Commercial trucks in Akron present serious dangers to other road users because of their sheer size and weight. When fully loaded, these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—creating a force that can lead to catastrophic damage in a collision. Due to their weight, trucks need much longer distances to stop and are harder to maneuver. Blind spots around large trucks also make it difficult for truck drivers to see surrounding vehicles, further increasing the risk to passenger cars, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
At The Henry Law Firm, our Akron truck accident attorneys are committed to holding negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable for maximum damages. With a deep understanding of federal and Ohio trucking regulations, our team builds powerful cases against responsible parties. Proven Akron personal injury attorney Eric Henry approaches each case with the tenacity needed to take on large trucking corporations and their insurers to recover the highest possible compensation for the injured victims.
Types of Truck Accidents Where Our Akron Truck Accident Attorneys Can Represent You
The Henry Law Firm’s Akron truck accident lawyers are equipped to handle all types of truck accident cases, providing thorough investigation, aggressive representation, and strong advocacy for our clients to recover full damages.
- Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s cab and trailer fold into an angle, resembling a folding knife, it could lead to multi-vehicle collisions. These accidents can be caused by sudden braking, slippery roads, or mechanical failures, leading to serious injuries for truck accident victims.
- Rollover Accidents: Due to a truck’s high center of gravity, rollovers can happen if a driver takes a turn too quickly, encounters uneven road surfaces, or loses control in adverse weather. Rollover accidents may result in common truck accident injuries, leading to a truck accident lawsuit for damages.
- Rear-End Collisions: Trucks require a much longer stopping distance, and if drivers are not attentive or if brake systems fail, they may rear-end other vehicles. These accidents can be particularly dangerous for the smaller vehicles in front, resulting in catastrophic injuries for Akron truck accident victims.
- Underride Accidents: In these devastating collisions, a smaller vehicle can slide beneath the rear or side of a truck. Lack of proper guards or lighting on the truck frequently contributes to underride accidents. Our experienced truck accident attorney will prove the negligence of the defendants in these cases.
- Wide Turn Accidents: Large trucks require extra space when making wide turns. If a truck driver fails to check for nearby vehicles or signal properly, the truck can collide with cars in adjacent lanes, posing a major hazard to surrounding traffic.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have significant blind spots along their sides and rear. Many truck accidents occur when truck drivers fail to account for these areas while changing lanes or merging, leading to collisions with vehicles hidden in these “no zones.”
- Tire Blowouts: When a truck tire suddenly bursts, it can lead to a dangerous loss of control, potentially causing the truck to swerve or rollover. Tire blowouts may result from improper maintenance or manufacturing defects, posing a severe risk to other motorists nearby.
- Cargo Spills: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can shift, spill, or fall from a truck, endangering nearby drivers. Spills on the road can cause serious trucking accidents, particularly if hazardous materials are involved.
Why You Need Our Akron Truck Accident Lawyers at The Henry Law Firm on Your Side
Complexity of Commercial Truck Accident Claims and Vicarious Liability
Unlike an at-fault car accident lawsuit, truck accident claims may involve not only the truck driver’s negligence but also the trucking company’s liability through vicarious liability doctrines. To prove negligence, it may be necessary to establish violations of both Ohio State and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, such as Hours of Service (HOS) rules designed to prevent driver fatigue, drowsiness, and distracted driving.
Trucking companies may pressure drivers to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, falsify logbooks, or fail to uphold hiring standards. Our Akron truck accident lawyers have the experience to scrutinize these factors rigorously to hold all negligent parties accountable.
High Financial Stakes Due to FMCSA Liability Insurance Minimums
Truck accidents typically involve greater damage and injury due to the massive size and weight of commercial trucks. Accordingly, the FMCSA sets minimum liability insurance requirements that range from $750,000 to $5 million depending on the cargo and operational specifics.
These high stakes call for skilled legal representation to ensure that the full extent of damages is recovered. Our Akron truck accident attorney has deep experience in high-value claims and will fight to recover maximum compensation from the insurers of the negligent truck driver.
