Why All The Fuss Over Semi Truck Compensation?
Truck Accident Attorneys Every year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a collision occurs it's essential to find truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various elements involved. A lawyer should immediately file claims with the insurance company of the driver company, as well as the company which is the owner of the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance. Liability Trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in nearly half of all accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of these injuries can be enormous and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to allow them to live a life of dignity. Unfortunately, trucking companies and their insurance companies will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. That's why you need a strong, experienced semi truck accident attorney that can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the expertise, experience and determination to make the difference in your case. A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a massive commercial vehicle consisting of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. albany semi truck accident attorney are usually caused by distracted drivers, speeding and the inability to spot blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the freight that can result in shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over. In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could be responsible in a crash, including the employer of the driver as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person that sets up the load. It can be difficult to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved, since each will try to limit its own liability. In some instances the local government agency may also be liable for accidents that occur on its property. For instance, if poor road layout or inadequate maintenance resulted in an accident, the county board could be held accountable for the damages that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that makes supervisory employees liable for the actions of an employee performing their job. Damages Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. The effects of a collision involving semi-trucks are more severe than other kinds of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they also have the potential to destroy or damage property that can lead to significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the full extent of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them. It is always a good idea regardless of the type of accident that happened to talk to an attorney for personal injury. This is particularly true when dealing with large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are specific regulations that pertain to commercial trucks. These rules can have a major impact on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the types damages that are possible to award. A lawyer can assist you get the most out of these regulations and ensure that the parties responsible are held liable. If a truck accident happens it is not uncommon for there to be several parties that could be responsible, including the truck driver as well as the company they work for, and the company responsible for hauling the load. In addition, fault may be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck or to any defective components that led to the accident. A semi truck accident attorney can provide the detailed evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are responsible and you have the right to fair compensation. A semi truck accident lawyer who has experience can help you avoid common strategies used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims often feel desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and take advantage of this, using delaying as a tool to try to force you to accept lower than you should. An attorney can assist you in determining the damages you are entitled to in the near and future including medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages to be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages are intended to punish the responsible party and discourage others from committing similar acts. Expert Witnesses Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more detailed information, like the truck mechanics involved and the long-term economic as well as medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access the right experts who can fill in the gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be vital to a client's case. The specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most effective experts a semi truck accident attorney can call on. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of the accident, examine the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify the reason for the crash and then explain their findings in simple, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an essential part of any successful lawsuit, as they assist jurors in understanding how an accident occurred and who could be responsible. Expert witnesses can also determine the extent of damages that are relevant and their worth. For instance, a life care planner could be hired to show the impact a serious crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical needs for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. An economist, for instance, can help to calculate things like lost earnings damages, which will be a major component of any compensation award. Experts in forensic toxicology and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful to a successful claim. They can assist in drawing the line between intoxication 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 is also an excellent expert witness. They can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were loaded to the limit. In some cases an attorney in a New York semi truck accident will engage an expert to investigate the trucking company and how it operates. This is especially important if the trucker was employed by a large company and is subject to certain requirements which other drivers aren't. An expert can look into the safety procedures of the trucking firm, hiring practices, and any other information that might help to determine fault. Time Limits Evidence is often destroyed or lost during a truck accident. This is the reason it's so important to get in touch with a semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to discover all the liable parties for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to. The most common cause for truck accidents is driver negligence. This can be caused by driving in a hurry, driving under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety guidelines or hire employees with no qualifications could also be accountable for accidents. Improper maintenance of the vehicle is another reason for crashes involving trucks. Failure to inspect or repair brakes, tires, or other parts of a vehicle can result in an accident that is dangerous. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney is aware of the maintenance requirements of large trucks, so that they can look into any issues with the safety of the truck. Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to an accident with a truck. If a truck isn't loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift while on the road or cause the truck to be jackknifed. This is a serious incident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists on the road. Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving from 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 veer from the road, which could cause it to hit other vehicles and pedestrians. One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries or death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep or swerves in order 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 dangerous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and human health hazards for those who come in contact with the chemicals.