Five Semi Truck Compensation Lessons From The Professionals
Truck Accident Attorneys Each year, 5,000 people are killed in accidents involving large trucks. If a collision occurs, it's important to work with truck accident lawyers who understand the various factors involved. Attorneys should immediately make a claim with the insurance company of the driver as well as with the company that operates and owns the truck. This is done so as to maximize the amount of insurance available. Liability Trucks constitute just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, however they are involved in over 55% of all accidents. Most of those accidents result in severe injuries, that result in victims suffering permanent and life-altering disabilities. These injuries can have a significant financial impact, and victims and their families must be compensated to live with dignity. Trucking companies and their insurers will do everything in their power to reduce the amount of compensation the victim is entitled to. This is why you require an experienced, skilled semi truck accident lawyer who is able to stand up against insurance companies and their attorneys. John Hensley's team has the knowledge of experience, expertise, and the strength to make a difference in your case. A semi-truck also referred to as a tractor-trailer or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle comprised of the truck (tractor unit) and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo. Because of their size and weight they are vulnerable to serious accidents if they are driven recklessly or if the driver is not exercising reasonable care while driving the vehicle. The most common causes of accidents involving trucks include speeding, distracted driving and failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the cargo, which can cause shifting and swaying which could lead to the truck rolling over. In addition to the driver, other parties can share responsibility in a truck accident. This includes the company that is responsible for the driver as well as the company that the driver transports goods for, or even the person responsible for setting up the load. It is more difficult when multiple insurance companies are involved in the case since they all try to limit their own liability. In some instances, the local government entity could also be liable for an accident that occurs on its property. For example, if a poorly designed road layout or maintenance issues caused an accident, the county board may be liable for the damage sustained by the victim. This type of claim is based on the concept of vicarious responsibility, which makes a supervisory party liable for the actions of an employee who is acting within the context of their work. Damages Any accident involving a motor vehicle can result in extreme emotional and physical trauma. However, the consequences of a collision with a semi truck can be more serious than the majority of accidents. These vehicles can cause serious injuries and damage to property. This could lead to a significant financial burden. A semi truck accident lawyer can assist you in determining the extent of your losses and seek the right compensation for them. 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 important in cases involving large-sized vehicles. Commercial trucks are subjected to specific regulations in addition laws that regulate traffic, personal injury and other laws. These can affect how the crash occurs, who's accountable, and the kinds of damages that may be awarded. A lawyer can ensure that you understand the regulations and that the parties responsible for the crash are held accountable. When a truck collision occurs it is not unusual to find a variety of people who are responsible for the accident, including the driver of the truck as well as the company they work for, as well as the company that carries the load. Additionally, the blame could be assigned to the maker of the truck or any faulty parts that caused the accident. An attorney who is a semi truck accident can provide the detailed evidence required to show that all parties at fault are responsible and that you are entitled to fair compensation. A seasoned semi truck accident lawyer to defend your rights from the common tactics that insurance companies use to deny or limit your claim. Victims of injuries are often seeking money in order to pay for medical treatment and other expenses. The insurance companies are aware of this and profit from this, using delaying as a way to pressure you to accept lower than you should. A lawyer can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, such as medical bills as well as lost income property damage, suffering and pain. A lawyer can also assist you determine the right amount of compensatory and punitive damages to award in your particular case. Compensation damages are designed to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages aim to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from engaging in similar acts. Expert Witnesses Unlike a normal car accident scenario, truck accidents generally include a great deal of specific information regarding industry regulations such as truck mechanics, the long-term medical and economic effects of the crash. A semi-truck accident lawyer should have access to the best experts who can fill in gaps in knowledge and provide evidence that could be vital to a client's claim. Accident reconstruction specialists are among the most reliable experts that a semi-truck accident attorney can rely on. They are experts with years of experience who know how to look over the scene of the accident, examine the truck and other vehicles involved in the collision, identify the cause of the crash and explain their findings in clear, easy-to-understand terms. They are often an important part of a successful lawsuit because they can help jurors understand why a crash took place and who is responsible. The right expert witnesses can also assist to identify the damages that are applicable and how much those damages will be worth. A life care planner, for example is a person who can demonstrate the impact of a serious accident on a victim’s ability to work and their medical needs throughout their entire life. An economist may also be able to calculate the loss of earnings damages which is a major component of any compensation award. Experts in toxicology in the forensic field and identification of alcohol and drugs are also extremely valuable to a successful claim. These types of experts can help draw a clear line between drunkenness and the accident, particularly when the trucker was been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision. A metallurgist can also be an expert witness as they can conduct tests on metal components of the truck that might have been involved in the collision to see if they were over-loaded. In some cases, a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to look into the trucking company and how it operates. This is particularly important in the event that the trucker was employed by a large trucking business and could be subject to certain rules that other drivers do not. The expert will be able to examine the safety policies of the trucking company, their hiring practices and any other information that could help determine fault. 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 attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who's responsible for your injuries. We'll collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial analysts to ensure you get the compensation that you deserve. kentucky semi truck accident law firm for a truck accident involves driver negligence. This could result from driving while distracted, driving while under the influence, or driving irresponsibly. The trucking company that owns and operates the truck could also be liable for the accident if they fail to follow safety regulations or hire inexperienced drivers. Unprofessional maintenance of the vehicle is another cause of an accident involving a truck. Failure to inspect or repair tires, brakes or other components of a truck could result in an accident that is dangerous. It's important to make sure that your truck accident attorney understands the maintenance needs of large trucks, so that they can investigate any issues with the truck's safety. Thirdly, a trailer that isn't properly loaded or cargo could lead to a truck accident. A truck that is not properly loaded can cause the trailer or truck to be jackknifed if not properly loaded. This is a serious accident that could cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists. Drivers' negligence by other drivers can cause truck accidents too. They may cut off the truck driver or merge into the wrong lane. These actions may cause the driver of the truck to veer from the road, causing it collide with other vehicles and pedestrians. One of the most fatal truck accidents is one that involves a head-on collision. The front of the passenger vehicle typically bears 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, is unable to steer clear of another vehicle, or is under the under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There are also accidents involving trucks that spill their load of hazardous substances. These accidents can cause environmental harm and health hazards to people who come in contact with the chemicals.