18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are large vehicles that pose a major danger to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they can be involved in serious accidents which result in serious injuries, or even death.
A personal injury lawyer is the first step to recovering financial damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A qualified legal team will help you to build an evidence-based case, using facts like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are responsible for a large percentage of 18 wheeler-related accidents. These accidents are usually fatal and can cause severe injuries. If truck drivers are tired, they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and risk their lives. This includes speeding, using stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law prohibits commercial vehicles from driving when drowsy. Unscrupulous transport companies put excessive demands on truck drivers. They require them to miss breaks and alter their log books. Driving while tired is dangerous for every motorist on the road.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can cause fatigue in truck drivers. They may be enticed to buy fast food at gas stations or convenience shops that are typically high in simple carbs and fats. This can make truckers feel tired and sluggish. Many of these people have irregular sleep patterns which makes it difficult to get enough rest. An attorney who is specialized in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help you determine if the fatigue of a truck driver contributed to the accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain qualifications to drive commercial vehicles. Companies and drivers must also comply with Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. However, if these regulations are not followed, or companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Hazardous materials, such as explosives, flammables, or radiological items, can be involved in large truck accidents. These chemicals are transported across all of America's roads. Hazmat drivers need to undergo specialized instruction to safely load and deload their cargo. If they don't adhere to the proper procedures or are not able to handle a truck in bad weather conditions, they could cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to stop or slow down in comparison to conventional cars. If they don't leave enough space, or their brakes fail, others could be injured or killed. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all light sources including headlights and taillights, turn signals and emergency flashers should be working properly.
Weight Excess
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is correctly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed 80,000 pounds. Due to negligence or the desire to make more money, some companies might break these restrictions by allowing their trucks to be loaded over. 18 wheeler accident lawsuit billings poses a serious risk to the safety of everyone who is on the road and could cause serious accidents in the event of a collision.
A loaded truck will require more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. This can create blind spots which are dangerous for vehicles with smaller sized wheels. A driver who is inexperienced may find it difficult to discern these areas. This is especially true when the truck is making turns or changes lanes.
Other parties may be also liable, based on the circumstances. This could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or shipping and transport companies themselves. They could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to secure cargo correctly; or the shipping or transport companies themselves who pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney will be able to identify these parties and examine their actions to recover damages for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
Injuries can be very serious when a large truck is involved. This is due to the massive weight of these vehicles, but it also can be caused by a range of other causes, including defective parts or mechanical failures.
Tires and brakes can fail in 18-wheeler accidents. But there are also other issues. For example cargo that is not properly loaded can make the truck vulnerable to an increased risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they could result in fatal wrecks.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting commercial and truck cases that involve defective parts and we have a great deal of experience working with expert design engineers to establish negligence. We are committed in helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice in cases when negligent trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive unsafely and disregard safety regulations or rush to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complicated legal process due to the fact that it requires various fields, including physics, chemistry and federal trucking regulations, medical, biology driving standards, and economics. It is essential that the person who is injured in a collision seeks the help of an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement, without having to pay upfront money.
The lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies as well as parties at fault who could try to profit from a truck accident victim. In addition, the lawyer will assist the truck accident victim to file a claim in compliance with New York and federal laws.
After a car crash, an attorney must act quickly to collect evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene and damage to vehicles and structures damaged in the accident. The attorney should also question witnesses and look into the black boxes of the truck. The lawyer should also study the documents of the trucking firm the driver's logbooks, as well as other documents that can be used to prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the kinds of damages that are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs for property) and non-financial loss (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life).