18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a major risk to other motorists on the road. They are, unfortunately, frequently involved in serious accidents that result in severe injuries or death.
The first step to recoup the monetary damages from an 18-wheeler crash is to hire an attorney for personal injury. A qualified legal team can assist in constructing a solid case based on evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are responsible for a significant percentage of 18 wheeler collisions. They are often fatal and cause devastating injuries. If truck drivers are tired they are more likely to disregard federal regulations and run the risk of taking risks. These risks include speeding, the use of stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law prohibits commercial vehicles from driving while drowsy. Unscrupulous transport companies place unreasonable demands on truck drivers. They make them skip breaks and falsify log books. Being tired while driving can be risky for all drivers.
The fatigue of truck drivers can be caused by a poor eating habits and irregular schedules. People who are fatigued may be enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are typically high in simple carbohydrates and fats, which can make truck drivers feel exhausted. In addition, a lot of them have irregular sleeping patterns which make it difficult to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining whether fatigue of the truck driver was an element in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks. Companies and drivers must abide by strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. However, when these rules are not observed, or companies reduce maintenance in order to save money, they are putting everyone on the road at risk.
Hazardous materials, such as explosives, flammables or radiological items, are involved in large truck accidents. These chemicals are transported across America's highways. Hazmat drivers must go through specialized instruction to safely load and deload their cargo. If they don't follow the proper procedures or are not able to handle a truck in bad weather conditions, they could lead to fatal and grave accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots, 18 wheelers need longer time to slow or stop than conventional cars do. If they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail, others could be injured or killed. To ensure the safety of the vehicles, all lights including headlights and taillights, turn signals and emergency flashers should be working properly.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must adhere to specific weight limits. When an smithville 18 wheeler accident law firm wheeler is properly loaded, it is not going to exceed the 80,000-pound limit. However because of negligence or a desire to earn more money, companies could break these rules and allow their trucks to overload. This poses a serious threat to the safety of road users everywhere and can lead to serious accidents in the event of an accident.
A vehicle that is loaded will need more space to stop compared to smaller vehicles. Also, it creates blind spots which can cause harm to smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience may have a difficult time seeing out of these areas especially when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
In the event of an incident, there may be other responsible parties, in addition to the truck driver or trucking company. This could include mechanics who fail to properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who aren't able to properly secure cargo and shipping or transport companies that press drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced attorney for 18 wheelers will be able to identify the parties responsible and look into their actions to obtain damages for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
Injuries can be severe when an enormous truck is involved. The weight of the trucks is a major factor, but other factors can also be involved including defective parts or mechanical malfunctions.
The brakes and tires can fail in guadalupe 18 wheeler accident lawyer-wheeler accidents. But there are also other issues. Unloading cargo improperly could increase the risk of the truck rolling over or colliding into other vehicles. If these issues aren't taken care of 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 have a great deal of experience working with expert engineers to prove negligence. We are committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, including not obeying safety laws and hurrying to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation involving truck accidents is a complicated legal process due to the fact that it requires concepts from several different areas like chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations, biology, medicine driving standards, and economics. This is why it is ideal for a victim to seek assistance from an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement without having to pay upfront costs.
The lawyer can also handle the insurance companies and at-fault parties that might be enticed to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. In addition, the lawyer can help the truck accident victim submit a claim in accordance with New York and federal laws.
After a crash involving a truck the attorney should immediately collect evidence such as photographs and videos of the scene the damage to vehicles and structures that were involved in the accident. The attorney should also speak with witnesses, and examine the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also review the documents of the trucking firm as well as driver logbooks and other documents which can show negligence. The attorney must also determine the damages that are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs to the property) and non-financial losses (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment).