Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. It is important to work with truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable about the various causes.

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

Liability

Trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in more than five percent of all accidents. The majority of those accidents result in severe injuries, which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact, and the victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance companies will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. You need a seasoned strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and strength to make a difference in your case.

A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle that consists of an engine (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. These trucks are vulnerable due to their weight and size to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Truck accidents are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers as well as the failure to observe 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 result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a crash, including the driver's employer and the company they transport products for, or even the person that sets up the load. It isn't easy to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each one will try to limit its own liability.

In some cases, the local government agency might be held accountable for an accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or poor maintenance caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their work.

Damages

Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than most other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This can result in significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses, and seek appropriate compensation for them.

It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that took place to consult an attorney for personal injuries. This is particularly true in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are specific regulations applicable to commercial trucks. These rules can have a major impact on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you are aware of regulations and that the parties at fault are held accountable.

When a truck accident occurs it is not uncommon to find a variety of parties who could be accountable such as the truck driver, the company they work for, and the company that carried the load. The truck manufacturer or defective components could also be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the specific evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are liable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience will protect you from common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their money to cover medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a way to pressure you to accept lower than you should.

An attorney can help you determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills loss of income damages to property, suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the person who is at fault and deter others from committing similar criminal acts.

Expert Witnesses

Contrary to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally contain a large amount of specific information on industry regulations, semi truck accident lawyer truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic impact of the collision. A semi-truck accident attorney should have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to a client's legal case.

Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experts with years of experience who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify what caused it and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a crucial part of any successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how the crash occurred, and who could be responsible.

Expert witnesses can also determine the damage that is applicable and their value. A life care planner, for example is an expert who can demonstrate the impact of an accident that is severe on the victim's ability to work and their medical requirements throughout their lives. In addition, an economist could assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and the identification of alcohol and drugs can be extremely helpful for a successful case. These experts can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is especially true when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist is an expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they were loaded with too much.

In certain cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to look into the trucking firm itself and how it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker worked for an enormous trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. An expert could examine the safety procedures of the trucking firm the hiring procedures, hiring practices and any other information that could aid in determining the source of the problem.

Time Limits

When a truck collision occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to speak with a semi truck accident attorney truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify the responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you deserve.

The most common reason for a truck crash is negligence by the driver. This could include driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be at fault for a crash in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.

Another reason for a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Inability to inspect or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or any other component could cause a serious crash. It is essential that your lawyer for truck accidents understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can examine any safety concerns.

A third reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to become jackknifed. This is a serious crash that can cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.

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

A head-on collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries or death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle, or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.