Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. It's important that you work with truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable of the different causes.
Attorneys should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families should be compensated so that they can live with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. That's why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to the insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and power to make an impact on your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size comprised of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Due to their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. Truck accidents are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck accidents is improper loading of the cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other parties may share the blame in the event of a truck crash. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver as well as the company that the driver transports goods for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. Proving fault is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case, as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In some instances, a local government agency could also share responsibility in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if poor road layout or a lack of maintenance caused an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage caused by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities, which holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of an employee while performing the duties of their duties.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries and injuries, but they can also cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine the full extent of your losses and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Although it's generally a good idea to consult an injury attorney after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant in cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries there are specific regulations for commercial trucks. They can impact how a crash occurs, who's responsible, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. Lawyers can ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable.
It is not unusual for multiple parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident including the driver or their employer, as well as the company that hauled the cargo. In addition, fault may be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck, or any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are liable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the most common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to make you accept less than you deserve.
A lawyer can help you determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income damages to property, pain and suffering. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the person who is who is at fault and prevent other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more detailed information, like the mechanics of the truck involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the accident and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident attorney should have access to experts who can fill in the gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the scene of an accident, evaluate both the truck and the vehicle involved, determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings in a way that is easily understandable. They are usually a vital component of any successful lawsuit since they can assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and who could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help to determine what damages are enforceable and how much they will be worth. A life care planner, for example is a person who can determine the effect of a serious accident on a person's ability to work and their medical needs over their life. In riverside semi truck accident lawyer , an economist could assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be a huge asset to a successful claim. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication and the crash. This is especially the case when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness. They can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were loaded with too much.
In some cases the attorney for an New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and could be required to follow certain standards that other drivers are not. An expert could examine the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver negligence. It could be due to driving while distracted or impaired or reckless driving. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified workers could also be accountable for accidents.
Another reason for a car accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes, tires, or other components could cause a serious crash. It's important to make sure that your attorney for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can investigate any issues with the truck's safety.
Another reason for a truck crash is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious incident that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.
Inattention of other drivers could also lead to truck accidents. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions may cause the truck driver to turn off the road, and cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is 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 materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.