7 Tricks To Help Make The Most Of Your Semi Truck Compensation
Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a crash does occur it's essential to get in touch with truck accident lawyers that understand the various factors involved.
Attorneys should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families must be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything possible to cut down on the amount of compensation that the victim is entitled. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a huge difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are large commercial vehicles which comprise an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. Because of their size and weight they are vulnerable to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or when the driver does not exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and not securing blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck crashes is the improper loading of cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could lead to the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other people can be liable in the event of a truck crash. This includes the driver's business or the company the driver is responsible for hauling goods and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will attempt to limit its own liability.
In some instances, a local government agency could also share responsibility for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example an unmaintained road or a layout that was poorly planned contributed to an accident then the county board may be responsible for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause extreme emotional and physical trauma. The effects of a collision involving semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine the full extent of your losses and pursue the appropriate compensation.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that has occurred to talk to an attorney for personal injury. This is especially true in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic there are particular rules that pertain to commercial trucks. These can affect how the crash occurs, who's responsible, and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help understand these regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.
When a truck collision occurs it is not unusual for there to be several parties that could be responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck as well as the company they work for, as well as the company that hauled the load. In addition, the fault could be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
A seasoned semi truck accident attorney to defend you from the usual tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are usually desperate to receive their money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you into accepting less than what you're entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the near and future including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages seek 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 crime.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, like the mechanics involved in truck accidents along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident, and industry regulations. A semi-truck accident attorney should be able to access experts who can fill in the gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to the client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most effective experts a semi truck accident lawyer can call upon. These are seasoned professionals who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and vehicle involved in the accident, determine what caused it and then explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a crucial component of any successful lawsuit, as they assist jurors in understanding how a particular crash happened, and who could be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also help to determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance, can be hired to demonstrate the impact of an accident that is severe on the ability of a victim to work as well as their medical needs throughout their entire life. An economist, for instance, can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful for a successful claim. These types of experts could assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist is a valuable expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded to the limit.
In some cases the New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to look into the trucking company itself and the way it operates. This is particularly crucial when the trucker is employed by a large trucking firm and could be subject to certain standards which other drivers aren't. The expert can look into the safety practices of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees and any other information which could aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. It is crucial to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most frequently cited cause of a truck accident is negligence by the driver. This could include driving while distracted, driving under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be responsible for the accident in the event they fail to comply with safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle can also be a cause of an accident involving a truck. Failure to examine or repair the truck's brakes, tires, or other components could lead to a dangerous crash. It's crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer knows the needs of maintenance for large trucks so that they can look into any issues with the truck's safety.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could result in a truck accident. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious crash that can cause severe or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can also lead to truck accidents. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lanes. These actions can cause the truck's wheels to slide off the roadway and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is typically the one that takes the brunt of the damage, resulting in serious injuries, and even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep, or swerves to avoid another vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as risk to the health of people who come in contact with the chemicals.