Semi Truck Accident Law
Accidents involving semi-trucks can result in devastating consequences. There are a variety of parties that could be responsible for your injuries, including truck drivers, trucking companies and third party brokers, or manufacturers.
You are entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A knowledgeable NYC compensation attorney will assist you to receive the settlement you deserve.
Get help from the police
A truck accident is not something to laugh at. These massive vehicles can weigh more than 30 times the weight of a passenger vehicle and can cause devastating collisions that can result in victims suffering serious injuries and extensive damage. Every 16 seconds, there's an accident with a truck in the United States. These crashes cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries.
Truck drivers must be safe and adhere to traffic laws, but their work can be very demanding and lead them to become tired and distracted. This can lead them to make poor driving decisions. It takes only one second for a driver to fall asleep at the wheel or lose control. The consequences of these errors can be devastating, and they often leave families struggling to cope with the aftermath.
It is crucial that when an accident involving a truck happens authorities investigate the crash scene and record all relevant details. This includes the name of the truck driver, his or her employer, as well as the trucking company which owns the truck. It is important to obtain contact details, like names and phone numbers from witnesses. Knowing this information will prove valuable when it comes time to start a lawsuit.
Semi-trucks are also fitted with "black box" devices which can provide valuable data in the event of an accident. erie semi truck accident lawsuit record the details of the truck, including its speed, brakes used and other information that can be useful in determining the person responsible for an accident. Our NYC truck accident lawyers are knowledgeable about this technology and know how to access and analyze this data in order to create a compelling argument for our clients.
In addition to the truck driver's negligence it is possible that the governing body or the city where the accident occurred could be accountable for the crash. If the road was not maintained properly or there were obstructed signs on the road, it could be a reason to file a claim. Our attorneys can determine the party responsible and hold them accountable for injuries resulting from negligence.
Collect Evidence
A successful claim for a truck accident will establish that someone else failed to fulfill their duty of care, resulting in the accident. A successful negligence case will result in the payment of all economic and noneconomic losses that you've endured, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage or injury, and emotional anxiety.
To prove your case you'll need evidence that can establish each of the elements of negligence. While at the scene of your accident, snap pictures and videos of the vehicle damage and tire marks, the accident site along with road and weather conditions including your injuries, and everything else you could think of that may aid in making your case. Also, collect the contact information of any eyewitnesses so that your attorney can reach them later to record their statements as well as witness testimony.
The logbooks of trucking companies and other documents detailing the hours worked by the driver along with cargo loads and maintenance activities are also important. These records can be helpful in determining the extent of fatigue or drug usage, which are both common causes of accidents involving trucks. Federal regulations require trucking companies to retain these documents. Your lawyer can request the documents through an official request should they do not want to provide them in a voluntary manner.
The report of inspections on trucks is a different type of evidence that can be used to prove that the trucking company may have taken shortcuts to save money and that these shortcuts could have led to an unsafely hazardous or defective. Your lawyer will also attempt to obtain information from the black box, other high-tech devices, and any information that you have about the driver's history, including previous traffic convictions. Your attorney can also obtain copies of your medical records including receipts for any medications or treatments you've received, scans of test results, and other records that pertain to your case. All of this evidence is essential in proving your claim for damages. Without it, there is no chance of receiving the amount you are due.
Employ an attorney
You may be entitled compensation for you or family members have suffered serious injuries in a truck accident. A lawyer with experience will guide you through the legal procedure for filing a lawsuit seeking damages incurred due to the negligence of the at-fault driver. They can also negotiate with the insurance companies and take the necessary steps to settle.
A professional lawyer with experience can gather and analyze crucial evidence from the accident. This includes police reports as well as medical records. They can also investigate other factors that led to the accident, such as road conditions or weather conditions. They can also look into the status of employment for the driver of the truck and his company, as well any certificates of training.
Accidents involving trucks are usually more complex than crashes involving two cars due to the weight and size of these vehicles. There are many parties that could be accountable in the incident, including truck drivers, trucking firms and even truck manufacturers.
It is important to hire an attorney who is familiar with the regulations for trucking and the industry. This will improve your chances of getting compensation. In addition, they should be willing to fight for the rights of their clients against large corporations and their teams of lawyers.
It is important to choose an attorney who communicates with you and keep you updated about the progress of your case. They must be able to respond to all your questions and even meet with you face-to-face when needed. If they don't respond to your messages or calls promptly, it's a red flag and you should stay clear of them.
The best method to determine whether or whether an attorney is the right choice for you is to inquire about their experience handling trucking cases. They should be able to provide you with information about their success rates as well as previous case examples. They should also be able explain their costs and if they are able to include 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. EPTL SS5-4.1, survivors are entitled to compensation for funeral expenses and loss of companionship. They can also receive reimbursement for medical expenses and lost wages.
Talk to your Insurance Company
After a semi-truck wreck, the bills pile up quickly and the injured person feels pressured to get the money he needs. Insurance companies can profit from your dire situation and make low-ball offers to cover only a portion of your medical expenses.
A seasoned truck crash lawyer at your side will safeguard you from this kind of manipulation. An attorney can help negotiate an agreement with the responsible party or insurance companies that will be involved in your case. He can also take over any telephone calls from insurance representatives and ensure you don't get swindled or cheated.
Your lawyer will begin the negotiation process by sending an order letter to the insurance company. This letter will list your losses and ask for an amount of money for each one. The process could involve debate between the two parties, since it is common for there to be some disagreements about certain sections or aspects of your claim.
It is important to realize that the settlement of your medical bills and economic damages can take a long time, especially if your injuries are severe. It is important to work with your doctor and hospital to negotiate payment arrangements that allow you to continue receiving treatment while you wait for an equitable settlement.
An experienced attorney can assist you in determining the root of your accident, regardless of whether it was caused by a jackknife, a loss of load, or a different issue. He can determine whether the accident was the result of the negligence of the truck driver or if there were any other parties involved.
You can hold a range of parties accountable for your injuries. This includes the trucking company, their drivers, the truck maker, third-party shippers, and even the product manufacturer. Engaging an experienced lawyer will enable you to find all potential defendants and to seek the maximum amount of compensation from them.