Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. When a crash occurs it is crucial to consult with truck accident lawyers who know the various factors involved.
A lawyer should immediately set up claims with the insurance company of the driver company as well as the company that owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than five percent of all vehicle accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families should be compensated to live with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle comprised of a truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are more prone due to their size and weight to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Truck accidents are usually caused by distracted drivers, speeding, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the driver's business as well as the company that the driver transports products for or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. Finding 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 entity could also be liable in the event of a crash on their property. If, for instance an unmaintained road or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, then the county board could be held accountable for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities, which makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of employees performing their job.
Damages
Any car accident can cause extreme physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision with semi-trucks 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 lawyer can assist you to determine the full extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.
While it's generally a good idea to consult an injury lawyer following any kind of accident this is particularly relevant for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury, there are special regulations for commercial trucks. These regulations can have a major impact on how a collision happens, the responsible parties and the type of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs, it is not uncommon to have several parties to be accountable, including the truck driver, the company they work for, as well as the company that carries the load. In addition, fault may be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or to any defective parts that contributed to the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the specific evidence required to show that all parties at fault are responsible and you are entitled to fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the usual strategies that insurance companies employ to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to collect their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income, property damage, and suffering and pain. An attorney can help you determine the amount of damages to be awarded in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party and deter others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specialized information about industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical consequences of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney should be able to access experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be crucial to a client's legal case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney might want to call. They are skilled and can assess the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved as well as determine the root of the crash, and explain their findings in a way that is easily comprehendable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit as they assist jurors in understanding how an accident occurred and who could be responsible for it.
The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a life care planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact that a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remainder of their lives as well as any other long-term effects. An economist can also help determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation payout.
Experts in toxicology forensics as well as identification of drugs and alcohol are also extremely valuable for a successful claim. These experts can help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the accident, especially 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. bloomington semi truck accident lawyer can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded to the limit.
In certain cases an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to look into the trucking business and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker was employed by an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can review the safety protocols of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices as well as any other information that may aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. This is the reason it's so important to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
The most frequently cited reason for a truck accident is driver error. This can be caused by driving distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be accountable for an accident in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Another reason behind a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or other components could cause a serious crash. It is essential to ensure that your attorney for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to determine any issues that could affect the truck's safety.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could cause an accident involving a truck. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to other motorists who are driving.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also result in truck accidents. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck crashes. The front of the passenger car is typically the one that takes the brunt, which can result in serious injury and even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep, or is swerving to avoid another vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and risk to the health of people who come in contact with the chemicals.