Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large vehicles. When a crash occurs, it's important to work with truck accident lawyers that understand the different factors involved.
Attorneys must immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of those injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims must seek compensation to allow them to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance providers will make no effort in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You require a skilled, strong semi truck accident lawyer who is able to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a huge difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles made up of one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents 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 cause shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties could be liable in truck accidents. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver transports goods for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. The process of proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the incident, because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In some cases, the local government agency could also be accountable for any accident that occurs on its property. If, for example an unmaintained road or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, then the county board may be responsible for the damages suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability that makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of employees performing their duties.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident could be severe. The consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and pursue appropriate compensation for them.
Although it's generally best to consult an attorney for injury after any type of accident, this is especially relevant in cases involving large trucks. In springfield semi truck accident lawyer to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are particular rules applicable to commercial vehicles. These regulations can have a significant impact on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the kinds of damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can help understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
When a truck collision occurs it is not unusual for there to be several parties that could be responsible which include the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company that carried the load. A truck manufacturer, or any defective component could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to show that all the parties at fault are accountable and to prove that you have a right to fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect you from the most common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are usually eager to receive compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can assist you determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills, lost income property damage, suffering and pain. An attorney can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party and discourage others from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a significant amount of specific information about the industry's regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term medical and economic consequences of the accident. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the right experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most effective experts that a semi-truck attorney can contact. They are skilled professionals who know how to look over the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how an accident occurred and who could be accountable for it.
The right expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can determine the effect of an accident that is severe on a person's ability to work and their medical needs throughout their lifetime. An economist can also calculate the loss of earnings damages which is a major component of any compensation payout.
Experts in toxicology forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs can be extremely helpful for a successful case. They can help draw the line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly important when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded to the limit.
In some cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to investigate the trucking company's operations and the way in which it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm 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 aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck crash. It is imperative to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident involves driver negligence. This could result from driving while distracted, driving under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies that fail to follow safety rules or hire unqualified workers could be held accountable for accidents.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is a further cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. Failure to properly inspect or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial to ensure that your lawyer for truck accidents understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can determine any issues that could affect the truck's safety.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could result in a truck accident. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious incident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to other motorists on the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, and cause it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is the head-on collision. The front end of a passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver falls asleep or swerves in order to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.