March 28, 2018 | DUI, General, Personal injury, Workers' compensation, Wrongful death

Written by: Frank Younes

Accidents involving large vehicles such a Tractor-trailer, Semi-Truck and Trailer, and buses are always horrific and typically result in either the death of those involved or significant permanent injuries that forever change a victim’s life. Unfortunately, such large vehicles which we rely on to transport people and goods carry massive amounts of weight which increases the destructiveness of the accidents they are involved in. Many times, the effects of the accident are not only felt by the victims but also their families who are left to pick up the pieces when their loved ones have died or are so severely inured they can no longer care for themselves. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the year 2015 alone there were 415,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks, of which 4,311 resulted in deaths.  For 2016 in the state of Nebraska alone there were 194 accidents resulting in fatalities, which killed 218 people. State of Nebraska 2016 Annual Report.

➡If you or a loved one have been injured, please see the following article regarding the different types of Injury and terms you need to know:  Injury types and what you need to know

At High & Younes we handle semi-truck accident claims and litigation regularly, whether it be for the victims themselves, their families in the wrongful death claims, or
the families of the semi-truck driver in the workers’ compensation case against the driver’s employer. When seeking a truck accident lawyer, it is important to choose a firm with experience and understanding of all the different key elements and factors involved in a semi-truck accident. When these accidents occur, it is important to retain an attorney as quickly as possible to ensure that you can properly investigate all the key areas and retain the necessary evidence. Initial steps we take as the truck accident attorneys for injured victims and families of individuals who have passed away because of the fatal truck accident include, the following:

1. Contact all insurance companies involved and put them on notice of your claim.
2. Send the involved companies non-spoliation letters to prevent them from disposing of any important evidence, such as the truck’s black box which records important information in the event of a crash including speed, lights, application of brakes, and other information.
3. Contact all police officers and accident investigators to begin gathering evidence.
4. Take witness statements.
5. Survey the scene of the accident.
6. Protect your rights as the victim of an accident or family of the victim.
7. Contact and retain necessary experts in various areas, including:
   1. Accident Reconstruction;
   2. Mechanical;
   3. Lighting and Visual Perception;
   4. Human Factors;
   5. Economists; and
   6. Independent medical experts.

   
   
   Many of the tasks set forth above are time sensitive in the event of semi-truck accident because the information may not always remain available, vehicles may be salvaged, scrapped, or repaired, witness’s memories become foggy as time goes on, and the scene of the accident will be cleaned up and could change. Often the law enforcement accident investigation, while through and helpful, may not be inclusive of all witnesses and information and as time goes by it becomes difficult to find witnesses whose information was not recorded.

   If you are a family member have been in an accident involving a large vehicle such as a semi-truck or bus do not hesitate to contact the law offices of High & Younes by phone 402-933-3345 or via our website at www.hyattorneys.com.

    

   About the Author – Frank Younes 

   

   Frank Younes is a Nebraska native who earned his Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, NE. Prior to that he obtained a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. The combination of these types of education has provided him with a sharpened focus on applying his legal education to the business world. While attending law school he gained additional legal experience working as a law clerk in the District Court, where he assisted the District Court Judges in determining the outcomes of various types of cases. He then went on to be mentored by one of the most respected members of the Omaha legal community.

   Frank’s business acumen and expertise is highly regarded by those with whom he has worked. He provides insightful consultations and recommendations to his business clients, whether they are starting a new business, reorganizing their current business, buying or selling a business, or just seeking to increase their profitability and minimize liabilities.