Truck Accident Attorneys

Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. In the event of a crash it's essential to get in touch with truck accident lawyers who are aware of the various factors involved.

Attorneys should immediately file a claim with the insurance company of the driver and with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done to maximize the amount of available insurance.

Liability

Although trucks comprise only 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 serious injuries and are permanently disabled. The financial burden of these injuries can be enormous, and the family members of the victims need to recover damages to ensure they can live with dignity. Trucking companies and their insurers will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of compensation that the victim is due. That's why you need a strong, experienced oak hill semi truck accident lawyer truck accident attorney that can stand up to insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley's team has the knowledge and experience to make a major difference in your case.

A Romeoville Semi Truck Accident Lawsuit-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler, is a huge commercial vehicle consisting of an engine (tractor unit) and an detachable trailer which carries cargo. These trucks are more prone due to their size and weight to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners. Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by drivers who speed, distracted drivers, and failure to check blind spots when turning or changing lanes. Another reason behind truck crashes is improper loading of the freight that can result in shifting and swaying that could result in the truck rolling over.

In addition to the driver, other parties could be liable in truck accidents. This includes the driver's company, the company that the driver is responsible for hauling goods or the person who arranges the load. Proving fault is more difficult if multiple insurers are involved in the case because they each attempt to limit their own liability.

In some cases the local government entity could be held accountable for an accident that occurs on its property. If, for example a road that was not maintained or a poorly-designed layout contributed to an accident then the county board could be responsible for the damage suffered by the victim. This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious responsibilities, which makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of an employee performing their job.

Damages

The emotional and physical trauma that comes with any motor vehicle accident can be severe. However, the results of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than other types of accidents. Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries, but they also have the potential to damage or destroy property, resulting in significant financial burdens. A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the full extent of your losses and obtain the compensation you deserve.

It is always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that occurred to speak with an attorney who specializes in personal injury. This is particularly true when dealing with large vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition laws that govern traffic, personal injury and other laws. These rules can have a significant impact on how a crash happens, the responsible parties and the kind of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can help you understand these regulations and ensure that the at-fault parties are held liable.

When a truck crash occurs it is not uncommon to have several parties that could be responsible such as the truck driver as well as the company they work for, and the company that hauled the load. The truck manufacturer or defective parts could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident attorney will provide the exact evidence required to show that all at-fault parties are liable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.

Having an experienced semi truck accident lawyer at your side can shield you from the usual strategies that insurance companies employ to reduce or deny your claim. Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their compensation so that they can pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies profit from this by attempting to force you to accept lower than you should.

An attorney can help you determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present which includes medical bills, lost income, and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the right amount of punitive and compensatory damages to award in your particular case. Compensatory damages are intended to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to punish the person at fault and deter others from doing similar crimes.

Expert Witnesses

The nature of truck accidents is different from car accidents in that they require more specialized information, including the truck mechanics involved and the long-term economic as well as medical consequences of the accident and the governing regulations for the industry. An attorney for semi-truck accidents should have access the right experts who can fill in knowledge gaps and provide crucial testimony that could be crucial to the client's case.

Specialists in accident reconstruction are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer could call upon. These experts are knowledgeable and are able to evaluate the accident scene, analyze 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 understandable. They are usually an essential part of a successful lawsuit, as they can help the jurors understand how a crash took place and who is accountable.

The right expert witnesses can also help to identify the damages that are applicable and how much the damages will be worth. A life care planner, for instance is an expert who can show the impact of an accident that is serious on a person's ability to work and their medical needs over their life. An economist, for instance, can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will be a significant part of any compensation award.

Experts in toxicology forensics and identification of alcohol and drugs are also extremely valuable in a successful claim. These experts can help draw a clear line between alcohol consumption and the crash. This is particularly true when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of crash. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness. They can conduct tests on the metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they were loaded to the limit.

In certain cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to investigate the trucking firm itself and how it functions. This is especially crucial when the trucker is employed by a large trucking business and might be subject to certain requirements that other drivers do not. The expert can look into the safety protocols of the trucking company, as well as their hiring practices as well as any other information that may aid in determining the source of the problem.

Time Limits

Evidence is often lost or destroyed in a truck accident. That's why it's important to contact a semi truck accident lawyer as quickly as you can. Our lawyers can conduct an extensive investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with experts in accident reconstruction as well as medical professionals and financial experts to help you get the compensation you require.

The most typical cause of a truck accident involves driver carelessness. This can include driving distracted or impaired or reckless driving. Trucking companies that fail to adhere to safety standards or hire unqualified employees may be held accountable for accidents.

Another reason for a truck accident is the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. Failure to examine or repair tires, brakes, or other parts of a truck can cause a dangerous accident. It's important to make sure that your truck accident attorney understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can examine any issues that may affect the safety of the truck.

Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could cause a truck accident. If a truck is not loaded properly, it can cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to hit the ground. This is a serious crash that could result in serious or fatal injuries to motorists.

Truck accidents are also caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions could cause the truck driver to turn off the road, causing it to be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians.

One of the most fatal truck accidents is a head-on collision. The front of the passenger car is usually the one to take the brunt, which can result in grave injuries or even death. These accidents happen when a truck driver falls asleep, or swerves to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Trucks are also prone to accidents due to spilling their hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and health risks for humans who come into contact with the chemicals.