18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a significant danger for other motorists who are on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries, or even death.
The first step to recovering the financial costs of an 18-wheeler crash is to employ an attorney for personal injuries. A qualified legal team will help you build solid evidence like:
Fatigue
Tired truck drivers are the cause for a significant percentage of 18 wheeler accident. The wrecks that occur are often devastating and can result in severe injuries and fatalities. If truck drivers are tired, they are also more likely to disregard federal laws and take risks. These risks include speeding, using stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving commercial vehicles while drowsy. However, some firms place excessive demands on their truck drivers and force them to skip breaks and alter log books. It is a risk to drive tired for every motorist on the road.
Unhealthy diets and unplanned schedules can also result in fatigue for truck drivers. Some people are tempted to purchase fast food at gas stations or convenience shops which are often loaded on fat and simple carbs. This can make truckers feel tired and sluggish. Many of these individuals also have irregular sleeping patterns, making it difficult for them to get adequate rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining whether the fatigue of truck drivers was the reason for your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications to operate commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must comply with strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. However, when these rules are ignored, or when companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, they put everyone riding on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents could involve hazardous and toxic cargo, which includes dangerous materials like explosive, flammable, or radiological substances. These chemicals are transported across every road in America. Hazmat drivers are required to undergo special training to load and unload their loads. If they don't follow the proper procedures or are not able to handle a truck under poor weather conditions they can cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and the large blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to stop or slow down as compared to cars of the traditional type. Other motorists could be injured or even killed if they fail to leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lighting including taillights and headlights emergency flashers and turn signals must function correctly.
Weight Excess
Trucks are required to operate within specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is properly loaded the weight limit will not exceed 80,000 pounds. However, due to negligence or a desire to earn more money, businesses may break these rules and allow their trucks to overload. This poses a serious danger to the safety of everyone on the road and can cause severe accidents in the case of a collision.
A truck that is loaded will require more room to stop compared to a smaller vehicle. It also creates blind spots that can cause danger to smaller vehicles. An inexperienced driver may have difficulty seeing out of these areas, especially when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
According to the circumstances depending on the circumstances, there could be other liable parties in addition to the truck driver or the trucking company. They could be mechanics who fail to properly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or the transport or shipping firms themselves who press drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents can identify these parties, investigate their actions and get compensation on behalf of accident victims.
Defective Design
Injuries can be very serious when the truck is large. 18 wheeler accident lawyer michigan of the trucks is a major factor however other factors could be contributing to this in the form of defective components or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. However, there are other problems. For instance, cargo that is not properly loaded could place the truck at 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 can cause deadly accidents.
Our team is experienced in prosecuting commercial and truck cases that involve defective parts and we are skilled in working with expert design engineers to establish negligence. We are committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation surrounding truck accidents is complicated because it involves theories and concepts from different fields, such as physics, chemistry federal trucking regulations biology medical, driving standards, economics, and more. It is essential that the victim of a truck accident seeks out the assistance of an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the truck crash victim get a fair settlement without having to pay upfront costs.
The lawyer may also work with insurance companies and those at fault who could try to take advantage of the victim of a collision. Additionally, the lawyer can assist the truck accident victim to file a claim in compliance with New York and federal laws.
After a car accident the attorney should be quick to gather evidence including photographs and videos of the scene as well as damage to vehicles and structures that were involved in the crash. The lawyer should also interview witnesses and look into the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also look over the records of the trucking company as well as driver logbooks and other documents that can be used to prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the damages that are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repairs to property) and non-financial damages (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life).