The Dagger Law firm is one of the leading vehicle accident injury practices located in Central Ohio. Our top-quality Ohio truck accident lawyers have successfully represented injured clients all over Ohio, obtaining significant jury verdicts and settlements. Many of these auto accidents have involved commercial carriers and semi-trucks.
A tractor-trailer or “big rig” is a truck wherein the tractor portion of the vehicle pulls the cargo portion or trailer. Since these large vehicles are on our highways and roads 24/7, of course, accidents involving tractor-trailers are rising. In 2017, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that heavy truck accidents made up 11% of motor vehicle fatalities. Additionally, there has been a 9% increase in deaths resulting from commercial vehicles since 2013. The injured party needs to be represented by experienced trial lawyers who have experience dealing with trucking companies. You want a lawyer who knows the legal process and achieves the best result for the injured party.
We proudly serve the following communities throughout Central and Southeastern Ohio:
- Fairfield County
- Franklin County
- Hocking County
- Licking County
- Pickaway County
- Baltimore, Ohio
- Buckeye Lake
- Canal Winchester
- Circleville
- Greater Columbus Area
- Lancaster, Ohio
- Logan
- Newark, Ohio
- other locations nearby
Check out the nearest location to you by clicking our Locations Page.
In 2017, the Ohio Department of Public Safety reported over 303,000 traffic crashes. Over 108,000 of those resulted in some personal injury to the involved parties. Those are staggering numbers, and unfortunately, that means that many of us will experience this traumatic event. Statistically, this means that there were over 30 semi-truck accidents in Ohio today! Do you know what to do if you, or a loved one, are involved in a car accident? Whether you were personally involved in a car accident or know someone who was, we hope that the helpful information provided can assist you in a time of crisis.
Dagger Law trucking accident lawyers recommend the following as a quick checklist:
- Report the accident immediately. Ensure that you call the police department and, if needed, emergency medical services at a minimum. We also recommend that you report the accident to your insurance company promptly.
- Start keeping records. Take pictures, get statements, ask for a copy of the police report, and get the other driver’s insurance information. All of this information will be important for your insurance settlement, or it will be used as evidence if a court appearance is required.
- Protect your rights! Knowing how to protect your rights is very important. First, do not admit fault for the accident. For one thing, admitting guilt could cause a superficial investigation. Although an officer will write a report about the accident’s cause, it may only indicate that you are at fault without looking at all the factors. Likewise, do not provide a statement to your insurance company before speaking to an attorney. Of course, we want you to be honest. Still, an insurance company may misunderstand your account if you are not careful.
Consequently, misunderstandings could result in you not getting adequate compensation for injuries or damages. An attorney familiar with auto and truck accidents will know how to protect your rights and preserve your best chance for a fair settlement from an insurance company. Without consulting an attorney, any statement you make could jeopardize the insurance settlement you deserve.
Q: Why are Truck Accidents different from auto accidents?
First, damages and injuries are often more severe in accidents that involve a truck.
Because of a truck’s size, relative to most passenger vehicles, accidents involving commercial trucking are more likely to cause injury or death. For example, a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. However, the average car only weighs around 3,000 pounds. The laws of physics are not in your favor if an accident happens between a car and a large truck. In addition, the size of a big rig often makes them an indirect factor in other accidents.
Second, trucking is regulated and monitored, and particular laws apply to commercial drivers.
These additional rules and regulations often lead to different layers of complexity that don’t exist in accidents involving two privately owned automobiles.
Third, many commercial trucks carry a “black box” similar to the devices found on aircraft.
This black box allows detailed reconstructions of crash scenes which can be helpful when figuring out what happened. Though beneficial, this additional evidence can be complex. It may require the testimony of an expert witness to interpret the information. However, the information provided by the black box also opens an avenue for additional legal strategies. For instance, we can compare driver statements and technical data to uncover the truth.
Finally, It can be difficult to assign blame when the truck owner and the driver who caused the accident may be different.
Additionally, a case may involve the truck owner, the driver, the payload owner, the payload loader, the manufacturer of faulty parts such as tires, and the insurance company! Undoubtedly, all parties will potentially point the finger at someone else. None of them want to accept responsibility for the resulting personal injuries and property damage. You can bet that all of those people and businesses will be fighting hard not to pay any bills or penalties. Therefore, you need an experienced attorney to fight for your rights and hold the right people responsible.
Dagger Law firm’s experienced personal injury litigation lawyers know how to represent clients injured in these trucking and car accidents. Our litigation experience is essential for both settlement and trial purposes.
Car accidents involving tractor-trailers can be factually and legally complex. Knowing what events and factors contribute to tractor-trailer accidents is crucial in finding the evidence for your case. Through qualified experts and accident reconstruction, our attorneys can accurately and quickly get to the root cause of an accident. Finding the evidence that proves the true causes of a car accident is critical for legal success.
With over 110 years of experience dealing with car accidents that involve commercial vehicles, we can unveil the motivating or aggravating circumstances in the crash. Our trial lawyers also understand the relevant federal and state laws that the other driver may have violated. Our Ohio Truck accident lawyers are standing by to assist injured clients through even the most complex legal process. Trucking companies will fight to protect themselves. Let the Dagger Law firm fight to protect you.
Q: How much does it cost to pursue a Personal Injury Case?
A: The last thing you need is a mounting attorney bill when you are potentially out of work and looking at significant medical bills. Dagger Law handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fees mean that our firm collects a percentage of the overall settlement in your case. Whether from an insurance settlement or award from a trial, you will not pay out of your pocket for our legal representation. So, if your accident injury case takes one month or 18 months, our fee is always a percentage of the final award.
Before retaining services from a personal injury attorney from Dagger Law, you will have a free consult meeting with your lawyer. This meeting will cover fees and ensure you understand how we handle billing. Throughout your case, you will likely incur bills. Dagger Law will pay some bills associated with your case, and we will recoup the cost once the issue is complete. Your lawyer will let you know which bills you will pay and which ones we will handle while resolving the matter.
Q: Will a car accident lawyer travel to me, or do I need to come to your offices in either Lancaster or Canal Winchester?
A: While some meetings will need to occur in our offices, we try to minimize your travel time. We offer two convenient office locations in Lancaster and Canal Winchester, Ohio. Our goal is to reduce the disruption to your life caused by legal issues and conduct most communications or meetings through emails or phone calls. We realize that clients can’t reach us in certain circumstances, and we may be required to visit your location.
Suppose you retain a Dagger Law attorney to represent you. In that case, they will travel to the necessary court hearings and legal procedures to represent you anywhere in Ohio! Please note that in some instances, the cost to represent your case may require an unusual amount of money due to travel expenses. In such cases, we may recommend using legal representation closer to the location of your case. We are happy to provide referrals in these instances if we are able.
If you don’t see your particular issue listed above, that is no problem! We enjoy a challenge and are happy to assist you with the legal issue you face. Use our convenient Contact Page to schedule an appointment to discuss your legal matter with an attorney.
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