Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident in Ohio?
Understanding who bears truck accident liability and how to prove fault is vital to building a solid compensation claim. Establishing liability following an accident involving a commercial truck can impact the value of your case and determine who pays for your injuries and losses. The trucking company and its insurer want liability off their shoulders and may attempt to push the blame for the accident onto others – even you, the injured person.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Truck Accident?
One of the reasons why truck accidents can be so complicated is that more than one party may be liable for causing the crash. Although it is easy to point the finger at the truck driver, they might not be the only party responsible. Some entities that can potentially be wholly or partially liable for causing a commercial truck accident include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A truck or parts manufacturer
- A cargo loading company
Other third parties, including other drivers involved in the collision, may also bear partial responsibility for causing an Ohio commercial truck accident.
How Do I Find Out Who Is Liable?
Establishing liability without the help of an experienced truck accident attorney can be challenging. Proving liability comes down to evidence, which can be tricky to collect and preserve following a truck accident. Evidence such as black box data, hours of service logs, maintenance reports, safety inspections, and cargo loading manifests is trucking company property. The company has no interest in turning over material to an accident victim that may prove it is liable for the accident.
An attorney has the experience and resources to uncover potentially liable parties involved in a commercial truck accident. One step an attorney can take is to issue a letter of spoliation to those involved. This letter outlines that the recipient is responsible for preserving specific evidence and information vital to a truck accident case. An attorney can also collect additional evidence in the form of police reports, medical records, and witness statements that can also prove liability and bolster your case.
Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Your actions in the aftermath of a truck accident can affect your ability to prove liability and build a solid compensation claim. Protect yourself by taking the following steps:
- Contact authorities
- Document the accident scene as thoroughly as possible
- Exchange information with the driver
- Ask witnesses for a statement and their contact information
- Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible
- Keep track of all medical expenses, repair bills, and out-of-pocket costs related to the accident
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
- Never post anything on social media until your case gets resolved
Trucking companies and insurers take every opportunity to protect themselves from truck accident liability. Protect yourself by allowing a knowledgeable attorney to fight against their strategic tactics for you.
Contact Our Ohio Truck Accident Attorneys for Help
The truck accident attorneys at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, want to help you pursue the compensation you deserve after an Ohio commercial truck accident. Contact our office today to discuss your unique case with our team in a free consultation.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
