Toledo Personal Injury Lawyer - Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Snow, ice on roads contribute to NW Ohio car accidents

Chuck Boyk — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 22:41:00 GMT

Our Toledo, Ohio truck accident lawyers want to urge drivers to be extra careful this winter as the snow and ice make it difficult for semi-trucks to maneuver on roadways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one in eight fatal car accidents in 2004 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.

The heavy weight of the vehicle makes it harder for semi-trucks to stop, especially when there is snow and ice on the ground. Since the trailer is only connected to the truck’s cab in one place, it is easy for the trailer to jack-knife, or sway on icy roads. Help truck drivers avoid an Ohio truck accident by never cutting off a driver, and by maintaining proper speed around them.

Stay out of a trucker’s blind spot. If you cannot see their rear-view mirrors, the truck drivers cannot see you. Avoid Ohio truck accidents by keeping extra distance between you and trucks this winter. But if you or someone you know has been injured in an Ohio truck accident, contact our Ohio truck accident attorneys to order your FREE copy of The Ohio Accident Book today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Jury Awards Trucking Accident Victim $1.25 million – Part 3

Chuck Boyk — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:41:00 GMT

A reinstated case brought a favorable verdict for our client on October 3, 3008. A case handled by our Tole do, Ohio trucking accident attorneys that had initially dismissed in Wood County Court of Common Pleas was reversed early this year, and the reinstated trial took place on September 30, 2008. The verdict? $1.25 million awarded to the plaintiff.

Sean McMahon, a client of our Toledo, Ohio trucking accident attorneys, and an over-the-road trucker, was parked late at night at the Stony Ridge truck stop in Wood County. He left his truck and observed a fight between one truck driver in the parking lot and another truck driver who was within his tractor-trailer. The truck driver behind the wheel, Raymond Blake, lunged his truck forward, and knocked the other trucker to the ground. Our client noticed that downed trucker was in the path of the trailer and managed to push him to safety. Unfortunately, at the same time, the trailer ran over Mr. McMahon’s lower right leg. The trucking accident ultimately caused his leg amputation.

The case was reinstated after it was initially dismissed, which gave our client another chance at obtaining the compensation he was entitled to, after suffering personal injury from the trucking accident.

On September 30, 2008, the jury found that Raymond Blake, the driver behind the wheel of the tractor trailer, caused the injuries that Mr. McMahon sustained. The jury also found that Mr. Blake was acting under the scope of his employment, therefore making Blake’s employer Continental Express also liable for the loss McMahon’s leg along with other injuries.

The jury awarded the trucking accident victim Sean McMahon $1.25 million, to be paid by Continental Express. A judgment against Mr. Blake, requiring him to pay Mr. McMahon $2,790,162 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages, was obtained at a previous hearing. This amount has gone unpaid.

If you or someone you know has suffered personal injury from a trucking accident, you need information. Order your FREE copy of The Ohio Accident Book to learn your rights. If you suffered personal injury while working as a truck driver, you can also order a FREE copy of The Ohio Work Injury Book. Contact our office today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Jury Awards Trucking Accident Victim $1.25 million – Part 2

Chuck Boyk — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:38:00 GMT

A trucking accident that caused our client’s leg to be amputated ended in a jury verdict of $1.25 million.

On April 21, 2002, our client Sean McMahon, an over-the-road trucker, was parked late at night at the Stony Ridge truck stop in Wood County. He left his truck and observed a fight between one truck driver in the parking lot and another truck driver who was within his tractor-trailer. The truck driver behind the wheel lunged his truck forward, and knocked the other trucker to the ground. Our client noticed that downed trucker was in the path of the trailer and managed to push him to safety. Unfortunately, at the same time, the trailer ran over Mr. McMahon’s lower right leg. The trucking accident ultimately caused his leg amputation.

The at-fault driver’s employer fired him upon learning of the trucking accident, and denied responsibility for the personal injury to our client.

Suit was filed in the Wood County Common Pleas Court against both the trucking company and its driver. The driver never responded, and we were able to obtain a judgment of $2,790,162 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages against the driver, an amount that has since gone unpaid.

The trucking company employing the at-fault driver refused to accept any liability for the wrongful acts of its employee that caused the trucking accident and our client’s personal injury. It convinced the trial judge to dismiss our client’s case against them on the basis that trucking company didn’t condone the at-fault truck driver’s acts, and further argued that the at-fault driver was acting on his own and not furthering any company business.

