Truck Accident Lawyers-What you NEED to Know
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Posted On :
Sep-23-2011
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Article Word Count :
1314
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Truck accident cases and the ensuing personal injury lawsuit can be extremely complex and intimidating for most accident victims. When teams of attorneys and insurance agents for the guilty party swarm the victim with attempts to get an early and low settlement, anxiety can reach an overwhelming stage.
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Truck accident cases and the ensuing personal injury lawsuit can be extremely complex and intimidating for most accident victims. When teams of attorneys and insurance agents for the guilty party swarm the victim with attempts to get an early and low settlement, anxiety can reach an overwhelming stage. It does not have to and we can help. In this article we will outline the different types of truck accidents, the variety of causes and multiple parties who may be responsible, and outline reasons why a truck wreck is handled in a different manner than most car accidents. We will also cover very important dos and don'ts to have a successful claim.Large commercial trucks present a multitude of dangers that are not normally involved in passenger car accidents.Statistics indicate that semi-trucks are involved in 1 out of 8 traffic accident related deaths, not to mention the multitudes of life altering injuries individuals acquire each year due to truck car accidents. You will soon understand why it is important to bring on Truck accident lawyers at the earliest possible moment in your case to protect your rights and get the just compensation you so deserve.
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Types of Truck Accidents
Let's discuss the most common forms of a truck accident. The truck car accident occurs most often, where a passenger car is involved in a collision with an 18-wheeler. A commercial truck that is carrying the maximum allowed weight can weigh over eighty thousand pounds in comparison with the average car which usually weighs around 3,000 pounds. The potential for devastation is obvious in the physical, financial and emotional arena. A pedestrian truck accident can occur because a truck must make very wide turns and in some cases take up two lanes. It is not uncommon for the rear end of the truck to end up on the pedestrian walkway with the pedestrian in their blind spot. Bicycle truck accidents and motorcycle truck wrecks are known to happen in the same way; the bicyclist or biker ends up in the blind spot of the truck driver and as a consequence, gets hit. A delivery truck is also involved in accidents on a regular basis due to the fact they get distracted while driving as they try to look for an address.
YOU NEED AN ALLY WHEN YOU'VE BEEN IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT
Common Causes of a Truck Accident
What causes a truck accident can vary widely, but negligence on the part of the driver is the most common culprit. Driver negligence may include intoxication, fatigue, changing lanes in an unsafe manner, driving in a manner unsafe for conditions, taking a turn too widely, following the vehicle in front of them too closely, distracted driving caused by cell phone usage or texting while driving, etc. In many cases truck drivers are paid according to the number of miles driven, so they may fudge their driving logs and keep on 'trucking' when they are very tired. Faulty equipment can be another source contributing to a truck crash and sometimes involves a tire blowout, failure of the brakes, design defects, a manufacturer defect or a defective part. Lack of or improper maintenance may also be involved and hazards in the road are also known to contribute. Sometimes the road is not properly repaired or maintained, there might be visual obstructions in the roadway, or a construction zone hazard presents a problem.
YOU DESERVE TO HAVE AN OUTSTANDING TRUCK ACCIDENT LAW FIRM ON YOUR SIDE
Common Injuries
In most truck car accidents, the driver of the truck does not sustain severe injuries; however the same is not true for most passengers and driver of the car. The severity of injuries can range from mild to fatal and can include traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions, abrasions, abdominal trauma, broken bones, comas, amputations, lacerations, fractures, post-traumatic stress syndrome and more. In most cases the victim can recover monetary compensation for their damages and losses as will be covered in more detail later in the article. The services that truck accident lawyers can provide become critical at this stage.
Possible Liable Parties
When wrongful death is the result of a truck accident, the trucking company and the driver of the truck may both be found liable. Many parties may have at least partial liability in a truck wreck, including the trucking company, truck driver, truck lessor or lessee, truck owner, the owner of the trailer, an independent owner or operator, the vehicle manufacturer, the shipper, the parts manufacturer such as the maker of the brakes or tires, or perhaps the owners of private or public property. Establishing all possible liable parties is not as easy as it would seem, and is a main reason to work with a team of truck accident lawyers.
DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY INSURANCE AGENTS AND LAWYERS FOR THE DEFENDENT
Trucking Industry Oversight
The (FMCSA) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has implemented guidelines to govern the trucking industry. They include licensing, hiring, and ongoing training requirements for commercial truck drivers. A driver who is found in violation of FMCSA regulations or any company found to encourage negligent actions may be held responsible for damages in the event of wrongful death or serious injury caused by a truck wreck. What many people are unaware of is that a good many commercial trucks contain a "black box" very similar to the ones that are used in airplanes. These devices record braking distances, speed and RPM levels. In the majority of scenarios the agents for the trucking company gain access to this information following a truck wreck and many will not furnish the information on a voluntary basis, one more reason to work with truck accident lawyers.
IN MOST CASES WE WORK ON A CONTINGENCY FEE BASIS-WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS YOU WIN
Important Tips for Strengthening your Truck Accident Claim
If possible get photos of the accident scene as soon as you can. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, if someone else was with you or if a witness is standing nearby, ask them to get as many photos as they can on their phones. Get all vehicles that were involved in the wreck. Get photos of any debris, skid marks, or gouges in the roadway. You may ask why this is important and it is because the trucking company will most likely send an investigative team to the accident scene and attempt to slant the existing evidence in their own favor. Pictures can speak volumes, and experts in recreating the scene of the accident, expert witnesses, experts in the medical field and more will utilize the photos in order to better analyze the scene of the accident. If your lawsuit goes to trial, they may use the photos in their testimony. Also collect information on the condition of the roads, contact information of witnesses, etc. Don't accept any offers made by the insurance agents to have your car fixed immediately. Many times they do this as an attempt to destroy important evidence in your case. Talk to your truck accident lawyers before you authorize repairs to your vehicle. It is not wise to talk to any insurance agents without having someone from your legal team present.
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Contact our truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation on your case. They will review the evidence and facts surrounding your claim and provide you with a recommended course of legal action. The truck accident attorneys will also answer any questions you may have and discuss the types and possible amount of compensation you might be able to recover. If you decide to work with them on your claim, they will immediately get to work protecting your rights and will begin the fight for the monetary compensation you need and deserve.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Truck Accident Lawyers-What you NEED to Know_84967.aspx
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Author Resource :
The Elite Lawyer Project personal injury lawyers have extensive experience in helping victims of a personal injury accident.Call 877-382-1188 today to speak to our personal injury associates for a free case review.
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Keywords :
truck accident, truck accident lawyers,
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Reference and Education
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Legal
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