Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. It is crucial to get help from truck accident attorneys who are aware of the various factors.
An attorney should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns 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 more than 55% of all accidents. Most of those accidents involve catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-changing disabilities. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be huge, and the victims and their families have to seek damages to allow them to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. You need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge, experience, and strength to make a significant difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size made up of one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Due to their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying, and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could be responsible in a accident, such as the employer of the driver or the company they carry products for, or even 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 their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be liable for any accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages sustained by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of employees in the course of their work.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they can also cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the full extent of your loss and pursue appropriate compensation for them.
It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that occurred to consult a personal injury attorney. This is especially true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations, in addition to the laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These regulations can affect how a accident occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon that several parties are held responsible for an accident involving a truck which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company that hauled the cargo. In addition, fault may be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or to any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence required to prove that all parties responsible are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
A seasoned semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect you against the common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often eager to receive compensation to cover medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of delay as a tactic to pressure you to accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can assist you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can award in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the person who was at fault and discourage other people from engaging in similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
In contrast to a typical car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a lot of highly specific information on industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic impacts of the collision. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could rely on. They are experts with years of experience who know how to examine an accident scene, assess the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, figure out the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key element in any successful lawsuit as they assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and who could be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and their value. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can illustrate the effects of an accident that is serious on a victim’s ability to work as well as their medical needs throughout their lifetime. An economist can also assist determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a significant component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable for a successful claim. These experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash. This is particularly important when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were loaded to the limit.
In some cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way in which it operates. This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and might be subject to certain requirements that other drivers do not. A qualified expert can review the trucking company's safety procedures the hiring procedures, hiring practices and any other information that might aid in determining fault.
Time Limits
When a truck crash occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. It's crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction specialists as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. This could include driving distracted, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be at fault for the accident in the event that they do not follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Another cause of a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes or other components of a vehicle can result in danger in an accident. It is important that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to look into any safety issues.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to a truck accident. If a truck isn't 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 could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
st cloud semi truck accident lawsuit can also be caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. 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 of the passenger vehicle is typically the one that bears the brunt, leading to serious injury and even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks may also cause accidents by spilling dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.