Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who understand the different factors.
An attorney 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 will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. The majority of these accidents cause catastrophic injuries that result in victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a huge financial impact, and the victims and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will do everything they can in their efforts to reduce the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise and experience to make a significant difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle made up of a truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. Due to their weight and size they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a accident, including the driver's employer and the company they transport products for, and even the person who sets up the load. It is difficult to establish fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each will attempt to limit its own liability.
In some instances, the local government agency could also be responsible for accidents that occur on its property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or poor maintenance contributed to an accident the county board could be responsible for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees performing their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident can be severe. 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 to property. This could result in significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the total loss and pursue the appropriate compensation.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that took place to talk to a personal injury attorney. This is particularly true in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations, in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations can have a major impact on how a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the types damages that can be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you are aware of regulations and that the parties at fault are held accountable.
It is not unusual that several parties are accountable in a truck-related accident including the driver as well as their employer and the company who hauled the cargo. In wichita semi truck accident lawyer , blame can be assigned to the maker of the truck or to any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence needed to show that all the parties at fault are accountable and that you have a right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience will protect you from common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often seeking money to cover medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by using delay to force you to accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can assist you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. An attorney can help determine the amount of damages to decide on in your case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter others from doing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident situation, truck accidents usually involve a lot of highly specialized information about industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic impacts of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access to the right experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be crucial to the client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most knowledgeable experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are highly skilled and are able to analyze an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the crash, and present their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often an important part of a successful lawsuit, as they can help the jurors understand how a crash occurred and who might be accountable.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damages that are applicable and the value. For example, a life-care planner could be hired to demonstrate the impact that a serious accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives as well as any other long-term effects. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can also be invaluable to a successful claim. These types of experts could help draw 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 collision. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded too much.
In certain instances an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will employ an expert to investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is essential, particularly when the trucker worked for an enormous trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers were not. The expert can look into the safety protocols of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices, as well as any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. It's crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck crash attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you require.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident is driver negligence. This could result from driving while unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies who fail to follow safety rules or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason for a car accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to check or repair the brakes, tires or other parts can cause a dangerous crash. It's important to make sure that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance needs of large trucks so that they can look into any issues with the safety of the truck.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo can cause accidents with trucks. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road.
Truck accidents can also be caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, and cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front of the car is usually the one who takes the brunt of the damage, resulting in serious injuries and sometimes even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or swerves to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm as well as health risks for people who come in contact with the chemicals.