Cincinnati Construction Vehicle Accident Lawyers
If you sustained injuries in an accident with a construction vehicle, do not hesitate to contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC for legal representation. We know the legal rights afforded to you after an accident and how to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. You shouldn’t suffer because of another person’s reckless actions. We can help you hold the truck driver liable for causing your injuries.
Construction workers use various types of trucks while working on construction sites. They need vehicles that can transport heavy materials, remove dirt, and dump cement. Without trucks, repairing roadways or constructing a building could take much longer. Unfortunately, the use of these vehicles also creates risks for other drivers. If an accident occurs, the occupants of a small car will likely suffer severe injuries.
Our Cincinnati construction vehicle accident lawyers are ready to take your call and review your case to determine the available legal options. Call Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC for a free consultation at (513) 351-5997.
Types of Construction Vehicles In Cincinnati
You probably drove by a construction zone at some point in your life. They’re hard to avoid when you live in a city where new buildings and highways are necessary to facilitate a growing population. These trucks are heavy, large, and bulky. They take up a lot of space on the road and cause injuries and fatalities if they collide with someone’s car.
The most common types of construction vehicles include:
- Dump trucks
- Cranes
- Backhoes
- Forklifts
- Cement mixers
- Bulldozers
- Compactors
- Crawler excavators
- Road rollers
- Motor or road grades
- Asphalt milling machines
It can be challenging for the driver of these vehicles to maneuver safely through traffic. Any error they make could lead to a devastating crash. At Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC, we understand the impact an accident with a construction vehicle can have on your life. You got hurt through no fault of your own but are forced to face physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. You can depend on us to hold the driver accountable.
Common Causes of Construction Vehicle Accidents
Accidents are sometimes just accidents. However, many times a collision with a construction vehicle occurs because of the negligent driver. If the person operating the construction vehicle caused your accident, they should be held liable for your injuries and resulting expenses.
Some of the most common causes of construction vehicle accidents are:
- Blind spots – Since construction vehicles are significantly bigger than compact cars, the blind spots are larger. It becomes dangerous if the driver doesn’t check their blind spots before changing lanes or maneuvering around others.
- Negligent hiring – Anyone who operates a construction vehicle must have the necessary licensing, experience, and qualifications. Construction companies must ensure they hire individuals who know how to operate these vehicles safely to avoid causing injury to other drivers and passengers.
- Improper loading – Vehicles transporting materials and construction equipment must maintain stability. That means the person responsible for loading everything should ensure they don’t exceed weight limits and distribute everything evenly on the truck, so it doesn’t cause balance issues.
- Poor maintenance and repairs – Construction companies and vehicle owners should perform routine maintenance and inspections on all their vehicles. If they’re not working properly or there’s a defective part or malfunctioning system, it could lead to an accident.
- Speeding – Driving at excessive speeds is dangerous no matter what kind of vehicle you’re driving. However, when someone is maneuvering a construction vehicle around other cars, the driver must maintain a safe speed so they’re able to react promptly and appropriately to an emergency or if traffic ahead comes to a standstill.
- Distracted driving – Distractions come in various forms when someone is behind the wheel. Whether it’s due to a cell phone, radio, or passenger, the driver should not become distracted while operating such a large and dangerous vehicle.
- Tailgating – Following behind someone’s car too closely doesn’t allow enough distance between the vehicles. If the construction vehicle driver needs to stop or slow down, they might not have adequate space to do so before crashing into the back of another driver’s car.
If your injuries were the result of one of these causes or another type of construction vehicle accident, you should immediately contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC. We can investigate the crash and determine who should be financially responsible for your medical treatment and associated costs.
Filing An Insurance Claim for Compensation After A Construction Vehicle Accident
When you’re injured in an accident involving a construction vehicle, you might wonder who you can pursue compensation from for your various expenses and suffering. Ohio follows a fault system that holds the at-fault driver financially responsible for the injured party’s losses. These losses could include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Out of pocket expenses
- Property damage
- Loss of companionship
The construction vehicle driver should have insurance with minimum liability limits required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA regulates companies that utilize commercial vehicles. One of the regulations is that all truck drivers must carry liability insurance to cover an accident victim’s losses. When you file a liability claim, you might be able to recover a settlement that compensates for your expenses and intangible losses.
Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC can file a claim on your behalf and negotiate for a settlement we believe is fair. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t play fair. Their primary goal is to save money and provide as little compensation as possible, or nothing at all, to the claimant. We know the tactics they use and won’t allow them to steamroll you into accepting a low settlement amount that barely covers the costs associated with the accident.
While we’re reviewing your case, we can calculate a value we believe you deserve. Some of the factors we might consider to come up with the right number include:
- The type and severity of the injury
- Statements provided by eyewitnesses
- The total medical bills and associated costs
- The emotional impact of the accident
- The duration of the recovery period
- Relevant evidence found during the investigation proving the construction vehicle driver was at fault
- Any permanent injury, disfigurement, or disability caused by the accident
- The amount of liability insurance coverage
- Any time missed from work due to the injury
- The effect of the crash on your daily routine
- The estimated cost of future medical treatment needed
If the insurance company denies your claim or we are unable to negotiate for an adequate settlement, we can file a lawsuit. Lawsuits can be complicated to handle without legal representation, so it’s crucial that you contact Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC to begin the legal process immediately. We know the legal procedures, state laws, and deadlines to follow to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Filing A Lawsuit In Ohio
You could file a lawsuit against the construction vehicle driver or their employer if you got hurt in an accident through no fault of your own. The deadline for filing in Ohio is called a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for injury cases is two years. That means you have two years from the accident date to sue, or you could lose your right to compensation through the courts.
Two main exceptions to this strict deadline where you might be able to pause the clock are:
- You were of unsound mind at the time of the construction vehicle accident. The clock would not begin until you gain mental competency.
- You were under the age of 18 when the crash occurred. The clock wouldn’t start until you turn 18.
Your Cincinnati construction vehicle accident lawyer will ensure we file your lawsuit before the statute passes. We know all the deadlines associated with cases like this and won’t allow you to miss any. With us on your side, you can feel confident knowing you are in capable and experienced hands.
What If the Construction Company Caused the Accident?
There are times when you could hold the company liable for an accident even though their employer was the one driving at the time. Any company operating commercial vehicles, such as construction trucks, must follow federal regulations to ensure other motorists’ safety on the road.
These regulations include:
- Perform a thorough background check on all new drivers.
- Provide ongoing training programs.
- Confirm the driver has a valid commercial driver’s license and the qualifications to operate a construction vehicle.
- Inspect, maintain, and repair all vehicles regularly.
- Utilize proper securement systems for materials transported on the trucks.
- Ensure vehicles don’t exceed weight and size limits with materials loaded on them.
Gathering adequate evidence to prove the construction driver or their employer was at fault for the accident and your injuries is crucial. We have extensive resources to track down witnesses, obtain your medical records, and gather other documentation necessary in your case. We will review the available legal options and determine the best course of action to protect your interests.
Contact Us
At Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC, we care about our clients and believe in providing excellent customer service at all times. We will walk you through the legal process and offer support when you need it. Our legal team will treat you like a priority from start to finish of your case.
We received recognition from multiple legal organizations, such as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-rated review service, also gave us an AV Preeminent® rating. We are proud of the reputation we’ve been able to build since opening our firm.
Our Cincinnati construction vehicle accident lawyers are ready to meet with you for a free consultation. Call Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC at (513) 351-5997 today if you were hurt in an accident involving a construction vehicle and want quality legal representation you can trust.
