Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is essential to get help from truck accident attorneys who are aware of the various factors.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the insurance company as in the case of the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done in order to maximize the available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for semi Truck Accident attorney only 4 percent of vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than five percent of all vehicle accidents. The majority of those accidents result in catastrophic injuries, with victims suffering permanent, life-altering disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact, and the victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance companies will do everything they can in their efforts to reduce the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to stand up against insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley’s team possesses the expertise and experience to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles that consist of one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Because of their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to look over blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could share the blame in a truck crash including the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person who arranges the load. Finding fault is more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the matter, since they all try to limit their own liability.
In some instances, local government agencies could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example an unmaintained road or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, then the county board could be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious responsibility, which makes an authority party responsible for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their job.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that can result from a motor vehicle crash can be a lot. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This can result in significant financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your loss and pursue appropriate compensation for them.
It’s always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that took place to consult an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations, in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These can affect how the crash happens, who is accountable, and what types of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
It is not unusual for multiple parties to be held responsible for a truck crash which includes the driver, their employer, and the company that hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck or to any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience will be able to protect you from common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to collect their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of delay as a way to to force you into accepting less than you deserve.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. An attorney can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to decide on in your particular case. Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are designed to punish the person at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash situation, truck accidents usually involve a lot of highly specialized information about industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical impact of the crash. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the right experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide vital testimony that could be essential to a client’s case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. These are seasoned professionals who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the vehicle and truck involved in the accident, determine the cause of the crash and then explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key part of any successful lawsuit because they can assist jurors in understanding how the crash occurred, and which parties might be responsible for it.
The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner could be enlisted to explain the impact a serious accident might have on a victim’s ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term repercussions. An economist can also assist calculate the damages for lost earnings which is a significant part of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs are also extremely valuable in a successful claim. These experts can help to draw a straight line between alcohol and the accident, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be an expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to determine whether they were laden with.
In certain cases the New York semi truck accident attorneys-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to examine the trucking firm itself and the way in which it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and might be subject to certain requirements that other drivers aren’t. An expert could examine the trucking company’s safety procedures the hiring procedures, hiring practices and any other information which could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It is imperative to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We’ll collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction medical professionals, financial experts and experts to ensure you receive the compensation you require.
The most common cause for truck accidents is driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be accountable for an accident if they fail to follow safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. A failure to inspect or repair the truck’s brakes, tires, or other parts could result in a deadly crash. It is important that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks so that they can investigate any safety issues.
Another reason for a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to become jackknifed. This is a serious crash that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers’ negligence by other drivers can also cause truck accidents. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to turn off the road and crash with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries or death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come into contact with the chemicals.