Liability in Commercial Truck Crash Claims Explained Unlike many car crashes, a semi-truck crash often involves several potentially responsible parties. The driver, the trucking company, the trailer owner, the shipper that loaded the freight and the maker of a failed part may all play a role. Identifying every responsible party is an early job for a truck accident lawyer, because each party may carry its own insurance. The truck driver The starting point is usually th
Underride and Jackknife Crashes in Truck Accident Claims
What to Know About Underride and Jackknife Tractor-Trailer Crashes Underride and jackknife crashes are two kinds of tractor-trailer collisions that frequently cause severe injuries. In an underride crash, a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully under a trailer or truck body. In a jackknife, the tractor and trailer fold toward each other, often blocking several lanes. Each one raises distinct evidence questions for a truck accident attorney. How underride happens The
Black Box (ECM) and ELD Evidence After a Truck Accident
ELD Records and ECM Black Box Data After a Truck Accident After a serious tractor-trailer crash, the most precise record of the last seconds before impact often sits inside the truck itself. Most people call it the black box, but that label covers several different systems. For a truck accident lawyer, knowing which device holds which record shapes the first evidence requests in a case. What the black box means on a commercial truck Most heavy trucks carry an engine c
Which Insurance Pays After an Auto Accident? Uninsured Motorist, PIP and MedPay
How Uninsured Motorist Coverage, PIP and MedPay Work After a Car Accident More than one insurance policy can apply after a car crash. The at-fault driver's liability coverage is usually the first source people think of, yet personal injury protection (PIP), MedPay and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can matter as much. An auto accident lawyer will usually ask for the declarations page of every policy that might apply, since coverage often decides how much of a loss can be
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Attorney Hiring an auto accident lawyer is easier with a short list of questions. Some crashes involve a single insurer and a modest property claim, while others bring serious injuries, several policies and disputed fault. These questions can make a first meeting more productive, regardless of the size of the claim. Confirm the license and record Before any meeting, confirm the basics. Every state bar or licensing agency o
Car Accident Statistics From NHTSA Data National crash data shows how many people are killed on American roads each year and which driver behaviors are involved. The figures below come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and each is labeled with its year. A car accident lawyer may cite figures like these for background, but statistics describe patterns across many crashes rather than what happened in any one of them. How many people die in cr
What a Car Accident Lawyer Looks at After a Rear-End or T-Bone Crash
What a Car Accident Lawyer Looks at After a Rear-End or T-Bone Crash Rear-end crashes and T-bone collisions are two crash types that come up often in injury claims. The label describes how the vehicles met, but it does not decide who was at fault. A car accident lawyer reviewing one of these crashes usually begins with the sequence of events, from each car's speed to the signals that controlled traffic. What causes rear-end collisions Many state traffic codes prohibit
Underride and Jackknife Crashes in 18-Wheeler Crash Claims
Underride and Jackknife Crashes: How They Happen and Who May Be Responsible Underride and jackknife crashes are two tractor-trailer crash types that often cause severe injuries. An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or completely beneath a trailer or truck body. In a jackknife, the tractor and trailer fold toward each other, often blocking several lanes. Each one raises distinct evidence questions for a truck accident attorney. What makes underr