When a fatigued, careless or aggressive truck driver causes a traffic crash, the damage is amplified. A collision with a 40-ton tractor-trailer or other large truck is far more likely to cause permanent injuries or death than any other motor vehicle accident. There are special rules of the road for commercial vehciles.

Truck accidents require a more sophisticated investigation than a typical car crash. Pinning down insurance coverage can also be complicated. Willis & Willis Co., L.P.A. has secured many settlements and verdicts in these tragic cases.

Contact us today for a free consultation if a loved one was badly injured or killed in a truck crash. Our Akron law firm is experienced and aggressive in representing victims and devastated families in Summit County and Northeast Ohio.

Knowing What to Look For

Because of their massive size and the history of horrific accidents, 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles are heavily regulated by the federal government. For example, truckers are limited in how many hours they can drive without rest, and there are specific rules regarding reflectors, running lights and pre-trip inspections on a big rig. Our personal injury lawyers work with professional investigators to inspect the wreckage and preserve evidence from the “black box” data recorder and GPS, drivers’ logbooks and maintenance records, ‘qualcomm’ communications with base, employment records and driving histories. We build a solid case for the negligence that led to the crash:

• A drowsy or intoxicated driver
• An inattentive, distracted driver
• Speeding, unsafe lane changes and traffic violations
• Bad brakes, bald tires and other poor maintenance
• Overweight, unbalanced, or unsecured loads
• Negligent hiring and training

The tractor and trailer may be separately owned or leased, often through dummy corporations that make it tricky to figure out who should pay damages to the victims. We are skilled at tracking down the entities that are liable. We also have a solid record of convincing the insurers or a jury to award full compensation for catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, or for the medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for other serious injury. Call us 330-535-2000 for a free consultation including home or hospital visits.

Northeast Ohio is a major transportation corridor, carrying thousands of trucks on interstates I-71, I-76, I-77, I-80, I-90, I-480, I-271, the Ohio Turnpike, and Routes 8 and 21. We are familiar with the dangerous stretches of highway notorious for truck accidents.