5 Reasons Semi Truck Compensation Is A Good Thing
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a crash does occur it's essential to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the driver's insurance company, as in the case of the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, but they are involved in over a fifth of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be enormous, and the victims and their families require compensation in order to be able to live their lives in dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything in their power to minimize the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. You need a knowledgeable, strong semi truck accident lawyer to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and determination to make an impact on your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle comprised of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to look over blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can cause shifting, swaying or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may share the blame in a truck accident, including the employer of the driver and the company they transport product for, and the person that sets up the load. It isn't easy to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will seek to limit their own liability.
In some cases, a local government agency may also share liability in the event of a crash on their property. For example, if a poor road layout or maintenance issues resulted in an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious accountability, which makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of an employee performing the duties of their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle crash can be extreme. The consequences of a collision involving a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could lead to a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the totality of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that took place, to consult an attorney for personal injury. This is especially important when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a collision is handled, the parties responsible and the type of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you know the rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
If a truck accident happens, it is not uncommon to find a variety of people who are responsible which include the driver of the truck, the company they work for, and the company responsible for hauling the load. Additionally, the blame could be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck, or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident law firms truck accident lawyer can provide the specific evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often seeking money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you into accepting less than you deserve.
An attorney can help determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income damages to property, suffering and pain. An attorney can help you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages to be awarded in your case. Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to penalize the party at fault and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash case, truck crashes typically involve a lot of highly specialized information about industry regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic consequences of the accident. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. These experts are highly skilled and are able to evaluate the scene of an accident, evaluate both the truck and the vehicle involved in it to determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings in a manner that is clear and understandable. They are often a key element in any successful lawsuit as they aid jurors in understanding why an accident occurred and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that are applicable and their value. A life care planner, for instance, can be hired to show the impact of an accident of a serious nature on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their lifetime. Additionally, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and the identification of alcohol and drugs can also be very valuable for a successful claim. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication and the crash. This is especially true when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the crash to determine whether they were overloaded.
In some cases an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will retain an expert who will investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be subject to certain standards that other drivers aren't. The right expert can examine the safety policies of the trucking company, hiring practices, and any other information which could help to determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you get the compensation you need.
The most frequently cited reason for a truck accident is the negligence of the driver. This can include driving distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety guidelines or hire unqualified employees may also be accountable for accidents.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle can also be a cause of a truck crash. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck can lead to a dangerous accident. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney understands the maintenance needs of large trucks in order to investigate any issues with the truck's safety.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could result in an accident involving a truck. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious incident that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.
Inattention of other drivers could also lead to truck accidents. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lanes. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front end of a passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even death. These types of accidents usually occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.