Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus

If you’ve sustained injuries in a truck collision, a Columbus truck accident lawyer can help you manage the lawsuit process to obtain the compensation you and your family deserve. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, our Columbus personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you file for compensation related to your injuries and losses. We will carefully examine your case and begin assessing your damages, which may include pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Let us help you handle this challenging time and advocate for your rights.

The Columbus truck accident lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm LLC aim to fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Call us today and receive a free case consultation with a member of our legal team. We can discuss your case with you and explain your options for recovery. 

Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Manage Any Commercial Accident in Columbus

Truck accidents cover a wide range of commercial and large vehicles, and we have many different types of truck accident lawyers on staff who can handle your accident injury claim, including:

• Columbus Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer: Semi-trucks are large commercial vehicles designed for hauling goods across long distances. These trucks typically consist of a cab (the “semi”) and a separate trailer that carries cargo. Due to their size and weight, semi-trucks can be extremely dangerous in accidents, causing severe injuries or fatalities when they collide with smaller vehicles. 
• Columbus Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyer: The term “big rig” refers to the combination of the truck’s cab and trailer. Big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, and their size makes them prone to accidents. 
• Columbus 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer: 18-wheelers are a specific type of semi-truck that is recognized by their 18 wheels. These trucks are typically used for long-distance transportation and are some of the largest vehicles on the road. An 18-wheeler’s size and weight can make it difficult for drivers to maneuver safely. 
• Columbus Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer: Tractor trailers are the large commercial vehicles commonly seen on highways. They consist of a tractor unit, which is the engine, and a trailer that is attached to it. These trucks are used to transport everything from consumer goods to raw materials.
• Columbus Intersections Truck Accident Lawyer: Large commercial vehicles often require a greater turning radius and longer distances to slow down or stop. If these are not accounted for, accidents occur at intersections with smaller passenger vehicles. 
• Columbus T-Bone Truck Accident Lawyer: Truck drivers must maintain a higher degree of vigilance while operating their vehicles. Failure to pay attention to changes in traffic, signs, or signals could lead to side-impact collisions in intersections. 
• Columbus Amazon Truck Accident Lawyer: Amazon provides a wealth of goods to consumers with fast deliveries, but most drivers are independent contractors. Accident victims may deal with complicated insurance coverage following a collision. 
• Columbus FedEx Truck Accident Lawyer: FedEx also has many independent contractors as their drivers. We can help determine who is liable in your truck accident case. 
• Columbus UPS Truck Accident Lawyer: UPS drivers, on the other hand, are mostly employees of the company. Our legal team can handle a commercial vehicle accident claim with UPS for you. 

These commercial vehicle wrecks could result in jackknife accidents, rollovers, and underride collisions. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers can handle these and many more. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer?

The legal team of lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm LLC works on a contingency fee basis. For clients like you, this means:

You Do Not Pay Any Attorney’s Fees Up Front

We understand that being injured in a truck accident can strain your financial resources. However, everything from your first consultation to litigating your case in court is done with no out-of-pocket cost to you when we take your case.

In our contingency fee agreement, our truck accident law firm agrees to postpone our attorney’s fees to the end of your case and only if we win. We can discuss our terms and what we intend to do to build your case during your first consultation so that there are no surprises at any point during your legal journey. Plus, this initial consultation is always free.

You Pay Us Out of Your Settlement or Court Award

Many lawyers work on an hourly basis, which can be out of accident victims’ budgets when facing other financial burdens. Since our firm works on contingency, we do not charge by the hour. Instead, we accept a pre-approved portion of your case’s earnings if we recover compensation for you.

When you decide to work with us, we will lay out our payment plan that includes a percentage of the money we win for you. We determine this percentage based on the responsibilities involved in building your case and discuss this figure with you before working on your case.

If You Do Not Recover Compensation, You Do Not Pay Attorney’s Fees

If we take your case, we do so because we are confident that we will “win” it. However, if we cannot secure compensation for you, you will not be obligated to pay our attorney’s fees.

By working with The Fitch Law Firm LLC, you can gain the team effort of multiple legal workers fighting for your compensation.

Understanding Damages in Truck Accident Cases

If you were injured in a truck accident in Columbus or anywhere in Ohio, you are most likely facing some serious hardships. Though injuries in vehicular accidents can have a wide range, truck accidents often result in severe to catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head and neck trauma
• Broken and crushed bones
• Internal organ damage
• Loss of limbs or function
• Burns and lacerations

Medical care for these injuries could be a long and expensive endeavor and may require the services of any of the three level one trauma centers in Columbus, Ohio: 

• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• OhioHealth Grant Medical Center
• Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Your medical expenses for treating your injuries could include the costs for hospitalization, medications, in-home nursing, physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, and surgeries.

