5 Semi Truck Compensation Lessons From The Pros
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It's important that you get help from truck accident attorneys who understand the different factors.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the driver's insurance company, as and the company that owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
Trucks comprise just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, but they are involved in nearly half of all accidents. The majority of these accidents involve catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. You need a knowledgeable, strong semi truck accident lawsuits truck accident lawyer who can confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and strength to make the difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. These trucks are vulnerable due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. 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 cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could be responsible in a crash including the driver's employer, the company they haul product for, and even the person who arranges the load. It isn't easy to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency could also be liable in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if a poor road layout or maintenance issues caused an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage sustained by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious liability, which is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee performing the duties of their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the totality of your loss and pursue the right compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that occurred to consult an attorney for personal injury. This is especially true in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific rules in addition to laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. They can impact how a accident occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages that could be awarded. Lawyers can ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
It is not unusual for multiple parties to be accountable for a truck crash including the driver and their employer, as well the company that carried the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the detailed evidence required to show that all parties at fault are liable and that 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. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tool to to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the future and present which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to punish the party at fault and deter other people from committing similar crime.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident scenario, truck accidents generally involve a significant amount of specific information about the industry's regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic impact of the collision. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to the client's claim.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most effective experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can call on. They are skilled professionals who know how to look over the scene of the accident, examine the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify the reason for the crash and present their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are usually a vital element in any successful lawsuit since they can aid jurors in understanding why an accident occurred and which parties might be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and their worth. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to illustrate the effects of a serious accident on the victim's ability to work and their medical needs throughout their entire life. An economist can also help calculate the damages for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology for forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs are also very helpful to a successful claim. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the incident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be an expert witness because they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could be involved in the crash to determine whether they were overloaded.
In certain cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is essential, particularly if the trucker worked for a large trucking firm and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. The expert can review the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring practices as well as any other information which could assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually lost or destroyed in a truck crash. It is essential to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
The most common cause for a truck accident involves driver negligence. It could be due to driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety standards or hire employees with no qualifications could also be accountable for accidents.
Another cause of a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair the brakes, tires, or other parts of a truck can cause an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to examine any issues that may affect the safety of the truck.
Another reason for a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck to turn off the road and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These types of accidents usually occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.