Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes with large trucks. It is essential to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who are knowledgeable about the various causes.
An attorney should immediately submit a claim to 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
Trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, however they are involved in more than five percent of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be immense, and the victims and their families require compensation to ensure they can be able to live their lives in dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to cut down on the amount of compensation that the victim is due. You require a skilled and dependable semi truck accident lawyer to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise and experience to make a major difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size comprised of one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. Because of their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties could be liable in a truck accident. This includes the driver's employer and the company the driver transports goods for and even the person who sets up the load. It is difficult to establish fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will seek to limit its own liability.
In certain instances, the local government entity could also be responsible in the event of an accident on its property. If, for instance a road that is not maintained or a layout that was poorly planned caused an accident, then the county board could be liable for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious responsibility, which makes a supervisory body accountable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their work.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle crash can be extreme. The results of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. grand rapids semi truck accident attorney can these vehicles cause more severe injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the total loss and pursue the appropriate compensation.
It's an excellent idea to consult an injury attorney after any type of accident, this is especially important in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries, there are special regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the kind of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you are aware of the rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be accountable for an accident involving a truck, including the driver and their employer, as well the company that carried the cargo. A truck manufacturer or defective parts could be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to show that all the parties at fault are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A skilled semi truck accident attorney at your side can shield you from the usual strategies used by insurance companies to reduce or deny your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to collect their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you into accepting lower than you should.
A lawyer can help you determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the appropriate amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages aim to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
In contrast to a typical car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a significant amount of specific information regarding industry regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic impact of the accident. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most reliable experts a semi truck accident lawyer can rely on. They are experts with years of experience who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, figure out what caused the accident and present their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an important element of a successful lawsuit since they can assist jurors understand why a crash took place and who is accountable.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and the value. A life care planner, for instance is a person who can illustrate the effects of an accident of a serious nature on the ability of a victim to work and their medical requirements throughout their entire life. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can be extremely valuable for a successful claim. These types of experts can assist in drawing a clear line between intoxication and the crash, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be a useful expert witness, since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the accident to determine if they were over-loaded.
In certain instances an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to study the trucking firm and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker worked for an enormous trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert will be able to examine the safety practices of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees, as well as any other information that might assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. This is why it's crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to help you obtain the compensation you require.
The most frequently cited cause of a truck accident is driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted or impaired or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck may also be liable for the accident if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Another reason behind a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair brakes, tires or other components of a truck can cause a dangerous accident. It's important to make sure that your attorney for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to examine any issues that may affect the truck's safety.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could result in accidents with trucks. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the trailer or truck to jackknife if it is not properly loaded. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents can also be caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck driver to veer from the road, and cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front of the car is typically the one that bears the brunt of the damage, resulting in grave injuries or even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.