Accidents involving commercial trucks often result in severe injuries for everyone else involved because of the extreme imbalance between the size and weight of these trucks and the average passenger vehicle. After a crash, you will likely be faced with a growing stack of medical bills and an inability to work. Fortunately, an experienced truck accident lawyer in Defiance can help.
At Groth & Associates, we have been helping injury victims recover compensation from those liable for their losses for more than 35 years. Our experienced team of Defiance personal injury lawyers will do everything we can to ensure a positive outcome for your case. Reach out to us today to set up a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team.
Get Started on Your Case Early for the Best Possible Outcome
When attempting to recover compensation after a truck accident, you should avoid delays in hiring an attorney to represent you. Hiring a lawyer soon after your accident will give them the best chance of securing evidence before it is corrupted or lost. In addition, they will be able to record witness testimony before their memories of the incident begin to fade.
Getting started on your case early will also help ensure that you meet all applicable deadlines. The personal injury statute of limitations in Ohio generally grants accident victims two years to file the paperwork for a truck accident lawsuit. Missing the filing deadline will likely result in the loss of your ability to collect compensation.
However, exceptions may apply to your case that can affect the filing deadline. An experienced Defiance truck accident attorney from Groth & Associates will help determine the exact deadline that applies to your case and ensure that all of the necessary paperwork is completed correctly and on time.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accident lawyer serving Defiance, call (419) 930-3030
Damages an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Serving Defiance Can Help You Recover
After suffering an injury in a truck accident, there are a variety of different damages you will likely be eligible to recover. The types of compensation most commonly recoverable in truck accident cases include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning ability
- Decreased quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Medical costs
- Future medical expenses
- Property damage
Punitive damages are also available in rare cases. Punitive damages will only be assessed if the liable party in your truck accident intentionally caused you harm or if they were grossly negligent.
If a loved one was killed as the result of a truck accident, a Defiance wrongful death lawyer will help you file a wrongful death claim to secure the damages you are entitled to recover.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Case
When attempting to secure compensation following a truck accident, you will likely need to prove that the liable party was negligent or that they acted with the intention of causing harm. To prove negligence, you will need to show that four elements were present in your case:
- Duty of care
- Breached duty of care
- Damages
- Causation
Duty of Care
The first thing you need to prove is that the liable party owed you a duty of care. In most truck accident cases, proving the existence of a duty of care is simple.
For example, if you are attempting to recover damages from the truck driver, the duty of care is clear, as all drivers owe everyone else on the road a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner to ensure the safety of everyone around.
Similarly, the existence of a duty of care is also evident if you are filing a lawsuit against the trucking company. These companies owe those on the roadways a duty of care to ensure their trucks are properly maintained and that their drivers receive the proper safety training.
Breached Duty of Care
The next thing you will need to do is prove that the liable party violated their duty of care. Expanding on the example of the truck driver, any evidence you can present proving they were operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner will show that they breached their duty of care. Common breaches include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Texting while driving
With the trucking company, you can prove that they failed to properly maintain their fleet of trucks, did not provide their drivers with proper safety training, or failed to run adequate background checks on their drivers.
Damages
The next step is proving that you suffered damages. The most common evidence used to prove damages following a truck accident is the medical records and related medical bills you accrued as a result of your accident.
Causation
The final thing you will need to do is prove how all of these pieces fit together. An experienced truck accident attorney in Defiance can clearly demonstrate to the court how the damages you suffered were directly caused by the liable party violating their duty of care.
Get Help from an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Defiance Today
After suffering severe injuries in a truck accident, recovering damages from the party responsible for your crash can be vital. Hiring an experienced lawyer to help you pursue compensation is the best way to boost your chances of getting the money you need.
At Groth & Associates, our experienced team of Defiance truck accident lawyers will work around the clock to help get you fair compensation. Contact us by using our online chat tool, filling out our contact form, or giving us a call today to schedule your free initial case consultation with a member of our legal staff.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form