Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney If you or someone you love was injured in an accident involving commercial trucks it is crucial to speak with an experienced attorney. This is because these cases can be challenging and may involve complex legal issues. Find an attorney who has solid connections to both national and local courts. This will help you win your case. Experience If you've been in a commercial truck accident and need an experienced lawyer to assist you. As opposed to passenger car accidents commercial vehicle accidents usually involve complex legal issues. A skilled lawyer who specializes in commercial truck accidents is competent to guide you through the complicated laws applicable to trucks. Commercial vehicles, including big rigs and 18-wheelers can cause serious injury to cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The weight and size of these vehicles can make them dangerous on roadways, and they can be extremely difficult to control at higher speeds. Drivers of trucks must follow guidelines set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations govern the length of time the truck driver is allowed to drive and the length of the rest periods allowed, and numerous other things. A FMCSA violation can be used as evidence in an injury lawsuit filed against the driver and the company who hired him. This is why it's so important to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer who is familiar with these regulations and can leverage them against the trucking firm and its insurance companies. A trucking crash can cause serious injuries, even permanent ones like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A qualified attorney with expertise in handling cases involving commercial vehicles can help you get the compensation you're entitled to in order to help deal with the losses. An experienced attorney can help to file a claim for wrongful death when you're involved in a fatal crash that involved a large commercial vehicle such as an 18-wheeler, tanker truck or another large commercial vehicle. The survivors of the deceased may pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship and income, medical bills, and other expenses associated with the accident. Sutliff & Stout has the Houston truck accident lawyers to assist you should you be seriously injured or have lost someone you love in a trucking accident. We'll offer a free consultation to discuss your case. Then, we will begin an investigation to determine who was the responsible party in the accident and determine how to get the right compensation for you. Reputation If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a commercial trucking accident and you are wondering what you should do next. An experienced lawyer for trucking accidents will be there to assist you right from the beginning. They have special skills to help you maximize your recovery. A skilled commercial truck accident lawyer can explain the complex regulations that apply to large trucks and how to investigate and prosecute cases similar to yours. They should also be able help determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to based on your particular circumstances. As you might imagine commercial trucks are subject to an array of security measures, including mandatory medical exams and limitations on the amount of time a driver can work per shift. They also have to use a specific type of vehicle, known as an over-the-road car, which is specifically designed for long-distance travel. In addition, many commercial trucking companies hire third-party brokers to connect them with drivers and vehicles for the transportation of their cargo. The brokers have their own rules and regulations, which can be a positive or a problem based on the specific situation. It is crucial to select an attorney firm that has an excellent reputation within the legal community when searching for the top truck accident attorney. It is common to find this information on a company's website, but it's worth asking for some references from previous clients. This will give you an idea of the firm's experience in similar situations and whether they are able to help you get the best results. Compensation If you or someone you care about was injured as a result of an accident on the road you could be entitled to compensation. An attorney representing commercial truck accidents will fight to collect the maximum amount of money from the parties responsible. In New York, you can be awarded damages for economic losses, such as medical bills, prescription drug expenses rehabilitation and therapy costs, and lost wages. Other damages, such as suffering and pain, as well as loss of enjoyment, could be awarded as well. These kinds of damages are intended to cover the costs you have incurred as a result of the accident. They can also help you move forward in your life. They also provide a financial cushion that can help you avoid becoming a debt-ridden person in the future. You may seek compensation from various liable parties that include trucking companies cargo loaders, brokers and parts manufacturers. These parties often share responsibility for a trucking crash because they are all responsible for ensuring that the vehicles they transport remain secure and operate properly. Failure of equipment is a common cause of truck accidents, and a company's maintenance staff could be held accountable for the failure of repair, service or inspection. Manufacturers can be held accountable in the event that the components of the truck were not correctly designed or manufactured. A local government agency that is responsible for the area where you were involved in an incident is another possible party that could be held responsible. They might be held liable for the road's condition and lack of signage, or other factors that contributed to the crash. Your insurance company may also be responsible for any damages you've suffered. They can also be held responsible if they underpaid for coverage or do not provide sufficient insurance coverage to safeguard you and your family's safety. Depending on the circumstances, you may pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against any of the responsible parties to seek compensation. To determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to, your attorney will need to establish the liability of each liable party and their policy limits. A lawyer will draw upon his or her vast understanding of New York's complex laws and regulations to prove that you were injured and that you are owed a fair amount. They will work with your medical professional to assess the damages you sustained and negotiate with the insurance companies of the responsible parties to reach a settlement. Time Limits Trucks are larger than other passenger vehicles, which makes it more difficult to control them in a crash. This is why it is important to choose a skilled commercial truck accident lawyer to handle your case. Your claim is successful if you can prove negligence. If the driver of the truck was negligent, you could be eligible for compensation for your injuries and other losses. This could include the cost of suffering and pain as well as medical bills and loss of earning capability. You may also be held accountable for negligence if it is caused by their employer, or another person. This is known as "vicarious liability." When you're involved in an accident with a big-rig or truck, it is essential to consider all the information you can to consider. This can include the names of witnesses present at the scene of the accident. A police report is also available. This will provide crucial evidence that can aid your lawyer in establishing the liability. You should never hesitate to call the police following an accident which involved a large vehicle. The sooner you get this done, the better off you will be in terms of obtaining evidence to support your case. Aside from gathering evidence, you should also keep track of the weather conditions. This will assist your attorney determine the root of the crash and determine the liable parties for your claim. Drowsy driving is yet another common cause of accidents involving large trucks. Truck drivers are often working all day and get very little sleep. Drowsiness could cause serious injuries and accidents. This is because driving drunk can have an effect on the driver similar to excessive alcohol consumption. There are laws to protect truck drivers from drowsy driving. The laws limit the amount of time that a truck driver is allowed to drive, without stopping to rest. The damages and injuries you sustained could also be due to the possibility that your truck driver was under the influence of prescription drugs or alcohol. A seasoned New York truck accident lawyer will investigate your case and determine who is responsible for your loss.