Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were in a truck accident and have sustained injuries, you may be wondering if you need a truck accident lawyer. The first step in hiring a lawyer is to determine your needs. You need a lawyer who has experience in winning cases similar to yours. A truck accident lawyer has access to crash scene investigators and engineers, and they have knowledge of insurance company tactics. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, a lawyer will be able to estimate the cost of pursuing your case.
Blind spots
While most people know what a blind spot is, not everyone knows that trucks can also have them. Drivers of large rigs have limited visibility, and changing lanes is difficult. Blind spot accidents can cause serious injuries, and a truck accident lawyer on Long Island can fight for your rights. This article outlines some of the key things to look for when hiring a blind spot accident attorney. It’s a quick guide to help you determine if you’re in a situation where you were struck by a semi truck.
Overloaded trucks
If you or a loved one has been injured by a commercial truck, a truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. Overloaded trucks are dangerous because they are more likely to break down, spill cargo off the back, or jackknife. Fortunately, trucking laws have strict weight limits for commercial trucks, and you can hire an NYC truck accident attorney to gather evidence of the overloading.
Drunk or drugged drivers
According to statistics, many truck drivers are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A recent Reuters study looked at truck driver surveys and drug test results. In fact, half of the drivers admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Nearly 30 percent admitted to using amphetamines. Nearly twenty percent said they had used marijuana, while three percent admitted to cocaine. These drivers are at a higher risk of truck accidents.
Vicarious liability
If you’ve been in a car accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be eligible for a lawsuit. However, it’s important to remember that the statute of limitations for truck accidents is limited to three years. In other words, if the accident occurred more than three years ago, you must file a lawsuit within three years of the incident. In addition, you can recover damages only if you can prove that the other party’s negligence was responsible for the crash.
New York’s no-fault system
Truck accident attorneys in New York must understand the no-fault system to get maximum compensation. The No-Fault system is a state where the insurance company of the at-fault party pays the injured party’s medical bills and lost wages. The accident must be at least 50 percent the other party’s fault, but even if one driver is at fault, they can still receive compensation. In New York, if one driver was speeding or was not wearing a seat belt, they are entitled to 60 percent of the total.
Getting compensation from a truck accident lawyer
While insurance companies will cover property damage and medical bills in no-fault states, you may be able to get more money from the other party. You may also be able to get more money if you can prove the truck driver acted with negligence. In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to the victim as a deterrent to future similar behavior. However, the majority of truck accident cases involve simple negligence, which means that the truck driver failed to follow a reasonable standard of care.