Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. If a collision occurs it's crucial to work with truck accident lawyers who understand the various aspects involved.
Attorneys must immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that operates and owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be immense, and victims and their families require compensation to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything in their power to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. That's why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and power to make an impact in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle made up of the truck (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their size and weight to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Unsafe loading of freight could result in truck accidents. This can cause shifting, swaying, and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver of the truck and other drivers, other parties could share the blame in a truck crash, including the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, or even the person who arranges the load. Proving fault is more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the incident, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.
In some cases the local government agency could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example a road that was not maintained or a layout that was poorly planned resulted in an accident, then the county board could be liable for the victim's damages. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibility, which makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of an employee doing their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle crash can be a lot. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than most other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries and injuries, but they can also damage or destroy property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help determine your full losses and obtain the compensation you deserve.
It's an excellent idea to consult an injury lawyer following any kind of accident this is especially important for cases involving large-sized trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations in addition laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. They affect how a crash happens, who is responsible, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be accountable for a truck accident which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company that carried the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective parts may also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and to prove that you are entitled to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect you from the most common strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to receive their money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to force you to accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost income as well as property damage and suffering and pain. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter others from doing similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash situation, truck accidents usually involve a lot of highly specific information regarding industry regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic impacts of the collision. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the best experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide crucial testimony that could be essential to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. They are experienced professionals who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, figure out the reason for the crash and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an essential element in any successful lawsuit as they help the jury understand how the accident happened and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damage that is applicable and their worth. A life care planner, for instance is a person who can illustrate the effects of an accident of a serious nature on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their lives. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and the identification of alcohol and drugs can be extremely helpful for a successful claim. These types of experts could help draw a clear line between intoxication and the accident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is an expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were overloaded.
In certain cases, an attorney for an New York semi truck accident will retain an expert who will investigate the trucking firm and how it operates. killeen semi truck accident attorney is essential, particularly when the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can review the safety protocols of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees as well as any other information which could aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed during a truck accident. That's why it's important to contact 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'll work with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most common cause for a truck accident involves driver negligence. This can be caused by driving in a hurry, driving under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees who are not qualified could be held accountable for accidents.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of crashes involving trucks. Failure to examine or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck can lead to danger in an accident. It's crucial to ensure that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks, so that they can determine any issues that could affect the truck's safety.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the trailer or truck to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious crash that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road and crash with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is typically the one that bears the brunt, leading to serious injuries and sometimes 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 drugs. Trucks may also cause accidents by spilling their hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.