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Templeton Barton posted an update 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Truck Accident Litigation
A successful truck accident claim will require a variety. These include incident reports as well as accident reports from law enforcement agency, as well as computer records that are on board, such as transmitting faxes for cargo deliveries.
GPS tracking data is also crucial. This is often matched with log books for drivers and can give an almost error proof information about the location of the truck for the last few hours, days or even weeks.
Damages
When an accident involving both a truck and a driver’s car results in serious injuries, the parties have many different options available to recover compensation for their losses. This can include both financial expenses such as medical bills or lost wages and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
However, as there are more defendants in a truck accident than there are in a typical car crash it can be difficult to determine who is at fault for the incident. In the event of the incident, liability may be split among several parties, including the truck driver or their employer, the proprietor of the tractor-trailer that was involved in the accident, or the business that loaded the cargo onto the truck.
Another important factor is the fact that trucks transport greater cargo than cars. This can cause significant damage if the truck is involved in a collision. Damages caused by a vehicle are usually eligible for greater amount of amount of compensation.
To claim maine truck accident law firm for your injuries, it is important to prove that the at-fault party violated their duty of care and this breach caused the injury. This is usually accomplished by carefully scrutinizing the evidence, including the police reports, witness testimony and expert analysis of the truck accident scene.
It is important to have an experienced attorney involved as quickly as possible following a truck accident since the evidence may disappear over time. The trucking company might destroy footage of the accident scene to protect its own interests. Our team at Regan Zambri Long will dispatch an investigation team as soon as you employ us to ensure that any important evidence is secured and preserved before it’s too late.
In addition to preserving evidence, we will ensure that witnesses to the incident are contacted as soon as possible. Their memory will fade over time and their testimony may not be as reliable in determining who was at fault.
Mediation
Often, the victims of truck accidents will receive calls from legal and insurance representatives of the trucking company. They may ask for details about the accident, and then make low-ball offers of compensation. They should be resisted, so that the victim may concentrate on healing. A lawyer with a wealth of experience in the field will help you receive the fair amount of compensation you are entitled to. Find a lawyer highly recommended and who specializes in trucking accidents. They are typically paid on a contingent basis, meaning they get paid only when they win a verdict or settlement.
To recover damages from a truck collision the plaintiff must prove that the defendant has violated their duty of care. A duty of care is the obligation to act in accordance with the law, and what an ordinary person would do in the situation. A successful claim will require an evidence-based proof that the defendant breached this duty, and that injury was caused in part by the breach.
The process of building the case can take a long time particularly when trying to establish that the truck driver was in error. The attorney representing the plaintiff needs to collect witnesses’ statements, conduct a thorough investigation of the scene, and preserve any evidence which could prove to be vital. This includes examining the truck’s event data recorder (black box) for information about actions that were taken or not taken by the trucker before the accident occurred.
A lawyer should be at the scene as quickly as possible in order to speak with witnesses, take photographs and document any damage to property or vehicles. In certain instances it’s necessary to reconstruct the crash and also talk with experts to find out how the crash happened. Other evidence of importance could include the log book of the trucker and GPS tracking data. A personal injury lawyer who is skilled is able to utilize this information and compare it with other data, such as traffic records or the driver’s DOT certifications.
Trial
Truck accident victims can file a lawsuit if an out of court settlement can’t be reached. A knowledgeable New York truck accident attorney can help ensure that the rights of the victim are protected and that all possible compensation is received. A judge or jury will then determine the accident-related damages including medical bills, loss of wages and income, pain and discomfort and property damage.
A successful claim for damages is the defendant to prove negligence. To establish negligence the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant breached an obligation (e.g. a truck driver’s obligation to observe traffic rules or an employer’s duty of properly training employees) and that the breach led to the accident and injuries. This is a fact-specific investigation which is often difficult. A qualified attorney can help you gather evidence to make a strong case.
When a case goes to trial, the jury will hear from expert witnesses who will testify regarding crash causes and consequences. The jury will decide on how much each party must pay for damages related to the crash. Compensatory damages aim to compensate the victim for their losses, whereas punitive damages are meant to penalize the party at fault and discourage similar behavior.
Following a collision, parties who were injured will receive calls from aggressive attorneys who work for the insurance company that is at fault. These lawyers are often “wolves in sheepskins” and will try to get you say things that could be interpreted out of context and used to weaken your case. A lawyer with experience can shield you from these tactics and ensure that your words do not damage your case.
A New York truck accident attorney can also assist in obtaining evidence that supports your claim. These include phone records that show if the trucker was on the phone at the time of the accident, computer data on the truck as well as any faxes that pertain to the logistics and shipments. In addition your lawyer may be able to obtain images or video footage of the scene, as well as other pertinent information. Find a lawyer that has handled complex truck accident cases, and has connections to knowledgeable experts.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is an official term that refers to the length of time a victim has to file a lawsuit or claim following a crash. Each state has its own laws governing this, and it could vary from one case to the next. In general it can take a long time to finish the process and receive a settlement from a court.
If a victim of a car accident does not begin their claim, the statute of limitations could expire before they have enough evidence to establish a solid case against the negligent parties. To ensure that they have enough time to construct a strong case, victims should consult with an experienced NYC truck accident attorney immediately following the accident.
A seasoned New York truck accident lawyer can review trucking company records such as driver logbooks, driver’s logbooks and other relevant documents to find evidence of reckless or negligent behavior. They can also collaborate with highly respected experts to determine the cause of an accident and determine the exact amount of damages a victim has suffered.
Vicarious liability laws can make trucking companies and their employees, like supervisors and human resource professionals liable if it is found that they knowingly allowed an unqualified or dangerous trucker to drive. This is especially important when the trucker has numerous accidents or has a record of disciplinary violations and is not being disciplined by their employer.
It’s not always possible for a lawyer the parties responsible, but the more parties a lawyer can hold responsible more likely are of a fair and complete settlement. It is possible in certain cases to hold multiple defendants responsible for a different portion of the claim under the doctrine of joint and several liability.
Some states have special rules that can alter or shorten the statute of limitations applicable to a particular case. For example, some cases involving children could be subject to laws that stop the clock until a victim has reached age 18. Some injuries may not be apparent immediately. It is imperative that victims follow the advice of their doctor and attend all appointments in order to be properly diagnosed and treated.