Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck crash can result in an injury of a serious nature that could cost a person a lot in medical bills. It can also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
After a collision is essential to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney to assist you. A skilled lawyer can to prove your case using evidence such as police reports or surveillance camera footage and much more.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Trucking companies and owners-operators often fail to take the necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good shape. This negligence results in a high percentage of preventable accidents each year.
In comparison to passenger cars, semis and tractor-trailers require more frequent maintenance due to their size and heavier loads. Unfortunately the pressure of completing deadlines and maximizing profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. This is why trucks can be susceptible to mechanical malfunctions that can result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on a truck must be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. When brake pads lines, return springs or lines on a truck are worn out and break, it could lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components must be regularly inspected and repaired as needed to ensure their good condition.
A poorly maintained tire can also be a major contributor to truck accidents. Tires that are worn-out may lose traction and cause the truck to rollover or skid. If a tire is defective in some way, like having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
The inspections are routine for trucks along with regular maintenance to spot mechanical issues before they lead to an incident. If an inspection is done incorrectly or the repair shop doesn't follow the manufacturer's guidelines, it can cause a crash. In these instances, the company that employed the repair or maintenance shop or managed it may be held liable.
Another cause of truck accidents is malfunctioning signals, lights, and reflectors. These devices must function properly to allow drivers to be aware of and anticipate the truck's movements especially in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies could fail to check and maintain these components or the driver could fail to perform daily safety inspections.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will review your case and determine who is liable for your damages should you be injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. This investigation could uncover evidence of negligence by the defendant and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many events more damaging than an accident that involves a commercial truck. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 25 times the weight of your car and cause a lot more injuries when involved in an accident. While many factors cause accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and risky. A truck driver who is distracted could lose control of their vehicle or fail to spot an accident on the road, which can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.
Truck drivers must adhere to strict rules and regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and using mobile phones while operating their vehicles. However, even when truckers abide by the rules, they can still become distracted and cause a crash. This could be due to accidental distractions, such as getting your hands off the steering wheel or cognitive distractions like thinking about something other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving can be dangerous, but few know that other activities, like eating, changing radio stations, or conversing with passengers, could also be considered to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted, they may wander off into another lane, or not be able to see an obstruction in front of them. It takes only a split second for a huge truck to strike a passenger vehicle if the trucker's mind wanders.
It is essential to collect information about any witnesses and also take pictures of the scene of the accident when the driver is distracted, which can cause the truck to crash. It is also important to determine the name of the truck driver and the company they are employed by, as well in determining who owns the truck if they are an independent contractor. This can have an effect on who is accountable for the accident, because it is the responsibility of the trucking firm to recruit competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be at least partially responsible for the accident, they could be held accountable for your financial and non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are common and can result in serious injuries. These accidents can occur in a variety of situations, including at the stop sign or red light, when the trucker fails to check behind him for any traffic that is coming up. It can also happen if cars cross the truck's path, forcing the driver of the truck to stop at a rapid pace without warning. The trucker might then slam the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove fault in an accident that occurs at the rear, as it is not always obvious which vehicle was responsible for the crash. An experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence that shows the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash because they followed too closely or driving distracted. This evidence could include photos of the scene, police reports, eyewitness testimony as well being skid marks on the road.
The driver in front of the car may also be accountable for the accident. This can happen if they cut off someone else or fail use a turn signal as any reasonable person would do. In this kind of situation the modified comparative negligence laws may be used. The jury will assign a percentage of blame to each party. Damages are then lowered accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
The rear-end of the car is the most impacted area in a rear-end crash, meaning that occupants can sustain serious injuries when they hit their head against the dashboard or the back window. The impact of the crash could cause broken bones when the occupants are thrown about the interior of the car. The spine is a vulnerable area and injuries to it can be severe. Damage to the spine can cause serious and lasting impacts on the victims.
A victim of a serious accident may also experience emotional and psychological trauma. They may experience difficulties in concentrating or sleeping, which could lead them to anxiety and depression. They may also experience financial hardship and stress in the event that they are unable to work due to an injury. An attorney can investigate all possible causes of liability and help the victim seek fair compensation for their losses.
The trailer hitches are faulty.
All vehicles, whether they are a car or van, truck, flatbed, or van must be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally unhitching a trailer could cause catastrophic accidents, leading to severe injuries, or even death. If you've suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a runaway truck and you are in need of an experienced attorney who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options.
A damaged trailer hitch could be the result of a variety of factors, ranging from inadequate securing to defective design. It can be the result of an issue with the manufacturer and, in this case, product liability laws may apply. The person or company at responsible for the malfunction of a trailer is liable for victims' medical bills and auto repair costs and other damages resulting from the incident.
In a fatal crash that occurred on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014, the trailer was detached from the truck. It then crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's carelessness in failing to properly inspect and secure hitch. In mississippi semi truck accident case , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason for the crash.
The trailer struck the side of the vehicles, and then crashed into them. The result was numerous fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers.
The driver of the truck involved in the incident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter, but experts say that he could have avoided the collision with the other vehicles if he completed a thorough inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. Faulty trailer hitches could cause major problems. These kinds of incidents are usually high-speed and can easily sidewipe motorcycles or other smaller vehicles. In these situations the trailer can distort the frame of a car and cause razor-sharp metal fragments to impale any passengers.