In addition to the medical debt you incur for your treatment, You could be eligible for other economic and non-economic damages related to your situation. We aim to pursue compensation that appropriately covers your damages based on the calculations we make when examining your case.

There are typically two types of damages available in truck crash cases:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are losses that have a direct financial value attached to them. In addition to your medical bills, these types of damages include:

• Lost income: If your injuries caused you to miss time from work, you might be able to recover the monetary losses of your missing wages, tips, benefits, and bonuses.
• Loss of future earning capacity: You may also be able to recover the difference in your income if your injuries force you to take a lower-paying job.
• Property damage costs: The truck accident may have totaled or damaged your car. You may be able to recover the cost of replacing or repairing your vehicle.
• Childcare costs: If your injuries impede your ability to take care of your children, you may be able to recover compensation for the cost of their care and supervision.

For these types of damages, our commercial vehicle accident attorneys may use different financial documents to prove their value. For example, we can use bills, invoices, tax forms, and receipts to calculate your losses.

Non-Economic Damages

Your non-economic damages are losses that relate to your accident’s physical and emotional consequences, for example, a loss of enjoyment of life. While these losses are compensable, they do not have pre-determined monetary values.

These types of damages include:

• Pain and suffering: This type of damage refers to the turmoil you face because of your injuries, whether that involves physical or emotional pain.
• Mental anguish: You may be able to be compensated for the anxiety, depression, emotional distress, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) you experience because of the truck collision.
• Scarring and disfigurement: If severe injuries change the way you look, you may be able to receive compensation for this hardship.
• Long-term or permanent disability: If your injuries impact your day-to-day living for a prolonged period, we can determine the impact of your injuries on your daily function.
• Loss of consortium: If your injuries negatively affect your relationship with your spouse, we could include this loss in your compensation demands.

This is not a complete list of recoverable damages. Our team can go over which damages are compensable in Ohio and then help you itemize and assign financial value to each damage you claim in your case.

Wrongful Death Damages

Tractor-trailer accidents can be deadly for motor vehicle drivers and passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, we extend our deepest condolences to you and understand that you may be overwhelmed with grief at this time.

We hope to support you during this challenging period and serve as your legal representative so that we can relieve you of the burden of building your case. In addition, we can help you pursue other damages through a wrongful death action. These damages may include:

• Funeral expenses: We can fight for the costs to arrange your loved one’s funeral, including fees for their burial or cremation.
• Prior medical expenses: We can seek compensation to cover any medical costs associated with your loved one’s care before they passed away. 
• Loss of financial support: If your loved one contributed to the family’s collective income, we might be able to recover this loss to help you and your family maintain or achieve stability.
• Loss of parental guidance: Losing a parent has lifelong consequences, as they can never be replaced. We aim to fight for compensation to reflect the loss you or your child may be suffering.
• Loss of companionship and consortium: If the victim was your spouse, you can fight to be compensated for losing your life partner, which may impact your ability to create or support your family and have your emotional needs met. 

Our Columbus commercial truck accident lawyers can manage your wrongful death lawsuit while you and your family grieve your loss. Learn more about your case during a free consultation. Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC today.

Why Choose a Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer From The Fitch Law Firm LLC

If you suffered any injuries or losses after a truck accident, we recommend that you hire legal representation as soon as you can. With so many law firms available, though, why choose The Fitch Law Firm LLC? 

In addition to Lawyer John Fitch having over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, we can give you five additional reasons why you should hire a personal injury attorney from our team to handle your truck accident claim:

We Hire Experts to Provide Testimony on Your Behalf

Our Columbus legal team works with a network of industry professionals who can provide specific insight into your case. When we build your truck accident case, we will consult with these field professionals and record their analysis as testimony for your case. Legally speaking, these individuals would serve as “expert witnesses” on your behalf.

Expert witnesses could include:

• Accident reconstruction specialists
• Health care providers
• Economists
• Vocational rehabilitation specialist

If your Columbus truck accident case might benefit from insight from other industry experts, we can work to find and consult these individuals to add their testimonies to your evidence file.

We Build Your Columbus Truck Accident Case While You Recover

When you hire a commercial truck accident attorney from our firm, our team works together to build your case. Our main office is located in Columbus, Ohio, and we can speak with you in consultations either in person or remotely—whichever is easiest for you.

As our client, you can leave the hard work to us and focus on your health instead. Our team can manage your case for you, which includes:

• Giving you updates on your case’s progression
• Negotiating a potential settlement with the negligent parties
• Investigating the cause of your accident 
• Explaining how state and federal laws apply to your case and answering your questions
• Managing all emails, phone calls, and text messages with involved parties
• Calculating the cost of your damages, both now and in the future
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary, and representing you in court

Your goals are our goals. You are not just another client or case number to us.

We Provide You With Timely Case Updates

When someone asks you how your case is going, we want you to give them an affirmative answer. We do not want you to “be in the dark” about your case. We will send you regular updates via phone call, text message, or email.

