Semi Truck Accident Law
Accidents with semi trucks can have devastating results. There are many parties who could be accountable for your injuries, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and third party brokers, or manufacturers.
You may be eligible for compensation for your economic and non-economic injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A NYC compensation lawyer can assist you in getting what you're entitled to.
Get help from the police
A truck accident is not something to be laughed about. These massive vehicles can weigh up to 30 times more than an automobile for a single person, and they can cause devastating collisions that often leave victims with 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 laws, but their jobs can be demanding and cause them to be exhausted and distracted. This can lead them to make rash decisions behind the wheel and it takes only a fraction of a second for an inattentive driver to be asleep or lose control of their vehicle. These errors can have catastrophic consequences, and families are often left to deal with the consequences.
When a truck accident happens, it is important that the authorities investigate the scene of the crash and record all of the relevant details. This includes the name of the truck driver, the employer, as well as the trucking company that owns the truck. It is important to get contact information, such as names and phone number, from any witnesses. This information is crucial when it's time to file a lawsuit.
Furthermore, semi-trucks are also equipped with "black boxes" that can be used to provide evidence in the event of an accident. These devices record numerous details about the truck, including its speed, brake use and other information that could be helpful in determining who was responsible for the accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are familiar with this technology and are able to analyze and access the data to create a compelling argument for our clients.
In addition to truck driver negligence it is possible that the governing body or city where the accident occurred could be responsible for an accident. For example, if the roadway was poorly maintained or had signs that were not properly maintained and signs, this could be cause for a claim against the municipality. Our lawyers will determine who is accountable and hold them liable for injuries caused by their negligence.
Collect evidence
One of the most important aspects of a successful truck accident claim is establishing that someone else owed you an obligation of care, and negligently breached the duty, causing the crash. A successful negligence claim will result in compensation for all the economic and noneconomic losses that you've suffered, such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
You'll need evidence for each of the elements of negligence in order to prove your case. While at the scene the accident, capture photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle as well as tire marks, the accident site as well as road and weather conditions and your injuries, as well as everything else you could think of that may be helpful in the case. Also, obtain the contact information for any witnesses, so that your attorney can contact them later to keep their statements and witness testimony.
Another type of important evidence is the logbooks of a trucking company and other documents that record the hours of the driver as well as cargo loads and maintenance activities. These records can prove helpful in determining the extent of fatigue or drug usage, which are both common causes of accidents involving trucks. Trucking companies are required by federal law to keep these records and your lawyer can obtain them by filing an official discovery request if the company refuses to hand them over in a voluntary manner.
The truck inspection report is a further type of evidence that can be used to show that the trucking company could have resorted to shortcuts in order to save money and these shortcuts could have resulted in an unsafely defective or unsafe. Your lawyer can also try to get black box information along with other high-tech devices and any information you have regarding the driver's history, including previous traffic violations. Your lawyer will also be able obtain copies of any medical records, receipts from medications or treatments you've received scans, test results, results from tests and other documents that are relevant to your case. All of this evidence will be essential in proving your case for damages. You cannot receive the amount of compensation you deserve without this evidence.
Hire an Attorney
You could be entitled to compensation in the event that you or family members have suffered serious injuries in a car accident. A knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate the legal process of filing a lawsuit in order to recover damages caused by the negligence of the party at fault. They are also able to negotiate with insurance companies and take the steps to obtain a settlement.
A reputable lawyer can gather and analyze the most important evidence from an accident. This includes police reports as well as medical records. They can also research other factors that could have caused the accident, such as weather or road conditions. They can also investigate the status of the truck driver and his company, as well as any certificates of training.
Due to their size and weight, truck accidents are more complicated than accidents involving two vehicles. There are numerous people who could be responsible in the incident, including truck drivers, trucking firms, and even truck manufactures.
It is essential to find an attorney who is familiarized with the regulations for trucking and the business. This will increase your chances of getting compensation. They should also be willing to advocate on behalf of their clients against large corporations and their legal teams.
It is important to select an attorney who will communicate with you and keep you informed about the progress of your case. They will be able to address all of your questions, and meet with you face-to-face whenever needed. If they do not respond quickly to your emails or calls, this is a red signal and should be avoided.
A conversation with an attorney about their experience in handling cases involving trucks is the best method to determine if they are right for you. They should be able to provide you with case examples from previous cases and details about their success rate. They should be able to explain their charges and whether they have additional costs such as expert witness services or reconstruction of an accident.
Anyone who has lost a loved one in a car crash might be able to file a wrongful death claim. Under EPTL SS5-4.1 survivors can claim compensation to cover funeral costs and loss of companionship. In addition, they can be awarded monetary compensation to help pay for medical expenses and loss of income.
Contact san jose semi truck accident lawyer begin to mount quickly after a semi-truck accident, and the injured victim is often under pressure to find the funds required. A smart insurance firm will be aware of this and could leverage your situation's urgency to their advantage, offering low-ball offers that do not cover the total cost of your injuries.
A knowledgeable truck crash lawyer at your side will protect you from this kind of manipulation. An attorney can assist in negotiating a settlement with the liable party or insurance companies involved in your case. Attorneys can also take phone calls from insurance representatives and ensure that you're not misled or exploited.
Your attorney will begin the negotiation process by sending an insurance company a letter of demand, which will detail your losses and demand a specific amount compensation for each. It is possible that the two parties may be required to talk back and forth throughout the negotiation process, since there may be disagreements on certain aspects or parts of your claim.
It is crucial to realize that your medical bills and other damages are likely to take some time to settle, especially the more serious your injuries are. This is why it's crucial to consult with your physician and hospital to create payment plans that will allow you to receive treatment but still be in a position to receive an acceptable settlement.
A reputable lawyer can assist you in determining the cause of your accident, if it was caused by a jackknife or the loss of load or some other issue. He can also help to determine if the truck driver was negligent or if other parties were involved in the incident.
There are a variety of different entities that could be responsible for your injuries, including the trucking company and their drivers as well as the truck manufacturer, third party shippers, as well as product manufacturers. Working with an experienced lawyer will help you find all potential defendants and to seek the maximum amount of compensation from them.