When a semi-truck or other large vehicle crashes into a traditional passenger vehicle, there is a high likelihood of severe injury and possibly death for the people inside the smaller vehicle. These horrific crashes are often the result of the truck driver's negligence, so the victims should seek representation from a qualified attorney to determine if they are entitled compensation. The Covington truck accident lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy have decades of experience fighting for the rights of the injured and will bring all of our wealth of knowledge and skill to your claim. Your initial consultation with our Covington injury attorneys is absolutely free and we do not charge legal fees unless we are successful.
Types of Truck Accidents
There are many types of trucks and large vehicles that pose a serious threat to your safety out on the road, including:- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Fire trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Ambulances
- Buses
- Tanker trucks
- Dump trucks
- Mail/package delivery trucks
- Vehicles transporting livestock
- RVs
- U-Hauls
- Cement trucks
Causes of Truck Accidents
The size difference between trucks and smaller passenger vehicles creates a high potential for serious injury when there is a crash. Victims of these collisions can suffer everything from bruises and whiplash to potentially life-changing injuries such as spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These accidents are often caused by some form of negligence, which can include:- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Blind spots
- Poorly trained drivers
- Poorly inspected vehicles
- Unsecured cargo, including hazardous chemicals
- Cargo that exceeds the vehicle's weight capacity
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving, including texting and driving
- Defective car parts
Potential Damages for Commercial Vehicle Wrecks in Cincinnati
Our skilled attorneys at O’Connor, Acciani and Levy can help you pursue compensation for losses and expenses related to your truck collision, including:- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Future wages if the injuries are long-term
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages for Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Punitive damages are designed to punish the commercial vehicle driver and signal to other truck drivers that this behavior will have severe consequences. Our knowledgeable Cincinnati lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani and Levy can explain what punitive damages are and how they can be calculated in 18-wheeler collision claims.How Are Punitive Damages Awarded?
Punitive damages are typically awarded by a jury of your peers. In Cincinnati, eight jurors sit on the jury panel and consider the evidence and use the information provided to decide whether a particular trucking accident warrants punitive damages. Punitive damages are often calculated as a multiplier of compensatory damages. If, for example, a plaintiff is recovering a million dollars in compensatory damages for their economic and non-economic losses, the jury may require the defendant to pay three, four, or five times the amount of compensatory damages – enough that it would hurt the truck driver.What to Do after being Involved in a Truck Collision
The most important thing to do after a truck accident is to seek medical treatment from a qualified medical professional. If possible, try to collect information from the scene of the accident to help out with your legal claim, including:- Photographs of the scene of the accident
- Insurance and contact information for the truck driver and any witnesses
- Name of the company on the side of the truck