Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is crucial to work with truck accident attorneys who are aware of the various factors.
An attorney should immediately make 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 available insurance.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything possible to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is due. You need an experienced, strong semi truck accident lawyer to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Due to their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and not securing blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Another reason behind truck crashes is improper loading of the freight which can lead to shifting and swaying which could lead to the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the driver's employer, the company that the driver transports goods for or even the person who sets up the load. Proving fault is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case, because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In some instances, local government agencies could also be responsible in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of an employee while acting within the scope of their employment.
Damages
Any car accident can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than most other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could lead to a substantial financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can assist you in determining the extent of your loss and pursue the right compensation for them.
Although it's generally best to consult an attorney who can help you after any kind of accident, this is particularly important in cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to specific regulations, in addition to the laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules could have a significant effect on how a collision occurs, the parties accountable and the kind of damages that are possible to award. An attorney can ensure that you understand the regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not unusual for there to be several people who are responsible, including the truck driver and the company they work for, as well as the company responsible for hauling the load. The truck manufacturer or defective parts could also be held responsible for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer will provide the exact evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can protect you from the common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often eager to receive compensation in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tactic to to force you into accepting less than you deserve.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the appropriate amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages aim to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
In contrast to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specific information regarding industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic consequences of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be vital to the client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. They are experts with years of experience who are skilled at examining the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, determine what caused the accident and then explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit since they can aid jurors in understanding why the accident happened and who could be responsible for it.
The right expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much they will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can determine the effect of an accident of a serious nature on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their entire life. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can be extremely valuable for a successful claim. These experts can help draw a clear line between intoxication and the accident, particularly when the trucker might have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist could also be an excellent expert witness since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the crash to determine if they were over-loaded.
In some cases, an attorney for a New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. maryland semi truck accident settlement can examine the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. This is why it's imperative to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to discover the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to.
The most frequently cited reason for a truck crash is negligence by the driver. This can be caused by driving in a hurry, driving under the influence, or driving recklessly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could be held accountable for accidents.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is another reason for crashes involving trucks. Failure to examine or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or other parts could result in a deadly crash. It is important that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks so that they can examine any safety concerns.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could cause accidents with trucks. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to veer off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and death. These accidents occur when a truck driver falls asleep or turns around to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.