Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. If a collision occurs it is crucial to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved.

A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the insurance company as well as the company that owns the truck. This is done in order to maximize the insurance coverage available.

Liability

While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. The majority of those accidents result in severe injuries, with victims suffering permanent, life-changing disabilities. The financial burden of those injuries can be huge, and the victims and their families must seek compensation to allow them to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and semi truck accident lawyer insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. This is why you require an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who will stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make an impact in your case.

Semi-trucks are also known by the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles that consist of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. Due to their weight and size they are susceptible to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or if the driver is not exercising reasonable care when operating the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can result in truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck.

In addition to the driver, other parties can be liable in an accident involving a truck. This includes the driver's business, the company that the driver transports products for or even the person responsible for setting up the load. It is often difficult to prove the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will attempt to limit their own liability.

In some instances the local government agency could also be liable for an accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if poor road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages sustained by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility that makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of an employee while performing their duties.

Damages

Any car accident can cause extreme physical and emotional trauma. The effects of a collision involving semi-trucks can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could result in an enormous financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can help you determine the extent of your losses, and seek the right compensation for them.

It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that occurred to speak with an attorney for personal injuries. This is particularly true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to special regulations, in addition to the laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. These can affect how the crash occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable.

It is not uncommon that several parties are accountable for an accident involving a truck, including the driver as well as their employer and the company that hauled the cargo. The truck manufacturer or defective parts could also be accountable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties responsible are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

A bend semi truck accident lawsuit truck accident lawyer who has experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often looking for money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a way to try to force you to accept less than what you are entitled to.

An attorney can help determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income as well as property damage and suffering and pain. A lawyer can also assist you determine the proper 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 person at fault and deter other people from engaging in similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require more specific details, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents and the long-term economic as well as medical consequences of the accident and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to experts who can fill in the gaps and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's legal case.

Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most effective experts a semi truck attorney can contact. They are skilled and know how to assess an accident scene, assess both the truck and the vehicle involved as well as determine the root of the accident, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are often a key element in any successful lawsuit, as they assist jurors in understanding how a particular crash happened, and who could be responsible.

Expert witnesses can also establish the damages that are applicable and the worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can show the impact of an accident of a serious nature on a victim’s ability to work and their medical needs throughout their lives. An economist can also assist calculate damages for lost earnings, which are a major part of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology for forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs can also be very valuable in a successful claim. These types of experts can help to draw a straight line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. A metallurgist may also be a useful 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 overloaded.

In some instances the New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to investigate the trucking company itself and the way it operates. This is particularly important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and is subject to certain requirements that other drivers aren't. An expert can look into the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information that may aid in determining fault.

Time Limits

When a truck accident happens, evidence is often lost or destroyed. That's why it's important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction specialists along with medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.

The most typical cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. This can include driving distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety guidelines or hire unqualified employees may also be accountable for accidents.

Improper maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of the possibility of a crash with a truck. Failure to properly inspect or repair brakes, tires, or other parts of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It's crucial to ensure that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can look into any issues with the truck's safety.

Another reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could 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.

Inattention of other drivers could cause truck accidents too. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, which could cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.

A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is one of the most deadly kinds of truck crashes. The front of the passenger car is usually the one who takes the brunt, which can result in serious injury and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver falls asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is under the impaired by 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.