7 Tricks To Help Make The Most Of Your Semi Truck Compensation
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks. If a crash does occur it is crucial to find truck accident lawyers that understand the various factors involved.
An attorney must immediately initiate a claim with the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims must seek compensation in order to be able to live their lives in dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance companies will make no effort in an attempt to minimize the amount of the compensation a victim is entitled to. This is why you require a strong, experienced semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, expertise and strength to make an impact on your case.
A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle comprised of the truck (tractor unit) and a trailer that is detachable and can carry cargo. Because of their size and weight they are prone to serious accidents if they are driven with recklessness or when a driver fails 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 before changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can result in truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver there are other parties who could be liable in a truck crash including the driver's employer and the company they transport product for, and the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will attempt to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be responsible for accidents that occur on their property. If, for instance a road that is not maintained or a poorly-designed layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be responsible for the victim's damages. This kind of claim is based on the concept of vicarious liability that holds the supervisory party accountable for the actions of employees in the course of their job.
Damages
Any car accident can cause extreme emotional and physical 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 a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can help determine your full losses and pursue the appropriate compensation.
Although it's generally best to consult an attorney who can help you after any kind of accident this is particularly important in cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that regulate traffic and personal injuries There are specific rules for commercial trucks. These regulations can affect how a accident occurs, who is responsible, and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you learn about these rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held liable.
When a truck accident occurs, it is not uncommon for there to be several parties to be accountable such as the truck driver and the company they work for, and the company that hauled the load. In addition, the fault could be assigned to the maker of the truck or to any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide you with the evidence needed to show that all parties at fault are liable and to show that you have a right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience will be able to protect you from typical tactics employed by insurance companies to deny or decrease your claim. Injured victims are often eager to receive compensation to cover medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to make you accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the near and future which includes medical bills, lost income, and property damage. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to decide on in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault and discourage others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash situation, truck accidents usually contain a large amount of specialized information about industry regulations, truck mechanics, and the long-term medical and economic effects of the collision. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the best experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that could be essential to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. These experts are knowledgeable and know how to assess an accident scene, assess the truck as well as the vehicle involved and determine the reason for the accident, and explain their findings clearly and understandable. They are often a key element of a successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how a particular crash happened, and who could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also determine the extent of damages that are relevant and their value. For example, a life-care planner can be enlisted to explain the impact that a accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, as well as any other long-term effects. An economist may also be able to determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings which is a significant part of any compensation award.
Experts in forensic toxicology and identification of alcohol and drugs can be extremely helpful to a successful claim. They can help draw an exact line between intoxication, and the accident. This is particularly true when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to determine whether they were overloaded.
In certain cases an attorney in a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert who will investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers were not. The expert can review the safety policies of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices and any other information which could help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost when a truck accident occurs. This is the reason it's so important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to find all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll partner with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to assist you in getting the compensation you need.
The most frequently cited cause of a truck collision is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence, or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be at fault for an accident in the event that they do not follow safety rules or hire unqualified drivers.
Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of an accident involving a truck. Failure to inspect or repair brakes, tires or other components of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It is vital that your truck accident lawyer understands the maintenance requirements of large trucks to investigate any safety issues.
Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could result in an accident with a truck. If a truck is not properly loaded, it could cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to become jackknifed. This is a serious accident which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Truck accidents are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. tyler semi truck accident attorney can cause the truck to turn off the road and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between the truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most deadly kinds of truck crashes. The front end of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These accidents occur when a truck driver falls asleep or turns around to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks that spill their load of hazardous substances. These accidents could cause environmental damage and dangers to human health for those who come into contact with the chemicals.