Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. If a crash does occur, it's important to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.
An attorney should immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. The majority of those accidents result in catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-changing disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact on victims, and their and their families should be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to reduce the amount of compensation the victim is due. You require a skilled strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and the strength to make an impact on your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle consisting of a truck (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. Because of their weight and size they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care when operating the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties may share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver or the company the driver hauls product for or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. The process of proving fault is more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the case because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In some cases the local government agency could also be responsible for accidents that occur on their property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability, which holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees doing their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision involving semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they can also damage or destroy property, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine the total loss and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Although it's generally recommended to speak with an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is particularly important in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic there are particular rules that pertain to commercial trucks. These regulations can have a significant impact on how a collision happens, the responsible parties and the kind of damages that are possible to award. Lawyers can ensure that you are aware of regulations and that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs, it is not uncommon for there to be several people who are responsible which include the driver of the truck or the company they work for, and the company that carried the load. A truck manufacturer or any defective component could also be accountable for the incident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence necessary to prove that all at-fault parties are responsible and you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience will be able to protect you from typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often needing to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatments and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from delay as a way to to force you to accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income as well as property damage and pain and suffering. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the party responsible and deter other people from engaging in similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally involve a significant amount of specialized information about industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic consequences of the collision. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could rely on. They are skilled professionals who know how to examine an accident scene, assess the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, determine what caused it and then explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit since they can help the jury understand how the accident happened and which parties might be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damage that is applicable and the value. A life care planner, for example can be hired to demonstrate the impact of a serious accident on a person's ability to work and their medical needs over their entire life. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and identification of alcohol and drugs are also very helpful for a successful claim. These types of experts could help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist is also an effective expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to determine whether they were loaded to the max.
In some instances, an attorney for a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to study the trucking company and the way it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker was employed by an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can examine the safety protocols of the trucking company, their hiring practices as well as any other information which could help determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck crash occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon 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 as well as medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The most common cause for a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be accountable for a crash when they fail to adhere to safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for an accident involving a truck. Failure to examine or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It is important that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks so that they can determine any safety issues.
Another reason behind a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. alabama semi truck accident claim is a serious accident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck driver to veer from the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the car is typically the one who takes the brunt of the damage, resulting in serious injury and even death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle, or is under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.