Securing Key Evidence Like Black Box Data and Surveillance Footage
Truck accident evidence can be technical and time-sensitive, with black box data, electronic logs, and surveillance footage playing a critical role in establishing liability. Black box data records essential information like speed, braking patterns, and hours of service, which can be erased or tampered with if not promptly preserved.
Moreover, surveillance footage may reveal key accident details that counter the statements of the negligent truck drivers. Our team moves swiftly to secure this evidence and works with accident reconstructionists to build a compelling case against the liable party.
Combating Defendants’ Denial of Liability and Tactics to Shift Blame
Trucking companies and their insurers are notorious for denying liability or attempting to place partial or full blame on the injured party. Ohio’s comparative negligence law, known as the “51% bar rule,” prohibits claim recovery if the injured party is more than 50% at fault, which insurers may exploit. Our trucking accident attorneys are well-versed in fighting these unfair tactics, challenging inaccurate narratives, and ensuring our clients’ accounts and injuries are accurately represented.
Trial Readiness and Resources to Level the Playing Field
Trucking companies and insurers are often equipped with vast resources to defend themselves, requiring equal trial capabilities from a plaintiff’s legal team. Our attorneys bring a reputation for aggressive litigation, which can lead to fair settlements as defendants may seek to avoid facing a well-prepared and fearless opponent in court. Should a trial become necessary, we have the resources and a proven record of success before juries to take on powerful defendants in court.
How We Prove Liability and Recover Maximum Compensation for You
Once you hire The Henry Law Firm for your truck accident case, our dedicated legal team will move fast with the following steps:
- Conduct On-Site Investigation: Our team will visit the accident scene quickly to capture critical evidence. Using photo and video documentation, we will assess the positioning of vehicles, skid marks, debris, damage to surrounding property, road conditions, traffic patterns, and any traffic control devices, which could all be crucial in establishing liability.
- Send Preservation Notices: We will send a formal notice to the trucking company instructing them to preserve all potential evidence under their control. Our team will begin searching for surveillance footage from nearby cameras to counter any inaccurate statements from the truck driver or other parties.
- Retrieve and Analyze Event Data Recorder (EDR) Data: We will secure and analyze the data from the truck’s EDR, which provides vital details like speed, braking patterns, gear shifts, and other data from the moments leading up to the crash. This data is essential in building a clear timeline of the incident.
- Locate and Interview Eyewitnesses: If there are potential eyewitnesses to the crash, we will track them down quickly to collect their statements, whether through audio, video, or written testimony. Eyewitness accounts can provide key support for your version of events.
- Engage Expert Witnesses: If needed, we will consult expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists, forensic experts, medical professionals, and financial experts, to assess the impact of the crash on your health, finances, and quality of life. Their testimony will help us accurately calculate current and future damages.
- Collect Key Trucking Records: Our team will gather critical documents from the trucking company, including the truck’s GPS data, driver logs, dispatch records, driver qualifications, drug and alcohol test results, and maintenance history. These records will help us uncover any signs of pressure on the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, any past negligent behavior, or poor hiring practices that contributed to the crash.
- Investigate Vehicle Maintenance: If there is a suspicion that poor maintenance or equipment failure played a role in the crash, we will request the truck’s maintenance and inspection records and hire independent engineers to investigate potential malfunctions, including faulty brakes or tire defects.
- Investigate Cargo Safety: If applicable, we will determine whether the truck was overloaded, carrying unsecured cargo, or transporting hazardous materials. We’ll also investigate whether the cargo loading complied with FMCSA regulations, which could shift liability to the trucking company or loader.
- Initiate Aggressive Negotiations: We will send a demand letter to the insurance company, outlining the evidence and establishing a strong case for your claim. Our attorneys will engage in tough negotiations, always keeping you informed and advocating for your interests.
- Prepare for Trial if Necessary: Even while negotiations are ongoing, we will prepare for trial. Our aggressive trial readiness provides leverage in negotiations and demonstrates to the trucking company and insurance company that we are committed to taking your case to court if necessary, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
To schedule your free consultation with an Akron truck accident lawyer at The Henry Law Firm, call us at (440) 337-0083 or contact us online.
