Semi Truck 101 Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Semi Truck Accident Law
If you get into an accident with a semi-truck and suffer injuries, the result could be devastating. Truck drivers, trucking companies, third-party brokers or manufacturers and trucking companies themselves, could all be held accountable for injuries.
You may be eligible for compensation for non-economic and economic injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering and pain. A NYC compensation lawyer can help you get what you're entitled to.
Get help from the police

A truck accident is not something to laugh at. These huge trucks can weigh up to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle and are capable of devastating collisions that often leave victims with serious injuries and extensive damage. Every 16 seconds, there's an accident involving trucks in the United States. These crashes are responsible for thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries.
Although truck drivers are required to follow traffic laws and drive in a safe manner, their jobs are often demanding and can cause them to become fatigued and distracted. This can lead them to make poor decisions made while driving. It takes only an instant for a driver to fall asleep at the wheel or lose control. These errors can have catastrophic consequences and families are often left to deal with the aftermath.
If a truck collision occurs it is imperative that the authorities investigate the crash site and collect all the relevant details. This includes the name of the truck driver, the employer, as well as the trucking company which owns the truck. It is essential to collect contact information, such as names and numbers, from witnesses. Having this information will be important when it comes the time to start a lawsuit.
Semi-trucks are also fitted with "black box" devices that can provide valuable information in the case of an accident. These devices can record a massive amount of information regarding the truck's speed and brakes, as well as other data that could prove helpful in determining who is at fault for an accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are familiar with the technology and are able to use it and analyze it in order to build a strong claim for our clients.
It is possible that in addition to the driver's negligence the municipality or the governing body where the accident occurred could also be held responsible for the accident. If the road was not maintained in a timely manner or there were obstructions to the signs on the road, this could be grounds for a claim. Our attorneys can determine the party responsible and hold them accountable for injuries caused by negligence.
Collect evidence
One of the key elements of a successful truck accident claim is to prove that the other party owed you an obligation of care and negligently breached that duty, thus causing your crash. A successful negligence claim will result in a settlement for all economic and non-economic damages you've suffered, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional anxiety.
You'll need to prove for each of the elements of negligence to establish your case. Take photos and video at the scene of the accident. They could include car damage tires, the site of the crash and weather conditions. It is also possible to document your injuries. Also, collect the contact details of any witnesses so that your lawyer can later contact them to record their witness testimony and their statements.
Another form of evidence is the logbooks of the trucking company and other documents that detail the hours of the driver as well as cargo loads and maintenance activities. These documents can be useful in establishing the driver's use of drugs or fatigue, which is a common reason for truck accidents. Trucking companies are required by federal regulations to keep these records and your lawyer can request them through an official discovery request in the event that the company refuses to hand the records over on a voluntary basis.
The report of inspections on trucks is a third kind of evidence that could be used to show that the trucking company could have made shortcuts to save money and that the methods could have resulted an unsafely defective or unsafe. Your lawyer will also work to get black box information and other high-tech devices that can help you build your case, as well as any information you may have regarding the truck driver's background, including prior traffic violations. Your lawyer will also be able obtain copies of any medical records, receipts for medications or treatments you've received, scans, results of tests and other documents that are relevant to your case. All of this evidence will be essential in proving your claim for damages. You will not be able to receive the compensation that you deserve without this evidence.
Hire an attorney
You could be entitled to compensation if you or a family member has suffered serious injuries in a car accident. A skilled attorney can assist you with the legal process of filing a lawsuit to recover damages caused by the negligence of the party at fault. They are also able to negotiate with insurance companies and take the steps to get a settlement.
An experienced attorney can gather and analyze important evidence gathered from an accident. This includes medical records, police reports and witness statements. They can also look into other factors that could have contributed to the accident such as weather or road conditions. They can also look into the truck driver's employment status and company, as well in any training certificates.
downey semi truck accident law firm of truck accidents are usually more complicated than crashes involving two vehicles due to the size and weight of these vehicles. Additionally, there are many different people who could be responsible for the incident, such as truck drivers, trucking companies and even truck manufacturers.
It is crucial to choose an attorney who is knowledgeable with the regulations for trucking and industry. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. They should also be willing to advocate for their clients against large corporations and their legal teams.
It is crucial to choose an attorney who can communicate with you and keep you informed about the progress of your case. They will be able to address all of your questions, and meet with you face-to–face when necessary. If they are not able to respond quickly to your calls or emails this is a red flag that should be avoided.
The best method to determine whether or not an attorney is right for you is to ask about their experience with handling trucking cases. They should be able to provide you with details regarding their success rates and prior case examples. They should also be able of explaining their charges and whether they include additional expenses such as expert witness services or reconstruction of accidents.
A wrongful death claim is an option for anyone who has lost a family member in a car accident. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors can seek compensation to cover funeral expenses and the loss of companionship. In addition, they can receive monetary compensation to pay for medical bills and loss of income.
Talk to the Insurance Company
The bills start piling up quickly after a semi-truck accident, and the injured victim is often put under pressure to pay the bills. A shrewd insurance firm will be aware of this and may use your situation to their advantage, providing low-cost options that will not cover the full cost of your injuries.
A lawyer who handles truck accidents will safeguard you from this type of manipulation. An attorney can help you negotiate a settlement with insurance companies or other parties involved in your case. He can also take any phone calls from insurance companies and ensure that you are not misled or swindled.
Your attorney will begin the negotiation process by mailing an insurance company a letter of demand, which will detail the losses you have suffered and demand an exact amount of compensation for each. This may require a back-and-forth between the two parties, because it is typical for there to be disagreements regarding certain sections or parts of your claim.
It is important to understand that medical bills as well as other economic damage will likely take a long time to settle, especially the more serious your injuries are. It is crucial to work with your physician and hospital to establish payment arrangements that allow you to continue receiving treatment while you wait for an appropriate settlement.
An experienced lawyer will be able to assist you in determining the root of your accident, whether it was caused by a jackknife, an unloading issue, or a different issue. He will also be able to determine if the truck driver was negligent, or if other parties were involved in the accident.
You could hold a variety of individuals accountable for your injuries. These include the trucking company, their drivers, the truck manufacturer, third-party shippers, and even the manufacturer of the product. When you partner with a seasoned attorney, you'll be able identify the potential defendants and pursue maximum compensation from each.