Trucking Accidents
Truck driver error causes nearly 10,000 traffic accidents in the State of Ohio each year. Those trucking accidents resulted in 1,800 injuries and 54 deaths.
Businesses utilizing trucks often push drivers beyond the point of exhaustion to get products delivered faster. Distracted truck drivers, due to fatigue, is one of the most commonly cited contributing factors to trucking accidents.
Because of the mass of a truck, injuries resulting from crashes involving trucks tend to be much worse than other types of vehicle accidents. Injuries in a truck involved accident can be life-long and can have a significant negative financial impact on the victim.
Did you know that a total of 4,136 people died in large truck crashes last year?
One of the main factors is the braking capabilities of large trucks and driver fatigue. It takes about 40% longer for a large truck to brake on time, in comparison to a standard sedan. Driver fatigue is also a large factor. Truck drivers are allowed to drive up to 11 hours a day, although it is hard to regulate. With mobile phones added to the mix, distracted driving is also a risk factor.
In 2020, we settled a truck accident case that paid out $2.1 Million!
We’re proud we helped our client resolve their truck crash case and that we were able to get a huge settlement for them.
THE CRASH – LIABILITY: Shelly Company was paving a portion of highway just West of Chillicothe on Highway 35. Baxter Trucking was hauling hot asphalt to the job site for Shelly. About one mile short of the job site, Richard (our client) ran into a slow-moving Baxter Trucking dump truck. Richard never slowed down and hit the dump truck at around 55 m.p.h. The facts surrounding the crash are disputed. The official weather data stated the area to be foggy, but some witnesses disputed that. One witness claimed a Baxter truck was blowing out blinding black smoke, but the Baxter driver denied that. There is also a dispute about the speed of the dump truck Richard hit. There were allegations that the dump truck had a mechanical failure but proceeded on to the job site. Baxter and Shelly specifically dispute that. The bottom line is that the liability of the trucking companies was hotly disputed. But not disputed is that Richard was partially at fault for driving full speed into a cloud of fog/smoke. Richard was insured by State Farm Insurance who paid $100,000.00 to Rickie, the passenger for damages caused to her by Richard.
ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION: Richard and Rickie were jointly represented by Warren Law Firm and Young & McCarthy. Richard had a personal injury claim and his family had a Wrongful Death claim. The two trucking company defendants were represented by eight different attorneys from three firms. On behalf of the Grooms, we took over 20 depositions, reviewed over 10,000 pages of discovery, and spent thousands of hours putting the case together. Expenses of litigation were approximately $130,000.00. We represented the Grooms Estate for a 40% contingency fee, plus expenses.
THE SETTLEMENT: Baxter Trucking is insured by QBE Insurance. On November 20, 2019, QBE offered policy limits of $1,000,000.00. The Estate and Rickie declined, and we continued to work the case. On March 27, 2020 we had a mediation session at which Shelly offered another $350,000.00 of their
own money. Again, declined. By this time, the Covid-19 pandemic had set in, making litigation and settlement negotiations more difficult. Plaintiff’s goal was to reach a settlement of $1,800,000.00 and we exceeded that when Shelly and Baxter made a combined final universal offer of $1,995,000.00. I believe $1,995,000.00 is the maximum settlement. And, settlement is better than trial because of Richard’s liability and the family wishes to avoid trial.
Hire an Experienced Lawyer Immediately
Trucking accidents are different than other types of vehicle accidents because truck drivers are usually on-the-job working for a business. The liability for the accident typically falls on that business.
After a crash, the trucking company’s insurance company will dispatch investigators to the scene and, if there is any question as to who is at fault, attempt to assign blame to the other driver. They might also try to get that other diver to sign off on an agreement that offers far less compensation than they are due.
Having an attorney with experience dealing with trucking accidents and trucking companies can have a significant positive impact on the outcome of your case. Mike Warren has that experience.
Safety Tips for Drivers Around Large Trucks
If you encounter a large truck on the road, make sure to follow the following safety tips to avoid a crash:
– Keep enough distance between your vehicle and any truck on the road. This is helpful in the scenario where the truck has to hit the brakes suddenly. It takes them longer to come to a complete stop.
– Avoid their blind spots. You will see these signs on most trucks. You can stay behind them with ample distance or if you’re trying to pass them, make sure to keep a steady speed and don’t stay too in their blind too long.
If you have been involved in an accident with another truck, call the best truck accident lawyer in Ohio today for a free consultation.
Truck Routes in Ohio State
Did you know that states such as Indiana, Arkansas, and Ohio allow truck traffic on all numbered state or U.S. highways? That’s right, here in the beautiful state of Ohio, truck drivers are free to roam on Route 50 and on Highway 35 while passing through Chillicothe, Ohio. Did you know that a total of 4,136 people died in large truck crashes last year? Whether you’re on Highway 23 on your way to Waverly, Ohio, or heading east on Route 124 towards Jackson, Ohio, (or driving in circles in Circleville!), there is no way to avoid truck traffic.
Even if we follow most of the safety tips we listed above, we’re not guaranteed to be 100% safe on roads shared with trucks in Ohio. Thus, if you have been involved in a truck crash, while it’s an awful situation to be in, it’s essential to understand that commercial truck companies carry about $1 million in liability coverage for their drivers. Thus, If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident where another party is at fault, give our experienced personal injury attorney Mike Warren a call.
Truck Accident Statistics and Traffic Reports
As a truck driver, it’s essential to stay up to date on traffic collisions and recent truck accidents in Ohio. As stated best by the Accident Data Center for Ohio, “The climate of Ohio contributes to the many accidents across the state.” Due to the state’s location, low elevation, and recurring precipitation, the winter is especially a more significant concern for all drivers on the road.
So whether you own a business that conducts daily road shipments or you’re an everyday driver who commutes to and from work, it’s important to check your local news channel for weather updates and traffic reports. If you’re not big on tuning into television news, you can check local traffic by visiting ezeRoad Ohio. Not only do they provide an interactive map, but they also include live traffic, construction, and accident reports.
If you’re looking into doing some research on truck accident data, among other road crash data in Ohio, the Department of Public Safety provides resources to view and available to print. From State Patrol Reports to Crash Statistics, they also offer annual crash facts.
Have you recently suffered bodily injuries from a road accident in the state of Ohio? Contact our personal injury attorney Mike Warren, from Warren Law Firm. With more than 30 years of experience, Mike is committed to helping personal injury victims get the compensation they deserve.
Hire a Lawyer With The Right Resources
Trying trucking accident cases is more involved and expensive than other types of cases. Lawyers and and insurance companies representing trucking companies don’t give-in easily and don’t want to pay you. Hire Mike Warren and you’ll have the experienced representation necessary to ensure you’re adequately compensated for damages.
Mike Warren charges you nothing unless he wins your case. Warren Law Firm will incur all of the costs of trying your case.
