Semi Truck Accident Law
A serious injury sustained in a crash with trucks can result in the death of an individual with medical bills. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and ongoing physical therapy.
It is essential to have a qualified New York truck accident lawyer by your side after a crash. A professional lawyer can help you prove your case with evidence such as police reports and surveillance footage.
Poorly maintained vehicles
In a majority of cases trucking companies and owner-operators don't take the appropriate steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition. This causes an increase in the number of preventable accidents each year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than passenger cars because of their larger size and heavier weight. However working to meet deadlines and maximizing profits often take precedence over maintaining the fleet. In the end, trucks can become prone to mechanical problems that can cause catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on trucks must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. When brake pads lines, return springs or return lines on a truck wear out they can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries. It is essential that these components are regularly inspected and replaced as required to ensure that they remain in good working order.
Inadequately maintained tires can be a major cause of truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction, which causes the truck to slide or even tip over. Tires that aren't working either because of inadequate air pressure or tread design, can fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks must undergo regular inspections in order to spot mechanical issues before they cause an accident. If an inspection is done incorrectly or if the repair shop does not follow the manufacturer's guidelines this could result in a crash. In these situations the company that hired or oversees the maintenance or repair shop could be held responsible.
The malfunctioning of signals, lights and reflectors are also a frequent reason for truck accidents. These elements must be properly functioning to allow drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, particularly in rural areas or at night. Drivers and trucking companies could not maintain and inspect these elements, or they may not be able to conduct daily safety checks.
A Houston truck accident lawyer can review your case and determine who could be accountable for your damages in the event you were injured by a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence proving the defendant's negligence and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
The result of a collision involving commercial trucks could be devastating. These massive vehicles can weigh up 25 times the weight of your car and can cause more severe injuries in accidents. Distracted driving is just one of the many factors that contribute to accidents. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle or fail to notice an accident on the road, which can lead to severe and life-changing injuries.
Truck drivers must follow strict rules and regulations formulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting or using cell phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers follow the rules, they could still get distracted and cause crashes. This can be the result of distractions caused by manual actions like taking a hand off the wheel or mental distractions such as thinking about something else other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving is risky, but many do not realize that other activities, like eating or changing radio stations or conversing with passengers, are also considered to be distracting. When a truck driver gets distracted, they could drift into another lane or not be able to see a traffic jam in front of them. When a truck driver's eye is diverted, it's only one second for a massive vehicle to hit a motorist car.
When las vegas semi truck accident law firm is caused by a distracted driver it is crucial to capture photos of the scene of the crash and gather the contact details and name of witnesses. It is essential to know the name of the driver, the business that they work for, and who owns the vehicle if it's an independent contractor. This could have an influence on who is responsible for the accident, as it is the responsibility of the trucking firm to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partly responsible for your accident, it may be liable to you for financial and non-economic injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions with trucks are common and often result in severe injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of circumstances such as at an intersection or at a red light, when the trucker doesn't check behind him for oncoming traffic. They may also occur when a car is able to cut in front of the truck, causing the driver to apply their brakes without warning. The trucker could then smash the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove fault in the event of rear-end collisions, as it isn't always certain which vehicle was at fault. A knowledgeable attorney can find evidence to prove that the driver behind caused the crash by following too closely, or driving distracted. This evidence could include photos of the scene, police reports, eyewitness testimony as well as skid marks on the road.
Sometimes, the driver in the front could be responsible for the accident as well. This can happen when they cut someone off, fail to use their turn signal in the way that a reasonable person would, or slam on the brakes at the last moment and causing the driver behind to slam into the car directly in front of them. This type of scenario is where modified comparative negligence laws can be used, in which the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party, and damages are reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault.
Lacerations and Bruises
The rear of the vehicle experiences the most impact in a rear-end collision which means that the occupants could suffer serious injuries from hitting their head against the dashboard or back window. The force of the crash can cause broken bones if the occupants are thrown around the inside of the vehicle. Spinal injuries can be serious. Injuries to the spine can have long-lasting and serious effects on victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, a victim may suffer from psychological and emotional trauma from being involved in a devastating crash. They may experience difficulty sleeping or concentrating. This can lead to depression and anxiety. They may also experience stress and financial difficulties when they are unable to work because of an injury. An attorney can look into any possible liability sources and help a victim seek an appropriate amount of compensation for their losses.
A problem with trailer hitches
All vehicles, whether they are a vehicle, a car, a truck, van, flatbed, or van, need to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally removing a trailer's hitch can result in catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries, or even death. If you've suffered injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a runaway truck or trailer, consult an experienced attorney who is experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
A faulty trailer hitch can be caused by a variety of things, from improper securing to defective design. It can also be the result of a manufacturer's defect, in which case products liability laws could apply. The person or company responsible for a defective trailer could be held responsible for the victim's medical costs as well as auto repair costs and other losses resulting from the incident.
In a fatal crash that occurred on a highway in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 an unattached trailer was spotted on the truck. It then crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigations suggested that the crash was due to the truck driver's negligence for not inspecting and secure the hitch. In June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason for the crash.
The trailer hit the side of the vehicles and crashed into them. The result was numerous fatalities and serious injuries for the drivers.
The driver of the truck involved in the crash was found guilty of vehicular homicide, but experts say that he could've avoided the collision had he conducted an extensive inspection of his trailer to ensure that all connections were secure. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in serious accidents, since these accidents typically involve a large amount of speed and may hit smaller cars or motorcycles. In these instances, the trailer may distort the car's frame and create sharp metal fragments that can impale passengers.