Canton Truck Accident Lawyer

At Slater & Zurz, we know truck accident cases can be complicated. Truck drivers, their companies, and their insurance companies will often do whatever they can to minimize their responsibility for the crash – or even avoid it altogether. Because of this, you will need a legal team that knows how to win this unique type of case and will fight aggressively to protect your rights.

At Slater & Zurz, our team of truck accident lawyers has extensive experience handling cases involving large trucks and commercial vehicles. We ensure that truck accident victims receive the compensation they deserve for their medical bills and injury claims.

We take an aggressive approach to truck accident cases. We meticulously research, investigate, and compile evidence supporting your case and readily prepare the case as if it were going to trial, putting us in a strong position in the negotiation process. So, whether you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver or poorly maintained big rig or tractor-trailer, our Canton truck accident lawyer can help.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks, such as semis, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers, are a common site on Ohio highways. Unfortunately, when these large vehicles are involved in an accident, serious injuries and fatalities are often a result. Several factors contribute to truck accidents. They include:

Driver Fatigue

Driver fatigue is a serious problem in the trucking industry. It is the most common cause of driver error and contributes to over 40% of all truck accidents. Truckers have extended hours and challenging deadlines. To get to their destination on time, they often force themselves to stay awake and not take resting breaks when they should.

Distracted Driving

Not paying attention causes accidents for truck drivers, just as it does for other drivers. It is difficult for most truckers to drive for long hours. They may look for something to keep them occupied, such as looking at their cell phone, eating, drinking, or changing their music. Distractions take their eyes off the road and their attention away from the task at hand – driving safely.

Driving Under the Influence

Truck drivers who are under the influence can be a significant danger to themselves and others on the road. When a trucker is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their ability to drive safely is drastically impaired. They have a slower reaction time, and their perception of their surroundings is compromised.

Inexperience/Lack of Training

Truck drivers are in high demand. So, trucking companies are often anxious to get the drivers on the road and don’t offer enough training to new drivers. Truckers are required to have a certain amount of training hours completed before driving, but they and the companies they work for don’t always comply with this requirement. The result is a poorly trained truck driver with little experience operating a powerful and potentially dangerous commercial truck.

Improper Maintenance

Trucking companies are required to inspect and maintain their commercial trucks to keep them safe on the road. However, truck maintenance can be costly and time-consuming, with no deliveries being made while the truck is being serviced or repaired. Therefore, many trucking companies do not adequately maintain their trucks, making them a danger for truckers and others on the road.

Hazardous Road Conditions

Poorly maintained and improperly designed roadways are common contributors to truck accidents. Debris, erosion, potholes, missing guardrails, missing or confusing road signs, and malfunctioning traffic signals can all cause a truck crash. Because cities, counties, and states design and maintain roadways, they may be liable for your injuries if hazardous road conditions cause your accident.

Understanding the intricacies of accidents involving large commercial vehicles is crucial. Our law firm is experienced in navigating the complex regulations, including hours of service, that govern these vehicles, which often play a pivotal role in truck accident claims.

Determining Liability in an Ohio Truck Accident Case

Truck accident cases are generally more complex than other accident cases. The complexity is partly because there is often more than one party responsible for the crash. Potential at-fault parties include:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• A company that loaded the truck’s cargo (shipping company)
• Manufacturer of the truck or truck parts
• Insurance companies

Our experienced Canton truck accident lawyers will determine the factors that contributed to your crash and identify all parties responsible for your damages. To do this, we will perform a thorough investigation and review of:

• Truck driver’s record, including past violations and criminal convictions
• The nature and extent of the damage to the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash
• Driving logs, such as the driver’s hours log and weigh-ins
• Accident history of the truck
• Inspection and maintenance records of the truck
• The truck’s electronic data
• How the cargo was loaded and secured
• Potential defects in the truck or truck parts
• Conditions at the time of the accident
• Driver’s level of training
• Eyewitness accounts of the accident
• The police report

Several parties play a role in the operation of a commercial truck, and each is responsible for ensuring the truck is safe and adequately operated to prevent an accident. Our truck accident lawyer will work diligently to ensure all responsible parties are held liable for your injuries and other losses. Our truck accident attorneys are adept at dissecting cases involving large trucks to ensure every aspect, from hours of service compliance to the proper maintenance of commercial vehicles, is thoroughly examined.

Recovering Damages When You Are Partially Responsible for Your Ohio Truck Accident

When another party is at fault for your accident, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. But what happens when you are partially at fault for the crash that caused your injuries?

Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, you still have the right to seek damages if you are partially responsible for the accident, as long as you are 50% or less at fault. However, your final award will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. In other words, if you were found to be 30 at fault for the crash, your award would be reduced by 30%.

Determining your percentage of fault is an essential part of your truck accident case. Our skilled truck accident lawyer will make sure you are not assigned a higher percentage of fault than you deserve, helping you recover the maximum compensation for your losses.

Navigating the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, from dealing with injury claims to mounting medical bills. Trust our law firm’s dedicated team to guide you through every step, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.

No Recovery, No Fee. Call Slater & Zurz at (330)968-2547 today.

Contact an Experienced and Dedicated Truck Accident Lawyer in Canton

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact a personal injury lawyer at Slater & Zurz. Our legal team can help you in your fight for justice. We have seen the devastating effects that come in the aftermath of a truck accident and understand how difficult it is to cope with its physical, emotional, and financial impact. We are here for you – to help you regain your health and recover maximum compensation for all you have gone through.

Our firm offers free consultations to all truck accident injury victims to ensure everyone has access to sound legal advice. In addition, we handle all truck accident injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no chance of having to pay any up-front fees. Our fees are only paid if and when we obtain compensation on your behalf. Slater & Zurz welcomes you to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced and dedicated Canton personal injury lawyers today. You can reach us 24/7 by calling (330)968-2547 or contacting us online.