How Semi Truck Compensation Altered My Life For The Better
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. If a collision occurs it's essential to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the different factors involved.
An attorney should immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, however they are involved in over half of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact, and the victims and their families should be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need a knowledgeable strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise, experience, and strength to make a significant difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles comprised of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Because of their weight and size they are susceptible to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver there are other parties who could be responsible in a crash including the employer of the driver or the company they carry products for, and even the person that sets up the load. The process of proving fault is more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, the local government agency might also be responsible in the event of an accident on its property. If, for example a road that is not maintained or a poorly-designed layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be held accountable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability which holds a supervisory party liable for the actions of an employee in the course of their work.
Damages
Any car accident can cause extreme emotional and physical trauma. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea regardless of the kind of accident that took place to talk to an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially important when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are particular rules for commercial trucks. They can impact how a crash happens, who is accountable, and what types of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help you get the most out of 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 and their employer, as well the company that transported the cargo. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts may be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has 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 needing to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of delay as a tool to try to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present such as medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can help determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can determine in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the party who was at fault and discourage other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident situation, truck accidents usually include a great deal of specialized information about industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic effects of the collision. A semi truck accident lawsuits-truck accident attorney must have access to experts who can fill in the gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be crucial to a client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most effective experts a semi truck accident lawyer can call upon. These experts are highly skilled and know how to assess the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it to determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings clearly and comprehendable. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit since they can aid jurors in understanding why a particular crash happened, and which parties could be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damage that is applicable and the worth. For instance, a health planner could be hired to show the effect a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remainder of their lives and any other long-term consequences. Likewise, an economist can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful for a successful case. They can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is particularly important when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the accident to determine whether they were loaded to the max.
In certain cases, an attorney for a New York semi truck accident will employ an expert to investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is crucial, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking firm and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The right expert can examine the safety policies of the trucking company hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed in a truck accident. This is why it's crucial to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the money you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. It could be due to driving while distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could also be liable for an accident in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another cause of a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair tires, brakes, or other parts 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 so that they can determine any issues that could affect the safety of the truck.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident involving a truck. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious accident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also cause truck accidents. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck driver to drift off the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most dangerous types of truck crashes. 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 falls asleep, or swerves to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.