The Biggest Problem With Semi Truck Lawsuit, And How You Can Fix It
Semi Truck Accident Law A semi-truck accident could cause an injury of a serious nature that could cost a person a fortune in medical expenses. It can also lead to permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy. After a collision is essential to retain an experienced New York truck accident attorney at your side. A qualified attorney will help you prove your case using evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage, etc. Poorly-Maintained Vehicles Owner-operators and trucking companies often don't take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good shape. This causes a large percentage of avoidable accidents each year. Comparatively to passenger vehicles, semis and tractor-trailers require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and heavy load. However keeping deadlines and increasing profits often take precedence over maintaining a fleet. As a result, trucks are susceptible to mechanical failures that lead to devastating accidents. The brakes on a truck have to be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck fail they can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries. These parts should be checked and repaired regularly in order to keep them in good working condition. A poorly maintained tire can also be a major contributor to truck accidents. Tires that are worn out can cause traction issues and cause the truck to skid or even tip over. If a tire is deficient in any way, for example, having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically. The inspections are routine for trucks along with regular maintenance to spot mechanical problems before they cause an accident. If an inspection is performed improperly or the repair shop does not follow the manufacturer's recommendations this could result in a crash. In these situations, a firm that hired the maintenance or repair shop or managed it may be held liable. Another major cause of truck accidents is the failure of lights, signals, and reflectors. These devices must function properly so that drivers can be aware of and anticipate the movement of the truck, especially when driving in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies could neglect to inspect and maintain these components or the driver could fail to perform daily safety inspections. A Houston truck accident lawyer will review your case and determine who might be responsible for your damages in the event that you are injured by a deteriorated maintenance of a commercial truck. Investigating your case can uncover evidence that demonstrates the negligence of the defendant in the accident and help you obtain the compensation you're due. Distracted Drivers The result of a collision involving commercial trucks could be devastating. These huge trucks can weigh up to 25 times more than a vehicle and cause far more injuries in accidents. Distracted driving is one of many causes of accidents. A driver who is distracted can lose control of the vehicle or overlook a road hazard and cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Truck drivers are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting or using mobile phones while driving. Even if truckers obey the rules, they may still be distracted, causing an accident. This is often caused by manual distractions such as not having your hands on the steering wheel or mental distractions like thinking about something other than driving. Many people are aware that texting while driving is dangerous, but they are not aware that other activities, such as eating or changing radio stations or talking to passengers, can also be considered distracting. When a trucker is distracted, they could drift into another lane or not be able to see the traffic jam ahead of them. If a truck driver's focus is diverted, it's only an instant for a large vehicle to strike a passenger car. If a truck crash is caused by distracted drivers it is vital to take photos of the scene of the accident and gather the name and contact information of any witnesses. It is important to know the name of the driver, the business that they work for, and who is the owner of the vehicle if it's an independent contractor. This can have an effect on who is accountable for the accident, as it is the responsibility of the trucking business to hire competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partially responsible for your accident, it could be liable to you for economic as well as non-economic losses. Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions with trucks are common and often result in severe injuries. They can happen in a variety situations like the stop or red light sign when the trucker fails to observe the road ahead for any traffic that is coming up. It can also happen when an automobile crosses the truck's path, causing the driver of the truck to brake suddenly without warning. The trucker may then crash into the car from behind. It can be difficult to establish fault when there's rear-end collisions because it isn't always certain the vehicle that was at fault. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence that proves that the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash due to following too closely or driving distracted. This can include evidence such as photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and skid marks in the road. Sometimes, the driver in the front could be the one responsible for the accident also. This could occur if they cut someone off or fail utilize a turn signal in the same manner as any reasonable person would do. In this type of scenario an amended comparative negligence law could be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. The damages are then reduced according to. Lacerations and Bruises The rear-end of the car is the most impacted area in a rear-end collision so occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries as they smash their head against the dashboard or the back window. The impact of the crash could cause broken bones when the occupants are thrown about the interior of the car. Spinal injuries can be severe. Damage to the spine can cause serious and lasting impacts on the victims. In addition to these kinds of injuries, the victim may also be suffering from psychological and emotional trauma as a result of having been involved in a terrible crash. They may have trouble being able to sleep or concentrate, which can lead them to depression and anxiety. They could also be facing stress and financial strain if they are unable work due to their injury. An attorney can investigate the possible sources of liability and help the victim seek an appropriate amount of compensation for their expenses. bloomington semi truck accident law firm doesn't matter if you're driving an automobile, a van, a truck, or a flatbed, all vehicles must to be securely attached to their trailers. If a trailer goes unhitched, it could cause a catastrophic accident that could cause serious injuries or death. If you've been injured in a vehicle accident caused by a runaway truck get in touch with an experienced lawyer who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options. A damaged trailer hitch could be the result of a variety of things, from improper securing to defective design. It could also be due to an error on the part of the manufacturer, where case-by-case product liability laws could apply. The company or individual responsible for a trailer's defect could be held responsible for the victim's medical costs, auto repair costs and other losses resulting from the incident. For instance, in a deadly crash that was reported in January 2014 on an Ohio road that is locally referred to as “Devil's Backbone,” a trailer came loose from the truck and careened head-on into two cars behind it. The initial investigation attributed the crash to the truck driver's inattention to inspect and secure the hitch. In June 2015 however, 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 cause of the crash. The trailer slammed into the side of the vehicles and crashed into them. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles. The driver of the truck that was involved in this accident was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. However, experts say that he could have prevented the collision with other vehicles if he had completed a thorough inspection of his trailer and made sure that all connections were in good order. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in catastrophic accidents, as they typically involve a substantial amount of speed and could easily wipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these cases the trailer could distort the frame of a car and result in sharp metal fragments to injure passengers.