Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Laura Kuhl
Laura Kuhl is a content editor, writer and social media manager with ten years of experience in the legal, finance, and insurance fields. She started her career as a movie review writer in Wilmington, NC, after earning her M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a featured legal and business writer on Free Advice and PotNetwork News.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
While motor vehicle collisions involving large trucks and semi-trailers are far less common in Columbus than car accidents, truck accidents are more likely to be fatal or cause serious, life-changing injuries.
If you’ve been injured by a commercial truck or tractor-trailer, you need to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Injured parties only have two years after a trucking accident to file a claim or lawsuit in Ohio. Use this guide to compare the best truck accident attorneys in Columbus and learn more about Ohio state trucking laws.
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Best Truck Accident Attorneys in Columbus
Compare Our Top Attorneys
How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Columbus, Ohio
Burns and traumatic spinal cord injuries are some of the most common truck accident injuries and have the most prolonged recovery. Choosing a truck accident lawyer will put someone in your corner to fight for you as you focus on healing.
Speak with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible if you’ve been seriously injured or experienced the wrongful death of a family member due to a trucking accident. Explore common Ohio trucking laws below and see how they can impact your case.
Ohio Statute of Limitations
Most personal injury statutes of limitations in this country last between two and three years. Buckeyes injured in a truck accident have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or lawsuit.
Ohio State Trucking Laws
Ohio laws follow many federal regulations to protect trucks and other drivers on state roads:
- Truck weight cannot exceed the set limits based on truck length and the number of axles.
- Truck drivers must pass the required tests to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). State law requires additional testing for drivers carrying hazardous materials.
- Trucking companies are vicariously responsible for truck accidents if the driver was on the clock or otherwise completing actions within the scope of their employment at the time of the collision.
Ohio Fault Laws
Truck accident claims are not like other auto accidents. For example, semis, tractor-trailers, garbage trucks and tankers are bigger, heavier and have more blind spots than your average sedans and pick-ups.
Due to their size, 80% of fatal truck accidents are multi-car collisions, meaning there could be multiple casualties and even more factors to consider when determining fault.
Faulty cargo or equipment are variables in semi truck accident lawsuits that make identifying fault difficult, especially with commercial semis. Since commercial vehicle maintenance is the responsibility of both the driver and the company that owns the fleet, corporations are often held at fault for failing to meet their obligations as an employer.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
A skilled truck accident lawyer in Columbus knows how to face a trucking company and its insurer and negotiate a fair settlement, especially if you’re dealing with a large corporation that employs the driver rather than just the driver and their own insurance company.
Accident attorneys also understand product liability law and how it applies to the unique circumstances of your collision. You want their insight if you’re injured in a truck accident caused by mechanical failure.
Most importantly, a truck accident lawyer handles the particulars and legalese of your case while you recover from injuries and help loved ones process any loss or trauma caused by the accident.
How to Find the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus, OH
Commercial truck accidents are a personal injury attorney’s bread and butter, but look for the following characteristics when choosing the best truck accident lawyer in Columbus:
- Positive reviews: Website testimonials are helpful, but word of mouth is the best way to get recommendations in Ohio. Ask friends and family to recommend a local attorney they’ve worked with before to start. Check with attorneys you have used for other legal matters for referrals as well.
- Accessibility: The bureaucracy of court is a very slow process, but a good truck accident lawyer checks in with you on a schedule so you are always aware of where your case is headed.
- Contingency: The best truck accident attorneys in Ohio have contingency fees that are paid from your settlement only when they win your case. You should not pay any of your own money to hire a Columbus truck accident lawyer.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Columbus in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
Legal experience
Special licenses & certifications
Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
Legal thought leadership
Education & employment background
Scholarly lectures & writings
Awards & Honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much are most truck accident settlements in Ohio?
Because each accident is unique and the injuries and damages can be so varied, it is difficult to estimate an average truck accident settlement. Your attorney can determine what you are entitled to and make sure you get it.
What should I look for when hiring a truck accident attorney in Columbus?
The best truck accident attorney has previous experience with cases like yours and communicates with you regularly regarding the status of your case. They should be someone you trust and with whom you can speak candidly about the accident and your injuries.
Can I receive compensation for my medical bills and lost wages after a truck accident?
If you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the collision, you will receive compensation for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and vehicle repairs.
