Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer

Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Columbus, OH

Truck accidents are extremely dangerous due to the weight and size of trucks compared to other vehicles on the road. People in truck crashes may face severe injuries, long rehabilitation periods, and an inability to work. Truck accident claims can be more complicated than others, as multiple parties can be liable for damages.

Our team will know how to collect the evidence you need to prove that you deserve compensation. We have a history of successfully obtaining fair settlements for our clients, and we can help you through every step of the legal process. Visit our office at 1335 Dublin Rd #212D in Columbus, OH, or call us at 614-656-3566 to learn how we can help.

Gervelis Law Firm Here For You
When You Need
Us Most.

schedule consultation

Why Should I Hire Gervelis Law Firm for My Truck Accident Case in Columbus?

Since 2000, our firm has been helping the people of Ohio and Columbus take on corporations and insurance companies in accident claims. Insurance carriers use tricks and tactics to protect their bottom lines and minimize the compensation they pay accident victims. We have long-earned experience countering these strategies and are skilled at making persuasive arguments and building solid cases.

Our truck accident lawyers in Columbus know the high-traffic truck areas in Franklin County where accidents often occur. We also have thorough knowledge of the local courts and Ohio’s laws, uniquely positioning us to provide aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation.

We understand that every client’s circumstances are unique, and we offer personalized attention from the time you first call us through the conclusion of your case. Under the leadership of Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer Mark S. Gervelis, our personal injury law firm has a proven record of success over the last 25 years, collecting millions of dollars for our deserving clients.

“I was in a serious car accident and Gervelis came to my hospital room and helped me when I needed the help the most and I appreciate everything that they’ve done. They did a wonderful job. Thank you.”

Case Results and Settlements

Our truck accident lawyers in Columbus advocates for justice, one case at a time. Our fierce commitment to our clients and approach to the law has led to significant truck accident settlements, including:

• $900,000 for the family of a driver fatally injured when a semi-truck struck his car in a seven-car pile-up. The semi-truck had entered a construction zone on a highway without slowing for traffic, causing the crash.
• $750,000 for a driver who suffered permanent injuries in a collision with a semi-truck that had blocked a two-lane roadway while backing into a private driveway.
• $500,000.00 for a motorcyclist who was struck by a truck that ran a stop sign on Reynoldsburg.
• $200,000 for a client whose vehicle was hit by a dump truck that ran a stop sign. Our client sustained multiple fractures as a result of the crash. 
• $128,250.00 for a client who was struck in Chillicothe on SR 104 by a truck that ran a red light at an intersection.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

Our Columbus Truck Accident Attorneys

Our respected attorneys understand that truck accident victims need a strong advocate to help them pursue for compensation and move forward with their lives. We are passionate about helping people injured through little to no fault of their own.

David Michael Tschantz, Esq.

Attorney

Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.

Founding Attorney

Common Causes for Truck Accidents 

Accidents involving large trucks are relatively common in the United States and Ohio. In 2024, the United States recorded 5,340 deaths resulting from large truck collisions. In that same year, the total number of truck-involved fatalities in Ohio was 174. Truck accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, and many of them involve more than one contributing factor. Some potential contributors include the following: 

• High speeds: Truck accidents are especially common and especially dangerous on roadways that carry a lot of traffic at high speeds, such as Interstate 70 and Interstate 71 in Columbus. Because trucks take longer to stop, drivers may have trouble avoiding slowing or stopping vehicles on the highway. 
• Careless merging: Large trucks have much larger blind spots than the average passenger vehicle. This makes merging, changing lanes, and exiting the highway much more dangerous, as semi-truck drivers may have a hard time seeing other vehicles around them. 
• Snowy or icy roads: Winters in Columbus get very cold and often involve a lot of snow and ice. Large trucks may be harder to maneuver in slick conditions.
• Faulty brakes: It takes a powerful brake system to stop an 18-wheel truck, and sometimes brake systems fail, resulting in accidents. 
• Trailer accidents: Trailers can jackknife or swing around, hitting cars in the surrounding lanes. 
• Wind: Wind may not be much of a consideration for low-profile vehicles most of the time, but high winds can easily blow a semi-trailer over on its side, leading to accidents and injuries. 

These are just a few of the potential factors that can lead to truck accidents in Columbus, but at Gervelis Law Firm, we acknowledge that no two accidents are the same, and they all have unique circumstances at play. No matter how your truck accident happened, we are prepared to advocate for you and help you recover financially and physically from your injuries. 

