Truck Accident Attorney in Youngstown, OH

Semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles are 10-20 times heavier than cars, depending on the weight of their cargo. This causes them to deal much more damage in a collision. Truck accident victims in Youngstown often suffer more severe injuries with more expensive medical bills than car crash victims.

The legal team at Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you seek compensation for your truck accident injuries if you’ve been hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault. Many semi-truck accidents are caused by negligence from truck drivers, trucking companies, or other parties.

If you were involved in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to demand fair compensation for your losses. Our experienced Youngstown truck accident attorneys are ready to hear your story. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Common Causes of Ohio Truck Accidents

Some common causes of truck accidents in Ohio include the following:

• Impaired driving — Truck drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs will have a harder time noticing what’s happening around them. This makes it more likely for them to make a mistake that causes a crash. Impaired drivers also have an increased risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
• Distracted driving — There are many different ways a truck driver could become distracted while driving, from texting or snacking to adjusting the music or grooming themselves. Distractions cause drivers to take their concentration off handling their truck safely, making an accident more likely.
• Driver fatigue — Truck drivers are more likely to be drowsy than other drivers because they have strict delivery deadlines to meet. This can cause truck drivers to keep driving even when it’s unsafe. Fatigued truck drivers have slower reflexes and impaired judgment. They’re also more likely to fall asleep behind the wheel.
• Inexperienced drivers — Driving a truck isn’t like driving a car. It takes time to figure out how to safely handle a vehicle that large. Inexperienced drivers may underestimate stopping distances, take turns too quickly, or make other mistakes that can cause an accident.
• Mechanical failure — Both cars and trucks can be vulnerable to mechanical failure. But it’s more common in trucks because their weight puts more wear and tear on mechanical components. If a semi-truck’s steering, suspension, brakes, tires, or other key components fail, it could result in an accident.
• Lack of proper maintenance — To help minimize the chance of mechanical failure, trucks are supposed to undergo regular maintenance checks. If these checks aren’t done properly, a truck driver may not realize the danger they are in until it’s too late.
• Loose or unbalanced cargo — Trucks must be properly balanced to avoid rollover accidents. Any cargo needs to be properly loaded and secured. If the cargo comes loose or shifts, the truck’s balance can be thrown off and cause a rollover accident.
• Aggressive driving — Speeding and other types of aggressive driving can put others in extreme danger. Trucks take much longer than cars to slow down and stop. Speeding makes it that much harder. Taking turns too sharply, unsafe lane changes, and other dangerous driving behaviors all increase the odds of a catastrophic crash.

Most Common Types of Truck Accidents

A few of the most common types of truck accidents we see in Youngstown and around Ohio are:

• Head-on collisions — In a head-on collision, the front of a truck hits the front of another vehicle coming from the other direction. This happens when the truck crosses over from their lane into traffic coming the other way. It’s usually because the truck driver is impaired, fatigued, or distracted.
• Rear-end collisions — A rear-end collision happens when the front of a truck collides with the back of a vehicle in front of it. This often happens because the truck is speeding or the driver is distracted, impaired, or fatigued.
• Sideswipe collisions — A sideswipe collision results when a truck hits the side of another vehicle next to it. These accidents are often the result of unsafe merges or lane changes, as truck drivers are not always careful to check their blind spots.
• T-Bone collisions — A T-bone collision occurs when a truck crashes into the side of a vehicle traveling perpendicular to it, forming a “T” shape when the vehicles collide. T-Bone accidents are usually caused by truck drivers failing to yield or stop at an intersection.
• Underride accidents — In an underride accident, another vehicle collides with a truck and ends up underneath the trailer. This can happen if the truck has to stop suddenly and another car crashes into it from behind.
• Rollover accidents — A rollover accident is when a truck turns over because it’s imbalanced. This can happen if a truck driver takes a turn too quickly or the cargo shifts in transit.
• Cargo spills — If a truck’s cargo comes loose and spills out onto the road, other vehicles may hit whatever has landed in front of them.

Injuries Normally Suffered in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often cause severe injuries to crash victims, including the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Back and neck injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Broken bones
• Damage to muscles and joints
• Burns
• Wrongful death

An Ohio trucking accident attorney can help you pursue compensation after a semi-truck accident while you recover from your injuries.

What To Do After a Truck Accident in Youngstown

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Youngstown, here’s what you need to do to protect your right to compensation:

• Call 911 to bring police and emergency medical personnel to the scene.
• Get the truck driver’s name, insurance information, driver’s license number, and their employer’s name and insurance information.
• Use your phone to take pictures and document the scene.
• Look for any potential eyewitnesses.
• Get medical attention as soon as possible and follow your doctor’s orders.
• Don’t give any statements to insurance companies.
• Avoid posting on social media.
• Keep a journal where you record how your injuries have affected your day-to-day life.
• Talk to a Youngstown personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Compensation Available in Ohio Semi-Truck Accidents

Your injuries and financial losses from a truck accident may be significant. Ohio’s law allows you to seek compensation for many of these losses with a semi-truck accident claim or lawsuit, such as the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Diminished future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Damaged personal property

Talk to Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Youngstown, OH

Want to know more about how Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help you after a Youngstown semi-truck accident? Contact us today for a free initial consultation with one of our compassionate Youngstown truck accident lawyers.