18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are enormous vehicles that pose a significant risk to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are often involved in serious accidents that cause major injuries or death.
The first step to recovering the financial damages incurred in an
18 wheeler accident is to employ an attorney for personal injury. A legal team that is experienced will assist you in constructing a strong case using evidence such as:
Fatigue
Tired truck drivers are the cause for a large percentage of
18 wheeler accident. These accidents are almost always fatal and can cause severe injuries. When truck drivers are fatigued, they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and run the risk of taking risks. These risks could include speeding or the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
It is against federal law to operate commercial motor vehicles when drowsy. However, some companies place unreasonable demands on their truck drivers and encourage drivers to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. It is a risk to drive tired for everyone on the road.
Unhealthy diets and unplanned schedules can also result in fatigue for truck drivers. These individuals may be tempted to consume fast food at gas stations or convenience stores, which are usually packed with fat and simple carbohydrates which can make truck drivers feel tired. Additionally, many of these individuals have irregular sleep schedules which make it difficult to get enough sleep. An attorney who specializes in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can assist you to determine if fatigue of the truck driver caused your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications in order to drive commercial vehicles. Drivers and employers must also comply with Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. If these regulations are not adhered to or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance they put everyone else on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents may involve dangerous and toxic cargo, which includes hazardous substances like explosive, flammable, or radiological items. These chemicals are transported across all roads in America. Hazmat drivers must go through specialized instruction to safely load and unload their cargo. If they fail to follow the proper procedures or are not able to handle a truck in bad conditions, they could result in fatal and serious 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. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they don't leave enough space or
18 wheeler accident if their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lights including taillights and headlights, emergency flashers and
18 wheeler Accident turn signals should be working properly.
Weight Excess
Trucks must operate under certain weight limits. When an 18-wheeler has been properly loaded, the weight limit will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Due to negligence or the desire to earn more money, some businesses may violate these restrictions by allowing their trucks be loaded over. This poses a significant risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A vehicle that is loaded will need more space to stop compared to a smaller vehicle. This could also result in blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. An inexperienced driver may have difficulty being able to see out of these areas, especially when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
Other parties could also be liable, depending on the circumstances. This could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain their trucks and loading crews who fail to properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. These could include mechanics who improperly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who fail to secure cargo correctly, or shipping or transport firms that pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents will be able to determine the parties responsible and investigate their actions. recover damages on behalf of accident victims.
Defective Design
If a large truck is involved in an accident, the injuries can be severe. This is due to the massive weight of these trucks, but it can also be caused by a number of other factors, such as malfunctioning parts or mechanical issues.
Tires and brakes are two of the most common components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents, but there are other issues as well. For instance cargo that isn't properly loaded could make the truck vulnerable to a higher risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers, they can lead to deadly accidents.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts. We are also skilled working with design engineers to determine negligence. We are committed to helping our clients receive the justice they are entitled to. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices, such as not obeying safety laws and hurrying to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The litigation involving truck accidents is a tangled legal process because it is a mix of concepts from several different fields, including chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations medicine, biology, driving standards and economics. This is why it's recommended for a truck crash victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the victim of a collision to get an acceptable settlement without having to invest any money upfront.
The lawyer may also work with insurance companies and parties at fault who may try to profit from the victim of a truck accident. Additionally, the attorney can assist the truck accident victim make a claim in accordance with New York and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck an attorney needs to act swiftly to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene and damage to vehicles and other structures that were involved in the an accident. The attorney should also question witnesses, and examine the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also review the documents of the trucking firm, driver logbooks, and other documents that could prove negligence. The attorney must also decide the damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) and non-financial damage (pain and discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life).