Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer

Large commercial trucks are commonly seen on highways in the Columbus area, such as I-70 and I-71, and on major local arteries like High Street and Broad Street. While accidents involving these large vehicles aren’t as common as passenger vehicle accidents, they can be devastating when they occur, and they can also raise difficult legal questions for those involved. A Columbus truck accident lawyer is a valuable resource after such an accident.

Representing Truck Accident Victims in Columbus, OH

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has been representing injured clients in Columbus and throughout Franklin County since 1946. Our firm has successfully obtained more than $1 billion in compensation for injured clients, and with more than 80 years of experience in personal injury law, we are confident we can provide unmatched legal counsel for the most challenging truck accident cases.

During the past two years in Ohio, more than 25% of the settlements and trial verdicts over seven figures have been secured by our team. * In every case we accept, we carefully review the details of our client’s accident, examine the effects the accident has had on their life, and determine the most efficient path for them to recover their damages. You have a limited time to build your case, so it’s crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Columbus

Accidents involving large commercial trucks are inherently more dangerous than standard passenger vehicle accidents due to the size and weight of these vehicles. In 2023, the National Safety Council reported that about 70% of victims of fatal truck accidents in the US were occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. While these accidents often happen for similar reasons as car accidents, they are typically far more damaging.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 264,532 vehicle crashes statewide in 2025, and 17,701 of these crashes involved a commercial vehicle. 1,751 of these commercial vehicle accidents happened in Franklin County. Some of the most commonly cited causes of these accidents include:

• Speeding. It’s dangerous for any driver to exceed the speed limit, but this is especially true for large commercial truck drivers. Speeding reduces the time and distance that a truck driver will have to slow down or adjust for changes in traffic patterns. Accidents that happen at higher speeds have a greater chance of causing severe or fatal injuries.
• Distracted driving. Every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle attentively. Texting while driving and other distractions can easily result in serious accidents, and distracted driving is a pervasive issue throughout the US.
• Moving violations. When a driver commits a moving violation, they can startle other nearby drivers and disrupt the flow of traffic. Improper lane changes, failure to yield, illegal turns, and running red lights or stop signs are just a few examples of moving violations that may result in serious accidents.
• Mechanical failures. Large trucks have greater maintenance requirements than most other vehicles. The party responsible for truck maintenance could be held liable for an accident if a mechanical issue they were expected to fix but left unchecked causes an accident.
• Regulatory noncompliance. The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the US. When truck drivers fail to comply with applicable regulations or when their employers fail to enforce them, these regulatory violations could result in devastating accidents. Both drivers and their employers could be held liable for resulting damages.
• Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A driver who causes an accident this way faces criminal charges as well as civil liability for the damages they caused to others. Additionally, a commercial vehicle driver could face suspension or revocation of their commercial driver’s license for causing an accident while intoxicated.

However your recent truck accident happened, if you believe that another party is responsible for causing it, it’s crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity so they can help you build your case. You may be eligible to claim more compensation than you initially expected, but your case is also likely to be more challenging than you are ready to handle on your own. The right attorney is an invaluable asset for every step of your case.

Your Columbus truck accident lawyer at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber can gather and preserve the crucial evidence you need to establish liability. Your case may require photos and physical evidence from the scene of the crash, testimony from eyewitnesses, and digital evidence like truck black-box data, cell phone records, and, if available, traffic camera footage. Some of this evidence will only be obtainable for a short time after the accident.

Filing a Commercial Auto Insurance Claim in Columbus

Ohio law requires every driver to have an auto insurance policy that includes coverage for bodily injuries and property damage. When a driver causes an accident, their insurance policy can pay for resulting damages up to the policy’s coverage limits. Most commercial trucks in Ohio are covered by policies that include more coverage than average individual drivers’ policies, but you may encounter various issues when attempting to recover compensation with an insurance claim.

The majority of insurance carriers in the US do everything they can to avoid paying out settlements in injury claims, or at least attempt to devalue these claims as much as possible. You should expect some pushback from the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier, and most insurance carrier representatives will look for any justification they can find to deny or devalue your claim.

You should hire a truck accident lawyer before attempting to file your auto insurance claim after any accident in Columbus. Once an insurance carrier sees that an injured claimant has legal representation, they are more likely to process the claim in good faith and offer a reasonable settlement. If any unexpected complications or disputes arise, your Columbus truck accident attorney will know how to address them.

