Toledo Truck Accident Attorneys

The trucking industry makes money and generates more business for itself not just by delivering goods from point A to point B — but by delivering them as fast as possible. Unfortunately, there comes a point where this business practice gets out of hand and it seems as though it doesn’t matter who gets in their way. At that point, innocent people pay the price.

At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we represent people in the Toledo area and throughout Ohio who have been tragically injured due to the negligence or recklessness of trucking companies or their drivers. We have been doing this work since 1973 and have helped numerous families and individuals recover the compensation needed to recover from these horrible accidents. Trucking accidents can be caused by any number of things but some of the most common causes include:

• Intoxicated or overtired drivers
• Tire blowouts
• Improperly loaded or secured cargo
• Brake failures and other mechanical failures
• Aggressive driving

In many cases, trucking companies and their insurers will be quick to offer a “fair” settlement. Our definition of the word “fair” is different. We prepare every case for trial so that we can negotiate from a position of strength, and take your claim to a jury whenever necessary.

In truck accident cases, our lawyers work with accident reconstruction specialists, investigators, and other professionals to build strong and convincing cases on behalf of our clients. This means going to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible to take measurements, preserve evidence, and identify potential witnesses. We take this factual information and combine it with the latest in case presentation technologies to show clearly, exactly what happened and why our client deserves what we’re asking for. At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we know there’s no substitute for meticulous preparation to achieve the best results.

Causes of Truck Accidents

At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, we’ve been managing commercial truck accident cases successfully since 1973. Our personal injury attorneys have experience establishing the causes of semi, big rig, and tractor-trailer accidents, such as:

• Overly fatigued truck drivers — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets limits on the number of hours a driver can operate a big rig. A trucking company is responsible for keeping its employees under the limit.
• Tire blowouts — Tire failure can be attributed to poor maintenance on the part of the company or a defect for which the tire manufacturer could be responsible.
• Improperly loaded or secured cargo — Loading companies that stow cargo negligently, causing a rig to swerve or tip, can be held responsible for an accident.
• Brake failures — This is another area where maintenance or manufacture might be faulty.
• Unskilled driving — Companies that hire incompetent employees can be liable for negligent hiring and supervision.
• Motorist negligence — Truck accidents are not always the fault of the truck. Many motorists disregard safety precautions when driving in proximity to semi-trucks, forcing the truck driver to react abruptly and triggering an accident.

What are the Limits of a Truck Company’s Liability for its Employees?

Under the theory of respondeat superior, a company is generally not held to account for deliberate or illegal actions by its employees. A company is responsible if an employee’s aggressive driving causes a crash, but not if the same employee deliberately rammed a car in a fit of road rage. Grey areas like these make it vitally important to have an experienced accident attorney on your side.

Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Our attorneys have experience litigating various types of truck accident cases. Our qualified and concerned trial lawyers are ready to represent clients in cases involving:

• Jackknifes — These incredibly destructive accidents occur when a driver brakes suddenly and the trailer, traveling faster than the tractor pulling it, swings to one side. A trailer can block two or more lanes of traffic, wiping out the vehicles in its path.
• Rollovers — On tight turns at high speeds, a trailer can tip over, taking the tractor with it. The trailer can fall onto vehicles and crush them, and cause further destruction when its cargo bursts forth onto the highway.
• Underride — Since tractor-trailers are mounted very high on their chassis, passenger vehicles can actually get trapped under the trailer when the rig makes an abrupt lane change or jackknifes. Motorists and their passengers risk gruesome injuries, including decapitation
• Explosions — Tractor-trailers carrying combustible or flammable materials can burst into flame following high-impact collisions.
• Hazmat spills — Semi-trucks carrying hazardous materials can experience a breach of the cargo area. This can cause harm to anyone exposed to toxic substances.

Big rigs are potentially very destructive. A serious trucking accident often leads to claims for catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC provides professional and highly personal service throughout the legal process.

Injured in an 18-wheeler crash or an auto wreck caused by a commercial vehicle? Call our Toledo, Ohio, law offices or contact us online for a free consultation. Our lawyers handle truck accident claims on a contingent fee basis — you will pay no attorney fees unless we obtain a verdict or settlement in your case.