The appeals court reversed the trial court dismissal, finding that the trial judge improperly ruled that the at-fault driver intended to injure our client or the victim our client was trying to save. There was no evidence in the record to support this finding.

The reinstated case was set for trial on September 30, 2008, in Bowling Green.

Read “Jury Awards Trucking Accident Victim $1.25 million – Part 3” to find out what happened at the September 30, 2008 trial.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Jury Awards Trucking Accident Victim $1.25 million – Part 1

Chuck Boyk — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:27:00 GMT

Our Toledo, Ohio truck accident attorneys are excited to report that a jury in Wood County awarded $1.25 million to a truck driver who suffered personal injury and had to have his leg amputated after a trucking accident.

Read “Jury Awards Trucking Accident Victim $1.25 million – Part II” to learn more about the liability surrounding the trucking company who employed the at-fault driver, and the appeal that brought Mr. McMahon the justice he deserved.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Michigan trucking company awards $18 million to families of trucking accident victims

Chuck Boyk — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:02:00 GMT

A Michigan trucking company recently paid $18 million to three families who lost their loved ones during a tragic trucking accident in June 2006.

The driver of the truck, who was on Valium at the time of the accident, allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing him to rear-end a car carrying four women on their way to a wedding. Three of the women suffered wrongful death after the trucking accident.

Our Toledo, Ohio trucking accident attorneys have seen the devastating affects that personal injuries and wrongful deaths from trucking accidents can have on a family. We urge all drivers to never drive while drowsy or tired, always obey all traffic signs, and always wear a seatbelt. Prevent trucking accidents by being smart while driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

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Chuck Boyk — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:25:18 GMT

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Protect your family from trucking accidents during summer travel

Chuck Boyk — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:19:00 GMT

According to Road Safe America, more than 5,000 people die and over 130,000 people suffer personal injury from trucking accidents.

The heavy weight of trucks and the extended amount it takes them to stop contributes to the fact that of all fatal trucking accidents, 98 percent of the wrongful deaths occur in the car, not the semi, according to Road Safe America.

Our Toledo, Ohio truck accident attorneys urge drivers to be careful when approaching a semi, whether it is on a highway or a main road. Avoid driving in a truck’s blind spot – remember, if you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, they cannot see you. Do not stop suddenly in front of a semi truck, as it takes them a lot longer to slow down or stop. Never try to pass a truck on the right that is turning left, as their cargo bed may extend wider than anticipated. Always keep a safe distance from trucks, and never cut off a truck, especially when trying to exit the highway. Keep yourself and your family safe from personal injury by responsibly sharing the road with trucks and all drivers, to avoid truck accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

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Chuck Boyk — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:19:00 GMT

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Prevent truck accidents, personal injury by driving defensively

Anneke Kurt — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:12:52 GMT

Our Toledo, Ohio truck accident attorneys urge drivers to be careful on the roads, in order to prevent truck accidents.

A truck accident happened at State Rt. 2 and N. Curtice Road, and the intersection was closed shortly after when the semi-truck spilled oil onto the road.
At least one person suffered personal injury last Thursday when the truck accident occurred near Maumee Bay State Park, according to the Toledo Blade.

Semi trucks are different that other motor vehicles, and it is important to remember that it takes them more time to stop than lighter cars. Always wear your seatbelt, obey all posted traffic signs and speed limits, and never cut in front of a semi-truck before an upcoming stop. It takes a semi-truck three times as long to stop than a normal passenger vehicle, according to roadsafeamerica.org. Remember never to pass a semi-truck that is attempting to turn, in order to prevent a truck accident and potential personal injury, as semis make wider turns than shorter cars. Stay out of a trucker's blind spot - if you can't see a truck's mirrors, the truck driver can't see you!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Truck causes three-vehicle accident west of Toledo

Dale Emch — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:58:48 GMT

A truck driver ran a red light near Bryan, Ohio, yesterday causing an accident that sent two people to the hospital.

The Toledo Blade reported that the accident at the intersection of U.S. 6 and 127 in Williams County resulted in one driver being life-flighted to Toledo and another going to a hospital in Bryan.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Dale Emch