18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a major danger to other drivers on the road. They are often involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries, or even death.
The first step towards recovering the financial costs of an
18 wheeler accident is to engage an attorney for personal injury. A legal team with experience will help to build a strong case based on evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are the reason behind many 18-wheeler accident. These accidents are nearly always fatal and can cause severe injuries. When truck drivers are fatigued they are more likely to ignore federal regulations and risk their lives. These risks include driving too fast, and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
It is illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle while sleepy. However, unscrupulous transport companies place unreasonable demands on their truck drivers and encourage them to take breaks in between and falsify log books. It is a risk to drive tired for all motorists on the road.
Unhealthy diets and unplanned schedules can also cause fatigue in truck drivers. Some people are tempted to buy fast food in convenience stores or gas stations which are often loaded on fat and simple carbs. This can make truckers feel tired and sluggish. Furthermore, many of them are on irregular sleep schedules that can make it difficult to get enough sleep. An attorney with expertise in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents will help you determine whether truck driver fatigue contributed to your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain requirements to drive commercial trucks. Businesses and drivers must comply with strict Federal regulations governing hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. But, when these regulations are ignored, or when companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, they put everyone riding on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can be involving dangerous and toxic cargo, which includes hazardous materials such as flammable, explosive, or radiological substances. These chemicals are transported across every road in America. Hazmat drivers are required to undergo special training to safely load and unload their loads. If they fail to follow proper procedures or are not able to handle a truck in poor weather conditions, they may cause serious and fatal accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots,
18 wheeler accident attorneys-wheelers need longer to stop or slow down in comparison to conventional cars. Other motorists could be injured or even killed when they don't leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lighting including taillights and headlights emergency flashers, turn signals, and so on must be functioning properly.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must adhere to specific weight limits. When an 18 wheeler is properly loaded, it should not exceed the 80,000-pound limit. Due to negligence or the desire to make more money, some companies might break these restrictions by allowing their trucks to be loaded over. This poses a risk to the safety of all road users and can lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
An overloaded truck will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This could also result in blind spots which are dangerous for vehicles with smaller sized wheels. Unexperienced drivers might have a difficult time see out of these areas. This is especially the case when a truck makes an turn or changes lanes.
Other parties could also be liable, depending on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics that fail to properly inspect or maintain trucks or loading crews that do not properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. This could include mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or the transportation or shipping companies themselves who pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents can identify these parties, investigate their actions and recover damages on behalf of victims.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when an enormous truck is involved. The weight of these trucks is an important factor but other factors may be a contributing factor like defective parts or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires are two of the most common components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents However, there are other factors to consider. For instance cargo that isn't properly loaded can cause the truck to be at an increased risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers,
18 wheeler accident they could result in deadly wrecks.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting truck and
18 wheeler accident commercial vehicles cases involving defective components. We also have experience working with design engineers in establishing the negligence of the manufacturer. We are committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. We also fight for justice in instances where negligent trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive dangerously by ignoring safety laws or rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation surrounding truck accidents is complicated because it is a mix of concepts and theories from many different fields, such as the physics, chemistry, federal trucking regulations biology medical standard, driving, economics, and more. This is why it's ideal for a victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. The lawyer can assist the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement without the need to pay any up front money.
The lawyer can also handle the insurance companies and at-fault parties who may be tempted to profit from taking advantage of the victim of a car accident. Additionally, the attorney will assist the truck accident victim make a claim in accordance with New York and federal laws.
After a truck crash an attorney must respond swiftly to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene and damage to vehicles and the structures involved in the collision. The lawyer should also question witnesses and look over the truck's black box. The attorney should also analyze the trucking company records as well as driver logbooks and other records that may prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the types of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property) and non-financial damage (pain and mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life).