Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals die in accidents caused by large trucks. It is crucial to get help from truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable about the various causes.
An attorney should immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and families need to be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you require an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge and experience to make a difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle consisting of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. Because of their size and weight they are susceptible to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck accidents is the improper loading of freight which can lead to shifting and swaying that could lead to the truck rolling over.
In pasadena semi truck accident law firm to the driver of the truck Other parties could share the blame in a truck crash including the employer of the driver and the company they transport products for, or even the person who sets up the load. It is often difficult to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will seek to limit their own liability.
In some instances, the local government agency could also be liable for any accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if a poor road layout or a lack of maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages sustained by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of an employee who is acting within the context of their employment.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The consequences of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they also have the potential to damage or destroy property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the extent of your losses and pursue the appropriate compensation.
While it's generally best to consult an injury lawyer following any kind of accident, this is particularly important for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are specific regulations for commercial trucks. These regulations can affect how a crash happens, who is accountable, and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can assist you to understand these rules and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
It is not unusual that several parties are accountable in a truck-related accident which includes the driver, their employer, and the company who hauled the cargo. The truck manufacturer or defective components could be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence required to prove that all those responsible are liable and to show that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident attorney to defend you against the common tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are usually 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 help you determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now such as medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the person who is who is at fault and prevent other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require more specialized information, such as the mechanics of the truck involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the best experts, who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that could be essential to a client's claim.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. They are skilled and are able to analyze an accident scene, assess both the truck and the vehicle involved in it and determine the reason for the crash, and present their findings in a way that is easily understandable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit as they help jurors to understand how a collision occurred and who might be accountable.
The right expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner could be enlisted to explain the impact that a accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remaining years of their lives and any other repercussions that may be long-term. An economist may also be able to calculate damages for lost earnings which is a significant component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can be extremely valuable for a successful claim. They can assist in drawing an exact line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist is a valuable expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they overloaded.
In certain cases an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will hire an expert who will investigate the trucking business and how it operates. This is crucial, particularly when the trucker worked for an enormous trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring procedures, as well as any other information that could assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed during a truck accident. This is why it's crucial to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety regulations or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held responsible for accidents.
Another reason for a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair the brakes, tires, or other components could lead to a dangerous crash. It is crucial that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks to determine any safety issues.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could result in a truck accident. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.
Truck accidents are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, causing it be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front of the car is usually the one that bears the brunt, which can result in grave injuries or even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Trucks may also cause accidents by spilling their hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as health risks for humans who come in contact with the chemicals.