Truck Accident Attorneys
Every year, 5,000 people die in accidents involving large trucks. It is important to employ truck accident lawyers who are knowledgeable of the different causes.
A lawyer should immediately initiate claims with the insurance company as in the case of the company that is the owner of the truck. This will maximize the amount of available insurance.
Liability
While trucks make up only 4 percent of the vehicles on the road however, they are involved in more than half of all motor vehicle accidents. The vast majority of those accidents cause catastrophic injuries with victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a massive financial impact, and the victims and families need to be compensated for their loss in order to live with dignity. Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance companies will do everything they can in their efforts to reduce the amount of compensation a victim has the right to. You require a skilled strong and experienced semi truck accident lawyer to fight the insurance companies and their lawyers. John Hensley and his team have the knowledge, experience and determination to make the difference in your case.
Semi-trucks, also known by the names tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler are commercial vehicles of a large size made up of an engine (tractor) and an attached trailer that is used to transport cargo. Due to their size and weight they are vulnerable to serious accidents when they are driven recklessly or if a driver fails to exercise reasonable care while operating the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to look over blind spots prior to changing lanes or turning. Incorrect loading of freight can cause truck accidents too. This can lead to shifting, swaying, or even rolling the truck.
In addition to the truck driver, other parties may share liability in a truck crash including the driver's employer as well as the company they haul product for, and the person who sets up the load. It is difficult to establish the responsibility when there are multiple insurance companies involved, as each will attempt to limit their own liability.
In some instances the local government agency could also be responsible for a crash that occurs on their property. If, for instance a road that is not maintained or a poorly designed layout caused an accident, then the county board could be liable for the damage suffered by the victim. This kind of claim is based on the principle of vicarious liability that is the law that holds a supervisor responsible for the actions of an employee doing their duties.
Damages
Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe emotional and physical trauma. However, the effects of a collision with a semi truck are more severe than most other types of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This can lead to a substantial financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the extent of your losses and seek the appropriate compensation for them.
Although it's generally a good idea to consult an injury attorney after any kind of accident this is particularly important for cases involving large-sized trucks. In addition to the general laws that govern personal injury and traffic There are specific rules applicable to commercial trucks. These regulations could have a significant effect on how a crash occurs, the parties responsible and the kinds of damages that could be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you are aware of the regulations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
When a truck accident occurs it is not uncommon for there to be several people who are responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck, the company they work for, as well as the company that carried the load. A truck manufacturer, or any defective parts could also be liable for the accident. A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence required to prove that all parties responsible are accountable and that you are entitled to fair compensation.
A semi truck accident lawyer with years of experience will protect you from common tactics used by insurance firms to deny or reduce your claim. Victims of injuries often feel desperate to receive their compensation to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. Insurance companies know this and profit from this, using delaying as a strategy to pressure you to accept less than what you are entitled to.
An attorney can help determine the damages you are entitled to in the future and in the present, including medical expenses, lost income and property damage. An attorney can also help you determine the proper amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your case. Compensatory damages aim to pay you back for your losses, while punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and discourage others from engaging in similar actions.
Expert Witnesses
As opposed to a typical car crash scenario, truck accidents generally involve a lot of highly specific information about the industry's regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term economic and medical impact of the accident. A semi-truck accident attorney should be able to access experts who can fill in gaps and provide crucial evidence that could be crucial to the client's case.
Accident reconstruction specialists are one of the most useful experts that a semi-truck accident lawyer might want to call. They are experts with years of experience who know how to look over an accident scene, assess the vehicle and truck involved in the collision, identify what caused it, and explain their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an important element of a successful lawsuit, since they can assist jurors understand how a crash occurred and who might be responsible.
Expert witnesses can also help to determine what damages are enforceable and how much they will be worth. For instance, a life care planner can be hired to illustrate the impact that a serious accident could have on the victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remainder of their lives as well as any other long-term effects. An economist can also calculate the damages for lost earnings which is a significant part of any compensation award.
Experts in toxicology forensics and the identification of alcohol and drugs can also be very valuable to a successful claim. These experts can assist in drawing a clear line between alcohol and the incident, particularly when the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. A metallurgist is also an excellent expert witness. They can examine the metal components of the truck involved in the accident to determine if they were loaded with too much.
In certain cases an attorney in an New York semi truck accident will hire an expert to look into the trucking business and how it operates. This is particularly important when the trucker worked for an established trucking company and was subject to standards that other drivers weren't. An expert can look into the trucking company's safety procedures hiring practices, safety procedures, and any other information which could assist in determining the cause of the accident.
overland park semi truck accident settlement
When a truck accident happens and evidence is lost or destroyed. It is crucial to get in touch with a semi-truck crash attorney as soon as you can. Our attorneys can conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts medical professionals, financial experts and experts to ensure you receive the compensation you need.
The most common reason for truck accidents is driver carelessness. This can include driving distracted or under the influence or reckless driving. Trucking companies that do not adhere to safety standards or hire employees with no qualifications could also be held accountable for accidents.
Another reason behind a truck accident is the inadvertent maintenance of the vehicle. Failure to check or repair the truck's brakes, tires or other parts can result in a deadly crash. It is vital that your lawyer for truck accidents is aware of the maintenance requirements for large trucks in order to examine any safety concerns.
A third reason for a truck accident is a poorly loaded trailer or cargo. If a truck is not properly loaded, it may cause the trailer to shift on the road or cause the truck to jackknife. This is a serious accident that can cause serious or fatal injuries to other motorists on the road.
Truck accidents can also be caused by negligent driving from other drivers. They could cut off the driver of the truck or merge into the wrong lanes. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to drift off the road, causing it to collide with other vehicles and pedestrians.
A head-on collision between a truck and a passenger vehicle is one of the most fatal kinds of truck accidents. The front end of a passenger vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries and death. These kinds of accidents typically occur on roads that are not divided when the truck driver falls asleep, steers away from another vehicle or is driving under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks spilling their loads of hazardous materials. These accidents could cause environmental damage and risk to the health of people who come into contact with the chemicals.