8 Tips To Improve Your Semi Truck Compensation Game
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. In the event of a crash it's crucial to find truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various aspects involved.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the insurance company as well as the company that owns 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 nearly five percent of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. The financial burden of those injuries can be huge, and the victims and their families require compensation to allow them to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance companies will make no effort in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to. That's why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident attorney that will stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and power to make an impact in your case.
semi truck accident lawsuits-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and not securing blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Another reason behind truck crashes is the improper loading of freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could lead to the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver of the truck there are other parties who could be responsible in a crash including the driver's employer and the company they transport product for, and the person who sets up the load. Proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the case as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In some cases the local government agency may be held accountable for accidents that occur on its property. If, for example a road that was not maintained or a poorly designed layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be held accountable for the victim's damages. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds an authority party responsible for the actions of employees while acting within the scope of their duties.
Damages
Every motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than most other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they also have the potential to damage or destroy property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea regardless of the kind of accident that occurred to speak with an attorney for personal injury. This is especially important in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to specific regulations in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on the way a crash happens, the responsible parties and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you to understand these rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held liable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident which includes the driver, their employer, and the company that hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck, or any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the evidence to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and you have the right to fair compensation.
A skilled semi truck accident attorney on your side can safeguard you from the most common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of it, using delay as a strategy to pressure you to accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can help you determine the amount of damages to be awarded in your case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require more specialized information, such as the mechanics of the truck involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the appropriate experts who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can call on. They are experienced professionals who are skilled at examining an accident scene, assess the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify what caused the accident and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand how a crash took place and who may be accountable.
Expert witnesses can also establish the extent of damages that are relevant and the value. For instance, a life insurance planner could be enlisted to explain the impact that a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the duration of their lives, and any other long-term repercussions. An economist can also assist determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a major element of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable to a successful claim. These types of experts could assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the incident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the collision. A metallurgist could also be an expert witness since they can perform tests on metal components of the truck that might be involved in the accident to determine if they were over-loaded.
In certain cases the attorney for an New York semi truck accident will employ an expert to look into the trucking company and how it operates. This is especially crucial when the trucker is employed by a large company and is subject to certain requirements that other drivers do not. An expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information which could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. It's crucial to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to discover the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. It could be due to driving while distracted or impaired or reckless driving. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be responsible for accidents in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another reason for a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to inspect or repair the brakes, tires or other parts can lead to a dangerous crash. It is important that your truck accident lawyer knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to examine any safety concerns.
Another reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck isn't loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious hazard that can cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists who are driving.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road, and then collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling their hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come into contact with the chemicals.