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 know the different factors involved.
A lawyer should immediately set up claims with the insurance company of the driver company as in the case of the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done so as to maximize the available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. The majority of those accidents involve catastrophic injuries, with victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be huge, and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a significant difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor, are large commercial vehicles comprised of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Because of their size and weight they are susceptible to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This could lead to shifting, swaying or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other parties could share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver hauls product for and even the person responsible for setting up the load. It can be difficult to prove the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved as each will attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency could also share responsibility for accidents that occur on their property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance caused an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability that makes supervisory employees liable for an employee's actions while acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The results of a collision involving semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help determine the total loss and pursue the appropriate compensation.
It is always a good idea regardless of the kind of accident that happened to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially important when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations in addition to the laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These can affect how the crash occurs, who's responsible, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you understand the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
When a truck crash occurs it is not unusual to find a variety of parties to be accountable such as the truck driver and the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. In addition, blame can 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 required to prove that all parties at fault are accountable and to prove that you are entitled to fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the usual tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are usually eager to receive compensation to cover medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from it, using delay as a tool to pressure you into accepting less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income as well as property damage and suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine how much compensatory and punitive damage to be awarded in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for the losses. lubbock semi truck accident lawyer aim to penalize the person who is at fault and deter other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident situation, truck accidents usually include a great deal of specific information regarding industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical impact of the collision. A semi-truck accident attorney must be able to access experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be crucial to the client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can call on. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of the accident, examine the vehicle and truck involved in the accident, determine the reason for the crash and explain their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are often a key component of any successful lawsuit as they assist jurors in understanding how the accident happened and which parties might be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. For example, a life-care planner could be hired to illustrate the effect a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remaining years of their lives as well as any other long-term effects. An economist can also assist calculate damages for lost earnings which is a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be invaluable to a successful claim. These experts can help draw the line between intoxication and the accident. This is especially the case when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an excellent expert witness since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might be involved in the crash to determine whether they were laden with.
In some cases an attorney representing an New York semi truck accident will employ an expert to look into the trucking business and how it operates. This is essential, particularly in the case of a trucker who worked for an established trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring practices and any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs and evidence is 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 discover all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you get the compensation you require.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. This could result from driving while unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be responsible for accidents in the event that they do not follow safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers.
Another reason behind a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck could result in danger in an accident. It is important that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to determine any safety issues.
A third reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists driving on the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck to drift off the road and crash with pedestrians or other vehicles.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These types of accidents usually occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling their hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as health risks for people who come in contact with the chemicals.