Injuries Associated With Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often result in serious injuries for drivers and passengers in the vehicles around the truck, and sometimes to the truck driver, as well. The following are some common injuries associated with truck accidents:

• Head injuries: Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries like concussions, contusions, and hemorrhages, can result in long-term disabilities and considerable suffering. 
• Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord contains nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body. It is protected by the bones of the spinal column. When those bones are broken or compressed, the spinal cord can be injured, and such injuries can result in paralysis or loss of normal function below the level of impact. 
• Broken bones: Some truck accidents result in broken bones, which can require surgery and take months to heal. 
• Internal injuries: When the human body experiences a significant trauma, internal organs can sustain damage, even if injuries are not immediately apparent on the outside. Internal bleeding is a real threat after any car accident and can be life-threatening. In cases of broken ribs, internal organs may also be pierced by pieces of bone. 

What to Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Columbus

Sometimes, it can be difficult to think about what you should do in the moments immediately following a roadway accident. If you are involved in a truck accident in Columbia, taking the following steps can help you protect yourself and prepare for an insurance claim or a personal injury claim: 

• Get out of the roadway: If you can move your vehicle, you should pull over to the shoulder of the roadway to get out of traffic.
• Contact the authorities: All accidents should be reported to the police, but some accidents do not require an emergency call. If there are injuries or if there is sustained danger, such as the possibility of fire or cars in the path of traffic, you should call 911. In accidents with no injuries or immediate danger, you can call the non-emergency line instead. 
• Get medical attention: After any traffic collision, you should always get a full medical evaluation to check for any unseen injuries. The adrenaline and shock associated with a car accident can delay the onset of injury symptoms.
• Document the crash site: If it is safe to do so, you should take videos and photos of the crash site to document any damage, skid marks on the road, the weather conditions, and the location of the accident. 
• Exchange insurance information: If you can speak with the other driver, you should record their name and contact information, as well as their insurance information, so you can file an insurance claim in a timely manner.

After you have done all of these things immediately after the truck accident, you should hire a truck accident lawyer to guide you through the process of pursuing compensation for any injuries you have sustained.

Why Is Columbus a Dangerous City for Truck Accidents?

Several factors contribute to the high number of truck accidents in Columbus. To stay safe, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders, and people in other motor vehicles must constantly monitor truck drivers’ behavior on the road.

Central Location With High Commercial Truck Traffic

Columbus is a key transportation center for goods across the Midwest. It is also a close drive to major markets on the East Coast, making it a busy trucking and logistics hub. Commercial truck traffic is high, making Columbus streets dangerous for people in much smaller vehicles.

Construction Zones

Columbus’s rapidly growing infrastructure can mean detours, lane restrictions, and routes that drivers are less familiar with. Truck drivers may be forced to merge with traffic more often and in smaller spaces, reducing their margins for error.

Weather Challenges

Winter weather and rapidly changing conditions, such as sudden downpours, can be problematic for people sharing the road with trucks in Columbus. Big, heavy trucks need more time to stop than other vehicles and are difficult to handle when drivers lose control on patches of ice or slick roads.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Traffic

Some areas, such as Downtown Columbus, have heavy bike and pedestrian traffic and many trucks. When bike or pedestrian accidents happen, walkers and riders have little protection from the impact and from being thrown onto the road or into other objects. Pedestrian and bike accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal trauma or even result in death.

How Can the Truck Accident Attorneys at Gervelis Law Firm Help?

There are several critical steps to building a strong case for damages after a truck accident. You should not have the burden of trying to deal with pursuing compensation while recovering from your crash. Our skilled truck accident attorneys have significant experience in these claims and will build your case by doing the following:

• Collecting evidence
• Talking with the trucking company
• Dealing with insurance companies
• Preparing your case for trial if necessary

If you cannot visit our offices in person, we can meet at your home, the hospital, or wherever is most convenient.

People hurt in truck accidents shouldn’t worry about whether they can afford a qualified attorney. Our firm operates on a contingency basis. We use our resources to investigate and litigate your truck accident claim, and you only pay us if we win. Hear from one of our clients about how we helped him secure a settlement for his truck accident.

5-Star Reviews

We give every client the personalized attention and support they deserve after someone else’s actions harm them. We are honored when they praise our commitment and ability to get results.

“Great people to work with. They really make sure to give their clients the best options and had my best interest. Definitely recommend.”

Myah S.

“David and Meghan were very professional and thorough with my recovery and health issues after my accident with a semi. They made sure that the trucking company was held accountable…

Jerry H.

