Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals die in accidents caused by large trucks. When a crash occurs, it's important to consult with truck accident lawyers who understand the various elements involved.
Attorneys must immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. Most of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries with victims suffering permanent, life-changing disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need an experienced strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge, experience, and strength to make a major difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size which comprise a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Because of their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other parties could share the responsibility for the event of a truck crash. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver or the company the driver is responsible for hauling goods, or even the person who sets up the load. Finding fault can be more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government entity could also be responsible in the event of an accident on its property. For instance, if poor road layout or inadequate maintenance caused an accident, the county board could be responsible for the damages that the victim has suffered. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious responsibility, which makes the supervisory party accountable for the actions of an employee while acting within the scope of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident can be extreme. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than most other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they can also destroy or damage property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It's recommended to speak with an attorney for injury after any type of accident, this is especially important when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations, in addition to the laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help to understand these rules and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible for a truck accident, including the driver as well as their employer and the company that carried the cargo. In addition, fault may be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck, or any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence needed to show that all parties at fault are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
A seasoned semi truck accident attorney on your side can safeguard you against the common strategies that insurance companies employ to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries often feel needing to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by using delay to force you into accepting less than you are entitled to.
A lawyer can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. An attorney can help determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can be awarded in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages aim to punish the person responsible and deter other people from committing similar crime.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require more detailed details, including the mechanics of the truck involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the crash and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should be able to access the right experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide crucial evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, analyze the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify what caused it and explain their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit as they help jurors understand why a crash occurred and who could be accountable.
The right expert witnesses can also help to determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner can be hired to illustrate the effect a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. In addition, an economist could assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will be a significant component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and drug and alcohol identification can also be very valuable for a successful case. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication and the crash. sparks semi truck accident attorney is especially true when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an effective expert witness since they can perform tests on the metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to see whether they were laden with.
In certain cases the New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to look into the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is crucial, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert will be able to examine the safety procedures of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices, as well as any other information that may help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck crash. That's why it's important to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you require.
The most typical cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be accountable for an accident in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is another cause of crashes involving trucks. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck can lead to danger in an accident. It's crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can investigate any issues with the safety of the truck.
A third reason behind a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious crash that can cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck driver to veer from the road, causing it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front of the car is typically the one to take 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 falls asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle or is driving under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage as well as health risks for people who come into contact with the chemicals.