Semi Truck Accident Law
Accidents involving semi trucks can result in devastating consequences. There are many parties that could be liable 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 losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. A NYC lawyer for compensation can assist you in getting what you deserve.
Get help from the police
In the event of a truck crash, it is not a joke. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 30 times the weight of the average passenger car and are able to cause catastrophic collisions that usually result in victims suffering serious injuries and significant damage. Unfortunately every 16 seconds, a truck crash happens in the United States, and these crashes have been blamed for thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries.
While truck drivers are expected to follow traffic laws and be safe, their jobs are often challenging and can cause them to be exhausted and distracted. This can lead them to make rash choices while driving and it can take a fraction of a second for a driver who is not paying attention to get sleepy or lose control of their vehicle. These mistakes can have devastating consequences, and families are often left with the aftermath.
If a truck collision occurs it is imperative that authorities investigate the scene of the crash and record all of the relevant details. The name of the driver, the name of the company where they work and the trucking company which owns the vehicle are all vital. It is also essential to collect contact information from witnesses that you can get, including their names and telephone numbers. This information will be invaluable when it's time to file a lawsuit.
Additionally, semi trucks are equipped with "black boxes" which can provide important evidence in the event of a truck accident. These devices can capture many details about the truck, including speed, brakes used and other data that may be useful in determining the person at fault for the incident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are knowledgeable about this technology and know how to access and analyze the data to create a compelling argument for our clients.
In addition to the trucker's negligence It is also possible that the city or governing body where the accident occurred may be responsible for the consequences of a crash. For example, if the roadway was poorly maintained or had signs that were blocked, this may be reason to bring a lawsuit against the city. Our attorneys will determine who is at fault and hold them liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence.
Collect Evidence
One of the main components of a successful truck accident claim is proving that the other party owed you the duty of care and negligently violated that obligation, causing your crash. A negligence claim that is successful will result in a settlement for your economic and non-economic losses, which include medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, property damage, and suffering and pain.
To establish your case, you'll need evidence to demonstrate each factor of negligence. While at the scene your accident, take pictures and videos of the vehicle damage and tire marks, the accident site, weather and road conditions and your injuries, as well as anything else you can think of that might help in supporting your case. Also, gather the contact information of all witnesses so that your attorney can later contact them to record their testimony and declarations.
The logbooks of the trucking firms and other documents detailing the hours worked by the driver as well as cargo loads and maintenance tasks are also vital. These records could be helpful 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 records, and your lawyer is able to obtain them through a formal discovery request if the company is unwilling to turn the records over on a voluntary basis.
The inspection report for trucks is a different type of evidence that can be used to prove that the trucking company may have made a few sloppy decisions to save money, and that these mistakes could have resulted in a truck that was unfit or unsafe. Your lawyer will also work to get black box information as well as other high-tech devices to help you build your case, along with any information you have regarding the truck driver's background, including 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 as well as other documents that relate to your case. All of these documents are vital to establishing damages. You won't be able to claim the amount you deserve without this evidence.
Hire an Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident with a truck you could be entitled to compensation. A knowledgeable attorney will guide you through the legal process of filing a lawsuit in order to recover damages caused by the negligent act of the party responsible. They can also bargain with insurance companies, and follow the necessary steps to obtain a fair settlement.
An experienced lawyer can collect and analyze the most important evidence from an accident. This includes police reports as well as medical records. They may also look into other factors that led to the accident, including road conditions or weather conditions. They can also inquire about the status of employment of the driver of the truck and his company, as well as any certificates of training.
Due to their size and weight truck accidents are more complex than accidents that involve two cars. There are also many parties who may be at fault in the incident, including truck drivers, trucking firms, and even truck manufactures.
It is essential to find an attorney who is familiar with the regulations for trucking and industry. This will increase your chances of getting compensation. In addition, they should 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 updated about the progress of your case. They should be able and willing to answer all of your questions, and meet with you face-to-face whenever needed. If they don't reply promptly to your emails or calls this is a red signal and should be avoided.
Inquiring about the experience of an attorney in handling trucking-related cases is the best method to determine if they're the right fit for your needs. They should be able to provide you with case examples from previous cases and specifics about their success rate. They should also explain their fees upfront and whether they are inclusive of additional costs, such expert witnesses or reconstruction services.
Anyone who has lost a loved one in a crash involving a truck may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors are entitled to compensation to cover funeral costs and the loss of companionship. michigan semi truck accident attorney can receive compensation for medical bills and lost wages.
Negotiate with your Insurance Company
Following a semi-truck collision, the bills pile up quickly and the victim feels pressured to collect the money needed. A shrewd insurance company will be aware of this and could use your situation to benefit themselves, by offering low-ball offers that do not cover the total cost of your injuries.
Having an experienced truck crash lawyer at your side will safeguard you from this type of manipulation. An attorney can help negotiate settlements with the responsible party or insurance companies that will be involved in your case. He will also be able to take over any calls made by insurance companies and ensure that you are not misled or cheated.
Your lawyer will begin the negotiation process by sending an order letter to the insurance company. It will detail the losses you have suffered and demand the amount you will receive for each one. The process could involve exchange of information between the two parties, because it is common for there to be some disagreements regarding certain sections or elements of your claim.
It is crucial to know that your medical bills as well as other economic damages are likely to take some time to settle, particularly the more serious your injuries are. This is why it's crucial to cooperate with your doctor and hospital to set up payment arrangements that will allow you to get treatment while still being capable of waiting for a fair settlement.
A experienced lawyer can assist you in determining if your accident was caused by accident with a jackknife or loss of load. He will be able to 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 parties responsible for your injuries. These include the trucking company, their drivers, the truck maker, third party shippers, or even the product manufacturer. A skilled lawyer will enable you to find all potential defendants and to seek the maximum amount of compensation from them.