18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a serious danger for motorists on the road. However, they are frequently involved in serious accidents which result in severe injuries or death.
The first step in regaining the financial costs of an 18-wheeler accident is to find an attorney for personal injuries. A qualified legal team will help you build a strong case using evidence such as:
Fatigue
Truckers who are fatigued are the cause of many 18-wheeler accidents. They are often fatal and cause catastrophic injuries. In addition, when truck drivers are tired, they are more likely to be reckless and disregard federal regulations. This includes driving too fast, and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, as well as inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving commercial vehicles while drowsy. However, untrustworthy transportation companies make excessive demands of their truck drivers and force them to miss breaks and falsify log books. Driving tired is dangerous for everyone driving.
The fatigue of truck drivers can be caused by a poor eating habits and irregular schedules. Some people are enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores that are often packed with simple carbohydrates and fats that can make truck drivers feel tired. In addition, a lot of these individuals have irregular sleeping patterns which can make it difficult to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining if truck driver fatigue was a factor in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must adhere to strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. If these rules are not followed or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance, they put everyone else on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can be involving dangerous and toxic cargo, including dangerous materials like explosive, flammable or radiological items. These chemicals are transported all over America's highways. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized training to be able to safely load and deload their loads. If they don't follow the correct procedures or are not able to handle a truck in bad weather conditions, they could lead to deadly and fatal accidents.
Due due to their size as well as the huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to slow down or stop in comparison to conventional cars. If they don't leave enough space, or their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. 18 wheeler accident attorney passaic as headlights as well as tail lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals must all be functioning properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must operate under specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler is properly loaded the weight limit should not exceed 80,000 pounds. Because of negligence or the desire to earn more money, some businesses might break these restrictions by allowing their trucks to be loaded over. This poses a serious threat to the safety of everyone on the road and could cause serious accidents in the event of an accident.
A vehicle that is overloaded requires more space to stop compared to a smaller vehicle. It also creates blind spots that could be dangerous to smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers may have a difficult time being able to see out of these areas especially when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
In the event of an incident depending on the circumstances, there could be other liable parties in addition to the driver of the truck or the trucking company. These could include mechanics who do not properly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly; and the shipping or transport companies themselves, which pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents will be able identify these parties and investigate their actions. claim damages for the victims of accidents.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when a large truck is involved. This is due to the enormous mass of these vehicles, but it also can be caused by a variety of other causes, including malfunctioning parts or mechanical issues.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. However, there are other problems. Unloading cargo in the wrong manner can increase the risk of the truck overturning or colliding with other vehicles. If these issues aren't dealt with by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could result in fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts. We are also adept working with design engineers to determine the negligence of the manufacturer. We are dedicated to helping our clients recover the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking companies that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, such as not obeying safety laws and hurrying to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complex legal process because it involves concepts from a variety of fields, including chemistry, physics as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, biology and driving standards as well as economics. This is why it is the best option for a victim to seek the advice of an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the victim of a truck accident receive an equitable settlement without having to pay up front money.
The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties who may be tempted to profit from taking advantage of the victim of a car accident. The lawyer can also help victims of accidents with trucks submit a claim in accordance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a truck accident an attorney must immediately collect evidence, including photos and videos of the crash site as well as damage to vehicles and structures that were involved in the accident. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and look into the truck's black box. The attorney should also analyze the records of the trucking company including driver logbooks, trucking company records and other records that may prove negligence. The attorney should also determine the kinds of damages that can be recovered. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs to the property) and non-financial losses (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life).