18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are massive trucks that pose a huge danger for other motorists who are on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries or even death.
The hiring of a personal injury lawyer is the first step to recover monetary damages after an 18-wheeler accident. A qualified legal team will assist you in constructing a strong case using evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are the reason behind many 18-wheeler collisions. These accidents are usually fatal and can cause severe injuries. Additionally when truck drivers are tired they are more likely to risk their lives and ignore federal regulations. This includes driving too fast, and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, as well as inattention.
It is illegal to operate commercial motor vehicles while drowsy. However, untrustworthy transportation companies put excessive demands on their truck drivers and encourage them to take breaks in between and alter log books. Driving tired is hazardous for all drivers.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also cause fatigue in truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be tempted to purchase fast food at convenience stores or at gas stations which are often loaded in simple carbs and fats. This can cause truckers to feel tired and sluggish. Furthermore, many of them are on irregular sleep schedules that make it difficult for them to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining whether the fatigue of a truck driver was the cause of your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain requirements to drive commercial trucks, and businesses and drivers must follow strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. But, when these regulations are not adhered to, or if companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can involve dangerous and toxic cargo. This includes dangerous substances such as explosive, flammable, or radiological materials. These chemicals are transported on all of America's roads. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized training to safely load and unload their loads. If they fail to adhere to the proper procedures or are not able to manage a truck in bad weather conditions they can cause fatal and grave accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to slow down or stop in comparison to conventional cars. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they don't leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. Light defects like headlights, tail lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals need to work properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Excessive Weight
Trucks have to adhere to specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is properly loaded, it won't exceed the limit of 80,000 pounds. However due to negligence or a desire to make more money, companies may breach these restrictions and allow their trucks to overload. This poses a significant danger to the safety of everyone on the road and could cause serious accidents in the event of a collision.
A truck that is overloaded will need more space to stop than smaller vehicles. This can also create blind spots that are unsafe for smaller vehicles. An inexperienced driver might have trouble seeing out of these areas particularly when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
In the event of an incident there could be additional responsible parties, in addition to the truck driver or trucking company. These could include mechanics who fail to properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly and transport or shipping companies that press drivers to meet deadlines. 18 wheeler accident lawyer pontiac who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents can determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and seek damages on behalf of victims.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when an enormous truck is involved. The weight of these trucks is a significant factor but other factors may be a contributing factor like defective parts or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires are two of the most common components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents however, there are other problems as well. Incorrectly loading cargo can increase the chance of the truck rolling over or colliding into other vehicles. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can cause deadly accidents.
Our team is experienced in prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts. We are also skilled in working with design engineers in establishing negligence. We are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking companies that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, including ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation involving truck accidents is a complicated legal process due to the fact that it requires various fields such as physics, chemistry and federal trucking regulations medical, biology and driving standards as well as economics. It is essential that the person who is injured in a collision seeks the help of an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the victim of a truck accident receive an equitable settlement without needing to spend any upfront money.
The lawyer can also deal with insurance companies as well as parties at fault who could try to profit from a truck accident victim. Additionally, the lawyer can assist the truck accident victim to file a claim in compliance with New York and federal laws.
Following a crash involving a truck an attorney needs to act immediately to gather evidence, such as photos and videos of the scene of the crash and damage to vehicles and structures involved in accident. The attorney should also talk to witnesses, and inspect the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also look over the records of the trucking company, driver logbooks and other documents that could demonstrate negligence. The attorney should also identify the types of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property) and non-financial damages (pain and mental discomfort and loss of enjoyment).