Semi Truck Accident Law
A severe injury sustained in a crash with semi-trucks can cost the victim in medical costs. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
It is important to have a reputable New York truck accident lawyer at your side following an accident. A skilled lawyer can you prove your case with evidence like police reports, surveillance camera footage, and much more.
Poorly maintained vehicles
In many instances, trucking companies and owner-operators don't take the appropriate steps to make sure their vehicles are in good condition. This causes a large percentage of preventable crashes every year.
Compared to passenger cars, tractor-trailers and semis require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and weight. loads. However keeping deadlines and increasing profits often take precedence over the maintenance of a fleet. This is why trucks are susceptible to mechanical breakdowns that can lead to devastating accidents.
The brakes on a truck must be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. If the brake pads of a truck lines, lines or return springs fail, they can cause serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts should be regularly inspected and repaired in order to keep them in good working condition.
Inadequately maintained tires can be a major cause of truck accidents. Tires that are worn down can cause the tires to lose traction, which causes the truck to skid or even tip over. Tires that are defective or damaged, whether due to an insufficient tread design or air pressure may fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks need regular inspections to identify mechanical issues prior to causing an accident. However, if the inspection is performed incorrectly or the repair shop does not adhere to the guidelines of the manufacturer, it could cause an accident. In such cases, a company that commissioned the repair or maintenance shop or supervised it could be held responsible.
Incorrect lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent reason for truck accidents. These elements must function correctly to allow drivers to be aware of and anticipate the truck's movements, especially when driving in rural areas or at night. Trucking companies or drivers may fail to maintain and check these equipment, or may not be able to conduct daily safety inspections.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will analyze your case to determine who is accountable for your injuries when you've been injured in an accident caused by a faulty maintenance of a commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence that demonstrates the negligence of the defendant in your crash and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Drivers
The consequences of collisions with commercial trucks can be catastrophic. These massive vehicles can weigh up to 25 times more than your car and cause much worse injuries when involved in an accident. Distracted driving is one of many factors that cause accidents. A distracted truck driver can lose control of their vehicle or fail to notice a road danger that could result in serious and life-altering injuries.
Truck drivers must adhere to strict rules and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cell phones while driving. Even when truckers adhere to the rules, they could still be distracted, causing an accident. bloomington semi truck accident lawsuit could be because of manual distractions, such as taking their hands off the wheel or mental distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving can be risky, but not many know that other activities, like eating, changing radio stations, or conversing with passengers can also be considered distracting. When a truck driver is distracted, they might drift into another lane or fail to see a traffic jam up ahead of them. When a trucker's attention is diverted, it takes only just a few seconds for a huge vehicle to hit a motorist car.
When a truck accident is caused by an unintentionally distracted driver it is vital to capture photos of the scene of the crash as well as collect the contact details and name of witnesses. It is also helpful to know the name of the driver of the truck and the company they are employed by, as in determining who owns the truck if it's an independent contractor. This can affect who is liable for your accident since the trucking company is responsible for securing skilled and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partially responsible in your accident, they could be liable to you for any economic and non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions with trucks are common and can cause serious injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of circumstances such as a stop sign or red light, when the trucker fails to check behind him for oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, forcing the driver to apply their brakes without warning. The trucker might then slam into the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove fault in the event of rear-end collisions because it's not always certain the vehicle that was at fault. However, a skilled attorney can help gather evidence that shows the driver behind caused the crash because they followed too closely or being distracted while driving. This can include evidence like photos, police reports, eyewitness testimony and skid marks on the road.
Sometimes the driver in front might be responsible for the accident in addition. This could occur if they cut someone off or fail make use of a turn signal, as would any reasonable person. This is where modified comparative negligence laws could be used, in which the jury determines a percentage of the fault to each party and damages are reduced accordingly.
Bruises and Lacerations
In a rear-end collision, the rear of the car is the part that takes the most force. This means that passengers are at risk of serious injuries if they hit their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They may also break bones after being thrown around the interior of the car due to the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be serious. Damage to the spine can have long-lasting and serious impacts on the victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, the victim may also be suffering from emotional and psychological trauma from being involved in a devastating crash. They may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating, which could cause anxiety and depression. If they are unable to work due to the extent of their injury, this can add stress and financial hardship. An attorney can look into possible sources of liability and ensure that the victim receives the right amount of compensation for their loss.
Faulty Trailer Hitches
All vehicles, regardless of whether they're a car or van, truck, flatbed, or van, need to be securely connected to their trailers. When a trailer becomes unexpectedly unhitched, it could result in catastrophic accidents that cause serious injuries or even death. If you've been injured in an accident involving a runaway trailer, contact an experienced attorney for vehicle accidents with a specialization in cases of hitch failure as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
The cause of a faulty trailer hitch could be due to a variety of factors which can range from inadequate securement or design. It could also be due to an error on the part of the manufacturer in which case, product liability law could be applicable. The person or company responsible for a trailer's defect is liable for the victims' medical costs along with auto repair expenses and other losses that result from the incident.
In a fatal crash that occurred on a highway in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 a trailer detached from the truck. It then crashed into two cars directly behind it. The initial investigation blamed the crash to the truck driver's negligence in failing to examine and secure the hitch. In June 2015, however the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a flaw in the hitch and an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason behind the crash.
The trailer struck the sides of the vehicle and crashed into them. This resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries to drivers of the vehicles.
The driver of the truck that was involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. However experts say he could have avoided the collision with other vehicles if he had performed a thorough visual inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. Incorrect trailer hitches can cause catastrophic accidents, as these incidents often involve a large amount of speed and may sidewipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these cases the trailer can distort the frame of a car and result in sharp metal fragments to impale any passengers.