Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. In the event of a crash it's crucial to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.
Attorneys must immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done in order to get the most insurance possible.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 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. These injuries can have a significant financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. You need a knowledgeable strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a huge difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are large commercial vehicles which comprise a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Because of their weight and size they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck crashes is the improper loading of freight that can result in shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver there are other parties who could share liability in a truck crash including the driver's employer as well as the company they haul product for, and the person who arranges the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances a local government entity could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for instance, a poorly maintained road or a poorly-designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident can be extreme. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help determine the extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.
It's an excellent idea to consult an attorney who can help you after any kind of accident, this is particularly relevant for cases involving large-sized trucks. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific rules in addition to laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules could have a significant effect on the way a crash occurs, the parties responsible and the types damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not unusual to find a variety of people who are responsible such as the truck driver as well as the company they work for, as well as the company responsible for hauling the load. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts may also be held responsible for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and to prove that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can help you avoid typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and profit from it, using delay as a strategy to pressure you into accepting less than you deserve.
A lawyer can help you determine the total amount of present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills and lost income as well as property damage and suffering and pain. An attorney can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to determine in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the party at fault and deter other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more specific details, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident as well as the regulations that govern the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to experts who can fill in the gaps and provide evidence that could be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. These are seasoned professionals who are able to analyze the scene of the accident, examine the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, determine the reason for the crash and present their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors understand why a crash occurred and who might be accountable.
Expert witnesses can also establish the damages that can be claimed and their value. For instance, a life insurance planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remainder of their lives and any other long-term repercussions. An economist can also help calculate the damages for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation payout.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and the identification of alcohol and drugs can also be very valuable for a successful claim. These types of experts could assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the accident, especially in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also a useful expert witness, since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might be involved in the crash to determine whether they were laden with.
In some cases in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking company's operations and the way in which it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and might be required to follow certain standards that other drivers aren't. A qualified expert can review the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information which could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck accident. It is essential to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with experts in accident reconstruction medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you get the compensation you need.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be responsible for an accident if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another reason behind a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck can lead to the risk of a fatal accident. It is crucial to ensure that your attorney for truck accidents knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks in order to determine any issues that could affect the safety of the truck.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could lead to an accident involving a truck. A poorly loaded truck can cause the truck or trailer to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists on the road.
Truck accidents are also caused by negligent driving from other drivers. missouri city semi truck accident lawyer may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions may cause the truck driver to drift off the road, which could cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver falls asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.