Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large vehicles. It is crucial to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who are knowledgeable of the different causes.

A lawyer should immediately file claims with the driver's insurance company as and the company that owns the truck. This is done in order to maximize the amount of insurance available.

Liability

Although trucks account for only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. The majority of these accidents result in severe injuries, that result in victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. The financial burden of those injuries can be enormous and the victims and their families have to seek damages to ensure they can live their lives with dignity. The insurance companies of trucking companies will do everything they can to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. That's why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and power to make a difference in your case.

Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are commercial vehicles of a large size comprised of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Due to their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manner or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving, and not checking blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Another reason for truck accidents is the improper loading of freight, which could cause shifting and swaying that could result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver, other people can share the responsibility for truck accidents. This includes the driver's employer, the company that the driver is responsible for hauling goods or the person who sets up the load. It is difficult to establish fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will attempt to limit its own liability.

In some instances the local government agency could also be responsible for accidents that occur on their property. For instance, if a poor road layout or poor maintenance contributed to 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 liability, which is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee acting in the scope of their job.

Damages

Every motor vehicle accident can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than most other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries however, they also have the potential to cause damage to property or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the extent of your losses, and seek appropriate compensation for them.

It's best to consult an attorney who can help you after any type of accident, this is particularly important for cases involving large-sized trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to special regulations in addition to the laws that regulate traffic, semi truck accident attorney personal injury and other laws. These rules could have a significant effect on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the kind of damages that can be awarded. Lawyers can ensure that you understand the regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable.

It is not uncommon that several parties are accountable for a truck crash including the driver as well as their employer and the company that hauled the cargo. The truck manufacturer or defective parts could be liable for the incident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence needed to demonstrate that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.

Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the most common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you into accepting less than you deserve.

An attorney can help you determine all of the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills, lost income damages to property, suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages are intended to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

Unlike a normal car accident case, truck accidents typically contain a large amount of specific information on industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney should have access the right experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial testimony 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 lawyer can rely on. They are experienced professionals who know how to look over an accident scene, assess the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, figure out what caused it and present their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an important element of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand why a crash occurred and who might be responsible.

The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and how much the damages will be worth. For instance, a life insurance planner could be hired to illustrate the impact that a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the duration of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. An economist may also be able to determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a major element of any compensation award.

Forensic toxicologists as well as experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can also be a huge asset to a successful claim. These experts can help draw the line between intoxication and the accident. This is particularly important when the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might be involved in the collision to determine whether they were overloaded.

In certain cases an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to look into the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and is subject to certain rules that other drivers do not. A qualified expert can review the trucking company's safety procedures the hiring procedures, hiring practices and any other information which could help to determine fault.

Time Limits

When a truck crash occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to get in touch with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is responsible for your injuries. We will collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

The most common reason for truck accidents is driver negligence. This could result from driving while unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck may also be liable for accidents when they fail to adhere to safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.

A vehicle that is not maintained properly is a further cause of crashes involving trucks. Inability to check or repair brakes, tires or other components of a truck could result in the risk of a fatal accident. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can examine any issues that may affect the safety of the truck.

A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could result in an accident with a truck. If a truck is not loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.

Truck accidents are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck to veer off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.

One of the most fatal truck accidents is head-on collisions. The front end of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and even death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health hazards for humans who come in contact with the chemicals.