Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes involving large trucks. If a collision occurs it's crucial to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the different factors involved.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the driver's insurance company, as and the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road but they are involved in nearly half of all accidents. In westland semi truck accident lawsuit of these accidents, the victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and the victims and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is due. You need an experienced strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and strength to make a major difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size made up of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can cause truck accidents as well. This could lead to shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties can be liable in an accident involving a truck. This includes the driver's business and the company the driver hauls product for and even the person responsible for setting up the load. It can be difficult to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will try to limit their own liability.
In some instances, the local government entity could also be liable in the event of an accident on its property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident the county board may be held accountable for the damages that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of an employee in the course of their work.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident could be severe. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could lead to an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and seek appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that took place, to consult a personal injury attorney. This is particularly true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks. These regulations can have a major impact on the way a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the type of damages that could be awarded. An attorney can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for several parties to be held responsible for a truck crash, including the driver, their employer, and the company that transported the cargo. In addition, blame can be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. An attorney who is a semi truck accident will provide the exact evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect you from the usual tactics that insurance companies use to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often looking for money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you into accepting less than you deserve.
An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can also help you determine the appropriate amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized information, like the mechanics involved in truck accidents and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access the right experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be crucial to a client's legal case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most knowledgeable experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are knowledgeable and can assess the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it and determine the reason for the crash, and explain their findings clearly and understandable. They are usually a vital element of a successful lawsuit as they assist the jury in understanding how the crash occurred, and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damage that is applicable and the value. For instance, a life care planner can be enlisted to explain the impact that a serious accident might 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 can also assist calculate the damages for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be a huge asset to a successful claim. These types of experts could help to draw a straight line between alcohol consumption and the crash, especially when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be an effective expert witness since they can perform tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to see whether they were loaded to the max.
In certain cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to study the trucking company and how it operates. This is especially important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be subject to certain requirements that other drivers do not. An expert could examine the safety protocols of the trucking company hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that may aid in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed during a truck accident. That's why it's important to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to.
The most common cause of a truck accident is driver error. This can include driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could also be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. A failure to inspect or repair the truck's brakes, tires, or other components could cause a dangerous crash. It is vital that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to examine any safety concerns.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo can cause a truck accident. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious hazard that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists on the road.
Other drivers' negligence can cause truck accidents too. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger car is usually the one to take the brunt, leading to serious injuries, and even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order to avoid another vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come in contact with the chemicals.