Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. It is crucial to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who understand the different factors.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company as and the company that owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. Most of those accidents involve catastrophic injuries, with victims suffering permanent and life-changing disabilities. These injuries can have a huge financial impact on victims, and their and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything to limit the amount of compensation that the victim is entitled. This is why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a significant difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can cause shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could share liability in a truck crash, including the employer of the driver and the company they transport products for, and even the person who arranges the load. It is often difficult to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will try to limit its own liability.
In some cases the local government agency could be held accountable for accidents that occur on its property. For instance, if a poor road layout or inadequate maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board may be responsible for the injuries caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability, which is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee acting in the scope of their job.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. 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 lead to significant financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can assist you in determining the totality of your losses, and seek an appropriate amount of compensation.
It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that has occurred to consult an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular rules in addition to laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a collision occurs, the parties accountable and the types damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can assist you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.
When a truck collision occurs it is not unusual for there to be several people who are responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company responsible for hauling the load. The truck manufacturer or defective components could also be accountable for the accident. An attorney who is a semi truck accident will provide the exact evidence needed to demonstrate that all parties at fault are responsible 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 companies to deny or decrease your claim. Victims of injuries are often eager to receive compensation in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of it, using delay as a tactic to try to force you to accept lower than you should.
An attorney can help determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills, lost income property damage, suffering and pain. An attorney can help determine how much damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages aim to punish the at-fault party and discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized details, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident as well as the regulations that govern the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in reconstruction of accidents are one of the most valuable experts that a semi-truck attorney can contact. These professionals are experienced and are able to evaluate the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the accident, and explain their findings clearly and easily understandable. They are often a crucial part of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors to understand how a collision occurred and who could be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damage that is applicable and their worth. For example, a life-care planner can be enlisted to explain the impact a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remainder of their lives and any other long-term repercussions. An economist can also assist determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a significant component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable in a successful claim. These experts can aid in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist may also be an expert witness since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the crash to determine if they were over-loaded.
In some instances, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to study the trucking company and the way it operates. This is essential, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking firm 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 practices as well as any other information that could help determine fault.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to contact a semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction as well as medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This could include driving while distracted, driving under the influence or reckless driving. bellflower semi truck accident attorney that operates and owns the truck could be liable for a crash in the event that they do not follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to properly inspect or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck can cause an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks to be able to look into any issues with the truck's safety.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife if it is 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 reckless driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, causing it hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front end of a passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These accidents occur when a truck driver falls asleep, or is swerving to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.