Semi Truck Accident Law
Accidents involving semi-trucks can cause devastating injuries. There are many parties who are responsible for your injuries, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and third party brokers or manufacturers.
You can claim compensation for your non-economic and financial injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable NYC compensation lawyer can assist you in obtaining the settlement you deserve.
Get help from the police
A truck accident is not something to laugh at. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 30 times the weight of a car for passengers and are capable of devastating collisions that usually result in victims suffering severe injuries and extensive damage. Unfortunately every 16 seconds, a truck accident occurs in the United States, and these crashes are blamed for thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries.
Truck drivers are required to drive safely and obey traffic regulations, but their work can be stressful and lead them to get tired and distracted. This can lead to impulsive decisions at the wheel and it can take a split second for a distracted driver to be asleep or lose control of their vehicle. The consequences of these errors can be devastating and often leave families struggling to cope with the aftermath.
It is important that when an accident involving a truck happens, authorities investigate the crash scene and take note of all relevant details. This includes the name of the driver, the employer, as well as the trucking firm that owns the truck. It is also important to get contact information from any witnesses, including their names and phone numbers. Knowing this information will prove important when it comes the time to make a claim.
Semi-trucks are also fitted with "black box" devices that can provide valuable information in the event of an accident. These devices collect a huge amount of information regarding the speed of the truck and brake usage, as well as other information that can be useful in determining the cause of an accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are well-versed in this technology and know how to analyze and access the information to make a convincing case for our clients.
In addition to the truck driver's negligence it is possible that the city or governing body in which the accident took place may be responsible for the crash. For example, if the road was not maintained properly or had obstructed signs that could be reason to bring a lawsuit against the municipality. Our attorneys can determine who is accountable and hold them accountable for the harm caused by their negligence.
Collect Evidence
A successful claim for a truck accident will prove that someone else breached their duty of care in a negligent manner, causing the crash. A successful negligence claim can result in compensation for all the economic and non-economic damages you've suffered, such as medical expenses, lost income property damage as well as pain and suffering and emotional distress.
You'll need to provide evidence for each element of negligence to establish your case. Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident. These could include vehicle's damage tires, the accident site, and even the weather conditions. You may also wish to document your injuries. Also, obtain the contact information for any eyewitnesses. This way, your attorney can contact them later to take their statements and witness testimony.
The logbooks of trucking companies and other records detailing the hours worked by the driver along with cargo loads and maintenance activities are also essential. These records may be useful in establishing a driver's use of drugs or fatigue, which is a common cause of truck accidents. Trucking companies are required by federal law to keep these documents, and your lawyer is able to obtain them by filing an official discovery request if the company is unwilling to turn them over in a voluntary manner.
Another type of crucial evidence is the report on truck inspections that can be used to demonstrate that the trucking firm may have cut corners in order to save money, and that these sloppy practices could have resulted in a unsafe or defective truck. Your lawyer can also help to obtain black box data and other high-tech equipment to help you build your case, as well as any information you have about the truck driver's background, including prior traffic violations. Your lawyer can also get copies of any medical records, receipts for medications or treatments you've received scans, results of tests as well as other documents that relate to your case. All of this evidence will be crucial to establishing your claim for damages. It is impossible to get the compensation you are entitled to without it.
Employ an attorney
You may be entitled compensation if you or someone in your family has suffered serious injuries as a result of a truck crash. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the legal procedure of filing a lawsuit to recover damages caused by the negligent actions of the at-fault party. They can also negotiate with insurance companies and take necessary steps to negotiate a settlement.
A reliable lawyer can gather and analyze crucial evidence from the accident. This includes police reports as well as medical records. They can also examine other factors that may have contributed to the accident such as weather or road conditions. They can also look into the employment status of the driver of the truck and the company he works for, as well as any certificates of training.
Due to their weight and size truck accidents are more complex than accidents involving two vehicles. Furthermore, there are many different people who could be responsible for the accident including truck drivers, trucking companies, and even truck manufacturers.
It is crucial to choose an attorney who is familiar with the trucking regulations and the trucking industry. This will maximize your chances of getting compensation. Additionally, they must be prepared to defend the rights of their clients against large corporations and their teams of lawyers.
It is crucial to choose an attorney who communicates with you and keep you updated about the progress of your case. They should be able to answer all your questions and meet with you face-to–face whenever necessary. If they don't respond to your calls or emails quickly, this is a red flag and you should stay clear of them.
Asking about an attorney's experience in handling cases involving trucking is the best way to determine if they are the right fit for your needs. They will be able to provide you with case examples from previous cases and information about their success rate. They should also explain their fees in advance and whether they cover any additional costs, like expert witnesses or accident reconstruction services.
A wrongful death claim is possible for anyone who has lost a family member in a truck accident. EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors are entitled to compensation for funeral costs and loss of companionship. In addition, they can receive compensation in the form of money to pay for their medical bills and lost income.
Talk to the Insurance Company
After a semi-truck accident the costs mount up quickly and the injured party is compelled to pay the money they need. A shrewd insurance firm will be aware of this and may use your situation to benefit themselves, by offering low-cost deals that do not cover the entire cost of your injuries.
A knowledgeable truck crash lawyer on your side will protect you from this type of manipulation. An attorney can help negotiate a settlement with insurance companies or other parties in your case. Attorneys can also take phone calls from insurance companies and ensure that you are not lulled or misled.
Your attorney will begin the negotiation process by sending an order letter to the insurance company. arvada semi truck accident law firm will list your losses and request a specific amount of compensation for each one. It is possible that the two parties could need to go back and forth throughout the negotiation process, since there may be disagreements on specific elements or parts of your claim.
It is important to recognize that your medical bills and other damages could take an extended time to settle, particularly the more severe your injuries are. This is why it is crucial to collaborate with your doctor and the hospital to establish payment arrangements that will allow you to get medical treatment while being capable of waiting for an acceptable settlement.
A reputable lawyer can assist you in determining the cause of your accident, whether it was caused by a jackknife, an inability to load, or another issue. He will be able determine whether the accident was caused by the truck driver's negligence or if there were other parties involved.
You can hold a range of individuals accountable for your injuries. These include the trucking company, their drivers, the truck maker, third-party shippers, or even the product manufacturer. When you partner with a seasoned attorney, you'll be able to determine all the possible defendants and seek maximum compensation from each.