18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a significant danger to other motorists on the road. Sadly, they are frequently involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries or even death.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the initial step to recovering financial damage from an 18-wheeler accident. A legal team that is experienced will help you to build solid evidence like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are responsible for many 18-wheeler accidents. These wrecks are almost always devastating and can result in severe injuries and fatalities. If truck drivers are tired, they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and take risks. This includes speeding, the use stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle while drowsy. However, untrustworthy transportation firms place excessive demands on their truck drivers, and pressure drivers to skip breaks and alter logbooks. Driving tired is dangerous for everyone driving.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also cause fatigue in truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be enticed to consume fast food at gas stations or convenience stores, which tend to be filled with fat and simple carbohydrates which can make truck drivers feel tired. A lot of them have irregular sleeping patterns, which makes it difficult to get enough rest. An attorney who is specialized in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help you determine if fatigue of the truck driver was a factor in your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks. Businesses and drivers must adhere to strict Federal rules regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. However, if these regulations are not observed, or companies reduce maintenance in order to save money, they place everyone riding on the road at risk.
Hazardous substances, such as explosives, flammables and radiological items, are involved in large truck accidents. These substances are transported on every road in America. Hazmat drivers need to undergo specialized instruction to safely load and deload their cargo. If they fail to adhere to the proper procedures or are not able to manage a truck in bad conditions, they could result in serious and fatal accidents.
Due due to their size as well as the huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to slow down or stop in comparison to conventional cars. If they don't leave enough space, or their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. Light defects like headlights, tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals should all be working properly to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is correctly loaded the weight limit will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. However, due to negligence or a desire to make more money, businesses may violate these restrictions and allow their trucks to be overloaded. This poses a serious risk for the safety of everyone on the road and could result in serious accidents in the case of a collision.
A loaded truck will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Also, it creates blind spots which can be dangerous to smaller vehicles. A driver who is inexperienced may find it difficult to see out of these areas. This is especially true when a truck makes the turn or changes lanes.
Other parties may be held accountable, based on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics who fail to examine or maintain their trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly or transport and shipping companies themselves. These could include mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to properly secure cargo; and the shipping or transport companies themselves that pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents can determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and seek damages on behalf of the victims.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when an enormous truck is involved. The weight of these trucks is an important factor but other factors may also be involved in the form of defective components or mechanical malfunctions.
The brakes and tires are two of the most frequently used components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents There are other issues as well. For example cargo that is not properly loaded could put the truck at the risk of crashing over or collision with other vehicles on the road. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they could cause fatal accidents.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts. We also have experience at working with design engineers in establishing negligent conduct. We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the justice they are entitled to. We also fight for justice in instances 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 complicated legal procedure because it is a mix of concepts from a variety of fields, including physics, chemistry and federal trucking regulations, biology, medicine, driving standards and economics. This is why it is recommended for a truck crash victim to seek the advice of an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist victims of accidents on the road to receive a fair settlement without the need to pay any upfront fees.
18 wheeler accident attorney compton can also handle the insurance companies and at-fault parties that may be tempted to profit from taking advantage of the truck accident victim. In addition, the lawyer will assist the truck accident victim make a claim in line with New York and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck an attorney needs to act immediately to gather evidence, including photos and videos of the crash scene as well as damage to vehicles and the structures involved in the collision. The lawyer should also question witnesses and examine the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also study the records of the trucking company, driver logbooks and other documents that can show negligence. The attorney must also determine what damages are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs to the property) and non-financial damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment).