Truck Accident Attorneys

Each year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It's important that you work with truck accident attorneys who understand the different factors.

Attorneys should immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done in order to maximize the amount of insurance available.

Liability

While trucks comprise just 4 percent of vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be huge, and the victims and their families need to recover damages to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of compensation the victim is entitled. You need an experienced strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer who is able to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and strength to make a significant difference in your case.

Semi-trucks, referred to 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. Due to their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when operating the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and not checking blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Another reason for truck accidents is improper loading of the freight which can lead to shifting and swaying that could result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver, other parties could share the blame in truck accidents. This includes the driver's business or the company the driver transports goods for or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It can be difficult to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each one will try to limit its own liability.

In certain instances a local government entity may also share liability for an accident that occurs on their property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance caused an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibilities, which makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their duties.

Damages

Any car accident can result in extreme physical and emotional trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the totality of your loss and pursue an appropriate amount of compensation.

It's an excellent idea to consult an injury attorney after any kind of accident this is especially important in cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to particular rules in addition to laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These can affect how the accident occurs, who is responsible, and the types of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can assist you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.

It is not unusual that several parties are accountable for a truck accident, including the driver as well as their employer and the company that hauled the cargo. The truck manufacturer or defective components could also be held responsible for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can help you avoid common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by using delay to make you accept less than you are entitled to.

An attorney can help determine all of the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income, property damage, and suffering and pain. An attorney can help determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to decide on in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are intended to punish the person at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, like the mechanics involved in truck accidents and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the accident and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in 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 lawyer can call upon. They are skilled and are able to evaluate the scene of an accident, examine both the truck and the vehicle involved and determine the reason for the crash, and then explain their findings in a way that is easily understandable. They are often a crucial component of any successful lawsuit as they help the jury understand how a particular crash happened, and who could be accountable for it.

The right expert witnesses can also help to identify the damages that are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner could be hired to show the impact that a accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the duration 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 significant part of any compensation award.

Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can also be invaluable for a successful claim. These experts can aid in drawing a clear line between intoxication and the crash, especially when the trucker might have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an excellent expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to determine whether they were overloaded.

In some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to look into the trucking firm itself and how it functions. This is especially crucial in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and could be subject to certain standards that other drivers are not. A qualified expert can review the safety procedures of the trucking firm, hiring practices, and any other information that might aid in determining the source of the problem.

Time Limits

When a truck accident happens and evidence is lost or destroyed. This is why it's crucial to speak with a semi truck accident lawsuit truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify all responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you are entitled to.

The most typical cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. 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 responsible for an accident if they fail to follow safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers.

Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of a truck crash. Failure to examine or repair brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in the risk of a fatal accident. It's crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can look into any issues with the safety of the truck.

Another reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that isn't properly loaded could cause the truck or trailer to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash that can cause severe or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road.

Other drivers' negligence can cause truck accidents too. They might cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck to drift off the roadway and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.

One of the most dangerous truck accidents is the head-on collision. The front end of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries or death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.