Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents caused by large trucks. When a crash occurs, it's important to find truck accident lawyers who understand the various aspects involved.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the driver's insurance company as well as the company that owns the truck. This is done in order to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be huge, and victims and their families need to recover damages in order to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything possible to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is due. This is why you require an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise, experience, and strength to make a major difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor, are large commercial vehicles comprised of a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Due to their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could also cause truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could be responsible in a accident, such as the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person who arranges the load. Proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the matter, because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, the local government agency may also be liable for accidents that occur on its property. For example, if a poor road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious responsibility, which makes an authority party responsible for the actions of an employee who is acting within the context of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle crash can be severe. The consequences of a collision involving a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries however, they also have the potential to cause damage to property or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and get the right compensation.
It's an excellent idea to consult an injury attorney after any type of accident, this is especially important when it comes to cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic, there are special regulations for commercial trucks. These rules could have a significant effect on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the type of damages that could be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you understand the rules and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for several parties to be held responsible for a truck accident which includes the driver and their employer, as well the company that hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could 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 prove that all the parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can protect you from the common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to collect their money so that they can pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you to accept less than what you're entitled to.
A lawyer can help you determine all of the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income, property damage, and pain and suffering. A lawyer can also assist you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are designed to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
In contrast to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information about the industry's regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. These experts are knowledgeable and know how to assess the scene of an accident, evaluate both the truck and the vehicle involved in it and determine the reason for the accident, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and understandable. west valley city semi truck accident settlement are usually a vital element of a successful lawsuit since they can assist jurors in understanding how the crash occurred, and who might be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damage that is applicable and their value. For instance, a life care planner could be hired to demonstrate the impact that a accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Experts in forensic toxicology and drug and alcohol identification can also be very valuable in a successful claim. These types of experts could help to draw a straight line between drunkenness and the crash, especially in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist could also be an effective expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see whether they were loaded to the max.
In some instances there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to study the trucking company itself and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker is employed by a large company and may be subject to certain standards which other drivers aren't. An expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking firm and hiring practices, as well as any other information that could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck crash occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It is crucial to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to assist you in getting the compensation you require.
The most frequent cause of a truck accident involves driver negligence. This can be caused by driving distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could also be accountable for accidents.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for an accident involving a truck. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes, tires, or other parts could result in a deadly crash. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks to be able to look into any issues with the truck's safety.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. 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 crash that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to turn off the road, which could cause it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries or death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Trucks may also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come into contact with the chemicals.