Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It's important that you work with truck accident attorneys who are aware of the various factors.
Attorneys should immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that owns and operates the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact on the victim, and the victim and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation that a victim is due. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident lawyer who will stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and power to make the difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle made up of the truck (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their size and weight to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can cause truck accidents as well. This could lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for truck accidents. This includes the driver's employer or the company the driver is responsible for hauling goods and even the person who arranges the load. Proving fault is more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances a local government entity may also share liability for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example a road that is not maintained or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be held accountable for the damage suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability, which holds an authority party responsible for the actions of employees who is acting within the context of their job.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident can be severe. The consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries however, they can also cause damage to property or destruction that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the extent of your loss and pursue an appropriate amount of compensation.
It's best to consult an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations, in addition to the laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a major impact on how a collision happens, the responsible parties and the kind of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you are aware of the rules and that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not unusual for multiple parties to be accountable for a truck crash which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company that transported the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the maker of the truck or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to show that all parties responsible are accountable and to prove that you are entitled fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident attorney on your side can safeguard your rights from the common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured palm bay semi truck accident lawyer are often eager to receive compensation to cover medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tool to to force you to accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can help determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills and lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can determine in your case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to punish the person responsible and deter other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized information, such as the mechanics of the truck involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash, and industry regulations. A semi-truck crash lawyer should be able to access the right experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to a client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could rely on. They are skilled and can assess the accident scene, analyze the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it, determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often an important element of a successful lawsuit, as they can help the jurors to understand how a collision took place and who may be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the extent of damages that are relevant and their worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can demonstrate the impact of an accident that is serious on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their lives. In addition, an economist could assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Experts in forensic toxicology as well as identification of drugs and alcohol can also be very valuable for a successful claim. These experts can help to draw a straight line between alcohol consumption and the incident, particularly when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist could also be an effective expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the crash to determine if they were over-loaded.
In some cases an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will engage an expert who will investigate the trucking firm and how it operates. This is especially important when the trucker is employed by a large trucking company and is subject to certain standards that other drivers are not. The expert can examine the safety procedures of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices and any other information that may help determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck accident happens, evidence is often lost or destroyed. It is essential to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most frequently cited cause of a truck collision is driver error. This can include driving distracted or impaired or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could also be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to inspect or repair the brakes, tires or other parts can result in a deadly crash. It is essential that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks so that they can look into any safety issues.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could result in an accident with a truck. If a truck isn't loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious crash that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists driving on the road.
Truck accidents can also be caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions may cause the truck driver to deviate from the road, causing it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most dangerous types of truck crashes. The front of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even 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. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.