Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in crashes involving large trucks. In the event of a crash it's essential to find truck accident lawyers that understand the various aspects involved.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the driver's insurance company as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This is done in order to maximize the available insurance.
Liability
Trucks constitute just 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in nearly five percent of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of these injuries can be enormous and victims and their families must seek compensation to be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an attempt to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. This is why you need a strong, experienced
semi truck accident attorney that will stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a major difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles that consist of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Due to their weight and size they are susceptible to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when operating the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other parties could be liable in truck accidents. This includes the driver's company, the company that the driver transports goods for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each one will try to limit their own liability.
In some instances, local government agencies could also be responsible for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example an unmaintained road or a poorly-designed layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibilities that makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of employees doing their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to a significant financial burden. A
Semi Truck Accident Law Firms truck accident lawyer can help determine the total loss and get the right compensation.
While it's generally best to consult an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is particularly relevant for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks. They can impact how a accident occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages awarded. Lawyers can ensure that you know the rules and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for several parties to be held responsible for a truck accident including the driver as well as their employer and the company that carried the cargo. A truck manufacturer or defective component could also be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to prove that all parties responsible are accountable and that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience can protect you from the common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries often feel 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 strategy to pressure you to accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present which includes medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the party who was at fault and discourage other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a significant amount of specific information regarding industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical impact of the accident. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide vital evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. They are experts with years of experience who know how to examine the scene of the accident, examine the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify what caused it and then explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often an essential element in any successful lawsuit because they can assist jurors in understanding how the crash occurred, and which parties might be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also establish the damage that is applicable and the value. For example, a life-care planner could be hired to demonstrate the effect a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives and any other long-term repercussions. An economist may also be able to calculate damages for lost earnings which is a significant element of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology forensics and the identification of alcohol and drugs can also be very valuable to a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the trucker might have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also a useful expert witness, because they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could be involved in the accident to determine whether they were overloaded.
In some instances in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to examine the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and might be required to follow certain standards that other drivers aren't. The expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring practices, as well as any other information that might help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed in a truck accident. This is why it's crucial to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident is the negligence of the driver.