Truck Accident Attorneys Every year, 5,000 people are killed in crashes involving large trucks It's important that you get help from truck accident attorneys who are knowledgeable about the various causes An attorney must immediately submit a claim to the insurance company of the driver, as well as with the company that owns and operates the truck This is done so as to get the most insurance possible Liability Trucks constitute just 4 percent of all vehicles on the road, however they are involved in more than 55 of all accidents In the vast majority of these accidents, victims suffer severe injuries and become permanently disabled These injuries can have a huge financial impact on the victim, and the victim and their families must be compensated in order to live their lives with dignity Unfortunately trucking companies and their insurance companies will make no effort in an attempt to limit the amount of compensation a victim is entitled to You require a skilled strong, reputable semi truck accident lawyer who can tackle the insurance companies and their lawyers John Hensley and his team have the experience, knowledge and the strength to make a difference in your case A semi-truck, also known as a tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler is a big commercial vehicle made up of a truck tractor unit and an unattachable trailer that can carry cargo These trucks are prone, due to their weight and size, to serious accidents if they are driven in reckless manners Accidents involving trucks are usually caused by speeding, distracted drivers and a failure to look for blind spots when turning or changing lanes Another cause of truck crashes is improper loading of the freight which can lead to shifting and swaying which could lead to the truck rolling over In addition to the driver of the truck Other parties could be liable in a truck crash including the driver's employer, the company they haul products for, or even the person who sets up the load It is often difficult to prove the fault when there are several insurance companies involved, because each will attempt to limit its own liability In some cases, the local government agency might also be accountable for accidents that occur on its property For instance, if a poor road layout or a lack of maintenance contributed to an accident, the county board could be liable for the damage caused by the victim This type of claim is based upon the principle of vicarious accountability, which makes a supervisor accountable for the actions of an employee acting in the scope of their duties Damages Any car accident can cause severe physical and emotional trauma The consequences of a collision with a semi-truck can be more severe than other types of accidents Not only can these vehicles cause more serious injuries however, they can also cause property damage or destruction which can result in substantial financial burdens A semi truck accident lawyer can help you determine the extent of your losses and obtain the compensation you deserve https//vimeocom/709774229 's always a good idea, regardless of the type of accident that has occurred, to consult a personal injury attorney This is especially true in cases involving large-sized vehicles In addition to the general laws that regulate personal injury and traffic there are particular rules applicable to commercial trucks They affect how a crash happens, who is responsible, and the kinds of damages that could be awarded A lawyer can help you learn about these rules and ensure that the parties at fault are held accountable When a truck crash occurs it is not uncommon for there to be several parties who could be accountable for the accident, including the driver of the truck or the company they work for, as well as the company that hauled the load A truck manufacturer or defective component could also be accountable for the accident A semi truck accident lawyer can provide the evidence needed to show that all those responsible are responsible and to demonstrate that you are entitled to fair compensation Having an experienced semi truck accident attorney on your side can protect you against the common strategies used by insurance companies to reduce or deny your claim Victims of injuries are often desperate to receive their money to pay for medical treatment and other expenses Insurance companies take advantage of this by using delay to make you accept lower than you should A lawyer can help you determine all the future and present damages you are entitled to, including medical bills as well as lost income damages to property, suffering and pain A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of punitive and compensatory damages you can decide on in your particular case Compensatory damages are meant to pay you back for your losses, whereas punitive damages aim to penalize the party at fault and discourage others from committing similar acts Expert Witnesses Truck accidents are different from car accidents in that they require more specialized details, including the truck mechanics involved along with the long-term financial and medical effects of the accident and the regulations for the industry A semi-truck accident attorney should have access the right experts who can fill in gaps and provide vital evidence that could be vital to the client's claim Accident reconstruction specialists are some of the most knowledgeable experts that a semi-truck attorney can contact These professionals are experienced and are able to analyze the accident scene, analyze the truck as well as the vehicle involved and determine the reason for the crash, and present their findings clearly and comprehendable They are often a crucial component of any successful lawsuit as they help the jury understand how the accident happened and who might be responsible for it The right expert witnesses can also assist to determine what damages are enforceable and how much they will be worth For instance, a life care planner could be hired to show the impact a serious accident could have on a victim's ability to work, their medical requirements for the remainder of their lives and any other long-term consequences Likewise, an economist can assist in calculating things such as lost earnings damages, which will be a significant part of any compensation award Forensic toxicologists and experts in the recognition of alcohol and drug use can also be invaluable for a successful claim They can assist in drawing the line between intoxication, and the accident This is particularly true when the trucker was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash A metallurgist can be an excellent expert witness They can conduct tests on metal components of the truck involved in the crash to determine if they loaded too much In some cases there are occasions when a New York semi-truck accident attorney will engage an expert to examine the trucking company's operations and the way it operates This is especially crucial if the trucker was employed by a large trucking firm and may be subject to certain rules that other drivers do not The expert will be able to examine the safety protocols of the trucking company, their hiring practices and any other information that may aid in determining the cause of the accident Time Limits When a truck accident happens there is a high likelihood that evidence will be lost or destroyed It is imperative to speak with a semi truck accident attorney as quickly as possible Our attorneys will conduct an extensive investigation to determine all the parties responsible for your injuries We'll work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals and financial experts to help you obtain the compensation you deserve The most common cause of a truck accident is driver negligence This could include driving distracted, driving under the influence or driving irresponsibly The trucking company that operates and owns the truck could also be at fault for accidents in the event they fail to comply with safety guidelines or employ unqualified drivers Improper maintenance of the vehicle is a further cause of crashes involving trucks Failure to check or repair the brakes, tires, or other components could cause a dangerous crash It's crucial to ensure that your truck accident lawyer knows the requirements for maintenance of large trucks, so that they can determine any issues that could affect the safety of the truck A third reason is that a trailer that is not properly loaded or cargo could lead to a truck accident If a truck is not 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 cause serious or fatal injuries to motorists Accidents involving trucks are also caused by the negligent driving of other drivers They may cut off the driver of the truck or merge into wrong lanes These actions can cause the truck driver to veer from the road, causing it be in collision with other vehicles or pedestrians One of the most dangerous truck accidents is a head-on collision The front of the passenger vehicle is usually the one to take the brunt of the impact, which can result in serious injuries, and sometimes death These accidents happen when a truck driver falls asleep, or swerves to avoid a vehicle, or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs Trucks can cause accidents as well by spilling their hazardous materials These accidents can cause environmental damage and health hazards to people who come in contact with the chemicals