Semi Truck Accident Law
A severe injury sustained in the crash of a semi truck can bury someone in medical costs. It can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and ongoing physical therapy.
It is vital to have a professional New York truck accident lawyer to assist you after an accident. A professional lawyer can help you prove your case using evidence like police reports and surveillance footage.
Poorly-Maintained Vehicles
In many cases, trucking companies and owner-operators do not take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition. This negligence leads to many avoidable accidents each year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than passenger cars because of their larger dimensions and larger weight. However the pressure of completing deadlines and maximizing profits can overtake maintaining the fleet. Trucks are susceptible to mechanical issues that could lead to catastrophes.
The brakes on trucks must be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck get worn out and become damaged, it can result in serious accidents and fatal injuries. These parts must be checked and repaired regularly as necessary to maintain their good condition.
Tires that aren't maintained can also contribute to truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction, which causes the truck to skid or even rollover. If a tire is not properly designed in some way, such as having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to spot mechanical problems before they lead to an accident. If an inspection is done incorrectly or the repair shop fails to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines, it could cause a crash. In these instances, the firm that hired the maintenance or repair shop or managed it may be held responsible.
Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are another common reason for truck accidents. These elements must be properly working to enable drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or at night. Trucking companies or drivers could not maintain and inspect these items, or may not perform daily safety inspections.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer can analyze your case to determine which parties may be responsible for your losses if you were injured in an accident involving a badly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can uncover evidence that shows the defendant's negligence in the accident and assist you receive the compensation you're due.
Distracted Drivers
There are few things as devastating as an accident that involves a commercial truck. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 25 times more than your car and cause much worse injuries when involved in an accident. Distracted driving is among the many causes of accidents. A driver who is distracted can lose control of their vehicle or fail to notice an opportunity to avoid a road accident which could lead to serious and life-changing injuries.
Truck drivers must follow strict rules and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cell phones while driving. Even if nashville semi truck accident lawyer abide by the rules, they can be distracted and result in an accident. This can be caused by manual distractions like taking your hand off the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions like thinking about something other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving can be dangerous, but they are not aware that other activities, such as eating or changing radio stations or conversing with passengers are also considered to be distracting. If a trucker is distracted, they may wander off into a different direction and not notice an impending traffic jam. It only takes a fraction of a second for a large truck to hit a passenger vehicle when the driver's attention is diverted.
If a car accident is caused by an unintentionally distracted driver it is crucial to take photos of the scene of the crash and note down the name and contact details of witnesses. It is important to determine the name of the driver, the company for which they work and who owns the vehicle in case it's an independent contractor. This can affect who is accountable for your accident since the trucking company is responsible for securing skilled and competent truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found partially responsible for the accident, it could be held accountable to you for both economic and non-economic damage.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are not uncommon and can cause severe injuries. These accidents can happen in many different situations, including at a stop sign or red light, when the trucker is not checking behind him for oncoming traffic. They may also occur when a car is able to cut in front of the truck, which forces the driver to slam on their brakes without warning. The trucker may then slam the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove fault when there is rear-end collisions because it isn't always clear which vehicle was responsible. A skilled attorney can help gather evidence to show that the driver behind caused the accident by following too closely, or driving in a distracted manner. This evidence can include photos or police reports, eyewitness testimony, as well being skid marks on the road.
The driver in the front of the car could also be held responsible for the collision. This could happen if they cut someone off or fail use a turn signal as any reasonable person. This is where modified comparative negligence laws can be used, in which the jury assigns a percentage of blame to each party, and damages are lowered accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
In a rear-end crash the rear-end of the car is the one that suffers the most force. This means that people in the car are at risk of serious injuries if hit their heads against the dashboard or the back window. The force of the crash can also cause broken bones if the occupants are thrown around the interior of the vehicle. Injuries to the spine can be extremely severe. The spinal cord houses a number of nerves that regulate the body, and any injury to the spinal column can cause serious and lasting issues for the victims.
A victim of a serious accident might also suffer psychological and emotional trauma. They may experience difficulty sleeping or concentrating which can lead them to anxiety and depression. They may also experience stress and financial strain when they are unable to work due to an injury. An attorney can look into all possible sources of liability and assist a victim in seeking fair compensation for their losses.
The trailer is not working properly
Whatever vehicle you're driving, an automobile, a van, a truck, or a flatbed, all vehicles must to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally unhitching a trailer could result in catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries or even death. If you've suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a truck that has run away and you are in need of an experienced attorney who is experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch can be caused by a variety that can be traced to improper securement or design. It could be due to a defect on the part of the manufacturer, where case-by-case product liability laws may apply. The company or the person who is at the fault for a defective trailer is responsible for victims' medical bills and auto repair costs as well as other losses that result from the incident.
In the fatal crash that took place on a highway in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 the trailer was detached from the truck. It crashed into two cars that were directly behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's negligence in failing to properly inspect and secure hitch. In June 2015, however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a flaw in the hitch and an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
The trailer hit the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. This led to numerous deaths and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles.
The driver of the truck that was involved in this accident was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. However experts believe he could have avoided the collision with other vehicles if he had conducted a thorough inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were tight. Faulty trailer hitches can cause major accidents. These incidents are often high-speed, and they can easily cause a collision with motorbikes or small cars. In these situations the trailer could distort the car's frame, and cause sharp metal pieces to impale passengers inside.