18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are large vehicles that pose a major danger to other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents which result in severe injuries or even death.
A personal injury lawyer is the first step to obtaining monetary damages after an 18-wheeler accident. A qualified legal team can help build a strong case using evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are responsible for numerous 18-wheeler crashes. These accidents are almost always fatal and can cause severe injuries. In addition when truck drivers are exhausted they are more likely to risk their lives and disregard federal regulations. This could include speeding and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving commercial vehicles while drowsy. However, some companies make excessive demands of their truck drivers and push drivers to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. Being tired while driving is dangerous for every motorist on the road.
Truck driver fatigue can also result from a poor diet and unbalanced schedules. Some people are enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores, which are typically high in simple carbohydrates and fats, which can make truck drivers feel exhausted. Many of these individuals also have irregular sleeping patterns, which can 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 the reason for your crash.
18 wheeler accident lawsuit flower mound must have certain requirements to operate commercial trucks. Companies and drivers must follow strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. However, if these regulations are not followed, or companies reduce maintenance in order to save money, they are putting everyone on the road at risk.
Hazardous materials, such as explosives, flammables and radiological substances, could be involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These chemicals are transported throughout America's highways. Hazmat drivers must go through specialized training in order to safely load and unload their cargo. If they do not follow the correct procedures or are not able to manage a truck in bad weather conditions, they could cause deadly and fatal accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18 wheelers need longer time to slow or stop than traditional cars. If they do not leave enough space, or their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. Headlights, for example or tail lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals must be working properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks must be operating within certain weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is correctly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed 80,000 pounds. Due to inattention or the desire to make more money, some companies might violate these rules by allowing their trucks to be overloaded. This poses a serious risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could cause serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A truck that is loaded will require more space to stop compared to a smaller vehicle. Also, it creates blind spots that could cause danger to smaller vehicles. A driver who is inexperienced might have a difficult time navigate around these areas. This is especially true when the truck makes an turn or changes lanes.
According to the circumstances there could be additional responsible parties, in addition to the driver of the truck or the trucking company. It could be 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 force drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents can determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and claim damages on behalf of the victims.
Defective Design
Injuries can be severe when an enormous truck is involved. This is due in part to the huge mass of these vehicles, but it also can be caused by a range of other causes, including malfunctioning parts or mechanical issues.
Tires and brakes can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. But there are also other problems. For example cargo that is not properly loaded can place the truck at an increased risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. If these problems 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 and we are adept at working with experienced design engineers to establish negligence. We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend justice in situations where negligent trucking companies push their drivers to drive recklessly while ignoring safety rules or hurrying to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complicated legal procedure due to the fact that it requires concepts from several different fields such as chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations biology, medicine, driving standards and economics. This is the reason why it is the best option for a victim to seek help from an experienced lawyer. A lawyer can assist the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement without having to pay upfront costs.
The lawyer can also deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties that might be enticed to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. In addition, the attorney can assist the truck accident victim submit a claim in compliance with New York and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck, an attorney must act quickly to collect evidence, such as photos and videos of the scene, damage to vehicles, and structures damaged in the collision. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and inspect the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also review the records of the trucking company, driver logbooks, and other documents that may demonstrate negligence. The attorney should also decide the kinds of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and property repair costs) as well as non-financial losses (pain and anxiety, mental stress and loss of enjoyment in life).