It's Time To Expand Your Semi Truck Compensation Options
Truck Accident Attorneys Every year, 5,000 individuals die in accidents caused by large trucks. If a crash does occur it is crucial to work with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved. A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the driver's insurance company as and the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance. Liability While trucks comprise just 4 percent of vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. The vast majority of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries with victims suffering permanent, life-changing disabilities. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be immense, and the families of victims must seek compensation to allow them to live their lives with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything to cut down on the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. 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's team has the expertise, experience, and strength to make a significant difference in your case. Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles comprised of the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Due to their size and weight they are vulnerable to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or if drivers fail to exercise reasonable care when driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying, and even rolling the truck. In addition to the driver of the truck Other parties could be liable in a truck accident, including the driver's employer and the company they transport product for, and even the person that sets up the load. Proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case because they each attempt to limit their own liability. In some instances the local government entity could also be responsible for an accident that occurs on its property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues contributed to an accident, the county board could be responsible for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious accountability that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee performing their job. Damages Any motor vehicle accident can cause extreme physical and emotional trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious 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 lawyer can help you determine your full losses and get the right compensation. It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that has occurred to talk to an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially true when it comes to cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury There are specific rules applicable to commercial trucks. These regulations can have a major impact on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help to understand these rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable. It is not unusual that several parties are held responsible for a truck accident including the driver and their employer, as well the company who hauled the cargo. A truck manufacturer or any defective parts could also be held responsible for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence needed to prove that all parties at fault are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled fair compensation. An experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the usual strategies used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims 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 to accept less than you deserve. An attorney can assist you determine the total amount of present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income as well as property damage and pain and suffering. An attorney can help determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to determine in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to punish the person at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar actions. Expert Witnesses Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, including the mechanics of the truck involved along with the long-term financial and medical consequences of the accident as well as the regulations that govern the industry. A semi-truck crash 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 case. The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most reliable experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. These experts are highly skilled and can assess an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the crash, and present their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit as they can help the jurors understand why a crash occurred and who might be accountable. Expert witnesses can also identify the damages that are applicable and the value. A life care planner, for example is a person who can demonstrate the impact of a serious accident on the victim's ability to work and their medical needs over their life. An economist, for instance, can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which could constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award. Experts in toxicology for forensics as well as identification of drugs and alcohol are also very helpful to a successful claim. They can assist in drawing an exact line between intoxication and the accident. This is particularly important when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can be a valuable expert witness. They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they loaded with too much. In some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to examine the trucking company and the way in which it operates. This is important, especially when the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers were not. The expert will be able to examine the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring procedures, as well as any other information that might help determine fault. Time Limits Evidence is usually lost or destroyed in a truck crash. It is crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as quickly as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to help you get the compensation that you are entitled to. The most common reason for a truck crash is negligence by the driver. This can be caused by driving distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety regulations or hire employees who are not qualified could be held accountable for accidents. Another cause of a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck can lead to the risk of a fatal accident. It's important to make sure that your truck accident lawyer knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks in order to investigate any issues with the safety of the truck. Another reason for a car accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. lakewood semi truck accident lawsuit is a serious crash that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road. Inattention of other drivers could cause truck accidents too. They may 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. A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front of the car is usually the one that bears the brunt, which can result in serious injuries, and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver falls asleep, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle, or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.