Truck Accident Litigation
Truck accident litigation covers an array of possible defendants. They could include the truck driver and their employer and a manufacturer that made defective equipment or a contractor who loaded cargo in a way that was not properly.
Many trucks contain event data recorders, sometimes referred to as black boxes. They can aid investigators in determining the cause of a crash occurred. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to connect the information with log books.
Investigation of the Scene
In the event of a car crash the first thing you need to do is gather physical evidence. In the case of truck accidents, however there are many other things to think about. Trucks are typically carrying dangerous items and even a minor collision can result in fatal or serious injuries.
Due to this, the investigation process is more complex than the typical car accident. It takes longer and requires the help of experts from different fields. A lawyer who is qualified can help you locate the right people to do this task.
An exhaustive investigation into a truck accident includes interviewing eyewitnesses, as well as going to the scene of the accident. It also requires the assistance of experts who can reconstruct how the accident happened based on the evidence that is collected. This is essential in holding a defendant liable for the incident.
A lawyer must also inquire of the trucking company and the driver for any information that may be relevant to a particular case. https://vimeo.com/707179294 could include details regarding the trucking company's safety policies training protocols, procedures for training, and maintenance protocols. Also, the history of the driver of the truck is important like any prior incidents, reprimands or alcohol/drug test results.
The information from the black box of the truck is an additional element of evidence that should be gathered. These devices, similar to those installed in planes, can provide a lot of information about the incident. Attorneys must ask for this information as fast as possible, as it could disappear over time because of the elements or the passing traffic.
Additionally, an attorney should also gather medical records from the victims of the crash. These records will aid in proving that the injuries sustained in the crash have resulted in significant and long-lasting damage. It is crucial to preserve these documents, as well as any medical notes or treatment schedules that are available.
Expert Witnesses
While the majority of truck accidents end up in a settlement between the insurance company and the person who was injured, some do not and have to be tried in the court. Expert witnesses play a vital role. They are experts who have the training, knowledge and expertise to review the facts in your case and present their views to the jury. They can explain complex medical, physical, mechanical and economic concepts that most jurors have no or little understanding of.
The type of expert witness needed, they can be as simple as a mechanic who can identify why your vehicle was damaged during the crash, to metallurgists who can perform a failure analysis on an individual truck component or pathologists who determine the causes of death. They may also be needed to examine and testify about specific elements of your case, like the impact of the crash, vehicle velocity, or reconstruction of the accident.
Another area in which experts are consulted is for medical experts to confirm the severity of your injuries. This is a subject that can be heavily contested by the insurance company since they attempt to claim that you're exaggerating your injuries or that they were pre-existing injuries and that the accident didn't cause any additional damage. In these cases your attorney can call an independent expert to counter the insurance's doctor's testimonies.
In the end an expert witness could be crucial when it comes to showing that the truck driver involved in the accident was negligent in any way. They can use their expertise to assist jurors in understanding the truck driver's failure to complete his or her job as well as the financial implications caused by that failure and how the failure affected you.
GPS Tracking
It is not uncommon to see victims of accidents involving trucks suffer serious injuries. They are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and suffering, as well as other costs. Manhattan truck accident lawyers from Cellino Law are prepared to pursue justice for their clients and fight to get the compensation they deserve.
One of the most useful technologies in any case of accident is GPS tracking. These devices are an integral part of the trucking industry and frequently come with a variety of vital information that can be used to determine the liability. A Qualcomm system can provide, for instance, important information like speed, braking performance, engine performance, and service hours. This information can be combined with other evidence, including eyewitness accounts, to reconstruct the scene of the crash.
Dash cams and telematics records could also prove useful in the event of a truck crash. Telematics is the gathering of data that is gathered by a vehicle's onboard computer. This information is used to instruct fleet drivers and record incidents. The information could include speed, harsh braking and phone usage. This information can be compared to the log books of the truck driver to determine whether accurate records were kept.
Another important piece of information is any fax communications records that might have been transmitted regarding the trip prior to the accident. This could include information about the route and destination, any stops along the way, and even an account of any messages between the driver of the truck and the company. A seasoned personal injury lawyer can use this information to prove that the trucker was distracted, followed unsafe procedures or taking unnecessary risks.
If a truck accident victim can prove that the trucking company or driver or any other defendants, failed perform their duty of care and caused the collision then they must be accountable for any injuries incurred due to the collision. In order to win a case the plaintiff must show that the defendant acted in violation of an act or regulation and that the violation directly caused harm. It is much easier to prove that a breach of traffic laws was negligent, but Federal regulations require a more intricate analysis.
Negotiating a Settlement
In many instances, truck accident victims are able to settle their claims without having to go to court. The process of reaching a settlement involves discussing the facts of your situation with an insurance company including the amount you are entitled to under state law. An experienced lawyer for truck accidents can evaluate your injuries and document the losses you have suffered in the accident to determine your case is worth. The attorney can draw on the results of similar truck accident cases and the amount of compensation that juries have awarded victims in similar situations to determine the fair amount to settle.
Your lawyer can also work directly with the insurance company to ensure that the settlement you receive will adequately cover the damage you've acknowledged. This will include any money you've lost because you were unable to work to seek treatment for your injuries. The lawyer can assist you document these losses, including former pay receipts. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, you could be eligible for compensation.
Insurance companies often begin the conversation by making an offer that is low. This technique is used to gauge the level of urgency you have to settle your case. This could have a negative effect on the value of your claim. A knowledgeable attorney can avoid being snubbed by a judge by remaining at peace and not giving in to pressure to accept an inadequate settlement.
After your lawyer has reached an amount that is fair, they will send the person at fault an email request for settlement. The person who is responsible must respond within 30 days, or you will lose your right to take them to court. In some cases a trucking company will not negotiate and your lawyer will pursue a lawsuit against a negligent party.
It is impossible to give an estimate of the worth of a truck accident settlement as each case is different. For instance the severity of injuries and the amount of time you'll miss work for medical treatment are some of the factors which can be different. Truck accident settlements can reach millions of dollars.