9 Signs That You re A Semi Truck Lawsuit Expert
Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi truck accident attorney-truck accident could cause a serious injury that can cost a person a fortune in medical bills. It could also cause permanent disabilities requiring expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
It is crucial to have a reputable New York truck accident lawyer at your side following a crash. A skilled attorney can establish your case through evidence like police reports or surveillance camera footage and much more.
Vehicles that aren't maintained properly
Owner-operators and trucking companies typically do not take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order. This can lead to an astronomical number of avoidable accidents every year.
Comparatively to passenger vehicles, semis and tractor-trailers require more frequent maintenance due to their size and heavier load. However, the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximizing profits often over maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical issues that could lead to disastrous accidents.
The brakes on trucks are of particular importance since they have to stop the vehicle and slow it down at any moment. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck are worn out, it can lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components should be regularly checked and repaired in order to keep them in good condition.
A poorly maintained tire can also be a major contributor to truck accidents. Tires that are worn-out may lose traction and cause the semi truck accident lawyers to rollover or slide. Tires that are defective either because of incorrect air pressure or tread design, can fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to identify mechanical issues prior to causing an accident. However, if an inspection is performed incorrectly or the repair shop fails to adhere to the guidelines of the manufacturer this could result in a crash. In these situations, a company that employed the repair or maintenance company or supervised it could be held liable.
Incorrect lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent cause of truck accident. These items must function properly so that drivers can observe and anticipate the speed of the truck especially in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies could neglect to inspect and maintain these components or the driver could fail to perform daily safety inspections.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will examine your case to determine which parties may be accountable for your injuries when you've been injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can uncover evidence of negligence by the defendant and assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
The result of a collision involving commercial trucks could be catastrophic. These massive vehicles can weigh up 25-times more than your car and can cause more severe injuries in a crash. Distracted driving is one of many factors that cause accidents. A truck driver who is distracted could lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize an accident on the road, leading to severe and life-changing injuries.
Truck drivers are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and using cell phones while driving. Even if truckers abide by the rules, they could still get distracted and cause crash. This is often caused by manual distractions like taking your hand off the steering wheel or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
While most people understand that it is dangerous to text and drive, many realize that other activities, such as eating or changing the station on the radio, and even conversing with a passenger can also be deemed to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted the driver could drift off into another lane and fail to notice an impending traffic jam. When a trucker's attention is diverted, it takes only one second for a massive vehicle to strike a passenger car.
It is crucial to gather details on any witnesses and also take pictures of the scene of the crash when the driver is distracted and causes the truck to crash. It is important to know the name of the driver, the company that they work for, and who owns the vehicle, if it's an independent contractor. This can have an influence on who is responsible for the incident, since it is the trucking company's responsibility to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be at least partially responsible for your accident, they may be held accountable for your financial and non-economic losses.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are common and can cause serious injuries. They can happen in a variety of situations like an intersection or stop sign when the trucker fails to check their surroundings for oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, forcing the driver to slam on their brakes without warning. The trucker could then crash into the car from behind.
It is often difficult to prove the cause of rear-end collisions, since it's not always clear what vehicle caused the accident. A knowledgeable attorney can gather evidence to prove that the driver behind caused the crash due to following too closely or driving with a distraction. This can include evidence such as photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and skid marks on the roadway.
Sometimes, the driver in the front might be the one responsible for the accident in addition. This could happen if they cut someone off or fail use a turn signal as any reasonable person. This type of scenario is where modified comparative negligence laws be applied, in which the jury assigns a percentage of blame to each party and damages are lowered accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
In a rear-end collision, the rear end of the vehicle is the area that receives the most force. This means that the drivers are most at risk of serious injuries if they strike their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They may also break bones from being bounced around the interior of the car due to the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be severe. Injuries to the spine can have serious and long-lasting effects on victims.
A person who has been involved in a serious accident could also be suffering from psychological and emotional trauma. They may experience difficulty being able to sleep or concentrate, which can cause anxiety and depression. If they're unable to work due to the seriousness of their injury it can create stress and financial hardship. An attorney can investigate the possible causes of liability to assist a victim in receiving an appropriate amount of compensation for their loss.
The trailer is not working properly
No matter if you're driving either a car, van, truck, or a flatbed, all cars need to be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer goes unhitched, it could cause a catastrophic accident that could result in severe injuries or even death. If you've suffered injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a truck that has run away or trailer, consult an experienced attorney who is specialized in cases involving hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
The cause of a faulty trailer hitch could be due to a variety of factors which can range from inadequate securement or design. It could be caused by an issue on the part of the manufacturer, in which case the product liability law could be applicable. The company or person at the fault for a defective trailer is responsible for medical bills of victims, auto repair costs, and other losses arising from the incident.
For example there was a fatal crash that was reported in January 2014 on an Ohio road known locally as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came out of the truck, and was thrown over two cars ahead of it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver’s negligence in failing to check and secure hitch. In June 2015, however the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch the Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
The trailer struck the sides of the vehicles and then crashed into them. The result was multiple fatalities and serious injuries for the drivers.
The truck driver who was involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However, experts believe that he could have avoided the crash had he conducted an exhaustive inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in major catastrophes, since they typically involve a large amount of speed, and they can wipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In such cases the trailer may distort the frame of a vehicle and force the metal to impale passengers inside.