We also encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about your case’s progression. You and your truck accident lawyer are a team. You can ask them or another team member anything you want about your case as it evolves.

We Navigate Ohio’s Personal Injury Laws

The personal injury landscape is full of intricate laws and regulations, some of which are changing all the time. Even if you have a basic understanding of these laws, you could be at a disadvantage when representing yourself. Our team can evaluate your case and determine how Ohio’s laws affect these factors:

• How long you have to file your case
• Whether there are “caps” on how much you can pursue in non-economic damages
• Whether state or federal trucking laws apply to your situation
• How the state determines fault

Trucking companies have lawyers, and they may have separate legal teams if their business spans multiple states. When fighting for the compensation you need, going up against commercial lawyers can be arduous and intimidating.

Allow our team to take on that burden for you. We can investigate how Ohio law might apply to your case and explain your rights as we build it.

We Advise You Throughout Your Case

If you have never filed a personal injury claim before or are unfamiliar with relevant laws pertaining to accident cases, it can be challenging to make confident legal decisions on your own. Many people feel intimidated by Ohio’s legal system, which is why one of our duties as your representative is to break these complex theories down in a way that you can understand.

With our guidance, you do not have to do any guesswork when deciding how to move forward with your truck accident case. A lawyer from our team serving Columbus can explain your options so that you can make informed decisions.

We will advise you on:

• Whether you should give a recorded statement about how the Columbus, OH, truck collision happened
• Whether you should continue negotiating for a higher settlement deal with the opposing party’s insurance company
• Whether you should consider filing a personal injury lawsuit for your truck accident based on how negotiations are panning out or the other party’s policy
• Whether an insurance settlement offer you receive is fair based on your truck accident damages
• What measures can be taken to protect your legal rights
• What information you should share if you are called on to testify in court

Keep in mind that while your lawyer and other members of our team may advise you at different stages of your case, we remain your representative. That means you make all legal decisions. We serve your legal interests and shall remain transparent about what legal moves you can make to potentially achieve them.

Investigating Your Columbus Truck Accident Case and Gathering Evidence

When our Columbus truck accident lawyer presents your case to the insurer, there should be evidence to support your claims.

By conducting an investigation, our lawyer and legal team can collect the following pieces of information to prove why the opposing party should be held liable for the truck accident and the injuries you suffered:

• The police report
• Traffic camera footage (if available)
• Diagrams of the accident scene
• Your medical records
• Photos of your vehicle, injuries, and the accident scene
• Testimony from eyewitnesses and your healthcare team
• The commercial driver’s logbook
• Black box data
• Expert testimony

With the evidence we find, we aim to prove that you are entitled to compensation for your losses. 

Our Columbus truck accident lawyer can also send a spoliation letter to the trucking company or any party that possesses evidence that could support your case for damages. We can seek to obtain traffic camera accident footage from local law enforcement or state agencies and subpoena any party that may have surveillance footage of the collision. 

While these processes take time to carry out, we can take care of them while you recover from the crash. We will work to ensure you have the evidence you need to prove your damages from the truck accident in Columbus.

You Generally Have Two Years to Sue for Damages in a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Ohio

Claims are different from lawsuits. Claims are filed with insurance companies, while lawsuits are brought before the courts. Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 states that you generally have two years from the date of your truck accident to file your lawsuit in the Franklin County, Fairfield County, or Delaware County civil court, depending on where the accident took place in Columbus. This is the general rule, though there are exceptions.

In some cases, you might have more time to take legal action. This extension could be the case if:

• You were a minor when you were injured in the truck accident.
• You were involved in a hit-and-run accident, and the trucker hid their identity.
• The negligent truck driver left the state.

A lawyer from our law firm can explain how the statute of limitations applies to your truck accident case. They can also file your lawsuit on time so that you do not miss your chance to recover damages.

Who Is Liable for Your Columbus, OH, Truck Accident?

Who is liable for your truck accident will depend on the specifics of your situation. Liability and fault are two separate things. The liable party will pay for your losses. The at-fault party is the one who caused it.

The odds are that the liable party in your case will be the trucking company, as it is likely vicariously liable for its driver’s actions. However, if the at-fault party was self-employed, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance carrier. 

Some trucking cases involve multiple parties in addition to the driver and/or the company that employs them. These additional parties may include:

• The truck or truck parts manufacturer
• The cargo loading company
• The truck repair mechanic or maintenance shop

Our Columbus truck accident lawyer will identify all potentially liable parties that could compensate you for your losses and request damages from each one.

How the Insurance Claims Process Works in Ohio

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says all motorists, even those who operate commercial vehicles, must carry auto insurance. Because Ohio is a fault state under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, you would file a claim with the liable party’s insurer after a crash. If the insurance company refused to pay for your losses, you would proceed with a lawsuit.

