Semi Truck Compensation Tips From The Top In The Industry
Truck Accident Attorneys Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in crashes involving large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who understand the different factors. A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company, as well as the company that is the owner of the truck. This is done so as to maximize the available insurance. Liability Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of those injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims require compensation to live a life of dignity. Insurance companies and trucking firms will do everything possible to limit the amount of compensation a victim is due. That's why you need an experienced, dependable semi truck accident attorney that is able to stand up against insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and determination to make an impact in your case. Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are large commercial vehicles made up of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that transports cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and not checking blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying or even rolling the truck. In addition to the truck driver, other parties may share liability in a truck crash, including the driver's employer, the company they haul 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, because each will attempt to limit their own liability. In some instances the local government agency may also share liability in the event of a crash on their property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability, which holds a supervisory party liable for the actions of employees when they are acting within the confines of their employment. Damages Any accident involving a motor vehicle can cause extreme physical and emotional trauma. The results of a collision with semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can result in an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the total loss and pursue the appropriate compensation. It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that has occurred to talk to an attorney for personal injuries. This is especially true when dealing with large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern traffic and personal injury there are specific regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. mountain view semi truck accident lawyer can have a significant impact on how a crash is handled, the parties responsible and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. An attorney can help you learn about these rules and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable. When a truck crash occurs it is not unusual to find a variety of parties that could be responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck and the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. In addition, blame can be assigned to the maker of the truck or any faulty parts that caused the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the evidence to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and you have the right to fair compensation. A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience will protect you from common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or limit your claim. Injured victims are often needing to get their money so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you into accepting less than what you're entitled to. An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to both in the future and now including medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are meant to penalize the party at fault and deter others from doing similar crimes. Expert Witnesses Contrary to a typical car accident case, truck crashes typically involve a significant amount of specific information regarding industry regulations as well as truck mechanics and the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the best experts who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's case. Specialists in accident reconstruction are some of the most effective experts a semi truck attorney can contact. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of the accident, examine the vehicle and truck involved in the crash, determine what caused it and present their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit because they can help the jury understand how the accident happened and which parties could be responsible for it. Expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and how much they will be worth. For instance, a life insurance planner can be hired to show the effect a serious accident might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the duration of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. An economist can also help calculate damages for lost earnings which is a major component of any compensation payout. Experts in toxicology in the forensic field as well as identification of drugs and alcohol can also be very valuable for a successful claim. These types of experts could aid in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the accident, especially when the trucker was been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is an expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they loaded to the limit. In some instances there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way in which it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker is employed by a large trucking company and may be required to follow certain standards that other drivers aren't. The expert will be able to examine the safety practices of the trucking company, their hiring practices as well as any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem. Time Limits When a truck crash occurs the evidence is often lost or destroyed. It is imperative to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine who is accountable for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts doctors, medical professionals, and financial analysts to help you get the compensation you are entitled to. The most frequent cause of truck accidents is driver negligence. This could include driving while distracted, driving under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that don't follow safety rules or hire employees with no qualifications could be held accountable for accidents. Another reason for a car accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Inability to check or repair brakes, tires or other components of a truck can lead to the risk of a fatal accident. It is crucial that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks to examine any safety concerns. A third reason for a truck crash is a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo. If a truck isn't properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious accident that can cause severe or fatal injuries to other motorists in the road. Truck accidents can also be caused by reckless driving of other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the driver of the truck to turn off the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians. One of the most fatal truck accidents is the head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle is typically the one that takes the brunt of the damage, resulting in serious injuries and sometimes even death. These accidents occur when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order to avoid another vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come into contact with the chemicals.