Were you injured in a trucking accident in Defiance, Ohio? You may have the right to pursue compensation from the driver, the trucking company, or other parties. Call the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis at (419) 404-4444 for a free consultation. Our Defiance truck accident lawyers can help you seek the accountability and money you deserve.
We have 150 years of combined experience handling truck accidents and other serious injury cases in Ohio. We have already recovered tens of millions for injured clients. We know we can recover maximum damages for you. Reach out today to learn more about your legal options. There are no attorney fees unless we win.
Why Choose the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis After a Truck Accident in Defiance, OH?
Truck accident cases demand a different level of preparation than ordinary injury claims. Large insurance policies are at play. Large commercial trucking companies and insurance corporations are on the other side. You need a legal team that can take the fight to these defendants when they try to undermine your right to compensation.
Clients in Defiance, OH, turn to the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis because:
- Our Defiance truck accident attorneys have over a century and a half of combined legal experience representing injury victims.
- We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients across Ohio.
- We regularly take on the largest corporations and insurers in the state, and we are not intimidated by any of them.
- We have dozens of five-star reviews on Google.
- We offer free consultations and handle all truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Call us today to schedule a free case review with a Defiance personal injury attorney. We want to be your advocate during this challenging time.
What Is My Defiance Truck Accident Case Worth?
No two truck accident claims are exactly alike; no two victims are, either. The value of your case depends on the specific facts of your crash and the full scope of harm you have suffered.
Your case value will be largely shaped by:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether your injuries are permanent or disabling
- The cost of your medical treatment and future care
- Lost income during your recovery
- Reduced earning capacity going forward
- The impact the injury has on your daily life
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether you share any fault for the accident
Truck accidents often produce massive medical expenses and long-term financial losses. The value of these cases can be substantial as a result. The best way to understand what your case is worth is to consult an experienced attorney. Call us today to learn more about what your case may be worth.
What Damages Are Available After a Truck Accident in Defiance?
Ohio law allows truck accident victims to pursue compensation for their financial and personal losses after a crash. The goal of these damages is to bring you as close as possible to the position you were in before the collision occurred.
If your claim is successful, your compensation award may include money for economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving extreme misconduct. A drunk driving trucker is one example. A trucking company that knowingly violated federal safety regulations is another. These damages punish the defendant and deter similar conduct; they do not compensate you for losses, but they can significantly increase your total recovery.
You can trust our firm to document every aspect of your losses so that your claim reflects the full impact the accident has had on your life.
Wrongful Death Damages
Tragically, many truck accidents are fatal. In these cases, Ohio law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death damages are meant to address the losses suffered by the family left behind. These include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the deceased’s final injury
- Loss of the deceased’s expected income and financial support
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Loss of household services the deceased would have provided
- The mental anguish suffered by surviving family members
Our Defiance truck accident lawyers can handle every aspect of the claim while your family grieves.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault for My Truck Accident?
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation if you were partially at fault, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your recovery will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 35% at fault, your recovery may be reduced to $65,000.
Insurance companies use this rule to shift blame onto victims and shrink payouts, even when the truck driver or trucking company is clearly liable. That’s why you should take these allegations with a grain of salt. An experienced Defiance personal injury attorney can challenge unfounded claims of comparative fault and demand the full compensation you are owed.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All Your Truck Accident Injuries in Ohio
Commercial trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle. When they collide with smaller cars, the injuries are rarely minor. You can trust us to seek maximum compensation to help you recover from:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Nerve damage
Many victims suffer a combination of these injuries and require extensive medical care extending months or years into the future. You deserve accountability if your injuries stem from another party’s negligence. A personal injury claim can help you get just that.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Defiance?
Commercial trucks pass through the Defiance area daily, moving freight between Toledo, Fort Wayne, and points beyond. More truck traffic means more opportunities for serious crashes, but most such crashes are preventable.
Common causes of truck accidents in Defiance include:
- Driver fatigue, often from exceeding federal hours-of-service limits
- Distracted driving
- Speeding and unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence
- Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
- Mechanical failures caused by poor maintenance
- Inadequate driver training
Trucking is such a regulated industry to prevent accidents from these and other causes, but regulations only work when companies follow them, and many do not. Our legal team will investigate every aspect of your crash to determine what caused it.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Defiance Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases often involve multiple defendants because trucking operations involve many entities. Different companies handle the driving, the loading, and the maintenance of a single vehicle. Each of them owes other road users a duty of care, which means each can be held accountable for their negligence in causing a crash.
Liability may extend to several parties, including:
- The truck driver: Drivers who speed, drive distracted, operate while fatigued, or violate federal safety rules can be held directly responsible for the crashes they cause.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies may be liable for their drivers’ negligence as well as their own misconduct, such as negligent hiring, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits.
- A cargo loading company: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift in transit, throwing a truck off balance or spilling onto the roadway. The company responsible for loading the trailer may share fault for the resulting crash.
- Maintenance or repair contractors: Third-party contractors who service commercial trucks must perform their work properly. Skipped inspections and shoddy repairs can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, and other preventable malfunctions.
- Manufacturers of defective truck parts: When a defective component causes or contributes to a crash, the manufacturer of that part may be held liable through a product liability claim.
Identifying every responsible party is one of the most important steps in a truck accident case. It increases the insurance coverage available to pay your claim. That’s one of the central things we’ll focus on when we investigate your case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Ohio?
Ohio law generally gives accident victims two years from the date of a motor vehicle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to file by the deadline, you will lose your right to recover compensation in court.
Some circumstances can shorten or lengthen your time to file, but you should never assume an exception applies to your case. Speaking with an attorney early will protect your filing rights.
Contact Our Defiance Truck Accident Lawyers for Help With Your Case
A truck accident in Defiance, OH, can upend your life and bury you in medical costs for years. When a negligent driver or trucking company causes that harm, they should be held responsible. It’s that simple. The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis has over 150 years of combined experience, with tens of millions recovered for clients like you.
Let us take care of your case while you focus on healing. Contact our Defiance truck accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward.
