Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is crucial to work with truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable of the different causes.
An attorney should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver as well 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 vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. Most of those accidents involve catastrophic injuries, with victims suffering permanent, life-changing disabilities. The financial burden of those injuries can be immense, and victims and their families must seek compensation in order to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation the victim is entitled. You need a knowledgeable 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 the strength to make the difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles made up of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. These trucks are vulnerable due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the truck driver Other parties could share liability in a truck crash including the driver's employer and the company they transport products for, or even the person who sets up the load. The process of proving fault can be more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the matter, since they all try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency could also be responsible for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for instance an unmaintained road or a poorly designed layout resulted in an accident, then the county board could be held accountable for the victim's damages. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability which holds a supervisory party liable for the actions of employees while acting within the scope of their employment.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that comes with any motor vehicle crash can be extreme. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they can also damage or destroy property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and seek the right compensation for them.
It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that has occurred to talk to an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially important in cases involving large-sized vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are particular rules applicable to commercial vehicles. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that can be awarded. An attorney can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not uncommon to find a variety of parties to be accountable such as the truck driver, the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. In addition, the fault could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck, or any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to collect their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. The insurers know this and profit from this, using delaying as a way to to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the future and present such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the appropriate amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the party who was at fault and discourage other people from committing similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specific information about the industry's regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic impact of the collision. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the best experts who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that could be essential to a client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. These experts are highly skilled and know how to assess an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings clearly and easily understandable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit, as they aid jurors in understanding why the accident happened and which parties could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damage that is applicable and the value. A life care planner, for instance can be hired to determine the effect of an accident that is serious on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs over their lifetime. An economist can also calculate the loss of earnings damages which is a significant component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable in a successful case. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the accident, particularly in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they were loaded too much.
In certain cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to study the trucking company itself and the way in which it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker worked for an established trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers were not. A qualified expert can review the safety procedures of the trucking firm and hiring practices, as well as any other information that may aid in determining fault.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It's crucial to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to.
The most frequent reason for a truck accident is the negligence of the driver. It could be due to driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. scottsdale semi truck accident case that operates and owns the truck could also be responsible for a crash in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is another reason for a truck crash. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or other components could cause a dangerous crash. It's crucial to ensure that your attorney for truck accidents knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks, so that they can examine any issues that may affect the truck's safety.
Another reason behind a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A poorly loaded truck can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife if it is not properly loaded. This is a serious incident that can cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists driving on the road.
Inattention of other drivers could also result in truck accidents. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most deadly kinds of truck accidents. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt, leading to serious injury and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver falls asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle or is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.