Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is essential to employ truck accident lawyers who are knowledgeable of the different causes.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the driver's insurance company as in the case of the company that owns the truck. This is done in order to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than five percent of all accidents. The vast majority of those accidents result in catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a significant financial impact on the victim, and the victim and families need to be compensated so that they can live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything in their power to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is entitled. That's why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make the difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size that consist of a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. These trucks are vulnerable due to their size and weight to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to check blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can result in shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for an accident involving a truck. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver, the company that the driver is responsible for hauling goods or the person who sets up the load. It isn't easy to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will try to limit its own liability.
In some cases, a local government agency could also be liable for accidents that occur on their property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues caused an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages that the victim has suffered. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of an employee when they are acting within the confines of their employment.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than most other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries as well, but they can also damage or destroy property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine your full losses and pursue the appropriate compensation.
While it's generally an excellent idea to consult an injury attorney after any kind of accident, this is particularly important for cases involving large-sized trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to special rules in addition to laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a major impact on how a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held liable.
If a truck accident happens it is not unusual for there to be several parties who could be accountable which include the driver of the truck or the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. A truck manufacturer or defective components could be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence needed to demonstrate that all parties at fault are responsible and that you have the right 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 reduce your claim. Injured victims are often looking for money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and take advantage of delay as a way to try to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the near and future which includes medical bills, lost income and property damage. An attorney can help determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, such as the mechanics involved in truck accidents as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident, and industry regulations. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should be able to access experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be vital to the client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. They are skilled professionals who are able to analyze the scene of the accident, examine the truck and other vehicles involved in the accident, determine what caused it and then explain their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are usually a vital element in any successful lawsuit since they can help the jury understand how an accident occurred and who might be responsible.
Expert witnesses can help determine what damages are enforceable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is a person who can demonstrate the impact of an accident of a serious nature on a person's ability to work and their medical needs over their entire life. An economist can also assist calculate the loss of earnings damages that are a key part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable for a successful claim. These types of experts could aid in drawing a clear line between drunkenness and the crash, especially when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. gilbert semi truck accident case is also a useful expert witness, because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to determine whether they were loaded to the max.
In some instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will retain an expert to investigate the trucking firm and how it operates. This is essential, particularly when the trucker was employed by an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. A qualified expert can review the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information that may assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. It is essential to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to find all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety regulations or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held accountable for accidents.
Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of crashes involving trucks. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck can cause the risk of a fatal accident. It is essential to ensure that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks so that they can examine any issues that may affect the truck's safety.
A third reason for a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. A poorly loaded truck can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also result in truck accidents. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions may cause the truck driver to veer from the road, which could cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. The front of the car is usually the one that takes the brunt, leading to serious injuries and sometimes even death. These types of accidents often occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle, or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.