Truck Accident Attorneys Serving West Virginia & Ohio
At Colombo Law, truck accidents are a major focus of our legal practice. Our truck accident lawyers have the knowledge, skill, and experience to help you navigate the aftermath of an 18-wheeler crash.
Semi truck collisions tend to result in more serious injuries and fatalities than other types of crashes. Big rig accident claims are often legally complex. It is vital to have a skilled truck accident lawyer representing you.
With Colombo Law, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while we focus on your truck accident claim. Our firm prepares every case as though it will go to trial—a unique strategy that is advantageous in settlement negotiations and if the matter goes to court.
Colombo Law has offices in West Virginia (Morgantown) and Ohio (Columbus). We are well-known across these states for our focus on truck accident litigation and dedication to serving seriously injured people. To speak with a truck accident attorney, call 888-860-1414 today for a FREE case review.
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Hiring the Right Truck Accident Lawyer
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
The amount of truck accident compensation available in your case depends on multiple factors. It is important not to accept a settlement offer until you have a full understanding of what your case is worth.
Damages a semi truck accident attorney may be able to recover for you include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of future earning ability
- Future medical expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Compensation for wrongful death, if your loved one was tragically killed
Like most personal injury cases, a truck accident claim is likely to settle before going to trial. This does not mean that fair compensation for your injuries and damages is automatic after a big rig wreck.who could be responsible for the truck accident, you should seriously consider speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer in West Virginia who can help walk you through this complicated process.
The truck driver, the trucking company, and their insurers will try to pay less than you deserve and push back if you demand more. An experienced truck accident lawyer knows how to negotiate with these parties, protecting your interests and pursuing a fair settlement. We can also help you make decisions about whether to accept a settlement or file a lawsuit and prepare for trial.
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How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?
It is important not to underestimate the complexity of a truck accident claim. Factors such as the seriousness of the injuries, the involvement of multiple defendants, and the high dollar value of the damages all make it more likely that a lawsuit will need to be filed to secure truck accident compensation.
The general steps of a truck accident lawsuit include:
1. Filing the Complaint
The complaint is the initial set of documents that formally start a lawsuit. It must be filed with the appropriate court, which our 18-wheeler crash attorneys can determine on your behalf. We can also complete the necessary paperwork, including all pertinent information:
- General details of the wreck (location, date and time, etc.)
- The defendant(s) in the case
- An account of the defendants’ negligence of wrongdoing
- The damages you are seeking
2. Serving the Complaint
Once the complaint is filed and reviewed by the court, the defendant(s) will be served the complaint. They have a limited time to respond, during which the defendant might (a) attempt to restart settlement negotiations, potentially with a more attractive offer; or (b) continue to deny liability in their answer to the complaint.
3. Setting the Trial Date
The court will set a date for the trial to begin. Depending on how crowded the docket is, the trial date might be months or even years down the line. The case may be settled at any time before going to trial.
4. Discovery
During the discovery process, both sides request and exchange information. Our big rig crash lawyers utilize several procedures for obtaining information during discovery:
- Submitting written questionnaires (interrogatories)
- Requesting that the defendants produce physical, documentary, or electronic evidence
- Filing a subpoena
- Conducting depositions with witnesses
For a semi truck accident lawyer, the discovery process is where the rubber hits the road. Evidence of negligence may be found in employment records, inspection of the truck or trailer, trucking company memoranda, data from the truck’s onboard computer, and more.
5. Trial Preparation
With strong evidence in hand, we begin preparing your case for trial. An 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer will also handle any motions before the court. This may involve moving to introduce or exclude certain evidence, motions requesting a judgment by the court, etc.
6. The Trial Starts
For most people, the thought of going to court is intimidating. All trials involve some degree of uncertainty, and there is a lot riding on the outcome. With Colombo Law on your side, you have the dual advantage of being represented not only by a capable truck accident lawyer, but a dedicated trial attorney. You can count on us to advocate for you effectively and fight to maximize the award in your case.
Achieving fair compensation after a semi truck collision is not always easy. If the other side won’t make you a fair settlement offer, it may be time to consider filing a lawsuit. A trucking accident attorney at Colombo Law can help you make this decision and handle all aspects of the claim on your behalf. Contact us today to get started.
How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?
How Long Do I Have to Sue for a Truck Accident?
You do not have an indefinite amount of time to file a truck accident lawsuit. The clock starts ticking right after the collision, and you will likely lose the right to compensation if you wait too long to sue.
Most states have a 2–3 year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This includes:
- In West Virginia, you have 2 years to file a claim after a big crash. Talk to a Morgantown truck accident lawyer today.
- Ohio also has a 2-year statute of limitations. Reach out to Colombo Law if you have been injured in an 18-wheeler collision in Columbus.
If you have been injured in a collision with an 18-wheeler, you should consult a big rig truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Make sure the lawyer is licensed to practice law in your state, knows the local court system, and is well-versed in truck accident litigation. These qualifications give you the best chance of protecting your rights and pursuing legal action in a timely fashion.
How Long Does a Semi Truck Lawsuit Take?
