Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. If a crash does occur, it's important to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the different factors 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 so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than five percent of all vehicle accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a significant financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident attorney that is able to stand up against insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a major difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not securing blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the freight, which could cause shifting and swaying that could lead to the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for truck accidents. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver transports goods for or the person who sets up the load. It can be more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the incident, as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency may also be accountable for accidents that occur on its property. For instance, if a poor road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident the county board may be responsible for the damages caused by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee performing the duties of their duties.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The consequences of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other types of accidents. indianapolis semi truck accident attorney can these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they can also destroy or damage property, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the total loss and obtain the compensation you deserve.
It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that has occurred to talk to a personal injury attorney. This is especially important in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to special rules in addition to laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These can affect how the crash occurs, who's accountable, and what types of damages awarded. A lawyer can help you to understand these rules and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.
It is not unusual that several parties are held responsible for a truck accident, including the driver and their employer, as well the company who hauled the cargo. The truck manufacturer or defective components could also be held responsible for the incident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence needed to prove that all parties at fault are responsible and to demonstrate that you have a right to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the most common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to collect their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and profit from this, using delaying as a tactic to pressure you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present, including medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the person who is responsible and deter other people from committing similar crime.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized details, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash as well as the regulations that govern the industry. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should 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 valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can call upon. These professionals are experienced and know how to assess the scene of an accident, examine both the truck and the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the accident, and explain their findings in a way that is easily comprehendable. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit because they can help jurors to understand how a collision took place and who may be accountable.
The right expert witnesses can help determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and what the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is a person who can demonstrate the impact of an accident that is severe on a person's ability to work as well as their medical needs throughout their life. In addition, an economist could help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could be a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be invaluable for a successful claim. They can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is especially the case when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is a valuable expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they overloaded.
In some instances the New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to study the trucking company itself and how it functions. This is particularly crucial in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and may be subject to certain requirements which other drivers aren't. The expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring procedures and any other information that might aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. It is crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified employees may also be held accountable for accidents.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of an accident involving a truck. Failure to examine or repair the truck's brakes, tires or other parts can cause a dangerous crash. It is crucial that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to investigate any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could cause a truck accident. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck's wheels to slide off the road, and then collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
A head-on collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents. The front of the passenger car is usually the one that takes the brunt, resulting in grave injuries or even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or swerves to avoid another vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come into contact with the chemicals.