Commercial Vehicle Accidents. Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys in Cleveland

Who Is Liable for Collisions Involving Commercial Vehicles?

Every year, large trucks and other commercial vehicles are responsible for thousands of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. When motorists are hit by commercial vehicles, they may be able to file a commercial vehicle accident claim to recover compensation for their serious injuries. These claims are often very complex, due in part to the number of potentially liable parties. Depending on the particular circumstances involved in the accident, anyone from the commercial vehicle driver to the company that owns the vehicle to the manufacturer of a certain vehicle part may be liable.

If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a collision with a commercial vehicle, contact The Mellino Law Firm. For almost 40 years, we have been fighting for injured individuals and families in Cleveland and the surrounding areas. Unlike other firms, we do not take every case that walks through the door and attempt to settle these cases as soon as possible. Instead, we focus our efforts on a few select cases, which allows us to better serve our clients and provide them with the level of service they deserve.

Get in touch with us online or by phone at (440) 333-3800 for a free, no-obligation consultation.

How Commercial Vehicle Accidents Occur

Like other types of motor vehicle accidents—such as car, motorcycle, and truck accidents—commercial vehicle accidents can occur for a variety of reasons. Often, these wrecks are the result of negligence.

Some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Speeding to meet unrealistic quotas/schedules
• Distracted driving, including eating while driving and texting
• Unsafe, reckless, or careless driving behaviors
• Poor or insufficient driver training
• Driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Defective vehicle parts or design
• Unsafe road design and/or conditions

In all of these instances, as well as other causes of commercial vehicle accidents, negligence plays a role. A commercial vehicle driver is acting negligently if he is texting while driving, causing him to run a red light and collide with another vehicle. Similarly, a company is acting negligently if it encourages its drivers to violate hours-of-service rules in order to meet their monthly quotas.

If you believe that your accident was the result of negligence, reach out to our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Cleveland as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure what caused the accident, our team can help you determine who is liable for your injuries and other related losses.

Uber, Lyft & Other Rideshare Accident Claims in Ohio

Rideshares, such as Uber, Lyft, and others, are quickly becoming one of the most popular methods of transportation in Ohio and throughout the U.S. As its popularity increases, the rideshare industry has seen greater regulation—but the law is only just beginning to catch up. In general, if you are injured in a rideshare accident as the passenger and the rideshare driver is at fault, you should be able to recover compensation through the driver’s own insurance.

If you are hit by a rideshare driver and you are in another vehicle, or you are injured as a passenger but the driver does not carry insurance, you may need to pursue compensation through the rideshare company’s insurance. By law, rideshare companies are required to carry $1 million in liability insurance.

If you were injured in an accident involving a rideshare vehicle, our firm can help you determine your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Contact The Mellino Law Firm

For decades, we have helped injured individuals throughout the area. Our firm represents people injured in all types of commercial vehicle accidents, including those involving delivery trucks, taxis, rideshares, private buses, and government/municipal vehicles. We understand the complexities involved in these types of cases and are committed to fighting for the full, fair recovery you deserve.

Contact us online or call (440) 333-3800 for a free consultation with one of our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Cleveland.