Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people die in accidents caused by large trucks. In the event of a crash, it’s important to consult with truck accident lawyers that understand the various factors involved.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the insurance company of the driver company, as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This is done in order to get the most insurance possible.
Liability
Trucks constitute just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, but they are involved in over a fifth of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a significant financial impact, and the victims and families need to be compensated so that they can live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of compensation a victim is due. You require a skilled, strong semi truck accident lawyer who is able to tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and strength to make an impact in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle consisting of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. Due to their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and not checking blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver there are other parties who could share liability in a truck accident, including the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person who arranges the load. It can be difficult to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each one will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, a local government agency could also share responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident, the county board could be held accountable for the damages caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their duties.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident can be a lot. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than most other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could lead to a substantial financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and pursue the right compensation for them.
While it’s generally a good idea to consult an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is particularly relevant in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. They affect how a crash occurs, who’s responsible, and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you are aware of the rules and that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs it is not unusual for there to be several people who are responsible, including the truck driver as well as the company they work for, as well as the company responsible for hauling the load. In addition, fault may be attributed 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 to show that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident attorney truck accident lawyer with experience will protect you from common strategies used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you to accept lower than you should.
A lawyer can help you determine all of the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income damages to property, suffering and pain. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the person who is responsible and deter others from committing similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information about the industry’s regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic effects of the collision. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide vital evidence that could be vital to a client’s case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could rely on. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it and determine the reason for the crash, and explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, because they can help jurors understand why a crash took place and who is accountable.
The right expert witnesses can also help to determine which damages are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. A life care planner, for example can be hired to determine the effect of a serious accident on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs over their entire life. In addition, an economist could help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be a huge asset in a successful claim. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the incident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or Semi truck accident lawyer alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also an expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to see whether they were overloaded.
In certain instances an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will retain an expert to investigate the trucking firm and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker is employed by a large company and is subject to certain requirements that other drivers aren’t. An expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company, hiring practices, and any other information that might assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. This is why it’s imperative to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. This could include driving in a hurry, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire unqualified employees may be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason behind a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair the brakes, tires, or other parts of a truck could result in danger in an accident. It is essential that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to look into any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. A truck that isn’t loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife when it’s not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, causing it cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most deadly kinds of truck accidents. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one who takes the brunt, which can result in serious injury and even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or is swerving to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come in contact with the chemicals.