Why Is There All This Fuss About Semi Truck Compensation?
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes with large trucks. In the event of a crash it is crucial to work with truck accident lawyers that understand the various elements involved.
An attorney should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck. This is done so as to maximize the insurance coverage available.
Liability
Trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles that are on the roads, yet they are involved in more than 55% of all accidents. In the majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. The financial burden of those injuries can be huge, and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to allow them to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an effort to limit the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. This is why you need an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who can stand up to insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the expertise of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known under the terms tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles which comprise an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Due to their weight and size they are susceptible to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or when the driver is not exercising reasonable care while operating the vehicle. Truck accidents are often caused by speeding, distracted drivers as well as the failure to observe blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Incorrect loading of freight can also cause truck accidents. This can result in shifting, swaying, or even the truck rolling.
In addition to the truck driver and other drivers, other parties could be liable in a truck crash including the employer of the driver and the company they transport product for, and the person who is responsible for setting up the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, because each will seek to limit their own liability.
In some cases a local government entity could also be responsible for accidents that occur on their property. For instance, if poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board may be responsible for the damages that the victim has suffered. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that holds a supervisory person liable for the actions of employees acting in the scope of their duties.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than most other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more severe injuries as well, but they also have the potential to cause damage to property or destruction and cause significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine 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 took place to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is especially true in cases involving large vehicles. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic There are specific rules applicable to commercial vehicles. These rules can have a major impact on how a collision occurs, the parties accountable and the kind of damages that can be awarded. A lawyer can help to ensure that you know the rules and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be held responsible for an accident involving a truck, including the driver and their employer, as well the company that hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the maker of the truck, or any defective components that led to the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the specific evidence needed to demonstrate that all at-fault parties are accountable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience can help you avoid common tactics used by insurance companies to deny or reduce your claim. The injured victims are usually seeking money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurers know this and profit from delay as a way to pressure you to accept less than you are entitled to.
An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and present which includes medical bills, lost income and property damage. A lawyer can also assist you determine the proper amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages seek to punish the person who was at fault and discourage other people from committing similar crime.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents differ from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, like the mechanics of the truck involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash and the governing regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash lawyer should have access to the right experts who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that may be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in reconstruction of accidents are one of the most effective experts that a semi-truck attorney can contact. These experts are highly skilled and can assess the scene of an accident, examine the truck as well as the vehicle involved, determine the cause of the crash, and present their findings in a manner that is clear and comprehendable. They are usually a vital component of any successful lawsuit, as they assist jurors in understanding how the crash occurred, and which parties might be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also establish the extent of damages that are relevant and the worth. For instance, a life care planner could be hired to illustrate the impact that a accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. In addition, an economist could assist in calculating things like lost earnings damages, which could be a significant component of any compensation award.
naperville semi truck accident attorney as experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can be extremely valuable to a successful claim. These experts can help draw the line between intoxication and the crash. This is particularly true when the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist may also be an effective expert witness since they can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck that could have been involved in the collision to see if they were over-loaded.
In certain cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and the way it operates. This is particularly important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking company and might be subject to certain rules that other drivers aren't. The expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring practices and any other information that might help determine fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost during a truck accident. It's crucial to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
The most frequently cited cause of a truck collision is driver error. It could be due to driving while distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. The trucking company that operates and owns the truck may also be liable for accidents in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire unqualified drivers.
Another cause of a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck could result in an accident that is dangerous. It is vital that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the requirements for maintenance on large trucks to determine any safety issues.
A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo can cause accidents with trucks. 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 crash that can cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
Inattention of other drivers could also result in truck accidents. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions could cause the truck driver to drift off the road, and cause it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the car is usually the one that bears the brunt, resulting in serious injuries, and even 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. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks to humans who come in contact with the chemicals.