18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a huge risk to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they can be involved in serious accidents that result in severe injuries or even death.
The first step in regaining the financial costs of an 18-wheeler collision is to employ a personal injury attorney. A legal team that is experienced can help you create solid evidence such as:
Fatigue
Truck drivers who are fatigued are responsible for a significant portion of 18 wheeler collisions. These accidents are almost always fatal and cause catastrophic injuries. In addition, when truck drivers are fatigued, they are more likely to risk their lives and ignore federal regulations. These risks include speeding, utilizing stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving a commercial vehicle in a state of drowsiness. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, place unreasonable demands on truck drivers. They make them skip breaks and falsify log books. Being tired and driving is dangerous for everyone driving.
A poor diet and erratic schedules can cause fatigue in truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be tempted to purchase fast food at gas stations or convenience stores which are often loaded on fat and simple carbs. This can cause truckers to feel tired and sluggish. Additionally, many of them have irregular sleep schedules which makes it difficult to get enough rest. An attorney who is specialized in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help you determine if fatigue of the truck driver caused your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are required to have certain qualifications to drive commercial vehicles. Drivers and companies must adhere to Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. If these regulations aren't adhered to or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance, they put everyone else on the road at risk.
Hazardous substances, such as explosives, flammables, or radiological materials, can be involved in large truck accidents. These chemicals are transported all over America's highways. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized training in order to safely load and unload their cargo. If they fail to follow the correct procedure or are not able to manage a truck in adverse weather conditions, they could cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to stop or slow down as compared to cars of the traditional type. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. Light defects like headlights and tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals need to be functioning properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Excessive weight
Trucks are required to operate within specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is properly loaded, it will not exceed the limit of 80,000 pounds. Because of inattention or a 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 result in serious accidents in the case of an accident.
An overloaded truck will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Also, it creates blind spots that could cause harm to smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience may have a difficult time getting out of these areas, especially when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
According to the circumstances, there may be other accountable parties, besides the truck driver or trucking company. These could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or the transport or shipping companies themselves who pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify these parties and investigate their actions to recover damages for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
When a large truck is involved in an accident, the consequences can be severe. This is due to the massive weight of these trucks, however, it could also be caused by a number of other reasons, such as defective parts or mechanical failures.
Tires and brakes are two of the most commonly used components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents however, there are other problems as well. For example cargo that isn't properly loaded can put the truck at greater risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. When 18 wheeler accident attorney redondo beach are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can cause fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases that involve defective parts and we are adept at working with experts in design engineers to establish negligence. We are committed in helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving habits, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The litigation involving truck accidents is a tangled legal process because it involves concepts from a variety of areas like chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations biology, medicine 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 lawyer. An attorney can help the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement, without having to pay upfront fees.
The lawyer is also able to deal with insurance companies and other parties at fault who could try to profit from a truck accident victim. Additionally, the lawyer can help the truck accident victim make a claim conforms to New York and federal laws.
After a car accident an attorney must quickly collect evidence, including photos and videos of the scene of the crash damaged vehicles, and structures that were involved in the accident. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and examine the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also review the records of the trucking company such as driver logbooks, driver's logbooks and other records that may prove negligence. The attorney should also determine the types of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) and non-financial damages (pain and mental discomfort and loss of enjoyment in life).