Semi Truck Accident Law
A serious injury sustained in collision with trucks can result in the death of someone in medical expenses. It can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
Following a collision, it is essential to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney by your side. A qualified attorney can assist you in proving your case by using evidence like police reports and surveillance footage, among others.
Vehicles that are poorly maintained
In many cases, trucking companies and owner-operators don't take the appropriate steps to make sure their vehicles are in good working condition. This negligence leads to a large percentage of preventable crashes every year.
As compared to passenger cars tractor-trailers and semis will require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and heavy load. However, the pressure to meet deadlines and maximize profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. In the end, trucks are more prone to mechanical failures that result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on trucks must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. When brake pads lines, return springs or return lines on a truck get worn out they can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components must be checked and repaired regularly as necessary to maintain their good condition.
Tires that are not maintained properly can be a major cause of truck accidents. Tires that are worn down can cause the tires to lose traction and cause the truck to skid or even flip over. If a tire is damaged in any way, for example, having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to identify mechanical issues before they cause an accident. If an inspection was performed improperly or the repair shop fails to follow the manufacturer's guidelines this could result in an accident. In these situations, a company that hired the repair or maintenance company or who was responsible for its supervision could be held responsible.
Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are also a frequent reason for truck accidents. These elements must be properly working to enable drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or after dark. Trucking companies or drivers may fail to maintain and check these items, or may not carry out regular safety inspections.
A Houston truck accident attorney will review your case and determine who might be accountable for your damages in the event that you are injured by a badly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can uncover evidence that demonstrates the negligence of the defendant in the accident and assist you get the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
The result of a collision involving commercial trucks could be catastrophic. These huge trucks can weigh up to 25 times the weight of your vehicle and cause far more injuries in a crash. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and risky. A driver who is distracted can lose control of their vehicle or miss an opportunity to avoid a road accident that could result in serious and life-changing injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and guidelines for truck drivers. This includes a ban on texting or using cellular phones while driving. Even if truckers obey the rules, they can still be distracted, causing an accident. This can be caused by manual distractions like taking your hand off the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
While most people are aware that it's dangerous to text and drive, many realize that other activities such as eating or changing the station on the radio or even talking to a passenger could also be considered to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted, they might get lost in a lane or not be able to see a traffic jam up ahead of them. It takes only a split second for a big truck to crash into a vehicle when the trucker's focus is diverted.
It is crucial to gather information about any witnesses and also take pictures of the scene of the crash when the driver is distracted and causes a truck crash. It is important to know the name of the driver, the business for which they work and who owns the vehicle if it's an independent contractor. This could have an impact on who's responsible for the accident, because it is the responsibility of the trucking business to recruit competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partially at fault for your accident, they could be held responsible for your economic and non-economic injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions with trucks are not uncommon and can cause severe injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of circumstances, including at the stop sign or a red light when a trucker is not checking ahead for traffic coming in. It could also happen when cars cross the truck's route, causing the driver of the truck to stop suddenly without warning. The trucker could then smash the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove the cause of an accident that occurs at the rear, as it's not always clear which vehicle was responsible for the crash. A knowledgeable attorney can gather evidence to show that the driver behind caused the accident because they followed too closely or driving erratically. This evidence can include photos or police reports, eyewitness testimony, as well as skid marks on the road.
Sometimes the driver in front could be the one responsible for the accident as well. This can happen when they cut off someone else or fail to obey their turn signal as a reasonable person would, or slam on the brakes at the very last minute and cause the driver behind to crash into the car directly in front of them. garden grove semi truck accident claim of scenario is where modified comparative negligence laws could be applied, in which the jury assigns a percentage to each party, and damages are lowered accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
The rear-end of the car experiences the most impact 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 also cause broken bones if the occupants are thrown about the inside of the vehicle. Injuries to the spine can be severe. The spinal cord contains many nerves that control the body, so any injury to the spinal column may cause long-lasting and serious issues for those affected.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, victims might also suffer from emotional and psychological trauma from being involved in a devastating crash. They may have difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, which can lead them to depression and anxiety. They could also be facing financial hardship and stress when they are unable to work due to an injury. An attorney will investigate the possible causes of liability to assist the victim to receive fair compensation for their loss.
Faulty Trailer Hitches
All vehicles, regardless of whether they are a car or a truck, van flatbed, van are required to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally pulling a trailer off can result in catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries or even death. If you've suffered injuries by the trailer that is running away, you should contact an experienced vehicle accident lawyer with a specialization in cases of hitch failure as soon as you can to discuss your legal options.
A malfunctioning trailer hitch may be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from inadequate security to design flaws. It can also be the result of a manufacturer's defect and, in this case, products liability laws could apply. The person or company at the fault for a trailer that is defective can be held liable for the cost of medical bills and auto repair expenses, and other losses related to the incident.
In an accident that killed a person on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014, the trailer was detached from the truck. It crashed into two cars that were directly behind it. The initial investigation attributed 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 to investigate the possibility that a flaw in the hitch the Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason for the crash.
The trailer hit the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. The result was numerous fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide, but experts say he could have avoided the crash had he conducted a thorough inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. Faulty trailer hitches can cause major catastrophes. These types of accidents are typically high-speed, and they can easily cause a collision with motorcycles or other smaller vehicles. In these situations the trailer could deform the car's frame and result in sharp metal fragments that can impale passengers.