Navigating the Aftermath of a Serious Truck Accident in Defiance, Ohio
Defiance, Ohio, as the sign says, is a great place to live, but because several major highways intersect it, semi-truck traffic is prevalent. While this is usually nothing more than a minor annoyance, an accident with an out-of-state commercial truck can have a serious and long-lasting impact on Defiance residents. If you have been seriously injured in an accident with a semi-truck, your first priority after seeking medical attention should be to contact a local attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Lasting Consequences After a Semi-Truck Accident
Any accident can be serious, but in a car and semi-truck accident, the passenger car often faces lasting and significant damage. Many victims of semi-truck accidents face serious injuries, such as broken bones, trauma to the head, neck, and spinal cord, internal injuries, and nerve and muscle damage. Recovery from these injuries can take a long time and a significant amount of therapy and treatment, and some damage may never completely heal. Financially, recovery is more difficult as well when compared to a passenger car accident. More severe injuries mean larger medical bills, longer treatment, and more missed work. As medical bills mount and income drops, many victims will find themselves in a very scary place financially. Lasting damage will hurt future earning potential, create ongoing medical expenses, and pain and suffering can decrease the quality of life for victims. In addition to these damages, the emotional trauma can be severe. Property damage and the loss of a vehicle is not a loss most families can easily absorb, and as negotiations with the commercial insurance companies drag on, many victims are tempted to take whatever settlement they can get, which hurts them in the long run. Having an attorney helping you through the process can take a good amount of this financial stress off your plate, allowing you to focus on your physical recovery.
Defiance, Ohio’s Highways and the Threat of Truck Accidents
Ohio is a high traffic state, with a strong presence of commercial trucks moving through different communities as they cross the country. Ohio deals with severe weather alongside heavy traffic congestion. In addition, complex road layouts can all combine to make several areas in Defiance hotspots for truck accidents. US Route 24 and US Route 66 are both major transportation routes through the state, and they have several arteries that run right through the city. Several Ohio State Routes, including OH 15, OH 18, and OH 111 all pass through our downtown, connecting local roads with major highways and creating areas where semi-trucks and passenger cars interact on the roadways. Even local roads such as East Second, Clinton Street or Ralston can be an area primed for accidents. But the biggest risk for serious crashes are the intersections outside the city where trucks are traveling at greater speeds, and they fail to see a stop sign. Because our attorneys are local to Defiance, we understand the high-risk accident areas. Our expertise with the roads and traffic patterns can benefit you as the victim.
Legal Considerations After a Semi-Truck Accident
When two passenger cars are involved in an accident, both are likely dealing with insurance companies dedicated to personal insurance policies. But semi-trucks are commercial vehicles and the semi-truck drivers represent the company they drive for. This means you will be dealing with a commercial insurance company. Commercial insurance companies are less concerned with the victim and far more concerned with reducing liability for their driver and its vehicle. Because these are often large companies, they have a full staff of attorneys dedicated to minimizing liability and protecting its bottom line. After a commercial accident, the driver will immediately contact their company, and the insurance company will spring into action, often before the first responders have even left the scene. While you are being transported for medical attention and the police are creating an accident report, the team working on behalf of the commercial insurance company will start gathering any possible evidence that will be favorable to their own driver. While all insurance companies are interested in protecting their bottom line, commercial trucking companies and their insurance teams are looking to minimize any potential fallout. This puts you in a very vulnerable place. While you are dealing with serious injuries, the insurance companies are working to prove that you don’t deserve full compensation.
There are so many legal complexities to truck accidents that it is simply not realistic to take on this fight yourself. Commercial insurance companies are counting on you not understanding the full legal responsibilities of the drivers, the liability held by the trucking company, and what you are entitled to as the victim. They know that you are vulnerable and scared, and they will likely try to pressure you into accepting a quick settlement that is far less than you deserve. When you have an attorney working for you that knows the legal complexities of truck accidents and the tactics an insurance company may use, they will be prepared with resources of their own. After a truck accident, you need to contact an attorney as soon as you are able so they can begin fighting for you.
Why Choose a Local Defiance, Ohio Attorney
You will have many options after an accident with a truck, and choosing an attorney can be overwhelming when you are already stressed and scared. Finding a local attorney is the best possible choice after a semi-truck accident. The attorneys at Arthur Law Firm are experienced in local accidents. We know the roads, we know the insurance companies, and we know the law. If you have been seriously injured in an accident with a semi-truck, schedule a consultation as soon as possible to get you on the right path to recovery with the settlement you deserve.
The attorneys at Arthur Law Firm are deeply rooted in the Defiance community, demonstrating a strong commitment to our residents. With extensive experience in handling truck accidents throughout northwest Ohio, we possess intimate knowledge of the area’s roads, trucking companies, negotiation strategies, and the legal intricacies associated with semi-truck accidents.
If you have sustained serious injuries in a semi-truck accident where you were not at fault, reach out to Arthur Law Firm promptly at (419) 782-9881 for a complimentary consultation. Our goal is to guide you towards recovery and secure the settlement you rightfully deserve.
Understanding the challenges faced by truck accident victims in Defiance, Ohio, we vigorously advocate for your rights. We believe that you should not bear the financial burden of an accident that was not your fault. Rest assured we will make every effort to ensure you receive a fair settlement. With our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee, we pledge that our attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery once your case is resolved. If you have been seriously injured in a semi-truck accident, contact us today for assistance.