Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. It is crucial to work with truck accident attorneys who understand the different factors.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the insurance company of the driver company as well as the company that owns the truck. This is done in order to get the most insurance possible.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all accidents. The majority of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and victims and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything in their power to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is entitled. You need a seasoned strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer who can take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and power to make an impact on your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. Because of their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents when they are driven in reckless manner or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This can lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver of the truck, other parties may be liable in a truck accident, such as the employer of the driver and the company they transport product for, and even the person that sets up the load. Proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the case since they all try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, the local government entity could be held accountable for accidents that occur on its property. If, for example a road that is not maintained or a poorly laid-out layout caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damages suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds an authority party responsible for the actions of employees who is acting within the context of their duties.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that comes with any motor vehicle accident could be extreme. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than the majority of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to a substantial financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine your full losses and seek appropriate compensation.
Although it's generally a good idea to consult an injury lawyer following any kind of accident, this is particularly important 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 help you learn about these rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs it is not unusual for there to be a number of people who are responsible such as the truck driver or the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. In addition, fault may be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck, or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all those responsible are accountable and that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can help you avoid common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. The injured victims are usually seeking money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tactic to pressure you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income damages to property, pain and suffering. An attorney can help determine the amount of damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the party who is at fault and prevent other people from committing similar crimes.
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 along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident attorney must be able to access experts who can fill in the gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to the client's claim.
Specialists in reconstruction of accidents are one of the most effective experts a semi truck attorney can contact. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the scene of an accident, examine both the truck and the vehicle involved, determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. chesapeake semi truck accident attorney are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors comprehend how the crash occurred and who might be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also help to identify the damages that are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. For example, a life-care planner can be hired to show the impact a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remaining years of their lives and any other long-term consequences. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be a huge asset in a successful case. They can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption, and the accident. This is especially true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist is also an effective expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see whether they were overloaded.
In some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to study the trucking company and how it functions. This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large company and could be subject to certain rules that other drivers do not. The expert can look into the safety practices of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees, as well as any other information which could aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. It is imperative to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable 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 deserve.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident is driver negligence. It could be due to driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be liable for a crash if they fail to follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of a truck crash. Failure to inspect or repair brakes, tires, or other parts of a vehicle can result in danger in an accident. It is crucial that your lawyer for truck accidents understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks to investigate any safety issues.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could result in an accident involving a truck. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Other drivers' negligence can also lead to truck accidents. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck driver to deviate from the road, and cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and even death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come in contact with the chemicals.