Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a crash does occur it's crucial to work with truck accident lawyers who know the different factors involved.
Attorneys should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and families need to be compensated to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything in their power to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is due. This is why you require an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team possesses the expertise, experience, and strength to make a huge difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle made up of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. lauderhill semi truck accident law firm of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not securing blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could also cause truck accidents. This could lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could share the blame in a truck accident, including the employer of the driver or the company they carry products for, or even the person who arranges the load. Proving fault is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the incident, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, local government agencies could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. For instance, if poor road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident the county board could be held accountable for the damages caused by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious accountability, which makes a supervisor accountable for an employee's actions while performing the duties of their duties.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that comes with any motor vehicle crash can be extreme. The effects of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries however, they can also damage or destroy property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and seek appropriate compensation for them.
While it's generally a good idea to consult an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is particularly important for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are specific regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. These rules could have a significant effect on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible for an accident involving a truck which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company that hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective parts may also be accountable for the incident. An attorney who is a semi truck accident can provide the detailed evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are liable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Victims of injuries are often eager to receive compensation to cover medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and profit from this, using delaying as a strategy to pressure you into accepting less than you are entitled to.
A lawyer can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills and lost income damages to property, pain and suffering. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to punish the responsible party and deter others from doing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized information, including the truck mechanics involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash, and industry regulations. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be crucial to a client's legal case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most effective experts a semi truck accident lawyer can call upon. They are skilled professionals who are skilled at examining the scene of the accident, examine the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, determine what caused it and present their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit as they assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and who could be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damage that is applicable and the worth. For example, a life-care planner could be enlisted to explain the effect a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remaining years of their lives and any other repercussions that may be long-term. In addition, an economist could help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can also be a huge asset to a successful claim. These experts can help draw an exact line between intoxication and the accident. This is particularly true 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 examine the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were loaded with too much.
In certain cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to look into the trucking company itself and the way it operates. This is particularly important in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring practices as well as any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. This is why it's crucial to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to assist you in getting the compensation you require.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. This can be caused by driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be responsible for the accident in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Improper maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for a truck crash. Failure to examine or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck could result in the risk of a fatal accident. It is vital that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks to look into any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could cause accidents with trucks. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the trailer or truck to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also cause 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, and cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep or turns around to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.