10 Semi Truck Compensation Tricks All Pros Recommend
Truck Accident Attorneys Each year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes with large trucks. When a crash occurs it's essential to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who understand the various elements involved. A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the driver's insurance company, as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance. Liability Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. Most of those accidents result in severe injuries, with victims suffering permanent, life-altering disabilities. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims require compensation to ensure they can live a life of dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance companies will do everything they can in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You require a skilled strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who can tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise and experience to make a huge difference in your case. A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. Due to their weight and size, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven in reckless manner or when drivers fail to exercise reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving and not securing blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes. Another reason for truck accidents is the improper loading of cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over. In addition to the driver, other parties could share the blame in truck accidents. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver and the company the driver is responsible for hauling goods or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It isn't easy to prove fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will attempt to limit its own liability. In some instances, the local government agency could also be liable for an accident that occurs on its property. If, for example, a poorly maintained road or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damages suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee performing their duties. Damages Any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than the majority of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries and injuries, but they can also destroy or damage property which can result in substantial financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the extent of your losses and pursue the right compensation for them. It's always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that has occurred, to consult an attorney for personal injuries. This is particularly true when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to special regulations, in addition to the laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules could have a significant effect on how a collision happens, the responsible parties and the type of damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can ensure that you are aware of the rules and that those responsible are held accountable. If a truck accident happens it is not unusual to have several people who are responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. In addition, blame can be assigned to the maker of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents will provide the exact evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are responsible and you have the right to fair compensation. A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience can protect you from the common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation so that they can pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and profit from delay as a tactic to try to force you into accepting lower than you should. A lawyer can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills loss of income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine how much damages to decide on in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are designed to punish the party at fault and deter other people from engaging in similar criminal acts. Expert Witnesses Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require more specialized details, including the truck mechanics involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the accident, and industry regulations. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should have access to experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be vital to a client's case. avondale semi truck accident law firm in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could rely on. They are experts with years of experience who know how to look over an accident scene, assess the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, determine the reason for the crash and present their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit because they can help jurors comprehend how the crash took place and who is accountable. Expert witnesses can help determine which damages are applicable and what the damages will be worth. For instance, a life care planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact that a accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the remainder of their lives and any other repercussions that may be long-term. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will constitute a substantial portion of any compensation award. Experts in forensic toxicology as well as identification of drugs and alcohol are also extremely valuable in a successful claim. They can help draw the line between intoxication and the accident. This is especially the case when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist could also be an excellent expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see whether they were laden with. In certain cases an attorney representing a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to investigate the trucking business and how it operates. This is particularly important in the case of a trucker who worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees and any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem. Time Limits Evidence is usually lost or destroyed when a truck accident occurs. It is imperative to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll work with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need. The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver carelessness. This could result from driving while in a hurry, driving under the influence or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could be at fault 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 the possibility of a crash with a truck. Inability to check or repair tires, brakes, or other parts 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 needs of maintenance for large trucks to be able to determine any issues that could affect the truck's safety. A third reason for a truck accident is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists. Truck accidents can also be caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lane. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it to cause collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front end of a passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These types of accidents usually occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come in contact with the chemicals.