Semi Truck Accident Law
If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck the consequences could be devastating. Truck drivers, trucking firms and third-party brokers, manufacturers or and trucking companies themselves, could be held responsible for injuries.
You may seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages. A skilled NYC compensation lawyer can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.
Get Help from the police
A truck accident is not something to be laughed about. These huge vehicles can weigh up to 30 times as much as the average passenger car and are capable of devastating collisions that usually leave victims with serious injuries and significant damage. Every 16 seconds, there is an accident involving trucks in the United States. These crashes are responsible for hundreds of thousands of injuries.
Truck drivers must drive safely and obey traffic laws, however their duties can be extremely demanding, causing them to become exhausted and distracted. This can lead to negligent decisions made while driving. It takes just an instant for a driver to fall asleep behind the wheel or lose control. The consequences of these mistakes can be catastrophic and leave families struggling to cope with the consequences.
If a truck collision occurs it is crucial that the authorities investigate the crash site and record all of the relevant details. The name of the driver, the company where he or she works and the trucking company who owns the vehicle all important. It is also essential to collect contact information from any witnesses such as their names and telephone numbers. Having this information will be important when it comes the time to bring a lawsuit.
Semi trucks are also equipped with "black box" devices that can provide important information in the event of an accident. These devices record a tremendous amount of information about the truck's speed and brake usage, among other details that could be useful in determining the cause of an accident. Our NYC truck accident attorneys are knowledgeable about the technology and know how use it and analyze it in order to make a convincing case for our clients.
In addition, to truck driver negligence, it is possible that the governing body or the city where the incident occurred could be liable for a crash. For instance, if a roadway was poorly maintained or had signs that were not properly maintained and signs, this could be grounds for a claim against the city. Our attorneys can determine the person responsible and ensure that they are accountable for injuries caused by negligence.
Collect evidence
A successful claim for a truck accident will prove that a third party failed to fulfill their duty of care and caused the crash. A successful negligence case will result in compensation for all the economic and non-economic losses you've suffered, such as medical expenses, lost income property damage as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
To prove your case you'll need evidence to prove each element of negligence. While you're at the scene of the accident, capture photos and videos of the vehicle damage including tire marks, the accident site, weather and road conditions as well as your injuries and anything else you could think of that may be helpful in making your case. Also, obtain the contact information of all witnesses so that your attorney can later contact them to record their testimony and their statements.
The logbooks of trucking firms and other documents that detail the hours of work of the driver, cargo loads and maintenance activities are also essential. These records may be useful in establishing a driver's drug or fatigue use, which is a common cause of truck accidents. Trucking companies are required by federal law to keep these records and your lawyer may request them through the formal discovery process if the company refuses to turn them over voluntarily.
The truck inspection report is a third kind of evidence that could be used to show that the trucking company might have made a few sloppy decisions to save money and these methods could have resulted the truck being dangerously in danger or unsafe. Your lawyer will also try to obtain black-box information and other high-tech tools that will help you construct your case, and any information you may have regarding the background of the truck driver, including prior traffic convictions. Your lawyer can also get copies of your medical records and receipts for any medication or treatments you've received, scans, tests results, and other records relevant to your case. All of this evidence is crucial in proving your case for damages. You will not be able to receive the compensation you deserve without this evidence.
Hire an Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries in a truck accident you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal procedure of filing a lawsuit in order to seek compensation for damages resulting from the negligent act of the party responsible. They are also able to negotiate with insurance companies and take the necessary steps to get a settlement.
A reliable lawyer can gather and analyze crucial evidence from the accident. This includes police reports, medical records and witness statements. They can also examine other factors that contributed to the accident, including weather conditions or road conditions. They can also examine the status of employment for the driver of the truck and the company he works for, as well as any training certificates.
Due to their weight and size truck accidents are more complex than accidents that involve two cars. Moreover, there are many different parties that could be responsible for the incident including truck drivers, trucking companies, and even truck manufacturers.
To maximize the chance of receiving compensation, it is important to find an attorney who is well-versed with the trucking industry and regulations. They should also be willing to represent their clients against 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 must be able to respond to all of your questions and be able to meet face-to-face when needed. If they don't reply to your calls or emails promptly, this is a red flag and you should stay clear of them.
Asking about an attorney's experience in handling trucking-related cases is the best method to determine if they are the right fit for your needs. They should be able provide you with information on their success rates as well as previous cases. They should also be able to explain their fees and whether or not they have additional costs like expert witness services or reconstruction of accidents.
A wrongful death claim is a possibility for anyone who has lost a loved one in a car accident. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors can seek compensation to pay for funeral expenses and loss of companionship. In addition, they can receive monetary compensation to pay for medical bills and loss of income.
Talk to the Insurance Company
After a semi-truck accident the costs mount up quickly and the victim is compelled to pay the money needed. A shrewd insurance company will be aware of this and could use your desperate situation to its advantage, offering low-cost deals that do not cover the total cost of your injuries.
A truck accident lawyer will guard you against this type of manipulation. An attorney can assist you negotiate a settlement with any insurance companies or parties involved in your case. He can also handle phone calls from insurance representatives and ensure that you are not misled or swindled.
Your attorney will start the negotiation process by sending an insurance company a letter of demand that will describe your losses and ask for an exact amount of compensation for each. It is possible that the two parties may be required to talk back and forth during the negotiation process, since there could be disagreements regarding certain aspects or parts of your claim.
It is important to realize that the settlement of your medical bills and financial damages can take a long time, particularly when your injuries are severe. It is essential to work with your physician and hospital to establish payment arrangements that allow you to continue receiving treatment while you wait for an acceptable settlement.
A reliable lawyer can assist you in determining whether your accident was caused by accident with a jackknife or loss of load. He will be able determine whether the accident was the result of the negligence of the truck driver, or if there were other parties involved.
There are a variety of different entities that could be held accountable for your injuries, including the trucking company and their drivers as well as the truck manufacturer third party shippers, and even manufacturers. Working with greenville semi truck accident law firm can help you identify all defendants that could be liable, and seek maximum compensation from them.