Most trucking companies do not want to go to court. This is because litigation is time-consuming and expensive. So, you will likely be able to resolve your case through an insurance settlement. The specific value of your losses will depend on:

• How severely you were injured
• How much you had to pay for your economic damages
• Your quality of life

There may be additional factors that could influence the value of your settlement, which our attorneys can explain to you.

Dealing with the liable party should be the last thing on your mind right now. Let a truck accident lawyer from our team handle it for you so that you can spend time with those close to you.

How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Columbus, OH, Truck Accident Case?

There is no standard time for how long it takes to resolve a personal injury case. Depending on your situation, it could take days, weeks, or even months.

The progression of your case will depend on various things, such as the following:

The Insurance Company’s Cooperation

When you file your claim, the insurance company will either:

• Accept your claim and award you compensation
• Deny or limit your claim 
• Present a counteroffer that may be less than what you want

Some insurance representatives will try to stretch out the process for as long as possible. They may refuse to answer or return your calls promptly, continuously request irrelevant information, or shuffle your claim around from person to person.

You have rights under Ohio Revised Code Section 3901-1-54. We fight against the insurance company’s attempts to violate them and move your case forward.

Your Recovery

We will advise you against accepting a settlement offer until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). This decision is because if you require additional treatment after negotiating your settlement, the insurance company will not be responsible for covering those expenses.

Your recovery period could play a role in the resolution of your case. Our team will do everything in our power to move your case forward while still ensuring your damages are covered.

Fault for Your Accident

For some truck accident cases, the fault is clear-cut. Other times, however, things get a bit more complicated. If it is unclear who caused your accident, this could delay the claims process.

A truck accident attorney from our team will gather all the necessary evidence to prove who caused your accident and how. Then, they will present this information to the insurer when negotiating a settlement.

What Should You Do After Being Injured in a Truck Accident in Columbus, Ohio?

After being injured in a truck accident, your primary concern should be your health. Visit a healthcare provider if you have not already done so. This serves two purposes:

• It ensures that you receive the medical attention that you need.
• The paperwork you collect can prove that you were hurt in the collision.

Below are some other measures that could help promote the progression of your case. Keep in mind that our lawyers can accomplish many of these tasks for you, such as:

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) says you should file your claim as soon as possible. This prompt action promotes a smooth financial recovery process, and it also reduces the chance of the insurance company contesting the cause of your injuries.

We can file your claim on time with all the appropriate paperwork. You will not even need to talk to the claims adjuster with The Fitch Law Firm LLC on your side.

Requesting the Police Report

In Ohio, you are required to file a police report if someone was injured or killed due to a collision. You will want to request a copy of the police report as soon as possible from either the Columbus Division of Police or the Ohio State Highway Patrol, depending on where the accident took place. The insurance company might use even the slightest error to refute your claim.

We can request a copy of the police accident report for you. We can also verify its information to make sure that it accurately reflects what happened.

Compiling Evidence of Your Accident

To file a successful claim or lawsuit, you will need evidence to back up your side of the story. Immediately following the truck crash, you can start accumulating pieces of evidence. You should keep this information in a safe place and give it to your truck accident lawyer in Columbus.

Some vital pieces of information that we can use to prove the cause of your accident include:

• Receipts, billing statements, and invoices related to your medical expenses
• The names of your prescription medications
• Correspondence between yourself and the insurer
• Your follow-up doctor’s appointments
• Car repair estimates

You do not have to worry about investigating your own personal injury case. At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, our lawyers lead investigations to get the information necessary to build our clients’ cases. We will get to the bottom of what happened and develop your case according to our findings.

Questions? We Have Answers to the Most Commonly Asked

During your free consultation, you can get to know our team and ask questions like the following:

What Happens If the Insurance Adjuster Denies My Claim?

If the insurance company denies your claim and is unwilling to negotiate, we will be prepared to take your case to court. There, we can seek a court award based on our evidence and arguments.

How Much Is My Pain and Suffering Worth?

Pain and suffering is a subjective loss and based on the individual’s lost quality of life. However, we have the knowledge and means to assess your case and seek a settlement that fairly reflects this loss. 

What Is the Average Settlement for a Truck Accident Case?

Seeking an average settlement could potentially cost you money in compensation. Every case is unique, and your settlement should be based on the damages you have suffered and not a national average. 

What Happens if I Partially Caused My Accident?

We will always investigate our clients’ accidents to determine liability. If you partially caused your accident, we will assess your degree of fault and protect you from any attempts to place a greater degree of blame on you than what is called for.

Get a Free Consultation About Hiring a Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer Today

When you call our team today, we can provide you with more information about how our Columbus truck accident lawyers can handle your case. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing to get started. 

Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC today to speak with a member of our team during a free consultation.