Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. When a crash occurs it's crucial to find truck accident lawyers who understand the various factors involved.
An attorney must immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than five percent of all vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on victims, and their and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. That's why you need a strong, experienced semi truck accident attorney that is able to stand up against insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the expertise and experience to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Because of their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Unsafe loading of freight could result in truck accidents. This could lead to shifting, swaying and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a accident, including the employer of the driver, the company they haul product for, and even the person that sets up the load. It is difficult to establish that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each one will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency might also be accountable for an accident that occurs on its property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident the county board could be responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The results of a collision with semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they also have the potential to cause damage to property or destruction, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the extent of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It's best to consult an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a major impact on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the type of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you to understand these rules and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident including the driver and their employer, as well the company who hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to show that all the parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer to defend you against the common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries often feel needing to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to make you accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills and lost income damages to property, pain and suffering. A lawyer can assist you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can award in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages aim to punish the responsible party and discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash case, truck accidents typically include a great deal of specific information on industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term medical and economic impact of the crash. A semi-truck crash lawyer should be able to access the right experts, who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most reliable experts a semi truck attorney can contact. These experts are knowledgeable and know how to assess the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved as well as determine the root of the crash, and present their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often an essential element in any successful lawsuit, as they assist jurors in understanding how the crash occurred, and which parties might be accountable for it.
The right expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can determine the effect of an accident that is severe on a victim’s ability to work and their medical needs throughout their lives. Additionally, an economist can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs are also essential for a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist could also be a useful expert witness, since they can perform tests on metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to determine whether they were laden with.
In some cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to look into the trucking company and the way in which it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker is employed by a large trucking company and could be subject to certain rules that other drivers do not. baldwin park semi truck accident attorney will be able to examine the safety protocols of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees and any other information that might help determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to get in touch with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction specialists along with medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. This could include driving distracted, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be liable for the accident when they fail to adhere to safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck can cause an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to determine any safety issues.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could cause an accident involving a truck. If a truck is not properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to become jackknifed. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.
Inattention of other drivers could also result in truck accidents. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to turn off the road, causing it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck accidents. The front of the passenger vehicle is typically the one that bears the brunt, which can result in grave injuries or even death. These types of accidents often occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle, or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.