Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. When a crash occurs it is crucial to find truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.
An attorney should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. The vast majority of those accidents result in catastrophic injuries, with victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. The financial burden of these injuries can be immense, and the family members of the victims require compensation to ensure they can live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything to limit the amount of compensation the victim is due. This is why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and the strength to make the difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of freight can result in truck accidents. This can cause shifting, swaying and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver of the truck and other drivers, other parties could be liable in a truck accident, such as the employer of the driver or the company they carry product for, and the person who arranges the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each one will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, the local government agency may also be accountable for an accident that occurs on its property. If, for instance a road that is not maintained or a poorly-designed layout caused an accident, then the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of employees while acting within the scope of their employment.
Damages
Any car accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the results of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than most other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can lead to an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the totality of your losses, and seek appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that occurred to consult an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury, there are special regulations for commercial trucks. They can impact how a crash happens, who is accountable, and what types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can assist you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be accountable for an accident involving a truck, including the driver as well as their employer and the company that transported the cargo. In addition, the fault could be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or to any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to prove that all the parties at fault are accountable and to prove that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience will protect you from typical tactics employed by insurance companies 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 know this and take advantage of it, using delay as a tool to pressure you into accepting less than you deserve.
An attorney can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills, lost income damages to property, pain and suffering. A lawyer can also assist you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensation damages are designed to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require more specific information, like the mechanics of the truck involved along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access the right experts who can fill in gaps and provide vital evidence that could be vital to the client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are knowledgeable and are able to evaluate the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the crash, and explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit because they can help jurors to understand how a collision occurred and who might be accountable.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damages that are applicable and the value. A life care planner, for example is an expert who can illustrate the effects of an accident of a serious nature on the victim's ability to work as well as their medical needs throughout their entire life. An economist can also assist calculate the loss of earnings damages which is a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be a huge asset to a successful claim. These types of experts can assist in drawing a clear line between drunkenness and the accident, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also an expert witness since they can perform tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to see whether they were laden with.
In some cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be subject to certain requirements that other drivers are not. The right expert can examine the safety policies of the trucking company hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck accident happens and evidence is lost or destroyed. It's crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. This could include driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be liable for accidents in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of an accident involving a truck. Inability to inspect or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or other components could result in a deadly crash. It is essential that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to examine any safety concerns.
A third reason behind a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious crash that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
hammond semi truck accident law firm can also cause truck accidents. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, which could cause it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep, or is swerving to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health hazards for humans who come in contact with the chemicals.