Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes with large trucks. It is important to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who understand the different factors.

An attorney should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.

Liability

Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. The financial burden of those injuries can be enormous and the victims and their families require compensation to ensure they can live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can in an attempt to limit the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need an experienced strong, reputable semi truck accident law firms truck accident lawyer who is able to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge and experience to make a huge difference in your case.

Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck accidents is improper loading of the cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver, other parties could be liable in the event of a truck crash. This includes the driver's business or the company the driver hauls product for, or even the person who sets up the load. It can be difficult to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will seek to limit their own liability.

In some cases, a local government agency could also share responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for instance a road that is not maintained or a poorly-designed layout caused an accident, the county board may be responsible for the victim's damages. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their duties.

Damages

The emotional and physical trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident can be severe. The results of a collision with semi-trucks are more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property that can lead to significant financial burdens. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can help you determine the extent of your losses and seek an appropriate amount of compensation.

While it's generally best to consult an injury lawyer following any kind of accident this is especially important in cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic, there are special regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. These regulations can have a major impact on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the kind of damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can help to ensure that you know the rules and that those responsible are held accountable.

When a truck collision occurs, it is not uncommon for there to be a number of parties who could be accountable for the accident, including the driver of the truck, the company they work for, as well as the company that carries the load. In addition, the fault could be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.

A seasoned semi truck accident lawyer to defend you from the usual tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny your claim. The injured victims are usually desperate to receive their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to make you accept less than you deserve.

An attorney can help determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, such as medical bills, lost income as well as property damage and pain and suffering. An attorney can help you determine the amount of damages to decide on in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and deter others from committing similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require a lot more detailed information, like the truck mechanics involved along with the long-term financial and medical consequences of the accident and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi truck accident attorney-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that could be essential to a client's case.

Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most effective experts a semi truck accident lawyer can call upon. These experts are highly skilled and are able to evaluate the accident scene, analyze both the truck and the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the accident, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and understandable. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors comprehend how the crash occurred and who might be accountable.

Expert witnesses can also assist to determine what damages are enforceable and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a health 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 rest of their lives, as well as any other long-term effects. An economist can also assist determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings that are a key element of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs are also very helpful in a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the accident, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist is also an expert witness. They can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded with too much.

In some instances an attorney representing an New York semi truck accident will hire an expert who will investigate the trucking firm and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker was employed by an enormous trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert can look into the safety practices of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices and any other information that may assist in determining fault.

Time Limits

Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck crash. It's crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you are entitled to.

The most common reason for a truck crash is the negligence of the driver. This can be caused by driving distracted or impaired or reckless driving. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could be held accountable for accidents.

Another cause of a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. A failure to inspect or repair a truck's brakes, tires or other parts can cause a dangerous crash. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks in order to look into any issues with the truck's safety.

Another reason for a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious incident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.

Truck accidents can also be caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck to drift off the road, and then collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.

A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most fatal kinds of truck accidents. The front of the passenger car is typically the one who takes the brunt, resulting in serious injuries and sometimes even death. These types of accidents often occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle, or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.