Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. When a crash occurs, it's important to get in touch with truck accident lawyers that understand the various aspects involved.
Attorneys should immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of all vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in more than five percent of all accidents. The vast majority of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries with victims suffering permanent and life-changing disabilities. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families must be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything to limit the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. You require a skilled, strong semi truck accident lawyer who is able to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise skills, experience, and determination to make a significant difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle made up of an engine (tractor unit) and a detachable trailer that carries cargo. Due to their weight and size they are susceptible to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care when operating the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can cause truck accidents too. This can result in shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties could share the blame in a truck accident. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver or the company the driver hauls product for or the person who sets up the load. It is often difficult to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved, as each will seek to limit its own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency could also be liable in the event of an accident on its property. If, for example a road that was not maintained or a layout that was poorly planned caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability that makes supervisory employees liable for an employee's actions while doing their duties.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause extreme emotional and physical trauma. The consequences of a collision involving semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help determine the full extent of your losses and get the right compensation.
Although it's generally best to consult an attorney for injury after any type of accident, this is especially important when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to specific rules in addition to laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
It is not unusual for multiple parties to be held responsible for a truck crash including the driver as well as their employer and the company that transported the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective parts could also be accountable for the incident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents will provide the exact evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the most common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often seeking money to cover medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and profit from this, using delaying as a tactic to to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can help you determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills and lost income property damage, suffering and pain. An attorney can help determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can determine in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to punish the person at fault and deter others from doing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information regarding industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical impacts of the crash. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should be able to access experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be crucial to a client's case.
south bend semi truck accident lawyer in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could rely on. They are skilled professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, figure out what caused it and explain their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are often an essential element in any successful lawsuit, as they assist the jury in understanding how the crash occurred, and who might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damages that are applicable and the value. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can illustrate the effects of an accident that is severe on the ability of a victim to work as well as their medical needs throughout their entire life. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will be a significant component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful for a successful case. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly true when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an excellent expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they were loaded too much.
In some instances, an attorney for an New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to look into the trucking company and the way it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. The expert can review the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring practices as well as any other information that could help determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck crash occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. It is essential to get in touch with a semi-truck crash attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you need.
The most common cause of a truck accident is driver error. It could be due to driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be liable for a crash if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in the risk of a fatal accident. It is essential to ensure that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can investigate any issues with the safety of the truck.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo can cause a truck accident. If a truck is not properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to become jackknifed. This is a serious crash that can cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists driving on the road.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also cause truck accidents. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, which could cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the car is usually the one that bears the brunt of the damage, resulting in serious injury and even death. These types of accidents often occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.