Truck Accident Attorney

Serving West Virginia and Ohio

Truck accidents in the U.S. number around 500,000 every year, and result in an average of 5,000 deaths. Impact with a monstrous, heavy truck leaves little hope left that the driver and passengers on other end will come out of an accident without devastating injuries. After a serious accident involving a large truck, victims are left helpless and injured, wondering who to turn to for a financial solution. At the law offices of Jim Leach, our West Virginia truck accident attorney study the tactics insurance companies may use to keep you from getting a fair settlement. We apply years of experience to each accident case and work to represent your claim with carefully planned strategy and strong evidence.

The size and structure of trucks and how they are driven is very different from passenger vehicles, leaving several variables in determining how trucking accidents occur.

Jackknifing occurs when a truck folds as the trailer tries to pass the cab. It usually happens to an empty vehicle. Several things can cause jackknifing, such as slick or uneven road surfaces, sudden turning or braking, and brake malfunction. In turn, the jackknifing can cause a serious accident involving other vehicles. Major accidents can also be caused by another vehicle colliding with the truck.

Stopping distance required for trucks is much greater than stopping distance required for passenger vehicles. A truck following another vehicle too closely is an accident just waiting to happen. There needs to be enough space for the truck driver to stop his heavy 18-wheeler should the car in front suddenly brake. A jackknife accident can happen when there is not enough space.

Equipment failure including brakes, turn signals, steering components, and tires are just some of the parts of trucks that can fail and cause devastating accidents. Trucking laws require regular inspection, but laws and regulations are not always obeyed.

Turning accidents occur because trucks are so long, and they often have to make very wide turns. Sometimes these turns require trucks to take up more than one lane of traffic. It is the truck driver’s responsibility to account for the vehicles around them ensuring they have enough room to make those wide turns.

Blind spots in trucks are much larger than in passenger vehicles. You have probably seen those signs on trucks that say, "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you!" Trucks have large blind spots that prevent them from seeing nearby vehicles.

Contributors to Accidents

After all the information is gathered from your truck accident, there are some things that a trucker or trucking company may be found guilty of:

• Driver error
• Driver fatigue
• Driver substance use
• Unsafe operation of truck
• Defective equipment
• Over or under inflated tires
• Large, unstable loads
• Failure to have vehicle properly maintained and inspected

If you are involved in a truck accident, or any accident, you should seek medical help immediately. After doing that we suggest:

• Gather as much information about the truck driver and trucking company as possible including names, license numbers, license plate numbers, truck i.d. numbers, etc.
• Gather any insurance information that is made available.
• Take pictures (if possible).
• Do not admit fault.
• Do not sign anything.
• Do not agree to pay anything or to accept any type of payment from anyone.
• Call legal representation as soon as you can.

Jim Leach is an experienced truck accident attorney who continues to come through for his West Virginia clients with favorable settlements and court judgments. He is well versed in the detailed processes used by insurance companies to determine the settlement and trial value of your case. He offers his clients the unique benefit of an advanced case management system that helps with the collection of important information required to defend your claim for fair compensation.

A truck accident case can require many hours of investigation and research to find answers. Truck accident victims may have life-altering injuries that are expensive, emotionally overwhelming and financially devastating. And on top of all this stress, insurance companies may be contacting your family, aggressively trying to talk you into a settlement that may be far less than what you deserve. Our truck accident lawyers know how much your case is worth, and we know your legal rights to compensation.

Truck Accident FAQs

Our lawyers represent truck accident victims throughout West Virginia and Southern Ohio including the communities of Parkersburg, Huntington, Wheeling, Morgantown, Charleston, Belpre, and Athens.

If you’re in need of trusted legal guidance, please contact the law offices of Jim Leach today and let us apply our extensive auto accident background to build a strong case for you.