Dayton Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-trucks are among the most dangerous vehicles on our roadways. While they may not get involved in as many accidents as cars, the accidents they do play a part in often result in serious bodily harm for the other motorists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, our Dayton semi-truck accident lawyer can help build your case. 

According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 4,714 people passed away in large truck collisions in 2021. Out of these deaths, the occupants of passenger vehicles represented 68% of those killed. A further 15% of these fatalities came from pedestrians, motorcycle riders, and bicyclists. 

In just the State of Ohio, 192 people lost their lives in accidents involving commercial motor vehicles in 2021, as reported by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Even still, countless others were left permanently scarred from these accidents, both mentally and physically. 

No matter what you are going through, a Dayton truck accident lawyer with The Fitch Law Firm LLC can be there to help guide you through Ohio’s legal system, offering you peace of mind along the way.

How Our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Lead Your Case

The aftermath of a truck accident can feel like a whirlwind. Managing a legal case may seem like the farthest thing from your mind right now. Luckily, you can turn to The Fitch Law Firm LLC for guidance.

Our founding attorney, John Fitch, has more than 30 years of experience fighting for Ohio personal injury victims. He has our compassionate yet aggressive team of highly-rated attorneys and staff behind him to help serve people like you. While you heal from your injuries, we can:

• Gather various forms of evidence
• Request dashcam footage, employee records, and black box data from the trucking company
• Negotiating a favorable settlement with the insurance company
• Proving the negligent and liable parties
• Communicating with the trucking company, insurance companies, and the courts
• Assessing the value of your past, current, and future losses
• Taking your case to trial, if necessary

We offer our legal representation on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t pay us a dime up front or out of pocket. Our team covers every expense related to your case, and we won’t get paid unless and until we achieve a settlement or court award on your behalf.

Damages You Can Recover After a Dayton Semi-Truck Crash

You can recover damages after a Dayton semi-truck collision that another party caused. These damages can help you pay for the cost of your economic and non-economic losses.

Some examples of economic damages you may be able to recover include:

• Property damage or loss, such as damage to your vehicle
• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation bills
• Medical equipment, such as assistive devices you may need for your injuries
• Lost or reduced income, if your injuries prevent you from working or returning to the same job

You may also be entitled to recover non-economic damages, which include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Lost life enjoyment

Any evidence you have, such as receipts and medical records, can be used to prove that you deserve compensation for these damages.

For a free legal consultation with a semi-truck accidents lawyer serving Dayton, call Now »

Deadlines for Filing a Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit

In many cases, you can recover the compensation you need through an insurance claim. If you feel that your case is being undervalued, you might decide to file a lawsuit. In Ohio, the statute of limitations outlines the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Per Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you generally have two years to file your lawsuit.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If you lost a loved one because of a semi-truck collision that another party caused, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. You will have two years to file the lawsuit, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02.

Missing the statute of limitations deadline could mean that you miss the opportunity to recover compensation through a lawsuit. Our Dayton truck accident lawyer will help you file your lawsuit on time.

The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.

Injuries Commonly Resulting From Semi-Truck Accidents

Depending on the speed the semi-truck is traveling before the accident, as well as the angle of the initial impact, injuries can range from whiplash and bruises to more catastrophic injuries like paralysis and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Other injuries frequently seen in semi-truck accidents can include, but may not be limited to:

• Trauma to the back, sometimes resulting in herniated disks or nerve damage.
• Internal injuries, such as ruptured organs, internal bleeding, and broken ribs.
• Broken bones in the extremities, including the arms, legs, feet, and hands.
• Mental illness brought on by the accident, either through head trauma or from the overall traumatic nature of the crash. These ailments can include depression, anxiety, fear of driving, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Burns, which may result from the vehicle catching on fire, or from external factors like toxic materials spilled on the roadway.
• Injuries to the torso inflicted by the seat belt, such as broken clavicles and abdominal damage.

If you have not done so already, victims should make it a point to save all documents related to their physical, mental, and financial difficulties stemming from their accidents.

If you decide to retain The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we work to catalog these instances of pain and suffering so we can use them to assign a potential value to your case. If the negligent parties do not offer an acceptable settlement, we can present these documents during any ensuing legal proceedings.

To learn more about potential damages awarded to semi-truck accident victims, contact a team member at The Fitch Law Firm LLC today for your free consultation.

Examining the Contributing Factors in Semi-Truck Accidents

Research from the IIHS shows that large trucks often weigh around 20 to 30 times as much as traditional cars. As an additional risk to motorists, the taller size of these trucks can cause smaller vehicles to become trapped beneath them after a collision—potentially leading to devastating injuries.

Then there is the issue of mechanical features found on large trucks, such as their braking capacity. Research shows that full tractor-trailers need 20% to 40% more distance to stop compared to smaller cars. When combined with any possible road hazards, such as inclement weather, this means that trucks may be unable to feasibly stop in time to avoid a collision.

Among the largest risk factors for semi-truck drivers are driver distraction and driver fatigue. As government regulations allow truck drivers to drive for up to 11 hours in one continuous trip, it is understandable that drivers may slowly become detached from their surroundings. These long stretches on the road can cause drivers to zone out, look at their phones, or even fall asleep behind the wheel.

Frighteningly, the IIHS states that many drivers admitted to violating these 11-hour restrictions, opting to drive for even longer stretches of time—despite the known dangers associated with such behavior. Other contributing factors in semi-truck accidents can include:

• Driver inexperience
• Failing to stay in their lane
• Not taking adequate time to check their blind spot before turning or merging
• Heavy loads leading to mechanical failure or driver error
• Driving while intoxicated
• Failing to slow down during poor weather conditions
• Not giving themselves enough time to stop before coming to an intersection
• Making wide turns

Our Dayton Lawyers Are Ready to Represent Semi-Truck Accident Victims

When victims decide to turn to our Dayton, OH, semi-truck accident lawyer, they can receive support to help them through the legal process. The attorneys at The Fitch Law Firm LLC care about what happens to accident victims in our communities, which is why we aim to treat every case on an individual basis. This allows us to better understand a client’s unique set of needs. 

To find out more about the legal processes involved in personal injury law, contact a representative at The Fitch Law Firm LLC today for your free consultation.