Speak "Yes" To These 5 Semi Truck Compensation Tips
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors.
An attorney should immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well with the company that owns and operates the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, but they are involved in over five percent of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims must seek compensation to live a life of dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything they can to cut down on the amount of compensation that a victim is due. You need a seasoned and dependable white oak semi truck accident lawsuit truck accident lawyer who is able to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge skills, experience, and determination 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 that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and a detachable trailer that carries cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck crashes is the improper loading of freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may be responsible in a accident, such as the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be liable for accidents that occur on their property. If, for example a road that is not maintained or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be responsible for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of an employee performing the duties of their job.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident could be quite severe. The results of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries however, they also have the potential to destroy or damage property and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and seek the right compensation for them.
Although it's generally an excellent idea to consult an attorney for injury after any kind of accident this is especially relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to special regulations in addition to the laws that regulate personal injury, traffic and other laws. These regulations can affect how a accident occurs, who is accountable, and what types of damages that can be awarded. An attorney can help you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not uncommon for there to be a number of parties who could be accountable for the accident, including the driver of the truck or the company they work for, as well as the company responsible for hauling the load. In addition, the fault could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer will provide the exact evidence necessary to prove that all at-fault parties are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A seasoned crowley semi truck accident lawyer (vimeo.com) truck accident attorney on your side can safeguard 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. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a way to try to force you into accepting less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage. A lawyer can also help you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages seek to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages aim to penalize the person who is at fault and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Contrary to a typical car accident case, truck accidents typically involve a significant amount of specific information on industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic effects of the crash. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide vital testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. They are experienced professionals who are skilled at examining the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify the reason for the crash and explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit, as they can help the jurors understand why a crash occurred and who might be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also help determine the damages that can be claimed and the value. For instance, a life insurance planner can be hired to illustrate the impact that a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remaining years of their lives and any other repercussions that may be long-term. Additionally, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and identification of alcohol and drugs are also very helpful to a successful claim. These experts can help draw the line between intoxication, and the accident. This is especially true when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they overloaded.
In certain instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will employ an expert who will investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is particularly important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and may be subject to certain rules which other drivers aren't. The expert can review the safety practices of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees as well as any other information that might help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually lost or destroyed in a truck crash. This is why it's crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to find the responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. It could be due to driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be liable for accidents in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of crashes involving trucks. A failure to inspect or repair the truck's brakes, tires or Crowley Semi Truck Accident Lawyer other parts can cause a serious crash. It is important that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks to look into any safety issues.
Thirdly, a poorly-loaded trailer or cargo could result in an accident involving a truck. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious incident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists in the road.
Drivers' negligence by other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck to veer off the road, and then collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most deadly truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries or death. These types of accidents often occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, steers away from another vehicle, or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental harm as well as health risks for people who come in contact with the chemicals.
