18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that create a major hazard for other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are often involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries or even death.
The first step in regaining the monetary damages from an 18-wheeler crash is to engage an attorney for personal injury. A competent legal team will help to build a strong case by relying on evidence like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are the reason behind many 18-wheeler accidents. These wrecks are almost always disastrous and can cause devastating accidents and deaths. When truck drivers are fatigued, they are also more likely to disregard federal laws and take risks. This includes speeding, using stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle while drowsy. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, put excessive demands on truck drivers. They force them to skip breaks and falsify log books. Being tired and driving is risky for all drivers.
Fatigue in truck drivers can be caused by poor diet and inconsistent schedules. Some people are enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores, which are typically filled with simple carbohydrates and fats which can cause truck drivers feel fatigued. A lot of them suffer from irregular sleep patterns, which makes it difficult to get enough rest. An attorney who is specialized in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help you determine whether truck driver fatigue caused your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain qualifications to drive commercial vehicles. Companies and drivers must also comply with Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. If 18 wheeler accident lawyer south bend are not adhered to or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance and repairs, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can involve dangerous and toxic cargo, such as dangerous materials like explosive, flammable or radiological substances. These substances are transported across America's highways. Hazmat drivers must go through specialized training to be able to safely load and unload their cargo. But if they do not follow the correct procedure or are unable to manage a truck in poor weather conditions, they may cause serious and fatal accidents.
Due to their size and massive blind spots, 18 wheelers require more time to slow or stop than conventional cars do. If they fail to leave enough space or their brakes fail, other motorists could be injured or killed. Light defects such as headlights, tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals must all be working properly to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Excessive weight
Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler is properly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed 80,000 pounds. However because of negligence or a desire to earn more money, companies could violate these restrictions and allow their trucks to overload. This is a major danger to the safety of all road users and can cause severe accidents in the case of an accident.
A truck that is overloaded will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This could also result in blind spots, which can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers may have difficulty to see out of these areas. This is especially true when a truck makes the turn or changes lanes.
Other parties could also be liable, depending on the circumstances. This could include mechanics who do not properly check or maintain trucks and loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly or transport and shipping companies themselves. It could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or servicing trucks, loading crews that aren't able to properly secure cargo or transport companies that press drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify the parties responsible and look into their actions to obtain damages for accident victims.
Defective Design
Injuries can be very serious when the truck is large. The weight of these trucks is a significant factor however other factors can be a contributing factor in the form of defective components or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. However, there are other issues. For instance cargo that is not properly loaded can put the truck at greater risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could result in fatal accidents.
Our team has experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases that involve defective parts and we are skilled in working with expert engineers to prove negligence. We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation they are entitled to. We also advocate for justice in cases where negligent trucking companies push their drivers to drive in unsafe ways, ignoring safety laws or rush to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complex process because it involves theories and concepts that span different fields, such as physics, chemistry federal trucking regulations biology medical, driving standards economics, and many more. This is why it is ideal for a victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the victim of a truck accident receive an equitable settlement without having to pay upfront money.
The lawyer may also work with insurance companies and those at fault who could try to profit from the victim of a car accident. The lawyer can also assist victims of a collision to file a claim in compliance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a car crash an attorney needs to act quickly to collect evidence, such as photos and videos of the scene as well as damage to vehicles and structures involved in an accident. The attorney should also interview witnesses, and inspect the black boxes of the truck. The lawyer should also study the documents of the trucking firm, driver logbooks, and other documents that may be used to prove negligence. The attorney should also determine what damages are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and property repair costs), and non-financial damages (pain and mental anguish and loss of enjoyment in life).