Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is essential to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who are knowledgeable about the various causes.
A lawyer should immediately set up claims with the driver's insurance company, as and the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, however they are involved in nearly 55% of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of these injuries can be huge, and the families of victims have to seek damages in order to be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. This is why you need a strong, experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the knowledge of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a significant difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size that consist of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Because of their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Unsafe loading of freight could result in truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other parties can share the blame in the event of a truck crash. This includes the driver's company as well as the company that the driver hauls product for and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It isn't easy to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved, since each will attempt to limit its own liability.
In some instances the local government agency may also be liable for an accident that occurs on its property. If, for instance an unmaintained road or a poorly laid-out layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be responsible for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of employees while acting within the scope of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that comes with any motor vehicle accident can be extreme. The consequences of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A
semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the extent of your losses, and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
While it's generally a good idea to consult an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is especially important in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries there are particular rules that pertain to commercial trucks. These rules can have a major impact on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the kind of damages that could be awarded. Lawyers can ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs, it is not uncommon for there to be several parties that could be responsible such as the truck driver as well as the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the maker of the truck or any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. A
semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are responsible and you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from it, using delay as a tactic to pressure you to accept less than what you are entitled to.
A lawyer can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the near and future which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are designed to punish the person at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specialized information about industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term medical and economic consequences of the accident. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be crucial to the client's claim.
Specialists in reconstruction of accidents are one of the most valuable experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are highly skilled and can assess the accident scene, analyze the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it, determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings clearly and understandable. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand why a crash took place and who is accountable.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damages that can be claimed and their value. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to show the impact of an accident that is serious on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs over their entire life. Additionally, an economist can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be invaluable in a successful case. They can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash. This is especially the case when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness because they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to determine if they were over-loaded.
In certain cases the New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is essential, particularly if the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. A qualified expert can review the trucking company's safety procedures hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that might help to determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually lost or destroyed in a truck accident. This is why it's crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the parties responsible for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.