Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. When a crash occurs it's crucial to consult with truck accident lawyers that understand the various aspects involved.
Attorneys should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
Trucks account for only 4 percent of all vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in nearly 55% of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact, and the victims and their families should be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance companies will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to limit the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. You need a knowledgeable strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer who can take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a huge difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are large commercial vehicles made up of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Because of their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Truck accidents are usually caused by distracted drivers, speeding and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. newton semi truck accident law firm of cargo can cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could be liable in a truck accident, such as the employer of the driver, the company they haul products for, and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the matter, because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency could also share responsibility in the event of a crash on their property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or poor maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board may be responsible for the injuries that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability, which holds a supervisory party liable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident can be extreme. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can lead to a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine your full losses and obtain the compensation you deserve.
It is always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that took place to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is particularly true when dealing with large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic there are specific regulations for commercial trucks. They affect how a crash happens, who is responsible, and the types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the rules and ensure that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable.
If a truck accident happens, it is not uncommon to find a variety of parties that could be responsible which include the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company that hauled the load. In addition, the fault could be assigned to the maker of the truck or any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence required to prove that all parties responsible are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience can protect you from the common strategies used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to make you accept lower than you should.
An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of 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 compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and deter others from doing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a significant amount of specialized information about industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical consequences of the accident. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the best experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and other vehicles involved in the accident, determine the cause of the crash and then explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. 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 extent of damages that are appropriate and how much those damages will be worth. For example, a life-care planner could be hired to demonstrate the impact a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives and any other long-term consequences. Additionally, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in recognition of alcohol and drugs are also essential in a successful claim. They can assist in drawing the line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see whether they were overloaded.
In certain cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking company itself and how it functions. This is particularly important when the trucker was employed by an enormous trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers were not. The expert will be able to examine the safety protocols of the trucking company, their hiring procedures as well as any other information that might aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck crash. It's crucial to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to find all the liable parties for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the money you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident involves driver negligence. It could be due to driving while distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be liable for a crash when they fail to adhere to safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a vehicle can result in a dangerous accident. It is vital that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks in order to determine any safety issues.
Another reason for a car accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck is not loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious accident that can cause severe or fatal injuries to motorists on the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck driver to veer from the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front end of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their load of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.