Ohio Truck Accident Help
A Division of Ohio Truck Accident
How to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit or Claim in Ohio
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Ohio, you don’t have unlimited time to take legal action. Ohio law sets strict deadlines for when you can file a lawsuit.
If you miss that deadline, you could lose your right to recover any compensation, no matter how strong your case is. Knowing the time limits and acting quickly with the help of an Ohio truck accident lawyer can make all the difference.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.
Before you do anything else, it’s important to understand how much time Ohio law gives you to file a claim after a truck crash.
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Whether you’re dealing with a negligent truck driver, a careless trucking company, or another party, you need to act within this two-year window.
Read More about Time Limits After a Truck Crash
The two-year countdown begins the day of the accident. If you wait too long, it becomes harder to build a strong case. Even if you’re still recovering, beginning the legal process as early as possible is important. Waiting too long can make it harder to find evidence, track down witnesses, or even determine who is at fault.
While most cases follow the two-year rule, some situations have slightly different timelines:
If the person injured in a truck accident is under 18, the statute of limitations doesn’t start until they reach adulthood. That means the clock starts ticking on their 18th birthday. But this doesn’t mean families should wait to get legal help. Important evidence can be lost over time, and it’s often best to start building a case right away, even if the lawsuit itself comes later.
When a truck accident leads to someone’s death, the legal process is slightly different. Ohio law still gives families two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, but the clock starts on the date of death, not the date of the crash. If a person survives for a time before passing away, this could change when the statute begins. Delays in determining the cause of death can also complicate things, so it’s smart to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Failing to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out usually means you can’t recover anything, not even through a settlement. Insurance companies know the law and won’t negotiate with someone who has no legal standing to sue. This is why it’s critical to keep track of the deadline and act fast.
Some people hope for exceptions or think they can explain their delay to a judge. But courts rarely extend these deadlines. Exceptions—called “tolling”—are limited to very specific situations, like fraud or legal disability, and are hard to prove. It’s a dangerous gamble to wait and hope for special treatment.
Even if you think two years is a long time, it goes fast, especially when evidence is at risk of disappearing and injuries take time to heal.
Truck accidents often involve complex evidence. Things like the truck’s black box data, driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and dash cam footage can all help prove fault. But trucking companies don’t have to keep this data forever. Some of it may be deleted in a matter of weeks or months. A lawyer can send a legal notice, called a spoliation letter, to preserve this evidence before it’s gone.
Even if you think your case is clear, memories fade. Witnesses may move, forget details, or become uncooperative. Waiting too long can also make it harder to show that your injuries came from the crash and not something else. Getting medical treatment early and keeping good records helps connect your injuries to the truck accident.
Having a lawyer on your side early in the process can make a big difference in how strong—and timely—your case is.
A lawyer can step in quickly to review the crash, gather evidence, and communicate with insurers and other parties. They know how to investigate truck accidents and preserve the materials needed to prove your case.
An experienced truck accident lawyer will know the exact deadlines that apply to your situation. They can make sure all legal paperwork is filed on time and that your claim moves forward without delay.
Beyond just filing documents, a lawyer can help you build the strongest case possible. They’ll talk to experts, review your medical records, and negotiate with insurance companies—all while keeping your claim within legal time limits.
You only get one chance to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Ohio. Ohio Truck Accident Help is committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the full compensation you’re owed. We hold negligent truck drivers and companies accountable—and we don’t let insurance carriers run out the clock to avoid paying what’s fair.
If you or someone you love was hurt in an Ohio truck accident, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation. We’ll act fast to preserve evidence, build your case, and make sure your claim is filed before the deadline.