Semi Truck Accident Law
A severe injury sustained in a crash with semi-trucks can cost an individual in medical expenses. It can also lead to permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
It is vital to have a reputable New York truck accident lawyer on your side following an accident. A skilled lawyer can establish your case through evidence like police reports and surveillance camera footage and more.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Owner-operators and companies that operate trucks often don't take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good working order. This causes an astronomical number of preventable accidents every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars for passengers due to their larger size and heavier weight. Unfortunately the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximising profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. This is why trucks can be susceptible to mechanical malfunctions that can result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on a truck have to be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. If the pads of a truck's brakes, lines or return springs wear out, they can cause serious collisions and fatal injuries. It is vital to have these parts regularly checked and replaced as needed to keep them in good working order.
Tires that aren't maintained may contribute to truck accidents. Tires that are worn out can cause traction issues and cause the truck to slide or even rollover. If a tire is damaged in some way, like having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
Trucks require regular inspections along with regular maintenance to spot mechanical issues before they lead to an accident. If an inspection is not done correctly or the repair shop fails to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines this could result in a crash. In these instances the company that hired or supervised the maintenance or the repair shop could be held accountable.
Incorrect lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent reason for truck accidents. These items must function properly to allow drivers to observe and anticipate the speed of the truck particularly when driving in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies may fail to check and maintain these equipments or the driver could fail to conduct regular safety checks.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer will investigate your case to determine which parties may be responsible for your losses if you were injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can uncover evidence that shows the negligence of the defendant in your crash and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
The consequences of collisions with commercial trucks can be devastating. These huge vehicles can weigh up 25 times the weight of your car and cause much worse injuries in accidents. While many factors cause accidents that result from distracted driving, it is one of the most frequent and risky. A truck driver who is distracted could lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize an issue on the roadway, which could lead to life-changing injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and guidelines for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting and the use of cell phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers abide by the rules, they might still be distracted, causing an accident. This could be the result of manual distractions, such as taking their hands off the wheel or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something else other than driving.
While most people understand the dangers of using text and drive, few realize that other activities like eating, changing the station on the radio or even talking to a passenger could also be considered distracting. If a trucker is distracted it is possible that he will drift into a different lane and fail to notice the traffic jam ahead. It only takes a fraction of a second for a large truck to crash into a vehicle when the trucker's focus is diverted.
It is important to gather information about any witnesses and to take photographs of the scene after an accident if the driver is distracted and causes a truck crash. It is important to determine the name of the driver, the company that they work for, and who owns the vehicle in case it's an independent contractor. This could affect the person who is responsible for your accident, as the trucking company is responsible for hiring skilled and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partially responsible for your accident, they could be liable for your economic as well as non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are common and often result in serious injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of situations like at the stop sign or a red light, when the trucker doesn't check the road ahead for oncoming traffic. It can also happen when a car cuts across the truck's path, forcing the driver of the truck to stop abruptly without warning. The trucker can then slam into the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove fault in rear-end crashes, as it is not always obvious which vehicle caused the crash. However, an experienced attorney can gather evidence that proves the driver in the rear caused the crash through following too closely or driving while distracted. This could include evidence such as photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony and skid marks in the road.
The driver in the front of the car could also be accountable for the collision. This could happen if they cut someone off or fail to use a turn signal like any other reasonable person. In these situations an amended comparative negligence law could be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. Damages will be reduced accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
The rear-end of the car is the most impacted area during a rear-end collision meaning that occupants can sustain serious injuries from hitting their head against the dashboard or back windows. They could also break bones due to being thrown around the interior of the vehicle by the force of the crash. The severity of spinal injuries can be devastating. gilbert semi truck accident law firm is home to many nerves that regulate the body, therefore any damage to the spinal column can cause significant and permanent issues for those affected.
A person who is the victim of a serious accident may also experience psychological and emotional trauma. They may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, which may cause anxiety and depression. If they are unable to work due to the extent of their injury, this can cause stress and financial hardship. An attorney can look into possible sources of liability to assist the victim to receive fair compensation for their loss.
Faulty Trailer Hitches
Whatever vehicle you're driving, either a car, van, a truck, or a flatbed, all cars need to be securely attached to their trailers. Unintentionally pulling a trailer off can result in catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries or even death. If you've suffered injuries in an accident involving the trailer that is running away, you should contact an experienced attorney for vehicle accidents that specializes in cases of failure of the hitch promptly to discuss your legal options.
The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch can be a variety of things which can range from inadequate securement or design. It could also be due to a defect on the part of the manufacturer, in which case, product liability law could be applicable. The company or the person responsible for a trailer's defect could be held responsible for the victims' medical expenses along with auto repair expenses and other losses resulting 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 investigation linked the accident to the driver's lapse in examine and secure the hitch. However, in June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a manufacturing defect had caused the hitch involved in the crash -an Ultra LT manufactured by Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama -- to malfunction on a high number of occasions.
The trailer struck the sides of the vehicles, and then crashed into them. This led to numerous deaths and serious injuries to drivers of the vehicles.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. However, experts believe that he could have avoided the collision with other vehicles if he done a thorough visual inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were tight. Faulty trailer hitches can cause major accidents. These kinds of incidents are usually high-speed and are able to sidewipe motorcycles or smaller cars. In these instances the trailer can deform the frame of a vehicle and force sharp metal pieces to strike the passengers inside.