20 Myths About Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer: Dispelled
18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are large vehicles that pose a major hazard to other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents which result in serious injuries, or even death.
The first step in regaining monetary damages in an 18 wheeler accident is to engage a personal injury attorney. A legal team with experience can help you build a strong case by relying on evidence like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are responsible for many 18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheeler accidents. The wrecks that occur are often disastrous and can cause devastating injuries and fatalities. When truck drivers are fatigued they are more likely to disregard federal regulations and risk their lives. This could include speeding, the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law prohibits commercial vehicles from driving in a state of drowsiness. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, place excessive demands on truck drivers. They require them to miss breaks and to falsify their log books. It is a risk to drive tired for everyone on the road.
The fatigue of truck drivers can result from a poor diet and inconsistent schedules. People who are fatigued may be enticed to eat fast food at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are typically packed with simple carbohydrates and fats that can make truck drivers feel exhausted. Many of these people have irregular sleeping patterns, which makes it difficult to get enough sleep. An attorney with expertise in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help determine if fatigue of the truck driver contributed to the accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain requirements to drive commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must comply with strict Federal regulations governing hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. When these laws are ignored or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance the rest of us on the road in danger.
Large truck accidents can be involving dangerous and toxic cargo. This includes dangerous materials like explosive, flammable or radiological items. These chemicals are transported across all of America's roads. Hazmat drivers have to undergo special training to safely load and unload their loads. If they fail to follow the proper procedures or fail to control a truck in adverse weather conditions they can cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18 wheelers require longer time to slow or stop than traditional cars do. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. Light defects like headlights, tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals should all be functioning properly to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks are required to operate under specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is properly loaded, it won't exceed the 80,000-pound limit. However because of negligence or a desire to earn more money, companies could violate these restrictions and allow their trucks to get overloaded. This poses a serious risk to the safety of road users everywhere and can lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A loaded truck will require more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. It also creates blind spots that could be dangerous to smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience might have a hard time seeing out of these spaces particularly when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
Other parties could be held accountable, based on the circumstances. This could include mechanics that fail to properly inspect or maintain their trucks or loading crews that do not properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. This could include mechanics that aren't properly inspecting or servicing trucks, loading crews that fail to secure cargo correctly and shipping or transport companies that force drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify these parties and examine their actions to recover damages for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
Injuries can be very serious when the truck is large. The weight of the trucks is a major factor but other factors may also contribute to this including defective parts or mechanical malfunctions.
The brakes and tires are two of the most frequent components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents however, there are other issues as well. Unloading cargo improperly could increase the chance of the truck overturning or colliding with other vehicles. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can result in deadly wrecks.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases that involve defective parts and we are skilled in working with experienced engineers to prove negligence. We are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend justice in situations where negligent trucking companies push their drivers to drive recklessly, ignoring safety laws or trying to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complex legal process due to the fact that it requires concepts from a variety of fields, including chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, medical, biology and driving standards as well as economics. This is why it is ideal for a victim to consult an experienced attorney. The lawyer can assist victims of accidents on the road to receive an equitable settlement without having to pay upfront money.
The lawyer can also take care of the insurance companies and at-fault parties who might be enticed to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. Additionally, the attorney can help the truck accident victim submit a claim in line with New York and federal laws.
Following a crash involving a truck, an attorney must act immediately to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene as well as damage to vehicles and the structures involved in the accident. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and inspect the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also review the records of the trucking company such as driver logbooks, driver's logbooks and other documents that be used to prove negligence. The attorney should also decide the kinds of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) as well as non-financial losses (pain and mental discomfort and loss of enjoyment in life).