18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that create a major hazard for other motorists on the road. Sadly, they are frequently involved in serious accidents that cause severe injuries or death.
The first step to recoup the financial costs of an 18 wheeler accident is to find a personal injury attorney. A legal team that is experienced will assist you in constructing solid evidence like:
Fatigue
Truckers who are tired are responsible for numerous 18-wheeler crashes. These wrecks are almost always catastrophic and cause catastrophic injuries and deaths. When truck drivers are fatigued, they are also more likely to ignore federal regulations and take risks. These risks could include speeding or the use of stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
It is illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle while asleep. However, unscrupulous transport companies make excessive demands of their truck drivers, and pressure them to miss breaks and falsify log books. Driving while tired is dangerous for all motorists on the road.
The fatigue of truck drivers can be caused by poor eating habits and irregular schedules. 18 wheeler accident attorney norwalk may be tempted to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores that are usually filled with fat and simple carbohydrates which can make truck drivers feel exhausted. Many of these individuals also have irregular sleep patterns, making it difficult for them to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler attorney can help you determine whether the fatigue of a truck driver was an element in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain requirements to operate commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must comply with strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. But, when these regulations are not followed, or companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, they put everyone riding on the road at risk.
The hazardous substances, such as explosives, flammables, or radiological items, are involved in large truck accidents. These substances are transported across America's highways. Hazmat drivers have to undergo specialized training in order to safely load and unload their cargo. But if they do not follow proper procedures or are not able to handle the truck in adverse weather conditions, they can cause serious and deadly accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots, 18 wheelers require longer time to slow or stop than traditional cars. Other motorists could be injured or even killed in the event that they do not leave enough room or if their brakes fail. Headlights, for example, tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals need to be functioning properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
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. Because of inattention or the desire to earn more money, some companies might violate these rules by allowing their trucks be loaded over. This poses a serious risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A vehicle that is overloaded will require more space to stop than a smaller vehicle. This could also result in blind spots, which can be dangerous for vehicles with smaller sized wheels. A driver with no experience might have a hard time seeing out of these areas particularly when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
Other parties could be held accountable, based on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics who do not properly check 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 who fail to properly secure cargo; or the shipping or transport firms themselves who press drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents will be able to determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and recover damages for the victims of accidents.
Defective Design
When a huge truck is involved in an accident, the injuries can be catastrophic. The weight of these trucks is a significant factor however other factors could be a contributing factor including defective parts or mechanical failures.
Tires and brakes are some of the most common components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents however, there are other issues to consider. For instance, cargo that is not properly loaded can make the truck vulnerable to greater risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't taken care of 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 and we are adept at working with experienced designers to determine negligence. We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. We also fight for justice in cases when negligent trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive dangerously and disregard safety regulations or hurrying to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
The legal process for defending a truck accident is complicated because it involves the theories and concepts of many different fields, including chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations biology driving standard, medicine, economics, and more. It is essential that a truck accident victim seeks out an experienced lawyer. An attorney can help victims of accidents on the road to receive a fair settlement, without having to pay upfront money.
The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties that might be enticed to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. The attorney can also help the victims of a truck accident to file a claim in compliance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a truck accident an attorney must act fast to collect evidence, including photos and videos of the scene the damage to vehicles and structures involved in the crash. The attorney should also speak with witnesses and look into the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also study the documents of the trucking firm as well as driver logbooks and other documents that could prove negligence. The attorney should also determine the kinds of damages that are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repairs to property) and non-financial loss (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life).