Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a crash does occur, it's important to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.

An attorney should immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to get the most insurance possible.

Liability

Trucks constitute just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, but they are involved in more than 55% of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer serious injuries and are permanently disabled. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is due. That's why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and strength to make the difference in your case.

A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle comprised of a truck (tractor unit) and a detachable trailer that carries cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Unsafe loading of freight could cause truck accidents as well. This can lead to shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck.

In addition to the driver, other parties may share the blame in a truck accident. This includes the driver's company and the company the driver is responsible for hauling goods and even the person who arranges the load. It is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the matter, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.

In some instances, the local government agency could also be liable for an accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage that the victim has suffered. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of employees performing the duties of their job.

Damages

Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision with semi-trucks are more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can result in an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the full extent of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.

While it's generally recommended to speak with an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific rules in addition to laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. They affect how a accident occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages awarded. A lawyer can help understand these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.

It is not uncommon that several parties are held responsible for a truck accident, including the driver as well as their employer and the company who hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective components could be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence to show that all parties at fault are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.

Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you against the common strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Victims of injuries often feel desperate to collect their money so that they can pay for medical treatments and other expenses. The insurers know this and profit from this, using delaying as a tool to to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.

A lawyer can help you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can decide on in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the party who is at fault and prevent other people from engaging in similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

As opposed to a typical car crash case, truck accidents typically contain a large amount of specific information on industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be crucial to the client's claim.

Specialists in reconstruction of accidents are one of the most valuable experts a semi truck accident lawyer can call upon. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are often an essential element of a successful lawsuit because they can assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and which parties might be responsible.

Expert witnesses can also establish the damage that is applicable and their value. For instance, a life insurance planner can be enlisted to explain the effect a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the duration of their lives, and any other repercussions that may be long-term. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could be a significant component of any compensation award.

Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be a huge asset in a successful case. These experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist is a valuable expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they loaded with too much.

In some instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident lawsuit truck accident will hire an expert to study the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and is subject to certain standards that other drivers are not. The expert can review the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring procedures, as well as any other information that might assist in determining fault.

Time Limits

Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck accident. It is essential to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction specialists doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to.

The most frequently cited cause of a truck accident is driver error. It could be due to driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be accountable for the accident in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.

Another reason for a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to properly inspect or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck could result in an accident that is dangerous. It is important that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks in order to investigate any safety issues.

A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo can cause an accident involving a truck. If a truck is not loaded properly, 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.

Truck accidents can also be caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lanes. These actions can cause the truck driver to turn off the road, causing it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.

A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck crashes. The front of the car is typically the one who takes the brunt of the damage, resulting in grave injuries or even death. These types of accidents often occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come in contact with the chemicals.