Semi Truck Accident Litigation
A lawsuit arising from a truck accident could involve multiple parties and a variety of issues. You may need to speak with an engineer or a reconstruction specialist to determine the root of the crash and determine who is responsible.
Black boxes (event data recorders) are typically found in trucks and may be a valuable evidence source for your case. You can also get important information from your witnesses.
Insurance Coverage
There are many different types of insurance coverage at play in a semi-truck crash case. There are three types of insurance policies: the personal policy of the driver of the truck and the corporate liability policy of the trucking firm, and the cargo insurance policies. It is crucial to understand the policies and what coverages are available to ensure a solid claim.
The insurance policy for truckers is the most well-known. The law typically requires that these policies provide minimum coverage of $750,000 for bodily injury and deaths caused by truckers. Trucking companies often carry general liability policies for commercial use, which cover damage to property caused to third parties through the company’s regular business activities.
Due to the increased responsibility of care that truck drivers are required to observe State and federal regulations regulate almost every aspect of the industry, including inspections and maintenance as well as driver eligibility and cargo capacity limits. When these rules aren’t followed severe injuries could result. A skilled attorney will examine evidence in a truck crash case and look for violations that could lead to compensation.
In addition to proving that the trucker was negligent in the accident It is crucial to prove the magnitude of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. This can be done through thorough medical records and expert witness testimony. The higher the settlement offer, the more severe the plaintiffs’ injuries are likely to be.
Because truck accidents can be so destructive, victims must have an experienced Kissimmee truck accident lawyer by their side. A lawyer can make sure that the process for claiming insurance is not rushed, and that victims receive the compensation they require to heal and continue in their lives. If a victim of an accident isn’t able to hire an attorney, they may be under pressure by the insurance provider to settle for a lesser amount than they actually deserve. To avoid this, you should contact an experienced attorney for semi-truck accidents as soon as you can after the accident.
Liability
Due to the weight and size of semi truck accident lawyer-trucks, even minor collisions can result in serious injuries. This makes it essential for truck drivers and companies to have ample insurance to cover the cost of an accident.
Our lawyers work to make sure that victims receive the highest amount of compensation from a successful lawsuit. This may include compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages and future losses as a result of an injury that restricts lifetime earning potential. It is also important to be aware of all losses that occur in order to assess and negotiate a fair settlement.
Due to the risky nature of large trucks, state and local laws have specific requirements for trucking companies and drivers. These regulations regulate how trucks are operated and maintained, who can operate them and what type of cargo is allowed to be carried in them. Often accidents happen due to truck drivers or trucking companies who do not follow these rules.
While it is simple to determine who is responsible for an accident, determining the liability is more complex. In order to prove negligence, a person or a business must be able to provide proof of specific actions performed or failures. In certain instances it is clear. In some cases, a drowsy motorist may be solely responsible for an accident. However, in other situations several parties could share accountability, for instance, the manufacturer of an faulty truck component.
When the lawsuit is filed all parties enter into what is called the discovery process. This is when lawyers from both sides look over the evidence in the case and exchange information. Our firm has specialists to collect and analyze information to construct a convincing case for our client.
It is important to begin working on an claim as soon after the accident as you can. This will ensure that the statute of limitations does not expire, and victims can start receiving compensation earlier than later. An attorney can also help speed up the process and receive faster settlement.
Damages
Since semi trucks weigh a lot more than smaller vehicles accidents involving semi truck accident law firm-trucks are usually catastrophic. They can result in serious and often permanent injuries. The victims who suffer significant injuries need compensation for their medical bills, lost income and other losses. To ensure that you receive a fair settlement, it is important to hire a truck accident lawyer with experience.
A successful claim depends on the specifics of your crash, which include an exhaustive investigation of the site of the crash as well as an exhaustive investigation of the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage. In certain instances the driver might not have enough insurance or the policy may be written so that it does not cover your losses. In these cases you may have to bring a lawsuit against the trucking company in order to claim the compensation you are entitled to.
The value of your claim will be determined by the severity of your injuries and how they impact your life quality. A comprehensive injury assessment will include all of your present and future medical costs, as well as any property damage, like repair or replacing your vehicle, and the cost of storing or transporting it. Your lawyer will also look at the impact that any mental or physical trauma will have on your daily life and your quality of life and the length of time that your injuries will last.
Your lawyer will also examine the scene of the accident to collect evidence and eyewitness reports. This can include police, fire, and rescue reports, as along with the logs and records kept by the trucking companies or drivers, including daily logs written by the driver or electronic data recorders onboard. Investigators will also be looking at skid marks, sightlines and crash debris and the conditions of the weather and skid marks.
It is possible to settle a traffic ticket or even a minor family dispute without a lawyer however, if you’ve been involved in a serious crash with a semi-truck, it’s vital to have an attorney by your side. A skilled lawyer for truck accidents will handle the insurance process and can file a lawsuit if necessary, and assist you to receive the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Time Limits
Many truck accidents result in severe injuries and substantial damage to a vehicle which results in expensive medical bills and property damage. People often seek compensation from the responsible truck driver or trucking company to pay for the costs. These cases can be complex and the settlement process can take time. Getting in touch with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after an accident is crucial to preserve evidence and file a lawsuit within the deadline.
The law provides a specific time limit for lawsuits filing a lawsuit in most cases, and that is known as the statute of limitations. If someone files a lawsuit after that time has expired, the court will not accept it. For example in New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits is two years from the date of the incident (New York C.P.L.R. SS 214(4)).
If you file a lawsuit after this period the defendant could claim that the case is out of bounds by the statute of limitations. That is why it is essential to speak with a lawyer who handles truck accidents immediately following an accident. Lawyers will review the scene of the accident, and also the logbooks of the driver, maintenance records and other pertinent documents, to find any reckless or negligent actions by the trucker or trucking company. The earlier you start this process the more information will be available to your lawyer to help support your claim.
Additionally, your attorney will determine whether you share any responsibility in the cause of the crash and can negotiate in accordance with the findings. Insurance companies may try and reduce their liability by appointing more responsibility to you in the crash. It is important to have knowledgeable lawyers on your side to fight against this strategy.
It can take anywhere from a few months or years to arrive at an equitable settlement, based on the extent of the damages and injuries. It is important to discuss any initial offers with an attorney as they are usually much less than the value of your case. In addition the attorney will investigate the possibility of seeking punitive damages or aggravated liability in a case, which could significantly increase the amount of compensation you may receive.