Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes with large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the insurance company, as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in nearly a fifth of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact, and victims and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance companies will make no effort in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need a seasoned strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and the strength to make the difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle consisting of the truck (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. Because of their size and weight they are susceptible to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or if the driver does not exercise reasonable care when operating the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can result in truck accidents. This could lead to shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other people can share responsibility in a truck accident. This includes the driver's business, the company that the driver transports products for or even the person responsible for setting up the load. It isn't easy to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each will seek to limit its own liability.
In some cases a local government entity could also share responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property. For instance, if a poor road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident the county board may be liable for the damage caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability which holds an authority party responsible for the actions of an employee when they are acting within the confines of their employment.
Damages
Any car accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This can lead to a substantial financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the totality of your loss and pursue appropriate compensation for them.
While it's generally recommended to speak with an attorney for injury after any type of accident, this is particularly relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations in addition laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations can have a major impact on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the type of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be accountable for a truck crash which includes the driver, their employer, and the company that transported the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties responsible are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience will protect you from typical tactics employed by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tool to try to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the person who is responsible and deter other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
In contrast to a typical car accident situation, truck accidents usually include a great deal of specialized information about industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic effects of the collision. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide crucial testimony that could be essential to a client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can call upon. They are skilled professionals who are skilled at examining the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, figure out the reason for the crash and present their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit as they assist the jury in understanding how the crash occurred, and who could be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and their value. A life care planner, for example is an expert who can illustrate the effects of a serious accident on the ability of a victim to work as well as their medical needs throughout their life. Additionally, arvada semi truck accident settlement can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a significant component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable for a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between drunkenness and the crash, especially in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also a useful expert witness, since they can perform tests on the metal components of the truck that could be involved in the accident to determine whether they were laden with.
In certain cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to study the trucking firm itself and the way in which it operates. This is important, especially if the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert can examine the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring practices and any other information that may assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
When a truck accident happens and evidence is lost or destroyed. This is the reason it's so important to contact a semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial experts to ensure you receive the compensation you need.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This could include driving while distracted or impaired or reckless driving. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety guidelines or hire unqualified employees may also be accountable for accidents.
Improper maintenance of the vehicle can also be a cause of an accident involving a truck. Inability to inspect or repair a truck's brakes, tires or other parts can lead to a dangerous crash. It's important to make sure that your truck accident attorney knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks so that they can examine any issues that may affect the safety of the truck.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could lead to an accident involving a truck. If a truck is not properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while 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 driving on the road.
Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck driver to veer from the road, causing it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most dangerous types of truck crashes. The front of the passenger car is usually the one that takes the brunt, resulting in serious injuries and sometimes even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come in contact with the chemicals.