Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who are knowledgeable about the various causes.
An attorney should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in more than 55% of all accidents. Most of those accidents involve catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-changing disabilities. The financial burden of these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance providers will make no effort in an attempt to minimize the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to the insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the knowledge and experience to make a huge difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer which transports cargo. Due to their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers as well as the failure to observe blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of cargo can cause truck accidents as well. This can cause shifting, swaying, and even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver Other parties could be responsible in a crash including the employer of the driver and the company they transport product for, and even the person who sets up the load. It is often difficult to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, since each will try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be liable for a crash that occurs on their property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or inadequate maintenance contributed to an accident the county board may be held accountable for the damages suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities that holds a supervisory person liable for an employee's actions while acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that accompanies any motor vehicle accident can be severe. The consequences of a collision involving a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could result in an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can help you determine the extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation for them.
It is always a good idea regardless of the kind of accident that took place, to consult an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially true 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 regulations can have a major impact on the way a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the kind of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can help to understand these rules and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not uncommon for there to be a number of parties to be accountable for the accident, including the driver of the truck, the company they work for, and the company that hauled the load. In addition, blame can be assigned to the maker of the truck or any faulty parts that caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence necessary to prove that all parties responsible are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience can protect you from the typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Victims of injuries are often needing to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and take advantage of it, using delay as a tool to to force you into accepting less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now including medical bills, lost income, and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the appropriate amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages are designed to penalize the party responsible and deter other people from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized information, including the mechanics of the truck involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide vital evidence that can be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could rely on. These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck as well as the vehicle involved to determine the cause of the accident, and explain their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are often a crucial element in any successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how the crash occurred, and who could be responsible for it.
Expert witnesses can also identify the damage that is applicable and the value. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can illustrate the effects of an accident that is severe on a victim’s ability to work and their medical requirements throughout their entire life. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and drug and alcohol recognition experts can also be a huge asset for a successful claim. These experts can help draw a direct line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly important when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an excellent expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the crash to determine whether they were loaded to the max.
In some instances in some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to examine the trucking company itself and how it operates. This is particularly crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and could be subject to certain rules which other drivers aren't. An expert can look into the trucking company's safety procedures hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information which could help to determine fault.
Time Limits
When a truck collision occurs and evidence is lost or destroyed. This is why it's imperative to get in touch with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's accountable for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you require.
los angeles semi truck accident lawyer cited reason for a truck crash is driver error. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could be accountable for accidents in the event they fail to comply with safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of a truck crash. Inability to check or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck could result in the risk of a fatal accident. It's important to make sure 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.
A third reason for a truck crash is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck is not loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious crash that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Inattention of other drivers could also lead to truck accidents. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck driver to veer from the road, and cause it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is among the most dangerous types of truck crashes. The front of the car is usually the one to take the brunt, which can result in serious injuries and sometimes even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or swerves to avoid another vehicle or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health hazards for humans who come in contact with the chemicals.