Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. If a crash does occur it's essential to find truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.

A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company as and the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done so as to get the most insurance possible.

Liability

Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact on victims, and their and families need to be compensated to live with dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will make no effort in an effort to limit the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and power to make an impact in your case.

Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size that consist of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Improper loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck.

In addition to the driver of the truck, other parties may share the blame in a truck crash including the driver's employer, the company they haul product for, and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is often difficult to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved, since each will attempt to limit its own liability.

In some cases the local government agency might be held accountable for an accident that occurs on its property. For example, if a poor road layout or a lack of maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability, which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of employees who is acting within the context of their employment.

Damages

Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries however, they can also cause damage to property or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and pursue appropriate compensation for them.

While it's generally an excellent idea to consult an injury lawyer following any type of accident, this is particularly relevant in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific rules in addition to laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a collision happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that are possible to award. An attorney can help you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.

It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible in a truck-related accident including the driver as well as their employer and the company that hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective components could be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are responsible and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

A seasoned semi truck accident lawyers truck accident lawyer on your side can protect you from the usual strategies used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of delay as a tool to try to force you to accept less than what you are entitled to.

An attorney can assist you in determining 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 appropriate amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the party who was at fault and discourage other people from committing similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

Contrary to a typical car accident situation, truck accidents usually involve a lot of highly specific information on industry regulations including truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic consequences of the crash. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.

Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experienced professionals who are skilled at examining the scene of an accident, analyze the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify the cause of the crash, and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors comprehend how the crash took place and who is accountable.

Expert witnesses can also identify the damages that are applicable and their worth. For instance, a life insurance planner could be hired to illustrate the impact a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remainder of their lives and any other long-term repercussions. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could be a major component of any compensation award.

Forensic toxicologists and experts in recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable in a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident, particularly when the trucker was been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is an excellent expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they overloaded.

In some cases an attorney representing an New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to look into the trucking company and the way it operates. This is crucial, particularly when the trucker worked for an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The expert can review the safety practices of the trucking company, their hiring procedures as well as any other information that could aid in determining the cause of the accident.

Time Limits

When a truck collision occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. This is the reason it's so important to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to help you receive the compensation you deserve.

The most common reason for a truck accident involves driver negligence. This can include driving distracted or impaired or driving recklessly. Trucking companies who fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held responsible for accidents.

Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of an accident involving a truck. Inability to inspect or repair the truck's brakes, tires or other parts can cause a dangerous crash. It is essential that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks so that they can investigate any safety issues.

Another reason behind a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.

Accidents involving trucks are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions can cause the truck's wheels to slide off the road and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.

One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front end of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and semi truck accident attorney even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.