Cincinnati Truck Defects Attorneys
Commercial trucks are very large vehicles that transport large volumes of products to destinations all over the country, so every vehicle needs to be continuously maintained and examined to ensure that it is safe for all other road users.
The simple size of most commercial vehicles often means that their involvement in any motor vehicle accident can cause tremendous damage to other automobiles and very serious injuries to occupants.
Even trucks that are regularly maintained and cared for can still experience mechanical malfunctions that are typically the result of some kind of defective part within a truck. Such causes of truck crashes are rarely obvious and are extremely difficult to determine.
If you suffered serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a commercial truck accident possibly caused by a defective part in the greater Cincinnati area, you need to immediately retain legal counsel for assistance in getting answers to all of your questions about your crash. Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC has helped scores of truck accident victims in communities all over Ohio.
Our firm will fight to make sure that you are able to recover everything that you are entitled to. We will review your case when you call (513) 351-5997 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Do I Need A Truck Defects Lawyer?
You need an attorney to handle your truck accident case simply so you can know what the cause of your accident actually was. A lawyer is going to be able to conduct their own rigorous and independent investigation into your crash to get the right answers.
When an accident was caused by a defective truck part, the attorney can preserve the evidence of the malfunctioning part and also determine every single liable party. Product liability cases could involve possible design defects, manufacturing defects, or failures to warn, and a lawyer will know which claims apply to your particular case.
Manufacturers are not always willing to admit that one of their products was defective, and many will try to claim that another factor caused or contributed to a collision. An attorney will know how to work to hold a negligent manufacturer accountable.
Some insurance companies involved in these types of cases will aggressively try to push victims to accept lump sum settlements to resolve their cases, often before the victims have had the chance to consider hiring a lawyer. You should be very skeptical of such offers because they are usually far less than what people are entitled to, and accepting such a settlement can often leave a victim without enough money to cover many future costs relating to their injuries.
Why Choose Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC To Handle My Case
Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC is a 21st century law firm. You can have a free, confidential consultations with our attorneys through in-person meetings at our office or through video conferencing, chat, phone, or email. We have office locations in West Chester and Fort Mitchell.
Justin Lawrence was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers Association in 2011. He has been a member of the nominating committee for the Northern Kentucky Bar Association, the Board of Governors of the Kentucky Justice Association, and a member of the Kentucky Bar since 2005.
Peter Tripp is licensed to practice in Ohio and Kentucky and is a member of both the Kentucky Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. Danielle Lawrence was named one of the Top Attorneys in Ohio & Kentucky Rising Stars by Cincinnati Magazine in 2018.
You should also know that Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. In other words, you are not going to have to pay anything until you receive a monetary award.
Types of Truck Defects Cases We Handle
Some of the most common kinds of defects involving commercial trucks include, but are not limited to:
- Brake failure
- Tire failure
- Steering issues
- Faulty lights
- Defective mirrors
- Faulty suspension systems
- Defective wheels
- Fuel system problems
- Faulty underride or override guard
- Other lighting system issues
It’s important to remember that some vehicle parts are used in both trucks and passenger vehicles, so it’s possible that a defective part in an automobile may also be installed in commercial trucks. Sometimes, truck defects are an isolated or limited incident that involves only one or a single batch of products, but if the design of a part is defective, then the risk of it being installed in all types of vehicles is much greater.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Truck Defects
What should I do after a truck accident involving a possible defect?
The immediate aftermath of a commercial truck wreck is extremely confusing and stressful. You will be able to protect yourself moving forward by taking all of the following steps:
- Get Medical Attention — Always go to a hospital after a truck accident, even when you do not think you were hurt.
- Call Police — Make sure to contact the local law enforcement agency so you can have a police report filed in connection to your accident.
- Take Pictures — Get as many photographs as you can of everything involved in the scene of your crash, as this can be important evidence when the scene is cleared.
- Look for Witnesses — If there were any people who saw your crash, ask them for their names and phone numbers in case their testimony is needed later.
As soon as you are able, contact an attorney to discuss your case. You want to try to do this before you speak to any insurance company.
How long will I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?
Cincinnati is in Ohio, but is also very close to Kentucky, and the two states have different statutes of limitations. Under Ohio law, an action for bodily injury must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. Kentucky law gives a person only one year from the date of an accident to file suit.
Keep in mind that the limitations period can be tolled for certain victims, such as individuals who are minors or physically incapable of filing a lawsuit (possibly because of a coma), and these people may be able to have their statutes of limitations tolled (delayed) until they are able to file suit.
What kinds of damages could I be entitled to?
Many truck accident cases are resolved through settlements, but there is the occasional case that does go to trial. In a trial, a victim could be awarded various kinds of economic and noneconomic damages for a truck accident. Economic damages are awards for tangible losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage while noneconomic damages relate to far more subjective types of harm such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of consortium.
Truck Defect Statistics
According to Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2017 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), vehicle-related factors in fatal truck crashes include:
- Tires – 61 accidents
- Brake systems – 47 accidents
- “Vehicle contributing factors” without details – 9 accidents
- Power train – 8 accidents
- Other lights – 8 crashes
- Truck coupling, trailer hitch, or safety chains – 6 accidents
- Steering – 4 crashes
- Headlights – 2 accidents
- Safety systems – 2 crashes
A similar study between 2010 and 2012 found brake defects in 42 percent of crash-involved trucks investigated. A vehicle defect was associated with a 200 percent increase in crash risk.
A 2010 study found that nearly 55 percent of trucks had at least one mechanical violation, and almost 30 percent had at least one condition serious enough to have taken the vehicle immediately out of service. The most common violations involved braking (36 percent) and lighting (19 percent) systems.
Contact a Truck Defects Attorney in Cincinnati
Did you sustain severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a commercial truck accident caused by a defective part in Cincinnati or a surrounding area of Hamilton County? Do not wait to contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC.
Our firm can act quickly to take the important steps needed to get justice in your case. Call (513) 351-5997 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.
