Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals die in accidents caused by large trucks. It is important to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who are aware of the various factors.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the driver's insurance company, as well as the company that is the owner of the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. Most of those accidents result in severe injuries, with victims suffering permanent, life-changing disabilities. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to ensure they can be able to live their lives in dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation that the victim is due. This is why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident lawyer who is able to stand up against insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and strength to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles comprised of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Because of their weight and size they are vulnerable to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or if drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when operating the vehicle. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of cargo can result in truck accidents. This can cause shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck.
In cranston semi truck accident law firm to the driver of the truck and other drivers, other parties could be responsible in a crash, including the driver's employer and the company they transport product for, and even the person that sets up the load. It can be more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the matter, as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In certain instances, a local government agency could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. If, for example a road that is not maintained or a poorly-designed layout caused an accident, then the county board could be held accountable for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious accountability, which makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of employees performing their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision involving a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could lead to significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the totality of your losses and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that occurred to consult an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic, there are special regulations applicable to commercial trucks. These rules can have a significant impact on the way a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
If a truck accident happens it is not unusual for there to be several parties who could be accountable, including the truck driver, the company they work for, and the company that hauled the load. In addition, fault may be assigned to the maker of the truck or to any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence necessary to prove that all parties responsible are liable and to show that you are entitled fair compensation.
A skilled semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard your rights from the common strategies that insurance companies employ to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to make you accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can assist you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost income as well as property damage and pain and suffering. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the person who is responsible and deter other people from engaging in similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized details, including the truck mechanics involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident as well as the regulations that govern the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney might want to call. These experts are highly skilled and are able to evaluate an accident scene, assess both the truck and the vehicle involved in it to determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings clearly and easily understandable. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit, because they can help jurors understand why a crash took place and who is accountable.
Expert witnesses can also help identify the damages that are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. For example, a life-care planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the rest of their lives, as well as any other long-term effects. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be invaluable in a successful case. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, especially when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be an excellent expert witness since they can perform tests on the metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to see whether they were loaded to the max.
In certain instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to investigate the trucking business and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker is employed by a large company and could be subject to certain rules that other drivers are not. The right expert can examine the safety procedures of the trucking firm hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. This is the reason it's so important to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most common reason for a truck accident is the negligence of the driver. It could be due to driving while distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety regulations or hire unqualified employees may also be accountable for accidents.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. A failure to inspect or repair the brakes, tires, or other parts could cause a dangerous crash. It is essential that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to investigate any safety issues.
A third reason for a truck crash is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the truck or trailer to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash that can cause 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 lane. These actions may cause the truck driver to drift off the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of a passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These types of accidents often occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle, or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health hazards to people who come into contact with the chemicals.