7 Things You Never Knew About Semi Truck Compensation
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents caused by large trucks. When a crash occurs it is crucial to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.
An attorney should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of all vehicles on the road but they are involved in over half of all accidents. The majority of these accidents cause catastrophic injuries with victims suffering permanent, life-altering disabilities. The financial burden of those injuries can be enormous, and the families of victims need to recover damages to allow them to live a life of dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. That's why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and determination to make an impact in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size that consist of one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. These trucks are more prone due to their weight and size to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers as well as the failure to observe blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another reason for truck accidents is improper loading of the freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could potentially result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a crash including the driver's employer, the company they haul product for, and the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It isn't easy to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances a local government entity may also share liability for a crash that occurs on their property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board could be responsible for the damages sustained by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of employees doing their duties.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the full extent of your losses and seek the right compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that took place to talk to a personal injury attorney. This is especially true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury, there are special regulations applicable to commercial trucks. These can affect how the crash occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages that could be awarded. An attorney can help you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held liable.
When a truck crash occurs, it is not uncommon to find a variety of parties to be accountable such as the truck driver and the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. A truck manufacturer or defective component could also be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident law firms truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence required to prove that all parties responsible are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can protect your rights from the common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to collect their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and take advantage of delay as a tool to try to force you to accept less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of damages to determine in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the party who was at fault and discourage other people from committing similar criminal acts.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specific information regarding industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical consequences of the crash. A semi-truck accident lawyer should be able to access the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most valuable experts that a semi truck accident law firm-truck accident lawyer can rely on. They are skilled and are able to evaluate the scene of an accident, evaluate both the truck and the vehicle involved and determine the reason for the accident, and explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often an important element of a successful lawsuit as they help jurors to understand how a collision took place and who may be responsible.
The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and what the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance, can be hired to determine the effect of an accident that is severe on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their entire life. An economist can also determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings that are a key component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use are also essential in a successful case. These types of experts can help to draw a straight line between alcohol consumption and the incident, particularly in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded with too much.
In some cases an attorney in a New York semi truck accident law firms truck accident will employ an expert who will investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be required to follow certain standards that other drivers do not. An expert could examine the safety procedures of the trucking firm hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that might help to determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. This is why it's crucial to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to find all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to help you obtain the compensation you need.
The most common cause for truck accidents is driver carelessness. This could include driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that fail to follow safety rules or hire unqualified workers could be held accountable for accidents.
A vehicle that is not maintained properly is another reason for an accident involving a truck. Failure to examine or repair brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It's important to make sure that your truck accident attorney knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks so that they can determine any issues that could affect the safety of the truck.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo can cause an accident involving a truck. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the trailer or truck to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Other drivers' negligence can cause truck accidents too. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to turn off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front of the car is typically the one that bears the brunt, leading to serious injuries, and even death. These types of accidents often occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver falls asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.