Are you struggling with debilitating injuries because you were recently involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, big rig, semi-truck, or another large truck in Cleveland? You could be entitled to compensation, and the experienced Cleveland truck accident lawyers at Babin Law, LLC can help you work to achieve the results you deserve.
Trucking companies and insurance companies are powerful and have vast resources at their disposal. They might think they’re above the law and can stand between you and the compensation you deserve. Our award-winning Ohio trial attorneys are here to ensure they take accountability for the harm they’ve caused.
We’ve won millions on behalf of deserving crash victims in Cleveland, and now we’re ready to fight for you, too. Contact our Cleveland truck accident attorneys to set up a free consultation today.
Cleveland Truck Accident Statistics
As the state’s capital and the largest city in Ohio, it’s not surprising that large trucks frequently travel in and through the metropolitan area. Unfortunately, when drivers aren’t careful, these commercial vehicles can pose a serious threat to other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Every year, hundreds of accidents involving large trucks unfold on Cleveland city streets.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 381 auto accidents involving semi-trucks reported in Cleveland in 2021.
164 of these truck accidents resulted in at least one injury. Another 6 truck accidents were fatal.
On an average day, there’s at least one large truck accident somewhere in the city of Cleveland.
More than half of these truck accidents occurred on one of the many interstates that pass through Cleveland, including I-70, I-71, I-270, and I-670.
Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Cleveland
Even a minor mistake or lapse of judgment can have catastrophic consequences.
It’s why the state of Ohio requires truck drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and undergo extensive training behind the wheel before they can begin to haul goods through Ohio.
It’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limits the number of hours a trucker can drive, imposes strict inspection and maintenance requirements for all vehicles, and regulates the trucking industry so tightly.
Unfortunately, even these important safety protocols don’t prevent all truck accidents.
Some of the most commonly reported causes of truck accidents include:
- Fatigued truck drivers
- Drunk and drugged driving
- Speeding
- Driving a truck too fast for road or weather conditions
- Distracted driving
- Wide right turns
- Unsafe lane changes
- Braking errors
- Uneven cargo loads/cargo shifts
- Negligent vehicle maintenance
- Negligent hiring
- Negligent training
- Vehicle defects
Our truck accident lawyers in Cleveland will work hard to uncover every possible cause of your accident so that we can determine who’s liable.
Understanding Liability for Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Cleveland
Negligent truck drivers aren’t always at fault (or entirely responsible) for truck accidents in Cleveland. Anyone who is negligent or contributes to a collision can be legally responsible for the resulting costs and trauma.
Liability might extend to:
- Drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
- Truck companies
- Freight brokers
- Truck manufacturer
- Property owner
- Employer of a negligent party
- The government agency responsible for road design, maintenance, and repair
As a victim, you can also share liability for a crash. You’ll lose the right to recover compensation if you’re more than 50 percent to blame for a truck accident, and your damages will be reduced proportionately if you share a fraction of the blame.
Babin Law, LLC will actively pursue damages from any individual or company that directly or indirectly put you in harm’s way, while also working to limit how much (if any) liability is assigned to you.
What Evidence Can Help With a Cleveland Truck Accident Lawsuit?
When you file a personal injury claim after a truck accident in Cleveland, you’ll generally have to prove that you got hurt because someone else was negligent.
Negligence involves establishing that someone owed you a duty of care, breached it in some way, and, because of their actions, you got hurt. If they’d acted more cautiously, you wouldn’t have been injured.
You’ll need facts and evidence to prove these elements and win your case.
Evidence that can be helpful in truck accident claims in Cleveland includes:
- Truck black box data
- Pre-and-post-trip inspection logs
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Truck driver communication records
- Truck company hiring policies and procedures
- Video recordings
- Photographs of the scene of the accident, property damage, and physical injuries
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Expert testimony and reports
When you trust Babin Law, LLC after a trucking accident in Cleveland, you won’t have to worry about investigating your crash and gathering the evidence you’ll need to win your case. Our Cleveland truck accident attorneys will take care of every aspect of your case, giving you peace of mind and the opportunity to rest and recover.
Damages Available in Cleveland Truck Accident Cases
The consequences of a truck accident can be catastrophic – especially for pedestrians and occupants of small passenger vehicles. Medical bills can add up quickly. Catastrophic injuries – like a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burn, or amputation – can leave victims unable to work, which can make a stressful financial situation even worse. The trauma of being hit by a tractor-trailer or semi-truck can last a lifetime.
Fortunately, Ohio provides that crash victims can seek economic and non-economic damages from responsible parties.
These types of awards compensate for the financial costs of an accident as well as related pain and suffering.
Specific examples include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Therapy
- Property damage
- Chronic physical pain
- Depression
- PTSD
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
Our Cleveland truck accident attorneys will rely on the insight of experts and specialists as we build your claim. They’ll help us understand the technical aspects of your case and really appreciate how your life has been affected. Taking this detailed approach will help us build ironclad arguments and leverage a result that accurately reflects what your truck accident case is worth.
Experienced Litigators Ready to Help You After a Cleveland Truck Accident
Have you suffered an injury or experienced the wrongful death of a family member because of a truck accident in Cleveland, Ohio?
Under Ohio law, you’ll have just two years to file a lawsuit for damages. Once the statute of limitations expires, you give up the right to get the financial justice you deserve. Don’t let negligent truckers, powerful trucking companies, or manipulative insurance providers off the hook. Call Babin Law, LLC, and ask our Cleveland truck accident lawyers to fight for you.
We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s absolutely no cost to hire our law firm unless we win your truck accident case.
Call to arrange a time to speak with a member of our top-rated legal team today.
