1. Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions

Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, brake failure accidents, cargo spill accidents

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims

Background: Charles E. Boyk Law Offices is a personal injury law firm serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio. The firm has a track record of obtaining substantial settlements and verdicts for accident victims and has been serving the Toledo area for over 35 years.

Location: 405 Madison Avenue, Suite 1200, Toledo, OH 43604

Contact: (419) 241-1395 | https://www.charlesboyk-law.com/

Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee arrangement with no fee unless recovery is obtained.

2. Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co., L.P.A.

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions

Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, equipment failure accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, improper cargo loading accidents

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims

Background: Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault is one of Toledo’s established personal injury law firms with extensive experience handling truck accident cases in Northwest Ohio. The firm has obtained significant verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims.

Location: One SeaGate, 26th Floor, Toledo, OH 43604

Contact: (419) 244-6151 | https://www.gtblegal.com/

Consultation: Free case evaluation. The firm serves Toledo and the surrounding areas.

3. The Buckeye Law Group Inc.

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions

Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, equipment failure accidents

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery

Background: The Buckeye Law Group represents people injured in truck accidents throughout Ohio, including Toledo. The firm has multiple office locations across Ohio and serves clients in personal injury matters.

Location: 3950 Sunforest Court, Suite 200, Toledo, OH 43623

Contact: (567) 483-3883 | https://www.buckeyeaccidentattorneys.com/

Consultation: Free case evaluation. Call 1-800-411-PAIN for assistance.

4. Wittenberg Law, LLC

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions

Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, improper cargo loading accidents, brake failure accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, equipment failure accidents

Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims

Background: Wittenberg Law is a Toledo-based personal injury law firm that handles serious truck accident cases in Northwest Ohio. The firm provides dedicated representation for truck accident victims seeking compensation.

Location: 4932 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH 43623

Contact: (419) 241-5899 | https://www.wittenberglaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available.

5. Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima (Toledo Area)

Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions

Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, drug-related accidents, improper maintenance accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, wide turn accidents

Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hiring practices investigation, hours of service violation investigation, maintenance records review, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations

Background: Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima has over 200 years of combined experience in accident law and serves clients throughout Ohio. The attorneys have been selected for Ohio’s Super Lawyers and Rising Stars and are certified members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Location: Serving Toledo from Lebanon, OH office

Contact: (513) 496-0134 | https://www.rittgers.com/

Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm serves throughout Ohio including Toledo.


Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Ohio

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, the statute of limitations for motor vehicle accident personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. For other personal injury cases in Ohio, the deadline is one year. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Ohio law.

Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death under Ohio law.

Insurance System: Ohio is a “fault” state for auto insurance. The person responsible for causing an accident is liable for resulting injuries and damages. Injured parties can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, their own insurance company, or pursue litigation.

Comparative Negligence Rule: Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33. An injured party can recover damages if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If the plaintiff is 51% or more at fault, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. When the plaintiff is found partially at fault (50% or less), their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Ohio law requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage (25/50/25).

Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight under FMCSA regulations. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must carry higher coverage amounts.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Ohio courts apply FMCSA regulations in truck accident litigation. Trucking companies and drivers must comply with federal hours of service rules, driver qualification standards, vehicle maintenance requirements, and cargo securement regulations.

Vicarious Liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies in Ohio can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers while acting within the scope of employment.

Punitive Damages: Ohio allows punitive damages in cases involving actual malice under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.21. Punitive damages are capped at two times the amount of compensatory damages, or 10% of the defendant’s net worth up to $350,000, whichever is greater.

Damage Caps: Ohio does not cap economic damages. Non-economic damages are capped at $250,000 or three times economic damages (up to $350,000 per plaintiff, $500,000 per occurrence), with exceptions for catastrophic injuries.


Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Ohio’s statute of limitations for truck accident claims?

A1: Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for motor vehicle accidents. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also two years from the date of death. This two-year deadline for motor vehicle accidents differs from the one-year deadline that applies to many other personal injury cases in Ohio. Missing this deadline typically results in losing your right to pursue compensation.

Q2: How does Ohio’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident claim?

A2: Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, known as the “51% rule.” If you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the truck accident, you can recover damages, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $150,000 and you are 25% at fault, you would receive $112,500. However, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages.

Q3: Are there damage caps in Ohio truck accident cases?

A3: Ohio imposes certain damage caps in personal injury cases. Economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) are not capped. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are generally capped at $250,000 or three times the economic damages, up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence. However, these caps do not apply in cases involving catastrophic injuries, which include permanent and substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb, or loss of a bodily organ. Punitive damages are capped at two times compensatory damages or 10% of the defendant’s net worth up to $350,000.

Q4: What highways in the Toledo area are common locations for truck accidents?

A4: Toledo sits at the intersection of several major highways that see significant commercial truck traffic, creating elevated risk for truck accidents. Interstate 75, which runs north-south through Toledo, is a major trucking corridor connecting Michigan to the south. Interstate 80/90 (the Ohio Turnpike) passes through the Toledo area as part of a major east-west trucking route. U.S. Route 23 and U.S. Route 24 also see substantial truck traffic. The convergence of these highways makes Toledo a hub for commercial transportation and increases the frequency of truck accidents in the region.

Q5: Which parties can be held liable in a Toledo truck accident case?

A5: Multiple parties may be liable in a Toledo truck accident case. The truck driver can be held personally liable for negligence such as driving while fatigued, distracted, or impaired. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the trucking company can be held vicariously liable for accidents caused by employee drivers. The trucking company may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices. Other potentially liable parties include cargo loading companies if improperly secured cargo caused the accident, maintenance companies if mechanical failures were due to negligent repairs, and truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment contributed to the crash.