Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck accident could cause an injury of a serious nature that could cost the victim a significant amount in medical expenses. It can also lead to permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
It is essential to have a skilled New York truck accident lawyer to assist you after an accident. A qualified attorney can help prove your case by using evidence such as police reports or surveillance camera footage and much more.
Poorly maintained vehicles
In many cases trucking companies and owner-operators don't take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition. This can lead to a large percentage of accidents that could have been avoided every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport due to their dimensions and larger weight. However, the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximising profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. As a result, trucks can be susceptible to mechanical breakdowns that can result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes of a truck are particularly important as they must be able to stop the vehicle and slow it down at an instant's notice. If the pads of a truck's brakes lines, lines, or return springs wear out they can result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts should be regularly checked and repaired as necessary to maintain their good condition.
Poor-maintained tires can also be a major factor in truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction and cause the truck to skid or even tip over. Tires that aren't working, whether it's due to inadequate air pressure or tread design, can fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks need routine inspections to detect mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. If an inspection is performed improperly or the repair shop doesn't adhere to the manufacturer's specifications it could lead to an accident. In these instances the company that employed or supervising the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible.
Another cause of truck accidents is faulty signals, lights, and reflectors. These components must function properly in order for drivers to be able to detect and anticipate the speed of the truck particularly in rural areas or at night. However, trucking firms may neglect to inspect and maintain these elements or the driver may not be able to complete daily safety checks.
A Houston truck accident lawyer will review your case and determine who may be accountable for your losses in the event you were injured by a badly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence that proves the defendant's negligence and help you receive the compensation you're due.
Distracted Drivers
The result of a collision involving commercial trucks could be catastrophic. These massive vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your car and can cause more injuries when they are involved in collisions. While many factors contribute to accidents, distracted driving is one of the most frequent and dangerous. A driver who is distracted can lose control of the vehicle or overlook a road hazard which could lead to life-threatening injuries.
Truck drivers are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations that have been formulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and the use of cell phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers obey the rules, they might still be distracted, causing an accident. This could be due to manual distractions like taking your hand off the steering wheel or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving can be dangerous, but few know that other activities, such as eating, changing radio stations, or conversing with passengers, can also be considered distracting. When a trucker is distracted, the driver could drift off into another area and not be aware of a traffic jam ahead. It takes only a split second for a huge truck to hit a passenger vehicle when the trucker's focus is diverted.
When a truck collision occurs due to an unintentionally distracted driver, it is important to snap photos of the scene of the crash and note down the name and contact information of any witnesses. It is also helpful to determine the name of the driver of the truck and the company they work for, as well as who owns the truck, if it's an independent contractor. This can affect who is accountable for your accident since the trucking company is responsible for securing competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found partially responsible for your accident, it could be liable to you for any economic and non-economic damage.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are not uncommon and can cause serious injuries. These accidents can happen in many different situations like at an intersection or at a an intersection when the trucker is not checking behind him for any traffic that is coming up. They can also occur when a car cuts in front of the truck, which forces the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker could then hit the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove the cause of rear-end collisions, since it's not always clear what vehicle caused the accident. An experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence that proves the driver in the rear caused the crash through following too closely or distracted driving. This can include evidence such as photos, police reports, eyewitness testimony and skid marks left on the roadway.
Sometimes the driver in front could be responsible for the accident as well. This can happen when they cut off someone else or fail to utilize their turn signal in the way that a reasonable person would, or put on the brakes at the very last minute and cause the driver in the back to crash into the car directly in front of them. In these situations the modified comparative negligence laws could be used. The jury will assign a percentage of blame to each of the parties. Damages are then reduced according to.
Lacerations, Bruises and Bruises
In a rear-end collision, the rear of the car is the area that experiences the most force. This means that the occupants are at risk of serious injuries if they strike their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They could also break bones due to being torn around inside the vehicle by the force of the collision. The spine is a vulnerable area and injuries to it are often severe. Injuries to the spine can have serious and long-lasting consequences for victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, the victim may also experience emotional and psychological trauma from the trauma of a crash. They may experience difficulties getting enough sleep or concentrating, which can cause depression and anxiety. They could also be facing financial hardship and stress if they are unable work due to their injury. An attorney can look into any possible liability sources and help a victim seek fair compensation for their expenses.
Problematic Trailer Hitches
Whatever vehicle you're driving, a car, a van, a truck, or a flatbed, all vehicles must to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally unhitching a trailer could cause catastrophic accidents that can lead to severe injuries or even death. If you've suffered injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a truck that has run away, contact an experienced attorney who is specialized in cases involving hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
A faulty trailer hitch can result from a variety things, from improper security to design flaws. It could also be the result a defect in the manufacturing process or a manufacturing defect, in which case the lawful product liability may apply. The company or individual responsible for a trailer's defect could be held responsible for the victim's medical expenses, auto repair costs and other losses that result from the incident.
For instance there was a fatal crash that took place in January 2014 on an Ohio road referred to locally as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came free from the truck and crashed over two cars ahead of it. Initial investigations linked the incident to the truck driver's negligence in failing to properly inspect and secure the hitch. In June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a flaw in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason for the crash.
The trailer struck the side of the vehicles and crashed into them. This led to multiple deaths and serious injuries to drivers of the vehicles.
The truck driver involved in the crash was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However, experts say that he could've avoided the crash by conducting an in-depth inspection of his trailer to ensure all connections were in good order. arlington semi truck accident attorney can cause serious accidents, since they typically involve a substantial amount of speed, and they can cause a collision with smaller vehicles or motorcycles. In these instances the trailer could distort the car's frame and push sharp metal pieces to strike the passengers inside.