Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. It's important that you engage with lawyers for truck accidents who understand the different factors.

An attorney must immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available 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 that result in victims suffering permanent and life-changing disabilities. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation a victim is due. You need a knowledgeable and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who is able to tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge skills, experience, and determination to make a difference in your case.

Semi-trucks, also known under the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Due to their weight and size they are vulnerable to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying or even the truck rolling.

In addition to the truck driver Other parties could share liability in a truck crash including the driver's employer as well as the company they haul product for, and even the person that sets up the load. Finding 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 instances, the local government agency may be held accountable for any accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if poor road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries caused by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibility that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees doing their job.

Damages

The emotional and physical trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident could be severe. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than most other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they also have the potential to damage or destroy property which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the totality of your losses, and seek the right compensation for them.

While it's generally best to consult an attorney for semi truck accident attorney injury after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks. They affect how a crash happens, who is accountable, and the kinds of damages awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you know the rules and that the parties at fault are held accountable.

It is not uncommon for several parties to be accountable for an accident involving a truck which includes the driver or their employer, as well as the company that hauled the cargo. In addition, fault may be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or to any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the detailed evidence to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and that you have the right to fair compensation.

A semi truck accident lawyer with experience can help you avoid common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from this, using delaying as a tactic to pressure you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.

An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present such as medical bills, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from committing similar acts.

Expert Witnesses

Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized information, including the truck mechanics involved and the long-term economic as well as medical consequences of the accident, and industry regulations. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps in knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.

Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most valuable experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it and determine the reason for the crash, and then explain their findings clearly and easily comprehendable. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how an accident occurred and who could be responsible for it.

Expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for example is a person who can show the impact of an accident that is serious on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their lives. An economist can also calculate the loss of earnings damages that are a key part of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology for forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs are also extremely valuable for a successful case. These experts can help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the crash, especially when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist could also be an expert witness because they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to determine whether they were loaded to the max.

In certain instances, an attorney for a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to look into the trucking firm and how it operates. This is especially important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large company and might be subject to certain rules that other drivers aren't. The expert will be able to examine the safety procedures of the trucking company, their hiring procedures as well as any other information that might help determine fault.

Time Limits

When a truck collision occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. It is essential to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with experts in accident reconstruction as well as medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.

The most common cause for a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This could include driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held accountable for accidents.

Another reason for a car accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair brakes, tires, 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 in order to examine any safety concerns.

A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could cause an accident involving a truck. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.

Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, causing it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.

One of the most deadly truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of a passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can also cause accidents by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.