Semi Truck Accident Law
Accidents with semi trucks can cause devastating injuries. There are a variety of parties that are responsible for your injuries, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and third party brokers, or manufacturers.
You can seek compensation for non-economic and economic 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 isn't something to be laughed about. These massive vehicles can weigh as much as 30 times more than the average passenger car, and they are capable of devastating collisions that often result in victims suffering severe injuries and extensive damage. Sadly every 16 seconds, a truck crash occurs somewhere in the United States, and these crashes are blamed for thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousand of injuries.
Truck drivers are required to be safe and adhere to traffic regulations, but their work can be extremely demanding, causing them to become exhausted and distracted. This can lead to rash driving decisions. It takes just the span of a second for drivers to fall asleep behind the wheel or lose control. The consequences of these mistakes can be catastrophic and often leave families struggling to cope with the aftermath.
It is vital that if a truck accident occurs, the authorities investigate the crash scene and record all pertinent details. The name of the driver, his company where they work, and the trucking firm that owns the vehicle are all important. It is important to get contact information, such as names and phone numbers from witnesses. Having this information will be valuable when it comes time to bring a lawsuit.
Furthermore, semi-trucks come with "black boxes" that can provide crucial evidence in the event of a truck accident. These devices can record the details of the truck, including its speed, brake use and other information that can be useful in determining the person responsible for an accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are familiar with the technology and know how to access and analyze this information in order to make a convincing argument for our clients.
It is possible that, in addition to the truck driver's negligence and the city or governing body where the incident occurred could be held accountable for the crash. For instance, if the road was not properly maintained or had obstructed signs, this may be cause for a claim against the city. Our lawyers can identify who is responsible and make them accountable for any injuries caused by negligence.
Collect evidence
A successful truck accident claim will prove that someone else failed to fulfill their duty of care negligently, causing the accident. A successful negligence claim will result in compensation for all the economic and non-economic losses you've endured, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage and pain and suffering and emotional stress.
To establish your case you'll need evidence to establish each of the elements of negligence. Take pictures and videos at the accident scene. This could include vehicle damage as well as tire tracks, the site of the crash and the weather conditions. You may also wish to record your injuries. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses to your case so that your attorney can later contact them to record their witness statements and testimony.
Another crucial piece of evidence is the logbooks of the trucking company and other documents that detail the driver's hours as well as cargo loads and maintenance activities. These records could be helpful in establishing the driver's drug or fatigue use which is a frequent cause of truck accidents. Federal regulations require that trucking companies keep these records. Your lawyer can request the documents through a formal request if they refuse to do so by choice.
south gate semi truck accident lawsuit is a further type of evidence that can be used to show that the trucking company may have taken shortcuts to save money and that the methods could have resulted an unsafely hazardous or defective. Your lawyer can also help to obtain black box data as well as other high-tech devices to help you build your case, and any information you may have regarding the background of the truck driver including any prior traffic convictions. Your lawyer can also get copies of any medical records, receipts for medications or treatments you've received, scans, results of tests and other records that pertain to your case. All of these documents will be vital to establishing damages. Without it, you have no way to receive the amount you are due.
Hire an attorney
You could be entitled to compensation if you or a family member has suffered serious injuries in a car crash. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process of filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages resulting from the negligent act of the party responsible. They can also engage with insurance companies and make the necessary arrangements to get a fair settlement.
A reputable lawyer can gather and analyze important evidence gathered from an accident. This includes police reports and medical records. They can also investigate other factors that contributed to the accident, like road conditions or weather conditions. They can also inquire about the status of the truck driver's job and company, as well the training certifications.
Due to their size and weight, truck accidents are more complex than accidents involving two vehicles. There are also many parties who could be at fault for the crash, including truck drivers, trucking firms and even truck manufacturers.
To maximize the chance of obtaining compensation, it is important to work with an attorney who is familiar with the trucking industry and the regulations. In addition, they must be willing to defend the rights of their clients against large corporations and their teams of lawyers.
It is essential to select an attorney who will communicate with you and keep you informed about the progress of your case. They must be able to respond to all of your inquiries and be available for a face-to-face meeting if required. If they don't reply promptly to your emails or calls, this is a red flag and should be avoided.
A conversation with an attorney about their experience in handling cases involving trucking is the best way to determine if they are the right fit for you. They will be able to provide you with previous case examples as well as details on their success rate. They should also disclose their fees upfront and whether they are inclusive of extra costs, such as expert witnesses or accident reconstruction services.
A wrongful death claim is possible for anyone who has lost a loved one in a crash involving a truck. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors are eligible for compensation to pay for funeral expenses as well as the loss of companionship. In addition, they are able to be awarded monetary compensation to help pay for medical bills and income loss.
Negotiate with the Insurance Company
The bills begin to pile up quickly after a semi-truck accident, and the injured victim is often pressured to pay the bills. Insurance companies will profit from your desperate situation and offer low-cost solutions that cover only a fraction of your medical expenses.
A knowledgeable truck crash lawyer at your side will shield you from this kind of manipulation. A lawyer can help you negotiate a settlement with any insurance companies or parties involved in your case. He can also handle phone calls from insurance companies and ensure that you're not misled or taken advantage of.
Your attorney will begin the negotiation process by sending an insurance company a demand letter detailing the losses you have suffered and demand a specific amount compensation for each. The process could involve a exchange of information between the two parties because it is typical for there to be disagreements regarding certain sections or aspects of your claim.
It is important to be aware that the settlement of your medical bills and economic damages could take a long time, particularly in the case of serious injuries. It is crucial to work with your doctor and the hospital to negotiate payment arrangements that allow you to continue receiving treatment while waiting for an appropriate settlement.
A reputable lawyer will be able to assist you in determining the cause of the accident, whether it was caused by a jackknife, the loss of load or another issue. Additionally, he will be able to determine if the truck driver was negligent or if any other parties shared in your accident.
You can hold a variety of individuals accountable for your injuries. These include the trucking company as well as their drivers, the truck maker, third-party shippers, or even the manufacturer of the product. Engaging an experienced lawyer will allow you to identify all potential defendants, and seek maximum compensation from them.