Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. In the event of a crash, it's important to find truck accident lawyers that understand the various factors involved.

An attorney must immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done in order to maximize the insurance coverage available.

Liability

While trucks make up only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than five percent of all vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and the victims and their families should be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything possible to minimize the amount of compensation that the 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 experience, expertise and determination to make an impact on your case.

A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle comprised of a truck (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. Because of their weight and size they are vulnerable to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could potentially result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could be liable in a truck crash, including the driver's employer, the company they haul product for, and even the person that sets up the load. Finding fault can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the case since they all try to limit their own liability.

In some instances, a local government agency could also share responsibility in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if poor road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability, which is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of employees doing their duties.

Damages

Any car accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck accident law firm-truck are more severe than most other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they can also cause damage to property or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine your full losses and seek appropriate compensation.

While it's generally recommended to speak with an injury lawyer following any kind of accident this is especially important when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to specific regulations in addition laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. They affect how a crash occurs, who is responsible, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you are aware of rules and that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable.

It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident, including the driver or their employer, as well as the company that carried the cargo. In addition, fault may be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck, or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the specific evidence to show that all parties at fault are responsible and you are entitled to fair compensation.

A skilled semi truck accident law firms truck accident lawyer on your side can protect your rights from the common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of it, using delay as a strategy to try to force you into accepting less than you are entitled to.

An attorney can help determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, such as medical bills loss of income property damage, pain and suffering. An attorney can also help you determine the appropriate amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to punish the party responsible and deter other people from engaging in similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specialized information about industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic consequences of the accident. A semi-truck crash lawyer must be able to access the right experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.

Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most effective experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are knowledgeable and are able to analyze an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it to determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are often a crucial part of any successful lawsuit because they can assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and which parties might be accountable for it.

The right expert witnesses can also help to determine what damages are enforceable and how much those damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner can be hired to show the impact 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 long-term repercussions. Additionally, an economist can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award.

Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable in a successful claim. They can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash. This is especially the case when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist may also be a useful expert witness, as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to see whether they were overloaded.

In some instances, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to investigate the trucking company's operations and the way it operates. This is especially important when the trucker is employed by a large trucking company and is subject to certain rules that other drivers are not. An expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information that might aid in determining the source of the problem.

Time Limits

Evidence is often lost or destroyed in a truck accident. It is crucial to get in touch with a semi truck accident lawsuit-truck crash attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you obtain the compensation you need.

The most frequently cited reason for a truck accident is negligence by the driver. This could include driving while distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck may also be liable for an accident in the event that they do not follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.

Another cause of a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck can lead to an accident that is dangerous. It is vital that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks so that they can look into any safety issues.

Another reason for a car accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road.

Other drivers' negligence can also result in truck accidents. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to turn off the road, and cause it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.

A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries or death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or swerves to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come in contact with the chemicals.