Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 individuals die in accidents caused by large trucks. If a collision occurs it's essential to consult with truck accident lawyers who understand the different factors involved.
A lawyer should immediately file claims with the driver's insurance company, as well as the company that owns the truck. This will maximize the amount of insurance.
Liability
While trucks comprise just 4 percent of vehicles on the road yet they are involved more than a fifth of all vehicular accidents. In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled. These injuries can have a massive financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families should be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and insurance providers will do everything they can in an attempt to minimize the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to. illinois semi truck accident law firm 's why you need an experienced and dependable semi truck accident lawyer who will stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and power to make a difference in your case.
Semi-trucks are also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler, are large commercial vehicles made up of a truck unit (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size to serious accidents if driven in reckless manners. Common causes of truck accidents include speeding, distracted driving, and not securing blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents as well. This can result in shifting, swaying and even rolling the truck.
In addition to the truck driver Other parties could share the blame in a truck crash, including the driver's employer as well as the company they haul products for, and even the person who arranges the load. The process of proving fault can be more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case as they will each try to limit their own liability.
In some cases, the local government agency could also be liable for any accident that occurs on its property. For instance, if a poorly designed road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board could be responsible for the damages caused by the victim. This type of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability which holds an authority party responsible for the actions of employees who is acting within the context of their work.
Damages
The emotional and physical trauma that comes with any motor vehicle crash can be quite severe. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi-truck are more severe than most other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more severe injuries, but they can also cause property damage or destruction that can lead to significant financial burdens. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can help you determine the totality of your loss and pursue the appropriate compensation for them.
It's an excellent idea to consult an attorney for injury after any type of accident, this is particularly relevant in cases involving large trucks. In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic There are specific rules for commercial trucks. They affect how a accident occurs, who is accountable, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you understand the rules and that those responsible are held accountable.
It is not uncommon that several parties are accountable for a truck crash including the driver, their employer, and the company that carried the cargo. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts may also be held responsible for the accident. An attorney for semi-truck accidents can provide the detailed evidence necessary to prove that all parties at fault are liable and that you have the right to fair compensation.
An experienced semi truck accident lawyer on your side can protect you against the common strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Injured victims are often desperate to get their money to pay for medical treatments and other expenses. Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to force you into accepting lower than you should.
A lawyer can help you determine the total amount of present and future damages that you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income as well as property damage and pain and suffering. An attorney can help determine the amount of compensatory and punitive damage to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages aim to compensate you for the losses. Punitive damages seek to penalize the party at fault and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Expert Witnesses
Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require a lot more specific information, such as the mechanics of the truck involved as well as the long-term economic and medical effects of the crash and the regulations for the industry. A semi-truck crash attorney should have access to the right experts, who can fill in the gaps of knowledge and provide testimony that could be essential to a client's case.
The specialists in accident reconstruction are among the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer can rely on. They are experienced professionals who know how to examine the scene of an accident, evaluate the truck and vehicle involved in the crash, figure out what caused the accident and present their findings in clear, simple terms. They are often a crucial element of a successful lawsuit since they can assist jurors understand why a crash occurred and who could be accountable.
The right expert witnesses can help identify the damages that are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. For instance, a health planner can be hired to demonstrate the impact that a crash might have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the rest of their lives, and any other long-term consequences. An economist can also help calculate the damages for lost earnings, which are a major component of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology forensics and drug and alcohol identification can be extremely helpful for a successful claim. These types of experts could assist in drawing a clear line between intoxication and the accident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness because they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that could be involved in the collision to see if they were over-loaded.
In some cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will hire an expert to look into the trucking company and how it operates. This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and might be subject to certain rules that other drivers are not. An expert can look into the safety protocols of the trucking company and hiring practices, as well as any other information that might aid in determining fault.
Time Limits
Evidence is usually lost or destroyed during a truck accident. This is the reason it's so important to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys will conduct an exhaustive investigation to identify the responsible parties for your injuries. We'll work with accident reconstruction specialists along with medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
The most common reason for a truck accident is driver negligence. This could result from driving while unintentionally, driving while under the influence or driving recklessly. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety guidelines or hire unqualified employees may also be held responsible for accidents.
Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. A failure to inspect or repair a truck's brakes, tires, or other components could cause a dangerous crash. It is vital that your lawyer for truck accidents knows the maintenance requirements of large trucks in order to look into any safety issues.
Another reason behind a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. 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 accident that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.
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 can cause the truck to drift off the roadway and collide with other vehicles or pedestrians.
One of the most dangerous truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, swerves to avoid another vehicle or is driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents that involve trucks spilling their loads of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.