Semi Truck Accident Law
If you are involved in an accident with a semi truck the consequences can be devastating. There are many parties who are responsible for your injuries, such as truck drivers, trucking companies and third party brokers, or manufacturers.
You can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. A skilled NYC compensation attorney can assist you in obtaining the settlement you deserve.
Find Help from the police
Getting into a truck accident isn't something to joke about. These massive vehicles are capable of causing devastating collisions that could cause serious injuries to victims or damage that is significant. Every 16 seconds, there is an accident involving trucks in the United States. These crashes result in hundreds of thousands of injuries.
While truck drivers are required to follow traffic laws and be safe but their duties are usually demanding, and they can lead them to become fatigued and distracted. This can lead them to make poor driving decisions. It only takes a split-second for a driver to fall asleep at the steering wheel or lose control. The consequences of these mistakes can be severe and leave families struggling with the consequences.
It is essential that, when an accident with a truck occurs the authorities investigate the crash scene and record all pertinent information. This includes the name of the truck driver, his or her employer, and the trucking company which owns the truck. It is also important to obtain contact details from witnesses that you can get, including their names and telephone numbers. This is essential when it comes time to file a lawsuit.
Additionally, semi trucks are equipped with "black boxes" that can provide crucial evidence in the event of an accident. These devices record a vast amount of data about the speed of the truck, brake usage, and other details that could be helpful in determining who is at fault for an accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are knowledgeable about this technology and are able to access and analyze this information in order to create a compelling argument for our clients.
It could be that, in addition to the truck driver's negligence, the city or governing body that caused the accident occurred could also be held accountable for the accident. If the road was not maintained properly or there were obstructed signs on the road, this could be grounds for a claim. west jordan semi truck accident lawsuit can determine who is responsible and hold them liable for the harm caused by their negligence.
Collect Evidence
One of the most important aspects of a successful truck accident claim is proving that the other party owed you an obligation of care, and negligently violated that duty, causing the accident. A negligence claim that is successful will result in a payout for your economic and non-economic losses, which include medical expenses, lost wages emotional distress, property damage and suffering and pain.
You'll have to prove for each element of negligence to establish your case. While you're at the scene of the accident, capture photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle and tire marks, the accident site the road conditions and weather, your injuries, and everything else you can think of that could aid in proving your case. Also, gather the contact information of any witnesses so that your lawyer can later contact them to record their witness testimony and declarations.
The logbooks of the trucking companies and other documents that detail the hours of work of the driver and cargo loads as well as maintenance activities are also important. These records may be useful in establishing the driver's drug or fatigue use which is a typical reason for truck accidents. Trucking companies are required by federal regulations to keep these records, and your lawyer can request them by filing the formal discovery process if the company refuses to turn the records over on a voluntary basis.
The report of inspections on trucks is a further type of evidence that can be used to show that the trucking company may have resorted to shortcuts in order to save money and that these mistakes could have resulted in an unsafely in danger or unsafe. Your lawyer can also help to obtain black box information and other high-tech devices which can aid in the development of your case, along with any information you may have regarding the truck driver's background, including any prior traffic convictions. Your lawyer can also obtain copies of your medical records, receipts for medications or treatments that you have received scans, results of tests and other documents that are relevant to your case. All of this evidence is crucial to establishing your claim for damages. You won't be able to claim the compensation that you deserve without this evidence.
Hire an Attorney
If you or someone close to you was injured severely in an accident with a truck you may be entitled to compensation. A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the legal process of filing a lawsuit in order to recover damages caused by the negligence of the party at fault. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and follow the steps to get a settlement.
A reputable attorney can collect and analyze important evidence gathered from an accident. This includes police reports and medical records. They can also examine other factors that contributed to the accident, such as road conditions or weather conditions. They can also examine the status of employment of the driver of the truck and his company, as well any certificates of training.
Due to their size and weight truck accidents are more complex than accidents involving two vehicles. There are many individuals who may be at fault for the accident, including truck drivers, trucking firms as well as truck manufacturers.
It is essential to find an attorney who is knowledgeable with the regulations for trucking and the industry. This will maximize your chances of receiving compensation. They should also be prepared to advocate on behalf of their clients with large corporations and their legal teams.
It is important to select an attorney who can communicate with you and keep you informed about the progress of your case. They should be able to answer your questions and be able for a face-to-face meeting if required. If they don't reply to your messages or calls promptly, it's a red flag and you should stay clear of them.
The best way to determine if or the attorney you choose is suitable for you is to ask about their experience with handling trucking cases. They will be able to provide examples of cases they have handled in the past and specifics about their success rate. They should also be able explain their costs and if they have additional costs like expert witness services or reconstruction of an accident.
A wrongful death claim is possible for anyone who has lost a loved one in a truck accident. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors are eligible for reimbursement for funeral expenses and the loss of companionship. In addition, they are able to be awarded monetary compensation to help pay for their medical bills and lost income.
Discuss your options with your Insurance Company
The costs start to mount quickly following a semi truck accident, and the injured victim is often under pressure to get the funds needed. A smart insurance firm will be aware this and could use your situation's urgency to benefit themselves, by offering low-ball offers that do not cover the full cost of your injuries.
A knowledgeable truck crash lawyer at your side will safeguard you from this kind of manipulation. An attorney can help negotiate an agreement with the liable party or insurance companies that will be involved in your case. He can also handle any telephone calls from insurance representatives and ensure you don't get swindled or cheated.
Your attorney will begin the negotiation process by sending an insurance company a demand letter detailing your losses and request a specific amount of compensation for each. It is possible that the two parties may have to go between them during the negotiation process, since there may be disagreements on certain elements or sections of your claim.
It is important to understand that medical bills and other financial damages could take a long time to settle, especially the more serious your injuries are. It is essential to work with your doctor and hospital to create payment plans that allow you to continue receiving treatment while waiting for an equitable settlement.
A experienced lawyer can assist you in determining whether your accident was caused by a the jackknife, or a loss in load. He will be able to determine if your accident was the result of the negligence of a truck driver or if there were other parties involved.
There are a myriad of different entities that could be responsible for your injuries, including the trucking company and their drivers and the truck manufacturer, third party shippers, as well as product manufacturers. A skilled lawyer will allow you to determine the potential defendants and seek maximum compensation from them.