The History Of Semi Truck Compensation In 10 Milestones
Truck Accident Attorneys
Each year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes with large trucks. If a collision occurs it's crucial to consult with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.
Attorneys must immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be enormous and the family members of the victims have to seek damages to ensure they can be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. This is why you require an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who will stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make the difference in your case.
A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle comprised of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. Because of their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and failing to look over blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can cause shifting, swaying and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could share liability in a truck accident, including the employer of the driver or the company they carry product for, and even the person that sets up the load. It isn't easy to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will seek to limit its own liability.
In some cases the local government agency might also be liable in the event of an accident on its property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility, which makes a supervisory party liable for the actions of employees who is acting within the context of their work.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that comes with any motor vehicle accident could be severe. The consequences of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can result in a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the full extent of your losses and seek an appropriate amount of compensation.
While it's generally recommended to speak with an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is especially relevant for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic there are specific regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. These regulations can affect how a accident occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable.
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident, including the driver, their employer, and the company who hauled the cargo. In addition, blame can be assigned to the maker of the truck or any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can protect you from the common strategies used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries often feel needing to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you to accept less than you are entitled to.
A lawyer can help you determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now including medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to punish the person at fault and deter others from committing similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information regarding industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical impacts of the collision. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access the right experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to the client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. These experts are highly skilled and can assess an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it, determine the cause of the crash, and then explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand why a crash took place and who may be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also establish the damages that can be claimed and their value. For instance, a life insurance planner can be hired to demonstrate the effect a serious accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives as well as any other long-term effects. An economist can also assist determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts are also essential to a successful claim. They can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is particularly true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist is also an expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the accident to determine if they were over-loaded.
In certain cases, a New York semi truck accidents-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is especially important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be required to follow certain standards that other drivers aren't. The expert can review the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring procedures as well as any other information that may aid in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. That's why it's important to contact a semi truck accident attorneys truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. It could be due to driving distracted, driving under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be responsible for a crash if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is a further cause of a truck crash. Failure to check or repair the brakes, tires, or any other component could result in a deadly crash. It is vital that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to investigate any safety issues.
A third reason for a car accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.
The negligence of other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries or death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver is asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as human health hazards for those who come in contact with the chemicals.