Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large vehicles. When a crash occurs it is crucial to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who understand the various aspects involved.
An attorney must immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done in order to maximize the amount of insurance available.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than 5 percent of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a huge financial impact, and victims and families need to be compensated to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will make no effort in an attempt to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. You need a seasoned, strong semi truck accident lawyer to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and determination to make an impact in your case.
A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle comprised of an engine (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another reason behind truck crashes is the improper loading of cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other parties can share the blame in the event of a truck crash. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver transports goods for or even the person responsible for setting up the load. Proving omaha semi truck accident law firm can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the matter, because they each attempt to limit their own liability.
In some cases, a local government agency could also share responsibility for an accident 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 type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their job.
Damages
Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than most other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could result in significant financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and seek the right compensation for them.
It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that has occurred, to consult a personal injury attorney. This is especially important in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury There are specific rules applicable to commercial vehicles. These rules can have a significant impact on the way a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that can be awarded. An attorney can help you learn about these rules and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.
It is not unusual that several parties are held responsible for a truck accident including the driver or their employer, as well as the company who hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the maker of the truck, or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the detailed evidence needed to demonstrate that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A seasoned semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect your rights from the common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to collect their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from this, using delaying as a way to to force you to accept 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 which includes medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more specialized information, including the mechanics involved in truck accidents, the long-term economic and medical effects of the accident and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer must be able to access the right experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide vital testimony that could be essential to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. They are experts with years of experience who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify what caused it and explain their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a key part of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand how a crash occurred and who could be accountable.
Expert witnesses can also establish the damages that are applicable and their value. A life care planner, for example is an expert who can determine the effect of an accident that is severe on the ability of a victim to work and their medical needs throughout their lifetime. An economist may also be able to calculate the damages for lost earnings, which are a major part of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology in the forensic field as well as identification of drugs and alcohol are also extremely valuable to a successful claim. These experts can help draw an exact line between intoxication, and the accident. This is especially the case when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist is also an effective expert witness since they can perform tests on metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the accident to determine whether they were overloaded.
In some instances an attorney representing an New York semi truck accident will retain an expert to study the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker worked for a large trucking firm and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. The right expert can examine the trucking company's safety procedures and hiring practices, as well as any other information that might aid in determining fault.
Time Limits
If a truck accident occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It is imperative to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you obtain the compensation you need.
The most frequent cause of a truck collision is driver negligence. This can include driving distracted or under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety regulations or hire employees who are not qualified could be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Inability to check or repair the brakes, tires or other components of a truck can cause danger in an accident. It is important that your truck accident lawyer is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks to investigate any safety issues.
Another reason for a truck crash is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Inattention of other drivers could cause truck accidents too. They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, which could cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between two vehicles, a truck and a vehicle is among the most fatal kinds of truck crashes. The front of the passenger car is typically the one to take the brunt, leading to serious injury and even death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on undivided highways when the truck driver is asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the impaired by alcohol or drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling dangerous materials. These accidents could cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come into contact with the chemicals.