Cincinnati Rear-End Box Truck Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in a rear-end accident involving a box truck, do not hesitate to contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC. We can review the circumstances and determine whether the truck driver or another party should be held liable. You might be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses.
Rear-end collisions can lead to severe injuries and cause significant destruction to vehicles and property. They often occur when a driver doesn’t pay attention to the road ahead. By the time they look up and notice a car stopped in front of them, they can’t react quickly enough to brake and avoid a crash.
Many companies use box trucks to carry consumer goods. These trucks contain an enclosed cargo area that looks like a box and can hold various items. The front cab is where the truck driver sits to transport the cargo to retailers, warehouses, and other locations.
Rear-end accidents involving box trucks are more catastrophic than collisions between two passenger cars. Since box trucks can weigh up to 30,000 pounds, the violent force of an impact can lead to debilitating injuries and death to the smaller vehicle’s occupants.
For your free consultation, call (513) 351-5997, or reach out to us online and speak with one of the Cincinnati box truck accident attorneys at Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC.
Why Box Trucks Are Dangerous in Accidents
Although box trucks are smaller and weigh less than other commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers, they have similar designs. They contain a front cab and a compartment in the back. They can transport many items or heavy objects, increasing the overall weight of the vehicle.
The unique features of box trucks make them dangerous. The unstable design makes them susceptible to tipping over if the driver makes sudden maneuvers or encounters strong winds. Since they’re heavy vehicles, they can also cause massive destruction to small cars in a collision.
The factors associated with operating a box truck that increases the risk of a rear-end accident include:
Delivery Schedules
Since the truckers operating box trucks are often on a strict schedule to make their deliveries on time, they might exceed the speed limit. Speeding accompanied by tailgating can have disastrous consequences.
When a 30,000-pound vehicle crashes into the back of a passenger car, the occupants of the smaller vehicle can suffer debilitating injuries. The sudden and violent motion of a person’s body launching forward and then backward in their seat can cause whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and broken bones.
If you have pressing questions about your case, don’t hesitate to contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC immediately. We have the experience you need.
They Sit High Off the Ground
Box trucks tower over other vehicles. They sit high off the ground, making it challenging for the driver to see the cars around them.
A rear-end accident happens when one vehicle crashes into the back of another. If a truck driver follows a car too closely, they can’t see the rear of the car and its brake lights. They won’t notice if the driver applies their brakes to slow down or stop.
Stopping Distance
Box trucks require a much greater stopping distance than smaller vehicles. A stopping distance is the amount of distance it takes a driver to notice a perceived danger and apply the brakes to stop the vehicle. Since box trucks are large, heavy, and sit high off the ground, it takes more time to bring them to a complete stop.
For example, a truck traveling 65 miles an hour needs at least a 200-yard stopping distance. If a truck driver tailgates another vehicle, they won’t have enough space to stop their truck in time to avoid a rear-end collision if the motorist ahead slows down or stops suddenly.
Possible Compensation After a Rear-End Collision
Ohio is a fault state. That means the at-fault party becomes financially responsible for others’ injuries and the resulting losses that result from an accident. You could hold the truck driver or their employer liable by filing a claim with their insurance company.
Motor carriers must purchase and maintain liability insurance for every commercial truck in their fleet. The required liability coverage depends on the weight of the truck and the contents of the cargo. For example, trucks weighing under 10,001 pounds and carrying non-hazardous freight must have $300,000 in liability insurance.
When you file a claim, you could seek a settlement to compensate you for the losses you suffered, such as:
- Medical bills
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Cost of travel and relocation related to making changes to living arrangements or seeking health care
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If the insurance company refuses to settle for an adequate amount of money or denies your claim entirely, you could file a lawsuit against the negligent truck driver. The statute of limitations to file a lawsuit in Ohio is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the rear-end collision to initiate your lawsuit if you want to pursue compensation for your losses in court.
You might also be able to recover punitive or exemplary damages when you file a lawsuit in a truck accident case. This form of compensation punishes the defendant for their misconduct and deters similar actions in the future. A jury might award these damages to you if the at-fault party’s actions or omissions demonstrate malice or egregious or aggravated fraud, or they participated in, ratified, or authorized the action or omission of someone else.
Contact Us
Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC has fought on behalf of accident victims in Cincinnati since 2005. We’re proud of the reputation we’ve maintained within the community for more than 15 years. Our dedication to our clients and the results we achieved have earned us recognition from prestigious organizations, such as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Super Lawyers. We strive to consistently provide quality legal services to everyone who hires us.
We understand the financial strain of getting hurt in a box truck accident. You might worry about whether you can afford a lawyer when you’re already paying for medical treatment. We take cases on contingency, so you’re not burdened by upfront fees or costs. We don’t collect our legal fees unless we secure compensation for our clients.
If you suffered an injury in a box truck accident due to the truck driver’s or another party’s negligence, contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC right now. One of our Cincinnati rear-end box truck accident attorneys can discuss your case with you during a free consultation. Call us today at (513) 351-5997.
