Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. When a crash occurs, it's important to consult with truck accident lawyers who know the various elements involved.
A lawyer should promptly initiate claims with the insurance company as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
Although trucks account for 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 involve catastrophic injuries, which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. The financial burden associated with these injuries can be enormous and the families of victims have to seek damages to ensure they can live with dignity. Insurance companies and trucking companies will do everything they can to minimize the amount of compensation the victim is entitled. You need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and strength to make an impact in your case.
Semi-trucks, referred to by the names tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler and tractor are large commercial vehicles which comprise the truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. These trucks are susceptible, due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by distracted drivers, speeding and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of cargo can also cause truck accidents. This could lead to shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could share the blame in a truck accident, including the driver's employer or the company they carry products for, and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. The process of proving fault is more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case since they all try to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government entity could also be responsible for accidents that occur on its property. If, for instance an unmaintained road or a poorly-designed layout resulted in an accident, then the county board could be liable for the injuries suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their work.
Damages
Any car accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the consequences 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 can result in an enormous financial burden. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can help you determine the full extent of your losses and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
Although it's generally recommended to speak with an injury lawyer following any kind of accident, this is particularly relevant for cases involving large-sized trucks. Commercial trucks are subject to particular regulations in addition laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the types damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can help understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable.
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be accountable for a truck accident including the driver or their employer, as well as the company who hauled the cargo. Additionally, san mateo semi truck accident law firm could be attributed to the manufacturer of the truck, or any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the detailed evidence necessary to prove that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident attorney at your side can shield you against the common strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are often seeking money to cover medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to make you accept less than what you're entitled to.
An attorney can help you determine the total amount of future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income, property damage, and suffering and pain. A lawyer can assist you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages to determine in your particular case. Compensatory damages are meant to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to punish the person at fault and discourage others from committing similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more specialized information, like the truck mechanics involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer should be able to access the right experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide vital evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experts with years of experience who know how to look over the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and other vehicles involved in the crash, determine what caused it and present their findings in clear, easy to understand terms. They are usually an essential element of a successful lawsuit, as they help jurors understand why a crash took place and who is responsible.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damages that are applicable and their worth. A life care planner, for example can be hired to determine the effect of a serious accident on a person's ability to work and their medical needs over their lifetime. In addition, an economist could assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which will be a significant part of any compensation award.
Forensic toxicologists and experts in the field of recognition of alcohol and drugs can be extremely valuable in a successful case. These experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the accident. This is particularly important when the trucker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be a useful expert witness, as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to determine if they were over-loaded.
In some instances the attorney for a New York semi truck accident will employ an expert who will investigate the trucking company and the way it operates. This is especially crucial when the trucker is employed by a large trucking business and could be subject to certain standards that other drivers aren't. A qualified expert can review the trucking company's safety procedures the hiring procedures, hiring practices and any other information that may assist in determining the cause of the accident.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. This is why it's imperative to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the liable parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you require.
The most frequent reason for a truck accident is the negligence of the driver. This could include driving while distracted or impaired or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified employees may also be accountable for accidents.
Improper maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of a truck crash. Failure to examine or repair brakes, tires, or other parts of a truck could result in a dangerous accident. It is essential to ensure that your truck accident lawyer knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks in order to examine any issues that may affect the safety of the truck.
A third issue is that a poorly loaded trailer or cargo could cause a truck accident. A poorly loaded truck can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious accident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Inattention of other drivers could also lead to truck accidents. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the driver of the truck to deviate from the road, causing it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver falls asleep or swerves in order 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 can cause environmental harm and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.