Claiming Compensation With a Personal Injury Case

You may need to file a personal injury claim to recover your damages from a truck accident in Columbus. Success with your personal injury claim will require proving that the defendant directly caused your claimed economic and non-economic damages, and your Columbus truck accident lawyer can help you prove this causation.

A personal injury plaintiff in Ohio has the right to seek compensation for any economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. In a truck accident case, these economic damages are likely to include:

• Vehicle repair costs. You can seek compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, as well as for the value of any personal property inside your vehicle that was lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses. Large truck accidents often cause devastating injuries. A plaintiff may not only seek compensation for immediate medical expenses such as hospital bills and ambulance fees, but also for the long-term medical treatment they may require for rehabilitating from a serious injury.
• Lost wages. When a plaintiff is unable to work while they recover from their injuries, the defendant is liable for the income the plaintiff is unable to earn during this time.
• Lost future earning capacity. Some plaintiffs suffer catastrophic injuries that leave them permanently disabled. If you have been left unable to return to work due to the severity of the injuries the defendant caused, an experienced Columbus truck accident lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for the future income you are no longer able to earn.

While you may believe you have a grasp of the total economic damages you are eligible to claim after a truck accident, determining suitable compensation for non-economic damages is usually more challenging. A personal injury plaintiff in Ohio has the right to seek compensation for their pain and suffering, and their attorney can calculate an appropriate amount that reflects the scope and severity of the harm they suffered.

What to Expect From Your Columbus Truck Accident Lawyer

The aftermath of a commercial truck accident can be traumatic and uncertain. You’re likely to have many questions that only a skilled attorney can answer, and you have a limited time to pursue accountability and compensation for the damages you suffered. When you choose Spangenberg Shibley & Liber to represent you, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to guide you through every step of your legal proceedings.

You can trust our team to gather evidence you would otherwise be unable to secure on your own. We will help you establish fault and identify the party or parties responsible for your damages. You can rely on us to guide you through the insurance claim-filing process and resolve any disputes with the defendant’s insurance carrier. When you must file a personal injury case, you can trust us to negotiate a settlement if possible or represent you in litigation if necessary.

Our team of seasoned trial attorneys has secured many substantial case awards for injured accident victims in the Columbus area, and we are ready to leverage this experience in your truck accident case. Reach out to Spangenberg Shibley & Liber at your first opportunity after your truck accident to learn more about our legal services and how our firm can assist with your recovery.

FAQs

Q: What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Fault for a Truck Accident?

A: The evidence you may need to prove fault for a truck accident could include eyewitness testimony from anyone who saw the accident happen firsthand, vehicle computer data, trucking company records, and, if available, traffic camera recordings. You should hire a truck accident lawyer right away after your accident so they can start gathering and preserving crucial evidence immediately.

Q: Is a Trucking Company Liable for its Driver’s Accident?

A: A trucking company could be liable for its driver’s actions if the company was negligent in any way that contributed to the accident. Vicarious liability comes into play when a trucking company fails to enforce applicable regulations, fails to perform an appropriate background check on their driver before hiring them, or if the company was otherwise negligent in training the driver. Your attorney can explain how vicarious liability could influence your case.

Q: What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth in Columbus?

A: The value of your truck accident case in Columbus varies based on the severity of the injuries you suffered, whether you have been permanently disabled by your injuries, and whether you hire a truck accident lawyer to represent you. A skilled attorney can help you claim compensation for all of the economic damages you suffered, and they will know how to secure as much compensation as possible for your pain and suffering.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus?

A: You should hire a truck accident lawyer in Columbus because working with an experienced local attorney significantly improves your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. Your attorney can secure evidence to prove liability, resolve any disputes regarding fault for the accident, accurately determine the full scope of your claimable damages, and guide you through your legal proceedings efficiently.

Q: What Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Columbus?

A: The cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Columbus depends on the lawyer’s billing policy. Spangenberg Shibley & Liber accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so we charge our client a fee only if we succeed with their case, and the contingency fee is a percentage of their total recovery. There is no upfront cost to hire our firm and no cost to you at all if we are unable to obtain compensation for your damages.

Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has decades of experience handling some of the most challenging personal injury cases in Ohio, and we have successfully represented many accident victims in Columbus and throughout Franklin County. You have a short time to build and file your case, and we are confident we can help you achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Columbus truck accident lawyer.

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