8 Tips To Enhance Your Semi Truck Compensation Game
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large vehicles. If a collision occurs it's essential to consult with truck accident lawyers who understand the various factors involved.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company of the driver company as well as the company that owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of the vehicles on the road, they are involved in more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, the victims suffer catastrophic injuries and are permanently disabled. These injuries can have a significant financial impact, and victims and families need to be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will not leave a stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You need a knowledgeable strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer who is able to confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and the strength to make the difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size which comprise one truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer to transport cargo. Due to their size and weight, these trucks are prone to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. Truck accidents are usually caused by distracted drivers, speeding and the inability to spot blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can result in truck accidents. This can lead to shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the driver, other parties can share the blame in an accident involving a truck. This includes the driver's company or the company the driver transports products for, or even the person responsible for setting up the load. It is often difficult to prove that someone is at fault when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each one will try to limit its own liability.
In some instances a local government entity could also be liable for an accident that occurs on their property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board may be held accountable for the damages caused by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibility, which makes a supervisor accountable for an employee's actions while performing their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that can result from a motor vehicle accident can be extreme. The effects of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage property. This can lead to an enormous financial burden. A semi truck accident attorney can assist you in determining the totality of your losses and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
It's always a good idea regardless of the kind of accident that happened to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is particularly true in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition to the laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a collision occurs, the parties accountable and the kind of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help to understand these rules and ensure that the responsible parties are held liable.
It is not uncommon for multiple parties to be held responsible for a truck crash, including the driver and their employer, as well the company that transported the cargo. A truck manufacturer or defective parts could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A skilled semi truck accident lawyer on your side can safeguard you from the most common tactics that insurance companies use to reduce or deny your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to force you to accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can assist you determine all of the present and future damages that you are entitled to, including medical bills, lost income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can help you determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can be awarded in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to reimburse you for your losses, while punitive damages are designed to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from committing similar acts.
Expert Witnesses
The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require more specific information, such as the mechanics of the truck involved along with the long-term financial and medical consequences of the accident, and industry regulations. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide crucial evidence that can be crucial to a client's claim.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experienced professionals who are able to analyze the scene of an accident, analyze the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, determine the reason for the crash, and explain their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often an essential element of a successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how the accident happened and who could be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also assist to determine which damages are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to illustrate the effects of an accident that is serious on a person's ability to work and their medical needs throughout their life. An economist can also calculate the damages for lost earnings which is a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology forensics and the identification of alcohol and drugs are also extremely valuable to a successful claim. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the accident, particularly in cases where the trucker may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. A metallurgist is also a useful expert witness, since they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to determine whether they were laden with.
In certain instances an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will retain an expert to look into the trucking company and how it operates. This is essential, particularly if the trucker worked for a large trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. The expert can review the safety protocols of the trucking company, the hiring practices of their employees as well as any other information that could assist in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is often lost or destroyed during a truck accident. This is why it's imperative to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We will work with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to help you obtain the compensation you require.
The most common reason for a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This could include driving while distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be responsible for an accident when they fail to adhere to safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
arkansas semi truck accident lawsuit for a truck accident is improper maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes, tires, or other components could result in a deadly crash. It is crucial to ensure that your truck accident attorney knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks so that they can look into any issues with the safety of the truck.
A third reason for a truck crash is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious crash which can result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists driving on the road.
Accidents involving trucks are also caused by negligent driving by other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck to turn off the roadway and collide with pedestrians or other vehicles.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front end of a passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These accidents happen when a truck driver is asleep, or is swerving to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage as well as health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.