Semi Truck Compensation Tips From The Top In The Industry
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who understand the different factors.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company, as well as the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done in order to maximize the available insurance.
Liability
Trucks constitute just 4 percent of all vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in more than 55% of all accidents. Most of those accidents result in severe injuries, which result in permanent and life-changing disabilities. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to reduce the amount of compensation that a victim is due. You require a skilled strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and determination to make an impact on your case.
A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle consisting of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Improper loading of freight can result in truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties may be liable in the event of a truck crash. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver transports products for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the case because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In some cases the local government entity could be held accountable in the event of an accident on its property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages caused by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of employees performing the duties of their job.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they can also cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses, and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that has occurred to speak with an attorney for personal injuries. This is particularly true in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations can affect how a accident occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages awarded. An attorney can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties 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 that hauled the cargo. In addition, fault may be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck, or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the specific evidence to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and you have the right 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. Injured victims are usually eager to receive compensation in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and profit from delay as a tool to try to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills and lost income, property damage, and suffering and pain. An attorney can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information on industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical impact of the crash. A semi-truck accident attorney must have access to experts who can fill in gaps and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. These are seasoned professionals who know how to examine the scene of the accident, examine the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often an essential component of any successful lawsuit, as they assist the jury in understanding how an accident occurred and who might be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also establish the damage that is applicable and their worth. For example, a life-care planner can be hired to show the impact a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remaining years of their lives and any other repercussions that may be long-term. Additionally, an economist can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a significant component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics as well as identification of drugs and alcohol can also be very valuable for a successful claim. They can assist in drawing the line between intoxication and the crash. This is especially the case when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an effective expert witness since they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see if they were over-loaded.
In certain instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident lawsuit truck accident will engage an expert to investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is especially crucial when the trucker is employed by a large trucking company and may be subject to certain rules that other drivers are not. The expert will be able to examine the safety procedures of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices, as well as any other information which could assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck crash. It is imperative to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction specialists doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
The most common cause of a truck collision is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck may also be liable for accidents in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Improper maintenance of the vehicle can also be a cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. Failure to examine or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck can cause an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial that your truck accident lawyer knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can determine any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could lead to a truck accident. A poorly loaded truck can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious incident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck driver to drift off the road, causing it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front end of a passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle, or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.