Say "Yes" To These 5 Semi Truck Compensation Tips
Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in crashes involving large trucks. It is crucial to engage with lawyers for truck accidents who are knowledgeable about the various causes.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the driver's insurance company as well as the company that is the owner of the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
Although trucks comprise only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road but 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. The financial burden of those injuries can be huge, and the families of victims require compensation to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation that a victim is entitled to. cicero semi truck accident claim need a knowledgeable and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who can confront insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the expertise skills, experience, and determination to make a huge difference in your case.
A semi-truck, also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a large commercial vehicle made up of a truck (tractor unit) and a detachable trailer that carries cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their size and weight, to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. Truck accidents are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the freight which can lead to shifting and swaying which could potentially result in the truck rolling over.
In addition to the driver, other parties may share the responsibility for the event of a truck crash. This includes the driver's business as well as the company that the driver is responsible for hauling goods and even the person who is responsible for setting up the load. The process of proving fault can be more difficult when multiple insurers are involved in the matter, because they all attempt to limit their own liability.
In certain instances the local government agency might also be liable for any accident that occurs on its property. If, for instance a road that was not maintained or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious responsibility that makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of an employee while performing their job.
Damages
The physical and emotional trauma that follows any motor vehicle accident could be severe. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more serious than most other types of accidents. Not only do these vehicles cause more serious injuries as well, but they can also destroy or damage property, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you to determine the full extent of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.
It's always a good idea, regardless of the kind of accident that took place to consult an attorney for personal injury. This is especially true in cases involving large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subject to special rules in addition to laws that govern personal injury, traffic and other laws. These rules could have a significant effect on how a collision occurs, the parties responsible and the types damages that could be awarded. An attorney can ensure that you are aware of the regulations and that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable.
It is not unusual for several parties to be accountable for a truck accident including the driver and their employer, as well the company who hauled the cargo. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the manufacturer of the truck, or any of the parts that were defective and caused the accident. An attorney who is a semi truck accident can provide the specific evidence required to show that all parties at fault are responsible and you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with experience will be able to protect you from common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Injured victims are often needing to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by attempting to make you accept less than you deserve.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the near and future, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can help determine how much punitive and compensatory damages you can determine in your case. Compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for your losses, whereas punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter others from committing similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
Unlike a normal car accident case, truck accidents typically contain a large amount of specialized information about industry regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic effects of the collision. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the appropriate experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide evidence that can be crucial to a client's case.
Specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most valuable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney could call upon. They are skilled and can assess the scene of an accident, evaluate both the truck and the vehicle involved in it as well as determine the root of the crash, and then explain their findings clearly and comprehendable. They are often a key part of any successful lawsuit, as they help the jury understand how a particular crash happened, and which parties could be accountable for it.
Expert witnesses can also determine the damages that are applicable and their value. A life care planner, for example, can be hired to demonstrate the impact of an accident of a serious nature on the victim's ability to work as well as their medical needs throughout their lifetime. An economist can also determine the amount of compensation for lost earnings that are a key component of any compensation payout.
Experts in toxicology forensics as well as identification of drugs and alcohol can be extremely helpful in a successful claim. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash, especially when the trucker might have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. A metallurgist can be an expert witness. They can test metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they were loaded too much.
In some instances the New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to examine the trucking company itself and how it operates. This is particularly important if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and is subject to certain rules that other drivers aren't. An expert can look into the safety policies of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information which could aid in determining the source of the problem.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually destroyed or lost in a truck accident. That's why it's important to speak with a semi truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to discover the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction doctors, medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you deserve.
The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This can be caused by driving distracted, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck may also be accountable for the accident in the event that they do not follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers.
Another cause of a truck accident is poor maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to inspect or repair tires, brakes or other components of a vehicle can result in the risk of a fatal accident. It's important to make sure that your attorney for truck accidents knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks to be able to determine any issues that could affect the truck's safety.
A third reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the truck or trailer to jackknife if not properly loaded. This is a serious hazard that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists on the road.
Truck accidents are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong direction. These actions can cause the truck's wheels to slide off the road and crash with other vehicles or pedestrians.
A head-on collision between trucks and a passenger vehicle is among the most fatal types of truck accidents. The front end of the passenger vehicle typically takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These types of accidents usually occur on highways with no traffic lanes when the truck driver is asleep, turns to avoid another vehicle or is under the effects of alcohol or drugs. Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling hazardous materials. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.