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 understand the different factors.
A lawyer should immediately set up claims with the driver's insurance company as and the company that owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Trucks account for only 4 percent of all vehicles on the road but they are involved in over 55% of all accidents. Most of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries that result in victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a huge financial impact, and the victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to limit the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. This is why you require an experienced, skilled semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team possesses the expertise skills, experience, and determination to make a major difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle that consists of a truck (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Truck accidents are often caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck accidents is the improper loading of freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could lead to the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be liable in a truck crash, including the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. Finding fault can be more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case since they all try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency may also share liability for a crash that occurs on their property. For instance, if a poor road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident the county board may be liable for the damage caused by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibility, which makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of an employee while performing their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident can be quite severe. yuma semi truck accident law firm of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could result in a substantial financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the extent of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that has occurred to speak with an attorney for personal injuries. This is particularly true in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks. They affect how a accident occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help learn about these rules and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.
If a truck accident happens it is not unusual for there to be a number of people who are responsible, including the truck driver, the company they work for, as well as the company that carries the load. In addition, fault may be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck, or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties responsible are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience will protect you from common strategies used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often needing to get their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to force you into accepting less than what you're entitled to.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the person responsible and deter others from committing similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specialized information about industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term medical and economic consequences of the crash. A semi-truck accident attorney should have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's legal case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. These experts are knowledgeable and are able to analyze the accident scene, analyze both the truck and the vehicle involved, determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings in a way that is easily understandable. They are usually a vital element of a successful lawsuit since they can assist jurors in understanding how an accident occurred and which parties could be responsible for it.
The right expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much they will be worth. A life care planner, for instance, can be hired to illustrate the effects of an accident of a serious nature on a victim’s ability to work as well as their medical needs throughout their life. An economist may also be able to determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a major component of any compensation payout.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable in a successful case. They can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident. This is particularly important when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an effective expert witness since they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the accident to determine whether they were laden with.
In some cases the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will retain an expert who will investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is especially important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and may be subject to certain requirements that other drivers do not. The expert will be able to examine the safety policies of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices and any other information that could aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. It could be due to driving while distracted or impaired or reckless driving. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified workers could be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason behind a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. A failure to inspect or repair the truck's brakes or tires, or other components could lead to a dangerous crash. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance needs of large trucks to be able to determine any issues that could affect the safety of the truck.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded 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 accident that can cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, causing it hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck crashes. The front of the passenger car is usually the one that bears the brunt, which can result in serious injuries, and even death. These types of accidents often occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come in contact with the chemicals.