“Very happy they are very understanding and compassionate. They made sure I understood everything that was happening with my case. They are very open and honest with me. They have…

Lexie L.

"The Gervelis Law Firm represented me phenomenally well in my automobile accident case. They are a very detailed and caring Law Firm. Elizabeth Conglose kept me informed step by step…

Mrs. Myria Taylor

What Evidence Is Needed to Prove a Columbus Truck Accident Case?

Solid evidence is one of the essential factors in building a strong claim following a truck accident. Our attorneys and Rapid Investigation team will leave no stone unturned to determine who was liable for your accident and how much you deserve in damages. Some of the evidence we will collect includes:

• Medical records to verify injuries and establish expenses
• Photos and videos of the accident scene to show vehicle damage and, when possible, the events just before the crash
• Wage statements to show financial losses
• Personal statements that describe the effect of your truck accident injuries
• Witness statements regarding events leading up to your accident
• Truck driver logs to determine if they were abiding by Ohio and federal trucking laws
• Truck maintenance and repair records to determine if the trucking company took proper care of the truck that hit you
• Analysis of road and weather conditions to add or eliminate them as contributing factors
• Police reports from all jurisdictions that responded to your crash
• Expert testimony, such as from medical and mental health professionals and accident reconstructionists

We know how important it is to act fast in accident cases. We can send our Rapid Investigation Team to the accident site within 24 hours to collect and preserve key evidence for your claim.

What Damages Can I Receive Compensation for in a Columbus Truck Accident Case?

You can pursue economic and non-economic damages in your truck accident claim. Some of the key damages our Columbus truck accident attorneys will seek on your behalf may include:

• Medical expenses and future medical costs
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Property damage
• Home nursing or other aide care
• Pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral and burial expenses in a wrongful death truck accident claim

Ohio judges may also award punitive damages in some cases. These damages are reserved for cases involving malice or egregious fraud or when the defendant knowingly participated in, ratified, or authorized such actions. For example, you may have a case for punitive damages against a trucking company that knowingly falsified driver hours logs and kept tired drivers on the road in violation of trucking laws.

Resources for Truck Accident Victims in Columbus

Your health is the primary concern after a truck accident. However, you must also have documentation from respected institutions as evidence of your accident and injuries to build a strong case for damages. These resources can help truck accident victims in Columbus meet both needs more easily.

• The Ohio State Highway Patrol maintains troopers’ crash reports and photographs. You can order your reports and photos seven business days after your crash. You may have to wait longer if they are still investigating your accident.
• Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus is nationally recognized for specialized trauma care and excellence in surgery.
• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s top-ranked academic medical centers and has been rated one of America’s Best Hospitals for over 30 years.
• OhioHealth Rehabilitation Hospital provides specific care and advanced treatment for people like truck accident victims who need long-term help rebuilding their bodies.

FAQs

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim Following a Truck Accident in Columbus?

Under Ohio law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those resulting from truck accidents, is two years from the date of the injury. After those two years have passed, victims can no longer bring any action against the liable party or parties for their injuries. This is why it is important to contact an attorney in a timely manner.

Can I Seek Compensation Even if I Was Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Yes, you can still seek compensation for a Columbus truck accident even if you were partially liable for the crash. Ohio has a comparative negligence law that states that injured people can pursue compensation through a personal injury claim as long as the plaintiff’s liability does not exceed the defendant’s liability. Furthermore, compensation may be reduced in cases of partial liability. 

What Is a Sideswipe Truck Accident?

A sideswipe truck accident occurs when a truck and another vehicle are traveling in the same direction and collide on their sides. This kind of collision happens most frequently on highways and other large thoroughfares where cars and trucks both merge from one lane to another. Trucks are particularly susceptible to sideswipe crashes because of their large blind spots. 

Is My Columbus Truck Accident Injury Claim Likely to Go to Court?

No, your personal injury claim for your injuries sustained in a Columbus truck accident is not likely to go to court. Although litigation is a possibility, the vast majority of personal injury claims settle outside the courtroom. The process of a trial is time-consuming and costly, so defendants usually prefer to reach a settlement agreement when a plaintiff has a legitimate case.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer – Contact Gervelis Law Firm Today

Our Columbus truck accident lawyers have the background, skills, and commitment to justice necessary to provide aggressive, experienced, and effective legal representation to victims. You are never just a file number to us. We will always support you and keep you informed at every step of your claim — that’s the Gervelis Guarantee.

Call us today at 330-533-6565 or complete our contact form for a free consultation.