Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in accidents involving large trucks. In the event of a crash it's essential to work with truck accident lawyers that understand the various elements involved.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the insurance company of the driver company as in the case of the company that owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These accidents can have a devastating financial impact on victims, and their and their families must be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. You need a knowledgeable strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to take on the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and determination to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size which comprise a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Due to their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or if the driver does not exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This could lead to shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for a truck accident. This includes the driver's employer and the company the driver transports products for or the person responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will seek to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be accountable for any accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if a poor road layout or inadequate maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages caused by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability, which holds an authority party responsible for the actions of an employee when they are acting within the confines of their employment.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that can result from a motor vehicle accident can be quite severe. The results of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries however, they can also cause property damage or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses, and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that happened, to consult a personal injury attorney. This is especially true in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations, in addition to the laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations could have a significant effect on the way a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the kind of damages that may be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you are aware of the rules and that those responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon that several parties are held responsible for an accident involving a truck which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company who hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts may also be accountable for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the specific evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are responsible and you are entitled to fair compensation.
A seasoned semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield your rights from the common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to receive their money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you into accepting lower than you should.
An attorney can help determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income, property damage, and suffering and pain. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. el cajon semi truck accident lawyer are designed to punish the party responsible and deter other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident 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 accident. A semi-truck crash lawyer must be able to access the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide vital testimony that could be essential to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could rely on. These experts are highly skilled and know how to assess the accident scene, analyze both the truck and the vehicle involved in it, determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and understandable. They are usually a vital element of a successful lawsuit since they can help the jury understand how an accident occurred and who could be responsible.
The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine what damages are enforceable and how much they will be worth. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to show the impact of an accident of a serious nature on a person's ability to work and their medical requirements throughout their lives. An economist can also help determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a significant component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be invaluable for a successful claim. These types of experts could help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the accident, especially in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist could also be an expert witness since they can perform tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the crash to determine whether they were loaded to the max.
In some instances in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to examine the trucking company and how it functions. This is especially important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and might be subject to certain standards that other drivers do not. An expert could examine the safety policies of the trucking company, hiring practices, and any other information that may assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs, evidence is often lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to contact a semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
The most common reason for a truck accident involves driver negligence. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified workers could also be held responsible for accidents.
Improper maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for crashes involving trucks. Failure to properly inspect or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck can cause the risk of a fatal accident. It is essential that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks to look into any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident involving a truck. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash that could cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road.
Inattention of other drivers could also result in truck accidents. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt, resulting in grave injuries or even death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.