Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to get help from truck accident attorneys who understand the different factors.
Attorneys 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 will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident attorney that is able to stand up against insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team possesses the expertise, experience, and strength to make a significant difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size which comprise a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. Due to their weight and size they are vulnerable to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and not checking blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying, and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other parties may share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the driver's business as well as the company that the driver transports goods for, or even the person who sets up the load. It is often difficult to prove the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each one will try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be liable in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident the county board may be responsible for the injuries that the victim has suffered. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds an authority party responsible for the actions of an employee in the course of their work.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could result in an enormous financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can help you determine the totality of your loss and pursue 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 injury. This is especially true in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific rules in addition to laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These can affect how the crash occurs, who is accountable, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the regulations and that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When union city semi truck accident attorney occurs it is not unusual for there to be several parties that could be responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. A truck manufacturer or defective component could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence required to show that all parties at fault are liable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield your rights from the common tactics used by insurance companies to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims often feel needing to get their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to make you accept less than you deserve.
A lawyer can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills and lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. A lawyer can also help you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are meant 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 more detailed details, including the truck mechanics involved as well as the long-term economic and medical consequences of the accident, and industry regulations. A semi-truck accident attorney must be able to access experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. These experts are highly skilled and know how to assess the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings in a way that is easily comprehendable. They are often a crucial component of any successful lawsuit because they can assist the jury in understanding how a particular crash happened, and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and the worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can show the impact of an accident that is severe on the victim's ability to work and their medical requirements throughout their lives. An economist can also calculate damages for lost earnings which is a major component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can be extremely valuable to a successful claim. These experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they loaded to the limit.
In some cases the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to study the trucking business and how it operates. This is crucial, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. The expert can examine the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring procedures and any other information that could help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. This is the reason it's so important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction specialists along with medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver negligence. This could result from driving while distracted, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be responsible for a crash when they fail to adhere to safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Another reason for a car accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to properly inspect or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck could result in a dangerous accident. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks, so that they can investigate any issues with the safety of the truck.
A third reason for a car accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A poorly loaded truck can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if it is not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to drift off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health hazards for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.