Columbus Logging Truck Accident Lawyers
Logging trucks transport tree logs for use in building homes, furniture, and many other products. At Soroka & Associates, we hold logging drivers and trucking companies when they cause accidents because they lose control of their trucks, the logs fall off the trucks, or for other reasons. Our Columbus logging truck accident lawyers understand the regulations and industry standards that govern truck driving in Ohio. We demand compensation for all your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, vehicle damage, and all other damages. Call us now to discuss your rights.
How can we help?
- What are logging trucks?
- What regulations govern logging trucks in Columbus?
- Why are logging trucks dangerous?
- Why do logging truck accidents happen in Columbus?
- What types of injuries do logging trucks cause in Central Ohio?
- Who is liable for a logging truck accident in Columbus?
- Do you have a Columbus logging truck accident lawyer near me?
What are logging trucks?
Logging trucks transport logs from forests to processing facilities where the logs can be cut and shaped for delivery. Some logging trucks are plain flatbeds. Others use tractor units and trailers. Longer logging trucks can carry logs up to 52 feet in length. Shorter trucks carry logs about 14-24 feet in length. Logging trucks are also called timber lorries.
According to estimates, there are approximately 428,000 log truck drivers in the United States. Many drivers work in the agricultural sector.
What regulations govern logging trucks in Columbus?
At Soroka & Associates, we understand the federal and Ohio regulations that govern driving commercial trucks and securing the logs. The federal agencies that regulate commercial truck driving, including driving logging trucks, are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
According to the Legal Information Institute, there are also specific laws that regulate the securement of logs. The rules generally govern how to secure the cargo depending on the type of cargo (logs, firewood, stumps, debris, and other types of wood), the type of container required, and other factors.
For example, federal law requires that :
“Logs must be transported on a vehicle designed and built, or adapted, for the transportation of logs. Any such vehicle must be fitted with bunks, bolsters, stakes or standards, or other equivalent means, that cradle the logs and prevent them from rolling.”
All vehicle components involved in [the] securement of logs must be designed and built to withstand all anticipated operational forces without failure, accidental release, or permanent deformation. Stakes or standards that are not permanently attached to the vehicle must be secured in a manner that prevents unintentional separation from the vehicle in transit.
There are also rules for how to tie down and stabilize the cargo; how to pack and position the logs; how to load logs on flatbeds, frame vehicles, and pole trailers, and many other specific rules.
Why are logging trucks dangerous?
Some of the dangers of logging trucks include the following:
- Even when following specific loading laws, securing the logs can be difficult.
- The logs are likely to move in transit, especially in curves and at high speeds, which can cause the driver to lose control of the truck
- Cargo spills can create havoc. The driver can veer into other lanes or other vehicles if the cargo spills. The logs can strike other cars, causing direct damage to the occupants or causing the driver to lose control of their vehicle. Drivers may also be involved in accidents if they drive over the logs or try to avoid the logs.
Why do logging truck accidents happen in Columbus?
Our Columbus truck accident lawyers hold drivers and others accountable when they cause an accident for any reason. Some of the leading causes of logging truck accidents include the following:
- Improperly loading or securing the truck cargo
- Driving while tired, including driving in violation of the FMCSA hours of service rules
- Driving while distracted, including texting, using a mobile phone, looking for directions at a GPS, eating, or drinking
- Speeding, tailgating, and other traffic cultures
- Failing to handle turns and curves correctly
- Defective truck parts, including hydraulic equipment, tires, and brakes
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Poor road conditions
- Adverse weather conditions
Trucking companies may be liable for:
- Failing to vet their drivers
- Failing to educate their drivers about logging truck safety issues
- Not monitoring the number of hours their drivers operate their trucks
What types of injuries do logging trucks cause in Central Ohio?
Our Columbus personal injury lawyers work with your doctors to understand what injuries you have, what medical care you need, and how your injuries are affecting every aspect of your life. We represent logging truck accident victims who suffer any type of serious injury, including the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head and facial trauma
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis and herniated disks
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Muscle, tissue, and nerve damage
- Burn injuries
- Vision or hearing loss
We demand compensation for all your medical expenses (of every type), lost income and benefits, physical pain and emotional suffering, property damage, loss of bodily function, scarring and disfigurement, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations and company).
If a truck logging accident is fatal, our truck logging accident lawyers file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family members. We demand compensation for the burial and funeral expenses, any outstanding medical bills, the loss of financial support your loved one would have provided, and the loss of personal support (love, comfort, guidance, and education) your loved one would have provided each family member.
Who is liable for a logging truck accident in Columbus?
At Soroka & Associates, we hold everyone who caused your accident liable for your injuries or the death of a loved one. The defendants may include one or more of the following:
- The driver of the logging truck
- The driver of another truck
- The employer of the negligent truck driver
- The owner of the logging truck
- The loading companies
- The companies that request and arrange the shipment
- Truck maintenance companies
- The manufacturers of defective truck parts
- The Ohio Department of Transportation and other government agencies/entities
Do you have a Columbus logging truck accident lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet injury victims and families at our Columbus, Ohio, office, located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205. If your health prevents you from coming to our office, we can discuss meeting you at your home or a healthcare facility. Our lawyers also conduct consultations by phone and through online video platforms like Zoom.
We’ve helped many truck accident victims obtain strong recoveries.
Contact our respected Columbus truck accident lawyers now
It’s natural to be upset. You’re in pain. Your bills are mounting. You can’t enjoy your family and friends. At Soroka & Associates, we can be your advocate with the healthcare providers, insurance companies, and defense lawyers – so you can focus on your health and your future. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.