This is a difficult question to answer, as no two truck accident claims are exactly alike. Most truck accident lawsuits are filed after a period of negotiations which may last weeks or months. Sometimes the threat of a lawsuit is sufficient for the other side to get more serious about settling, potentially hastening negotiations and resulting in a settlement agreement sooner.
In other cases, however, the defendants and insurance companies will continue to fight the claim. Continued resistance to compensating you fairly, combined with the packed court schedule in some jurisdictions, could mean that a truck accident lawsuit may take months or even years to resolve.
Truck accident claims involve a lot of uncertainty. Your semi truck accident attorney should keep you informed of developments in the case and be available to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. At Colombo Law, we make ourselves available 24/7 to give our clients peace of mind and someone to talk to through the entirety of their case.r SUV, if you’re in a collision with a tractor-trailer, you may sustain serious and significant injuries.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
It is natural to be concerned about cost if you or someone you love has been hurt in a collision with a big rig. People in passenger vehicles are much more likely to suffer grievous injury when they are hit by an 18-wheeler. This often results in sky-high medical bills, weeks or more without an income, added costs for rehabilitation and therapy, etc. With all of these bills (not to mention the physical pain and psychological trauma), spending more money to hire a lawyer may seem impractical.
The good news is that hiring a truck accident lawyer shouldn’t cost you a dime. At Colombo Law, we make our clients a No Fee Promise. You pay nothing for the initial consultation. Furthermore, you don’t have to pay anything while we are preparing your case. Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you only pay fees if we win.
If we obtain a truck accident settlement or win your case at trial, the fee is calculated as a percentage of the recovery. Contingency fees are essential for truck accident claims because they ensure that you only have to pay for our services when you are compensated for your injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
By far, the most common cause of big rig accidents is negligence. This negligence could be one party’s fault, or it could be the culmination of many poor decisions. Some of the most common examples of negligence in truck accident claims include: from emotional issues, like PTSD, depression, or anxiety about driving again. Whether physical or emotional, your injuries should not be taken lightly and are often deserving of financial compensation.
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, etc.)
- Improper turns/failure to signal
- Neglecting to watch for other motorists when changing lanes or merging
- Failure to obey traffic signals/signs
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to adjust driving tactics based on weather conditions
- Violating company, state, or federal trucking laws
- Road rage/aggressive driving
- Failure to yield right of way
- Tailgating
At Colombo Law, we know that crashes involving big rigs are complex incidents. There is often more than meets the eye, including dangerous roads, vehicle defects, and other possible factors. Our truck accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations and work with multiple expert witnesses to establish fault and hold all defendants accountable.
Who Is Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Accident?
Multiple parties may be to blame for trucking accidents. This makes truck accident claims much different from car accident cases, which is why it is so important to have a qualified 18-wheeler truck accident attorney representing you.
In addition to looking at the driver’s actions leading up to the crash, we take a hard look at the role other parties may have played. This includes:
- The trucking company
- Manufacturers of the truck and its components
- The owner of the truck and/or the trailer
- Maintenance providers
- The company responsible for loading and securing the cargo
Your ability to claim maximum compensation for a truck accident depends on identifying all of the individuals and entities who contributed to the collision. This is typically impossible to do without the assistance of a truck accident lawyer.
Can You Sue a Trucking Company for Negligence?
A skilled truck accident law firm will examine the role of the driver and the trucking company when preparing your case. Often, trucking companies may be held liable for damages under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. This is a form of vicarious liability in which an employer is legally responsible for the consequences of an employee’s actions.
We also find that negligence or wrongdoing on the part of the trucking company often contributes to a number of tractor-trailer crashes. Trucking companies may be sued for a commercial vehicle accident if they:
- Forced the driver to work more hours than they should have
- Enforced deadlines that caused the truck driver to rush
- Hired a driver who did not have the experience or training to do the job safely
- Failed to maintain the safety equipment, parts, and computers needed to ensure a truck can operate safely
- Did not adequately vet drivers (background check, drug test, etc.) before hiring them
- Overloaded the truck or failed to secure cargo
- Failed to take disciplinary action or terminate a driver for traffic infractions, accidents, etc.
Not all truck drivers are employed by trucking companies. Some drivers are classified as independent owner-operators, meaning they own their truck and get jobs by contracting with freight carriers.
Colombo Law has an in-depth understanding of the intricacies underlying the relationship between truck drivers and trucking companies. An 18-wheeler truck accident attorney at our firm will closely assess employment records, insurance coverage, and the actions of both parties to determine if you have a claim against the truck driver, the carrier, and any other defendants.
What Happens When an 18-Wheeler Hits You?
Being hit by an 18-wheeler is a traumatic experience. The average passenger vehicle weighs 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, while a semi truck can weigh 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Even the improvements in vehicle design and safety features can’t fully protect the occupants of a smaller vehicle from that kind of impact.
If you are hit by an 18-wheeler truck, you may suffer a wide range of injuries:
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash
- Ligament and disc injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Partial/complete paralysis
- Spinal cord injury
- Organ damage
- Lacerations
- Severe bruising
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Whether physical or emotional, your truck accident injuries should not be taken lightly. A truck accident attorney can fight for the full compensation you deserve through claims against the truck driver, the trucking company, and any other at-fault parties.
