Ohio Truck Accident Help
A Division of Ohio Truck Accident
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Ohio
When a massive auto transport truck, which typically carries multiple vehicles, collides with a passenger car, the results can be devastating. Car hauler crashes often lead to crushed vehicles, catastrophic injuries, and the tragic loss of life. At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we understand the complexity and life-altering impact of these types of truck accidents.
Our Ohio truck accident lawyers have deep experience investigating auto transport and car hauler accidents, uncovering negligence, and holding trucking companies accountable. Whether your crash was caused by improperly secured vehicles, driver fatigue, or equipment failure, our team has the skill and resources to fight for the justice you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.
Auto transport trucks, also known as car carriers, are specialized vehicles that haul multiple passenger cars, trucks, or SUVs stacked on two or more decks. These trucks operate across Ohio’s major freight corridors and frequently pass through major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Dayton. Their size and structure make them far more dangerous than typical semis when something goes wrong.
Car carriers have specific characteristics that increase risk:
Most auto transport truck accidents are preventable and stem from driver negligence, company oversight, or mechanical failures. Because these carriers operate under tight delivery schedules and high pressure, safety corners are sometimes cut, with devastating results.
At Ohio Truck Accident Help, our team works with accident reconstruction experts and mechanical engineers to pinpoint the cause and identify every liable party.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Both federal and state law govern the operation of auto transport trucks in Ohio. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces federal trucking safety rules, while the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) monitor compliance within the state.
Federal law requires all cargo, including passenger vehicles, to be firmly secured. Under 49 C.F.R. §393.100 and §393.128, loaded vehicles must be immobilized using at least four tie-downs, one for each wheel, or equivalent restraint systems. The load must withstand acceleration, braking, and cornering without movement. Drivers must inspect securement systems before travel and at regular intervals during the trip.
Truck operators must comply with 49 C.F.R. Part 391 (driver qualifications) and Part 395 (hours of service). Car hauler drivers must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), complete a medical exam, and maintain updated driver qualification files. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) track driving hours to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Drivers who exceed hours-of-service limits endanger themselves and everyone on the road.
Federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Part 396 require motor carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain all equipment. Ohio PUCO and OSHP conduct random roadside inspections and compliance audits. Faulty brakes, worn tires, or broken tie-downs can indicate a carrier failed its legal duty of care.
Liability in a car carrier accident often involves multiple parties. Under Ohio law, responsibility can extend beyond the truck driver.
Ohio follows a comparative negligence rule. Under Ohio Revised Code §2315.33, an injured party can recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault, but their percentage of fault will reduce their compensation.
At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we meticulously investigate every aspect of your crash from dashcam footage and black box data to logbooks and maintenance reports to uncover exactly who is responsible.
Proving fault in a truck accident requires detailed evidence. Attorneys and investigators rely on many technical records and sources, including:
Due to their immense size and weight, car carrier crashes often lead to catastrophic or fatal injuries, including:
Victims often face long-term rehabilitation, chronic pain, or permanent disability, resulting in staggering medical costs and emotional trauma.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an auto transport or car hauler crash, you may be entitled to significant compensation but securing it is rarely straightforward. These cases are vastly more complex than a typical car accident and often involve multiple liable parties, along with overlapping insurance policies.
Your attorney will handle all communications and negotiations with insurers, pushing back against low settlement offers and ensuring your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering, are fully valued. If the trucking company or its insurers refuse to pay fairly, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and pursue justice in court. At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we handle every step of the truck accident claim process, so you can focus on healing, while we fight to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
If you’ve been injured in an auto hauler accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages:
Our attorneys will calculate the true value of your claim, negotiate aggressively with insurers, and pursue full compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Auto transport trucks are typically owned and operated by third-party logistics companies, independent owner-operators, or national vehicle transport carriers, not the auto dealerships themselves. In some cases, a dealership may contract a carrier for deliveries, but the truck and driver are usually part of a separate company. This distinction is crucial in determining who is financially liable for your injuries following a crash. An attorney can trace ownership and insurance coverage through bill of lading documents, carrier contracts, and FMCSA registration records.
Move to safety, call 911, and seek medical care immediately. Then, document the crash scene, including vehicle positions, license plates, and damage. Obtain the crash report and contact an experienced Ohio truck accident attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters to protect your rights.
Read What to Do after a Truck Accident
Yes, but only in limited situations. If a dealership owns the auto transport truck, employs the driver, or directly controls the delivery operation, it may be held liable for an accident. More commonly, dealerships hire independent transport carriers to move vehicles between lots, and those carriers, not the dealerships, are responsible for ensuring driver safety, proper vehicle loading, and compliance with FMCSA regulations.
Auto hauler carriers are subject to the same Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations as other commercial trucks; however, they are also subject to additional cargo securement rules outlined in 49 CFR §393.128. These laws require that each vehicle be properly tied down, evenly balanced, and inspected at every stop. Because auto haulers often operate across state lines, they must also maintain federal operating authority, valid USDOT numbers, and appropriate liability insurance coverage.
Liability often depends on the relationship between the driver, the carrier, and the company that owns the trailer or cargo. For example, a leasing company may own the truck, a carrier may provide the driver, and a dealer or broker may contract the shipment. In these cases, multiple parties can be held liable for negligence in hiring, training, maintenance, or load securement. An attorney can identify each responsible party through carrier agreements, DOT filings, and insurance disclosures.
Yes. Even if a driver is classified as an independent contractor, the trucking company that hired or dispatched them can still be held liable under Ohio law if it exercises control over their work or fails to ensure compliance with safety and maintenance standards. Federal regulations require carriers to vet and monitor all drivers operating under their authority, regardless of employment classification.
Auto haulers often carry multiple layers of insurance coverage — one for the tractor, another for the trailer, and additional policies covering the cargo. If the crash involves damage to other vehicles on the trailer or to other motorists, several insurers may become involved. Your attorney will review these overlapping policies to ensure that all available coverage is utilized and that insurers cannot shift blame to avoid payment.
In some cases, yes. If a transport broker or logistics company negligently hired an unsafe carrier — for example, one with poor safety ratings or expired insurance — they may share liability for the resulting accident. These claims can be complex because brokers operate as intermediaries, but with proper documentation and FMCSA verification, your lawyer can include them as part of a broader negligence case.
Auto transport crashes often involve multi-level cargo, open-frame trailers, and multiple defendants, making them far more technical than standard truck accidents. Investigating these cases requires understanding FMCSA rules, hydraulic ramp systems, load distribution, and the chain of commercial contracts between dealers, carriers, and brokers. That’s why working with a law firm experienced in commercial carrier litigation is essential.
Under Ohio Revised Code §2305.10, victims generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or property damage lawsuit. Delays can lead to lost evidence or expired claims, so it’s important to consult a lawyer quickly after the accident.
If your car was being transported and was damaged in transit, you may have a claim against the carrier or its cargo insurer. Most car hauler companies carry cargo insurance to cover damage to vehicles they’re hauling. However, if you were also injured in the same crash, your personal injury claim is separate and may involve additional insurance policies and liability parties.
Auto transport truck accidents can change your life in an instant, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Ohio Truck Accident Help, our experienced Ohio truck accident attorneys have built a strong reputation throughout Ohio for holding negligent trucking companies, insurers, and logistics corporations accountable. Whether your case involves a local delivery hauler or a national carrier, we can make a difference.