Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. It's important that you engage with lawyers for truck accidents who understand the different factors.
An attorney should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver and with the company that owns and operates 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 yet they are involved more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of these injuries can be enormous, and the victims and their families have to seek damages in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything in their power to cut down on the amount of compensation that the victim is due. You need a knowledgeable strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and the strength to make an impact in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle made up of the truck (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This could lead to shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties may share responsibility in an accident involving a truck. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver or the company the driver hauls product for and even the person responsible for setting up the load. It can be difficult to prove the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will try to limit their own liability.
In some cases, local government agencies may also share liability for accidents that occur on their property. If, for instance, a poorly maintained road or a poorly laid-out layout caused an accident, then the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability that holds a supervisory person liable for an employee's actions while acting in the scope of their duties.
carrollton semi truck accident lawyer and physical trauma that comes with any motor vehicle accident could be severe. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than most other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that has occurred to speak with an attorney for personal injury. This is especially true in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to specific regulations in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs, it is not uncommon for there to be a number of parties to be accountable such as the truck driver and the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. A truck manufacturer or defective parts may also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to prove that all those responsible are responsible and to demonstrate that you have a right to fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer to defend you against the common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries often feel desperate to collect their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of it, using delay as a strategy to to force you to accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present such as medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can help you determine the amount of damages to be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the party who is at fault and prevent other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash case, truck accidents typically contain a large amount of specific information on industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical consequences of the crash. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. These experts are knowledgeable and can assess the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved, determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings clearly and understandable. They are often a key component of any successful lawsuit because they can assist the jury in understanding how an accident occurred and who could be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and the value. A life care planner, for instance can be hired to illustrate the effects of an accident that is serious on the victim's ability to work and their medical needs over their life. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable for a successful claim. They can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is particularly important when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded with too much.
In certain cases an attorney in a New York semi truck accident will employ an expert who will investigate the trucking business and how it operates. This is particularly crucial in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and could be subject to certain requirements that other drivers aren't. The expert can examine the safety protocols of the trucking company, their hiring procedures and any other information that might aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to find the responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you need.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. This can include driving distracted, driving under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be at fault for a crash in the event they fail to comply with safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers.
Another cause of a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair a truck's brakes, tires, or any other component could cause a dangerous crash. It is crucial to ensure that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks so that they can look into any issues with the safety of the truck.
Another reason behind a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck isn't loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious accident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
The negligence of other drivers can also result in truck accidents. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions can cause the truck's wheels to slide off the road and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one that bears the brunt, leading to grave injuries or even death. These types of accidents often occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle, or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Trucks may also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.