Have You Been Injured in a Truck Accident? Call or Chat with Us Now.
888-860-1414 
Live ChatNational Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics
Statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show that there were 153,120 crashes involving large trucks in 2024. These truck accidents resulted in 4,359 fatalities and 72,724 injuries nationwide.
Hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicle crashes occur on our nation’s roads every year, resulting in tens of thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths. These collisions have a number of different causes, from driver negligence to vehicle defects and malfunctions to adverse road and weather conditions.
You are not a statistic, and you have legal rights if you were injured through no fault of your own in a commercial vehicle crash. Speaking to a big rig truck accident attorney is vital for preserving your rights and best interests. Our lawyers can discuss all of your options for obtaining truck accident compensation.
What Do I Need to Do After a Truck Accident?
Safety should be your number-one concern in the aftermath of a truck accident. This may be as simple as moving your vehicle to the side of the road or as urgent as going to the hospital. If it’s safe to do so, there are a few things you can do to get started on your truck accident claim:
- Dial 911. In addition to emergency medical personnel, the police should arrive on the scene to investigate the crash. Be sure to cooperate with first responders when it comes to receiving medical treatment, answering the police officer’s questions, etc.
- Exchange information. Get the name, address, and phone number for any drivers involved in the accident. You will also need the truck driver’s insurance information and, if applicable, information about his employer.
- Do NOT admit fault or apologize. A simple, offhand apology can severely hurt your case and make it difficult for you to get full compensation. Leave determinations of fault to law enforcement and your truck accident lawyer.
- Collect evidence. Take pictures, shoot video, and speak to witnesses at the scene. Important evidence will be removed quickly, so this is the best opportunity to begin gathering the proof you need.
- Get medical attention ASAP. If you weren’t transported to the hospital from the scene of the crash, you should go to the E.R. without delay. Some truck accident injuries won’t be immediately apparent, and waiting to get care can put your well-being and legal claim in jeopardy.
You should also contact a truck accident law firm as soon as you can. This may be from the scene of the wreck, at the hospital, or after you return home. No matter where or when you make the call, this step is crucial for making a claim.
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Why Truck Accident Cases Are So Difficult
Aside from the numerous people who could be liable for your personal injuries, truck accident cases are difficult to win because the at-fault party is often backed by a huge corporation and their team of lawyers and insurance adjusters.
These people will do everything they can to silence you while denying fault and giving you the smallest settlement possible. Not only is this unfair, but it sets a dangerous precedent when it comes to the general public’s faith in the legal system and laws.
In the days after a truck accident, you may receive a call from a representative of the trucking company or their insurer. They will offer you a settlement and try to convince you that’s all you’re entitled to. Remember, the first settlement offer you receive is often much lower than what you deserve. You should decline this offer and let the representative know that you will not discuss the case or entertain offers without first speaking to your truck accident lawyer.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
An experienced truck accident attorney can assist and support you in multiple ways. Qualified legal guidance is critical if you are facing serious injuries or mourning the loss of a family member.
With more than 25 years of experience and advanced knowledge of commercial truck accident litigation, here are some of the ways a truck accident lawyer at Colombo Law can help you with your case:
- Comprehensive investigation: We visit the scene right away to collect evidence. Our team also speaks to witnesses and obtains documentary evidence, such as copies of the crash report, your medical records, etc. In addition, we obtain electronic information from the truck’s “black box” (including the event data recorder and electronic logging devices).
- Working with experts: Expert witnesses are invaluable when preparing a truck accident claim. We enlist accident reconstruction professionals to help establish the cause of the crash, trucking industry experts to prove what regulatory standards were violated, economists to attest to the financial impact of the accident, medical experts to ascertain the seriousness of your injuries, and more.
- Identifying all liable parties: A thorough investigation and robust expert witness testimony help us determine who is at fault for the crash and, therefore, who is liable for damages. We handle all interactions with defendants and insurance companies.
- Settlement negotiations: Having a capable attorney represent you in settlement negotiations can make a major difference in the truck accident compensation you receive. Our lawyers know how commercial carriers and insurers try to undercut and low-ball legitimate claims, and we push back against these strategies.
- Filing a lawsuit and trial prep: Many law firms spend very little time in the courtroom. At Colombo Law, that’s our natural habitat. Our unique approach of preparing every case for trial is highly beneficial if a truck accident lawsuit is the best option for achieving the outcome you deserve.
Colombo Law has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients in truck accident claims. We are the firm to call if you have been injured in a crash with a semi truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, or other commercial vehicle.
Hurt by a Truck?™ Contact Colombo Law Today!
Don’t lose precious time waiting for trucking and insurance companies to compensate you fairly. A truck accident lawyer at Colombo Law will take proactive steps to safeguard the evidence and prepare a strong claim on your behalf. Our goal is to represent you effectively through the entirety of your case—up to and including trial, if necessary.
For a FREE case review, call Colombo Law at 888-860-1414 today. Our truck accident lawyers serve clients throughout West Virginia from our offices in Morgantown and throughout Ohio from offices in Columbus.