Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes involving large trucks. When a crash occurs, it's important to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.
Attorneys must immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. The vast majority of those accidents result in severe injuries, that result in victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact on victims, and their and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance companies will make no effort in an attempt to limit the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. You need a seasoned strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer who is able to tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make an impact on your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle comprised of an engine (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are more prone due to their weight and size to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and not securing blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This could lead to shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver of the truck, other parties may share the blame in a truck crash, including the driver's employer and the company they transport product for, and even the person who sets up the load. It is often difficult to prove the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will try to limit its own liability.
In some instances the local government agency may also share liability for a crash that occurs on their property. For instance, if a poor road layout or poor maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibilities that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of an employee acting in the scope of their job.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine the extent of your losses and get the right compensation.
Although it's generally recommended to speak with an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks. These rules could have a significant effect on the way a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the kind of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the rules and that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck collision occurs it is not uncommon to have several parties to be accountable for the accident, including the driver of the truck or 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 to any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence required to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the most common tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny your claim. Victims of injuries often feel desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to force you into accepting less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income damages to property, suffering and pain. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to punish the at-fault party and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more specific information, including the truck mechanics involved along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should be able to access experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to the client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. These professionals are experienced and know how to assess the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it to determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings clearly and easily understandable. They are usually a vital element of a successful lawsuit since they can assist jurors in understanding how the accident happened and who could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damages that can be claimed and their value. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to show the impact of a serious accident on the ability of a victim to work and their medical requirements throughout their life. carlsbad semi truck accident lawsuit may also be able to calculate the damages for lost earnings that are a key component of any compensation payout.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and drug and alcohol identification are also extremely valuable for a successful case. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol and the incident, particularly in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also an expert witness since they can perform tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the crash to determine if they were over-loaded.
In some instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to study the trucking firm and how it operates. This is crucial, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking firm and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. An expert could examine the trucking company's safety procedures and hiring practices, as well as any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
When a truck crash occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It is essential to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you obtain the compensation you need.
The most common cause for truck accidents is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving in a hurry, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be at fault for the accident in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair brakes, tires or other components of a truck can lead to an accident that is dangerous. It is important that your lawyer for truck accidents understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can look into any safety issues.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could result in an accident involving a truck. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lanes. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, and cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even death. These types of accidents often occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle, or is under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.