It s Time To Expand Your Semi Truck Compensation Options
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. If a collision occurs, it's important to find truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various aspects involved.
An attorney should immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and the victims and their families should be compensated so that they can live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything they can to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. This is why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident lawyer who is able to stand up against insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and power to make an impact on your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles that consist of a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. These trucks are vulnerable due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Truck accidents are often caused by distracted drivers, speeding and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck accidents is improper loading of the cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a accident, such as the driver's employer, the company they haul products for, and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In some cases a local government entity could also share responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example an unmaintained road or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be held accountable for the damage suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of employees while acting within the scope of their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck accident Law Firms-truck are more severe than the majority of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries and injuries, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that occurred to talk to an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries there are particular rules for commercial trucks. These rules can have a major impact on the way a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the types damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can help to ensure that you are aware of rules and that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for several parties to be held responsible for an accident involving a truck, including the driver or their employer, as well as the company that transported the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective component could also be accountable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence required to prove that all parties responsible are accountable and that you are entitled fair compensation.
A skilled semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the most common strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are usually looking for money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and take advantage of delay as a strategy to pressure you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now, including medical bills, lost income, and semi truck accident Law Firms property damage. An attorney can help you determine the amount of damages to be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages are meant to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more detailed information, like the mechanics of the truck involved along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident, and industry regulations. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the best experts who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide vital evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the accident, and explain their findings clearly and understandable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit because they can help the jury understand how the accident happened and which parties could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. For instance, a life care planner can be enlisted to explain the impact that a serious accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term repercussions. An economist can also help calculate the loss of earnings damages which is a major component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can be extremely valuable in a successful case. They can assist in drawing an exact line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also an expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to determine whether they were laden with.
In certain cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to examine the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker was employed by an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. The expert can examine the safety practices of the trucking company, their hiring procedures as well as any other information that could help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost during a truck accident. This is the reason it's so important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
The most frequent reason for a truck crash is negligence by the driver. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could also be responsible for accidents if they fail to follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of crashes involving trucks. A failure to inspect or repair a truck's brakes, tires or other parts can lead to a dangerous crash. It's crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks in order to look into any issues with the safety of the truck.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could result in an accident with a truck. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash that can cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck's wheels to slide off the road and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle usually 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, steers away from another vehicle, or is under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.