?
If you are in a truck accident and suffered a serious injury, then you should call a truck accident attorney as soon as possible to see if you have a valid injury claim to file. When in doubt, call a lawyer. It is better to talk to them than to assume that you don’t have a claim.
How long does a truck accident lawsuit take?
Truck accident lawsuits can take a varying amount of time depending on the circumstances of the case. It is difficult to predict how long a case or lawsuit will take to conclude, especially at the beginning of the entire legal process. A claim will likely take less time to conclude than a case that goes to courtroom litigation. For example, a truck accident claim might settle in less than a year, but a lawsuit could take a year or more. Again, it is difficult to provide an estimate based on early information.
How many hours can truck drivers work in a shift?
In most cases, regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) allow a truck driver to work 14 hours in a shift as long as 3 of those hours are not spent behind the wheel. In some cases, truck drivers can technically work even longer than 14 hours, such as if the driver only completes short-distance routes.
Call (419) 664-3711 or contact us online today to discuss your case with our experienced legal team.