Truck Accident Attorneys Every year, 5,000 individuals are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a crash does occur it is crucial to consult with truck accident lawyers who understand the various aspects involved. Attorneys must immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done in order to get the most insurance possible. Liability While trucks make up only 4 percent of vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. Most of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries which result in permanent and life-altering disabilities. The financial burden resulting from these injuries can be enormous and the victims and their families require compensation to ensure they can live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking firms and their insurance companies will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need a seasoned strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and strength to make an impact in your case. A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle that consists of the truck (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are more prone due to their size and weight to serious accidents if driven recklessly. Truck accidents are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying that could lead to the truck rolling over. In addition to the truck driver, other parties may share liability in a truck crash including the employer of the driver, the company they haul products for, or even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It isn't easy to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved as each will attempt to limit its own liability. In some instances a local government entity could also share responsibility in the event of a crash on their property. If, for example a road that was not maintained or a layout that was poorly planned contributed to an accident then the county board could be held accountable for the damages suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that holds a supervisory body accountable for the actions of an employee who is acting within the context of their work. Damages The emotional and physical trauma that can result from a motor vehicle accident could be severe. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than most other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This could result in an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the full extent of your losses and pursue an appropriate amount of compensation. It's best to consult an attorney who can help you after any kind of accident this is particularly relevant when it comes to cases involving large trucks. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition to the laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a crash occurs, the parties accountable and the kinds of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can assist you understand these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held accountable. When a truck collision occurs it is not uncommon to find a variety of parties to be accountable which include the driver of the truck and the company they work for, and the company that carries the load. In addition, fault may be attributed to the company that made the truck of the truck or any defective parts that contributed to the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the detailed evidence needed to demonstrate that all parties at fault are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation. An experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the usual strategies used by insurance companies to reduce or deny your claim. The injured victims are usually desperate to receive their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you to accept less than you are entitled to. An attorney can assist you determine all the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills and lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. An attorney can also help you determine the appropriate amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensation damages are designed to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault and deter others from committing similar acts. Expert Witnesses Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require a lot more specialized details, including the mechanics of the truck involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash as well as the regulations that govern the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer must have access to the best experts, who can fill in gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's claim. Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could rely on. These are seasoned professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, analyze the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify what caused the accident, and explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an essential part of any successful lawsuit since they can assist the jury in understanding how the accident happened and which parties could be responsible for it. Expert witnesses can also assist to determine the extent of damages that are appropriate and how much those damages will be worth. For instance, a life care planner could be enlisted to explain the impact a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the duration of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which could be a significant component of any compensation award. Forensic toxicologists as well as drug and alcohol recognition experts are also essential in a successful case. They can assist in drawing the line between intoxication and the accident. This is especially the case when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also a useful expert witness, as they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to see whether they were laden with. In some cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will employ an expert to investigate the trucking company itself and how it operates. This is essential, particularly when the trucker worked for an established trucking company and was subject to the same standards as other drivers weren't. An expert could examine the safety protocols of the trucking company hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information that could aid in determining the source of the problem. Time Limits When a truck collision occurs there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed. It's crucial to contact a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all responsible parties for your injuries. We will work with experts in accident reconstruction, medical professionals and financial experts to assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. It could be due to driving unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies that don't adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees with no qualifications could be held accountable for accidents. Incorrect maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for an accident involving a truck. Inability to inspect or repair the brakes, tires, or other components could cause a serious crash. It is essential to ensure that your truck accident attorney knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks, so that they can investigate any issues with the truck's safety. A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. A truck that isn't loaded properly can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife when it's not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard that can cause severe or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road. The negligence of other drivers can also lead to truck accidents. They could cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions may cause the truck driver to drift off the road, which could cause it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians. A head-on collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle is among the most deadly kinds of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries and death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads with no other traffic when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle, or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come into contact with the chemicals.