Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to work with truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable of the different causes.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the insurance company of the driver company as well as the company which owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, but they are involved in over a fifth of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be enormous, and the families of victims have to seek damages in order to live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything to reduce the amount of compensation that the victim is due. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident attorney that is able to stand up against insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and the strength to make a difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle comprised of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. Due to their size and weight they are vulnerable to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Unsafe loading of freight could also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver Other parties could be responsible in a accident, such as the driver's employer, the company they haul product for, and the person that sets up the load. It isn't easy to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will attempt to limit its own liability.
In some cases, local government agencies may also share liability for an accident that occurs on their 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 held accountable for the injuries suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibilities that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
Any car accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This can result in an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and seek the right compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that occurred to consult an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations, in addition to the laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. They affect how a crash occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you learn about these rules and ensure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
It is not unusual that several parties are accountable for a truck crash, including the driver or their employer, as well as the company that hauled the cargo. In addition, fault may be assigned to the maker of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the evidence to show that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer to defend you from the most common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are usually eager to receive compensation in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a strategy to to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensation damages are designed to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault and deter others from doing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more detailed details, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer must be able to access the right experts who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide vital testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most valuable experts a semi truck accident lawyer can rely on. These experts are highly skilled and know how to assess the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved and determine the reason for the crash, and then explain their findings in a way that is easily understandable. They are usually a vital element in any successful lawsuit since they can aid jurors in understanding why the crash occurred, and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine what damages are enforceable and how much they will be worth. For example, a life-care planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact that 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 repercussions. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and identification of alcohol and drugs are also very helpful for a successful case. They can assist in drawing an exact line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly important when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an excellent expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the crash to determine if they were over-loaded.
In certain cases an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will employ an expert who will investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and could be required to follow certain standards that other drivers are not. An expert can look into the trucking company's safety procedures, hiring practices, and any other information that might help to determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck crash. It is crucial to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most common cause of a truck collision is the negligence of the driver. This can include driving distracted or impaired or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that don't follow safety rules or hire unqualified employees may also be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason behind a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair the brakes, tires, or other parts of a vehicle can result in the risk of a fatal accident. It is important that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks to examine any safety concerns.
Another reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A poorly loaded truck can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if it is not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists on the road.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also lead to truck accidents. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck crashes. The front of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These types of accidents usually occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. kalamazoo semi truck accident lawyer may also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come in contact with the chemicals.