Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large vehicles. In the event of a crash, it's important to consult with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.

A lawyer should immediately set up claims with the driver's insurance company, as in the case of the company that owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of insurance.

Liability

Although trucks account for only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. The vast majority of those accidents result in catastrophic injuries, that result in victims suffering permanent and life-changing disabilities. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be immense, and victims and their families have to seek damages to allow them to live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything in their power to cut down on the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. You require a skilled and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team possesses the expertise and experience to make a major difference in your case.

A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle comprised of an engine (tractor unit) and a detachable trailer that carries cargo. Because of their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven with recklessness or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another reason for truck accidents is improper loading of the freight which can lead to shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver, other people can share responsibility in truck accidents. This includes the driver's company or 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, because each will attempt to limit its own liability.

In some instances a local government entity may also share liability for a crash that occurs on their property. If, for instance, a poorly maintained road or a layout that was poorly planned caused an accident, then the county board could be liable for the injuries suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility, which holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees doing their duties.

Damages

Any motor vehicle accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. The consequences of a collision with semi-trucks can be more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe 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 help you determine the full extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.

It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that has occurred, to consult 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 govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations can have a major impact on the way a crash happens, the responsible parties and the type of damages that may be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you know the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.

When a truck crash occurs it is not unusual to find a variety of parties who could be accountable which include the driver of the truck or the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. In addition, the fault could be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck or to any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

A seasoned semi truck accident attorney on your side can safeguard you from the usual strategies used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are usually looking for money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you to accept less than you deserve.

An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the near and future such as medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the party at fault and deter other people from committing similar criminal acts.

Expert Witnesses

As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally involve a significant amount of specific information on industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical impacts of the accident. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the best experts, who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's case.

The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most effective experts that a canby semi truck accident attorney-truck accident lawyer can rely on. They are skilled and can assess the accident scene, analyze the truck as well as the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors to understand how a collision took place and who is accountable.

The right expert witnesses can also help determine which damages are applicable and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a life insurance planner can be enlisted to explain the impact a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives and any other long-term consequences. An economist can also determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings that are a key part of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology forensics and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful for a successful case. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication, and the accident. This is particularly true when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol 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 accident to determine if they were loaded too much.

In some cases the New York Plymouth Semi Truck Accident Law Firm-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to examine the trucking company itself and the way it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker was employed by an enormous trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers were not. The right expert can examine the safety procedures of the trucking firm hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that could aid in determining fault.

Time Limits

Evidence is often destroyed or lost in a truck crash. This is why it's crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys can conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify all the parties responsible for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts along with medical professionals and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you deserve.

The most frequent cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This could include driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be liable for accidents if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.

Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle can also be a cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. Failure to properly inspect or repair brakes, tires, or other parts of a truck can lead to an accident that is dangerous. It is essential that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks in order to investigate any safety issues.

Another reason for a truck crash is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists on the road.

Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to veer off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.

One of the most dangerous truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries or 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 effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.