On behalf of Weisman, Kennedy & Berris Co., L.P.A. posted in Truck accidents on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.

Drivers of large trucks must be exceptionally careful and watch for smaller vehicles on the roads and highways of Ohio, especially in inclement weather. Right-of-way laws exist to ensure that motorists avoid dangerous collisions. When these laws are violated, truck accidents are likely to occur.

On Aug. 9, an Ohio woman was injured when her vehicle was struck by a tractor-trailer entering traffic. Police at the scene say the accident occurred because the tractor-trailer driver failed to yield. The truck was not towing a trailer at the time of the collision, and the impact of the crash sent the larger vehicle into a nearby telephone pole.

The occupants of the tractor-trailer were unharmed in the collision. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has already made a preliminary report, and the facts of the case weigh heavily against the driver of the truck. That means the injured woman would likely have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim for damages caused by the negligence of the truck driver, it also means the truck drivers Ohio insurance rates will take a rather big hike in price.

Many victims of auto accidents feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of a crash, and they may quickly accept the first offer from an insurance company and try to put the whole incident behind them. But that is rarely the best option.

Truck accidents in particular can create a mass of confusion and take a heavy emotional toll on everyone involved, even those who are uninjured. Ohio residents who are confronting this kind of situation should be fully aware of their rights under our state’s personal injury laws.

Source: The Lima News, “Woman injured in two-vehicle crash in Allen County’s Marion Township,” Aug. 9, 2012