Truck Accident Compensation: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Truck Accident Settlement – Why Expert Witnesses Are Needed in Truck Accident Cases A truck crash can be an experience that could alter your life. It's important for victims to have a qualified personal injury lawyer to assist them. A skilled truck accident lawyer will conduct an exhaustive investigation and collect all evidence available and collaborate with experts to estimate general damages. This ensures that victims get the compensation they deserve. Damages A successful claim for compensation from a truck accident can award victims the compensation they need to pay for many expenses, injuries and damages resulting from the accident. This could include both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. Economic damages are tangible and quantifiable. Examples include medical bills and lost wages due to missed work. Non-economic damages attach a value to the emotional, physical and psychological pain of an injury, but this is often more difficult to quantify. A competent personal injury lawyer can help claimants gain the maximum amount of damages. One of the most important aspects of a truck crash case is establishing the liability or fault. This is accomplished by a process called discovery, in which both sides' attorneys review the facts of the case and exchange information. The trucking company and the driver that caused the accident may be held responsible for their actions if they were negligent with their vehicle's maintenance or imposed unreasonable delivery timeframes. Victims may also be entitled to compensation for damage caused by the accident. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing their car, as as other valuable possessions like jewelry, watches, and electronics. Travel expenses to doctors' appointments and other locations may be refunded if the crash caused them to travel. A skilled attorney can help claimants receive compensation for other losses that aren't immediately financial in the sense of immediate financial compensation. This can include the decrease in enjoyment and quality of living due to severe injuries. These could include hobbies and favorite pastimes, as well as the opportunity to spend time with family. It is important to remember that the person who was injured is entitled to the full amount of their actual damages, not only what they can prove they have lost. The experienced attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak can assist with every aspect of an accident involving a truck, including establishing liability. Always consult a lawyer before speaking with an insurance representative. The adjuster from the insurance company may appear friendly and helpful but what you say could be used against you in court. By hiring an attorney you can be certain that you are being represented by a lawyer who is keeping your best interests in mind and will fight to secure the fair settlement you deserve. Contact us for a consultation. We offer services to clients throughout state of New York. Our office is conveniently located in Albany. We are open all day, every day to take your calls. We accept all major credit cards, and also offer financing options. All prospective clients are entitled to a complimentary initial consultation. We do not charge a fee in the event that we do not win or settle your case. Liability Trucks are heavier and larger than passenger vehicles, and as such, they tend to cause more serious injuries when they collide with motor vehicles. Truck accidents are more costly than collisions that involve passenger cars. It's also why it's important to identify all defendants when filing claims for compensation in the event of a crash involving a truck. Trucking companies might have multiple employees contractors, as well as insurance policies, and usually have legal teams that specialize in the defense of their clients. You can seek maximum damages if you are capable of identifying the individuals involved in the crash. Aside from the costs of medical care and property damage, you'll also be thinking about the impact your injuries have had on your daily routine. You might not be able do the things you used to perform prior to the accident, such as enjoy your hobbies. The settlement amount should reflect these changes in your lifestyle. The cost of fixing or re-placing your vehicle should be accounted for in the settlement. The sheer weight and size of a truck can result in massive or even total damage when it collisions with a smaller vehicle. Therefore, the damage to your car must be reflected in the final settlement. Your lawyer can help determine the exact amount of your medical bills, and the cost of fixing or replacing your vehicle. They can also calculate lost earnings resulting from the accident. This will include any income you lost from missing work because of your treatment as well as the loss of future earnings if you're unable to return to the same occupation. Your lawyer can also calculate the amount of pain and suffering that you are entitled to. This might be dependent on your physical and emotional pain, as depending on the impact of your injuries on your relationships. For instance, if you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and don't maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse, then the court may award you damages to compensate for the harm. If the driver of the truck is an employee of the company, then the employer may also be accountable for carelessness. Some trucking companies, however, try to avoid this by classifying their driver as independent contractors instead of employees. The courts will assess the degree to which an employer exerts control over the actions of a truck driver such as by providing them with insurance or by making them perform deliveries in a particular manner. In such cases, the court will determine whether a driver is an independent contractor or an employee in a negligence case. If the truck driver is an employee the employer could be jointly and severally liable for any damages awarded accident victims. Expert Witnesses A professional with specialized expertise in a specific field is an expert witness. They offer objective opinions and assistance to your case, and provide an understanding of the most complex subjects. They can assist your lawyer to present a convincing case in court, and increase the chance of you receiving an acceptable settlement. The type of expert needed is dependent on the particular aspect of your case that they are supporting. A truck accident reconstruction expert is crucial, as they can recreate the scene and make it easier to understand. This can include analysing the location of a truck, the location where the collision took place, and what led to it to be there in the initial place. Experts are also used to highlight the flaws that occurred in an accident that caused damages. A manufacturing expert may be able to offer insight on how a product that was defective was responsible for the accident. In the same way, a safety expert can explain why certain parts of the semi-truck were faulty and could have led to your injuries. In cases involving alcohol or drugs, forensic toxicologists and drug identification specialists can be very helpful. These professionals can help your lawyer prove the defendant's negligence by drawing a a direct line between alcohol or drug intoxication and the crash. Other experts that can be used as witnesses include metallurgists who are able to analyze the reasons why a component failed, and transportation engineers, who are able to determine whether road design or other factors caused the accident. A forensic pathologist could assist in determining the cause of death. Medical professionals, like surgeons, neurologists, orthopedists and physiatrists are able to provide valuable information to your case regarding how your injuries have impacted your life. This is essential to prove the damages caused by pain and suffering. For example, you need to prove that your injuries prevented you from working and earning a living. Experts can assist with this by calculating lost promotions value, the loss of pension benefits, and rising medical expenses. boise city truck accident law firm are often described as “wolves in sheepskins” and do everything they can to thwart or offer you a lower amount than you're entitled to. Let us handle all communication with the insurance company on behalf of you to avoid falling into their traps. Every detail counts when it comes to personal injury law. This is why you should begin constructing your case as early as you can. You should also work with a personal injury attorney skilled in handling the cases. They can assist you identify the most competent experts for your case. If you're ready to speak to an attorney about the details of your case, call our firm now. We provide free consultations and we handle all cases on an hourly basis, meaning that you do not need to pay for our services unless we succeed in your case.