According to the NHTSA’s 2023 crash data, there were 5,472 fatalities in traffic crashes involving large trucks—an 8.3% decrease from the 5,969 deaths reported in 2022. During the same period, an estimated 153,452 people were injured in large-truck crashes, a 4.5% drop from the previous year. However, these figures still underscore the stark reality: large trucks continue to pose a significant threat on U.S. roads. The severity is driven by both their size and mass—classified by the NHTSA as vehicles over 10,000 pounds—which makes collisions with smaller passenger vehicles particularly devastating. In fact, 66% of those fatalities in 2022 were occupants of other vehicles, and 16% were non-occupants like pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in Trenton, Ohio, Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm that may be able to help you. Truck accident claims can sometimes be more complex than passenger vehicle accident claims, because these claims might involve multiple parties. For example, in a truck accident, the truck company, driver, the owner-operator of the tractor-trailer, or even maintenance or shipping companies could be found responsible following a crash. These parties might also be heavily insured to protect themselves in the event of an accident, and victims may be able to seek compensation from these insurance companies as well.
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Navigating the claims process after a serious injury can sometimes feel stressful. You may have questions about your rights, questions about making a claim, concerns about the value of your claim, and questions about the next steps you and your family might be able to take. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm serving Trenton, Ohio that may be able to help you.
Laws that Truck Companies and Drivers Must Follow
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In order to make a personal injury claim following a truck accident, you may need to show how the truck company or driver was responsible for your accident. Truck companies are required to follow strict federal and local laws. These laws govern everything from how long a driver can operate a truck in a given day or for a given shift, to how heavy the truck can be loaded, to how often the truck must undergo maintenance. Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law is a truck accident law firm serving Trenton, Ohio that can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your accident, determine if the truck company might have violated any of these laws, and help you pursue a claim if a truck company or driver’s actions resulted in your injuries and losses. What are some important laws that truck companies and drivers must follow?
- Hours of Service Laws. Federal hours of service laws place limits on how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel in a given day. In most cases, drivers are not permitted to drive for longer than 11 hours at a time. However, research has shown that a driver can be fatigued way sooner than this (as soon as 8 hours on the road have been exceeded). If fatigue is suspected in your truck accident, the truck accident lawyers at Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law serving Trenton, Ohio may be able to help you.
- Truck companies are required to keep their vehicles in proper working order. Maintenance issues can increase the risk of an accident. A blown tire or failed brake on a truck can have serious consequences for the truck driver and for other innocent drivers on the road.
- Laws place limits on how heavy a truck can be loaded. Improperly loaded trucks can be at risk of tipping over, and heavier trucks may require greater distances in order to stop.
- Driver Qualifications. Drivers are required to meet strict qualifications in order to hold a commercial driver’s license. For example, drivers must pass medical examinations, and must not be under the influence of certain types of prescription drugs. Truck companies have a responsibility to properly vet their drivers.
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If you have been in a truck accident in Trenton, Ohio, these are just some of the details that the truck accident lawyers at Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law can review. Our lawyers can review shipping logs, driver logs, maintenance logs, and a driver’s record to determine if any violations might have led to your accident. Our lawyers can look at how a truck company’s loading policies or training of drivers might have impacted your case. Have questions about your rights following a truck accident in Trenton, Ohio? Reach out to Kruger & Hodges Attorneys at Law today.
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