Cincinnati Box Truck Blind Spot Accident Lawyers
If a truck driver failed to check their blind spots, causing your injuries in an accident involving a box truck, you might be entitled to financial compensation. The Cincinnati box truck accident lawyers of Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC might be able to represent you in your case to hold the negligent trucker liable for their misconduct.
Box trucks are massive in size. They sit high off the ground and can weigh up to 30,000 pounds with a full cargo load. Truck drivers must operate these vehicles carefully. This requires experience and a knowledge of how box trucks work.
There are four blind spots around the vehicle, making it hard for the trucker to see small cars nearby. If the truck driver doesn’t check for other vehicles before maneuvering, they could sideswipe another motorist or run them off the road.
The Cincinnati box truck blind spot accident lawyers of Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC know the uphill battle you face. Seeking compensation from a trucking company can be a challenge. They often use intimidating insurance companies and aggressive defense attorneys to represent their interests. You need an experienced legal team on your side to fight them.
Call us at (513) 351-5997, or reach out to us online for a free consultation to learn about your available legal options following a box truck blind spot accident. We are ready to seek the justice you deserve so you can recover from your injuries and move forward with your life.
What Is a Blind Spot?
A blind spot is an area near a vehicle that the driver can’t see. Commercial trucks, such as box trucks, have a blind spot on all four sides. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, blind spots include:
- One at the front of the truck extending up to twenty feet in front of the cab
- One at the back of the truck extending up to thirty feet behind the cargo container
- One on the right side extending out two lanes from the back of the cab to the rear of the cargo container
- One on the left side extending from the rear of the cab to the end of the trailer
Since truck drivers have a harder time noticing small cars around them, they must check their blind spots thoroughly before merging into another lane, turning, or entering a highway. Careless behavior can lead to a devastating collision with another motorist, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
Common Causes of Blind Spot Accidents
Truck driver error often results in an accident involving a box truck. Many factors can contribute to a blind spot accident, such as:
- Failure to check all blind spots
- Taking a wide turn without checking for cars in the blind spots
- Driver distractions, such as texting
- Reckless driving, such as weaving in and out of traffic or sudden braking
- Tailgating
- Speeding
Even though the truck driver was at the wheel of the box truck, it doesn’t necessarily mean they were at fault for the crash. Sometimes, trucking companies hire inexperienced truckers or don’t provide adequate training. When a truck driver doesn’t know how to safely navigate a box truck around other vehicles, they put people at risk of serious harm.
Common reasons a trucking company might be liable for a box truck blind spot accident include:
- Failure to perform a thorough background check on a new truck driver
- Failure to provide ongoing training on how to operate a box truck correctly and handle blind spots
- Knowingly hiring an inexperienced or unlicensed trucker due to a staffing shortage
- Missing or damaged mirrors on the box truck
If you were involved in a box truck accident due to a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence regarding blind spots, contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC right now to discuss your case with us.
Possible Compensation for Injuries in a Box Truck Blind Spot Accident
Trucking companies are supposed to purchase liability insurance for their drivers with minimum coverage amounts based on the weight of the box truck and the type of freight it contains. The available coverage could compensate for your losses, such as:
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
If you file a lawsuit, you could also receive punitive or exemplary damages. This type of monetary award punishes the at-fault party for their misconduct and aims to deter similar actions in the future.
Statute of Limitations to File a Lawsuit in Ohio
You must follow a statute of limitations if you want to file a lawsuit against someone else for the injuries they caused in an accident. This is a period after an accident during which you’re allowed to initiate a lawsuit. Ohio enforces a two-year statute of limitations. That means you have to file your lawsuit within two years of the crash date if you want to pursue compensation in court.
Exceptions to this rule could toll the statute or extend the timeframe, depending on the circumstances of your case. These exceptions are:
- Unsound mind or minority – If you were under 18 years old at the time of the crash, you would have two years to initiate your lawsuit from the date you turn 18. If you were of unsound mind, that period would not count towards the two-year timeframe.
- Absence from the state – If the defendant leaves the state before you can file suit, the two-year statute will not begin until they return.
Tolling the statute requires a thorough knowledge of state laws and following a specific procedure within the civil court. Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC can review the facts of your case to determine whether you’re eligible for an extended statute of limitations.
Speak to a Dedicated Box Truck Blind Spot Accident Lawyer
Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC will aggressively pursue the money you’re owed from the negligent truck driver or trucking company. Blind spot accidents are often destructive and result in debilitating injuries for the occupants of passenger cars.
When you’re in pain and struggling to recover, you shouldn’t be forced to face the responsibility of a personal injury case. We can take on the legal aspects on your behalf so you can focus on what matters – your health and future.
If you suffered injuries in a blind spot accident due to a box truck driver’s careless behavior, call Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC at (513) 351-5997, or reach out to us online for your free consultation.
