18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that create a major danger for motorists on the road. They are often involved in serious accidents which result in severe injuries or even death.
The first step to recoup the monetary damages from an 18 wheeler accident is to engage a personal injury attorney. A competent legal team can help build a strong case with evidence that includes:
Fatigue
Truck drivers who are fatigued are responsible for a large percentage of 18 wheeler accidents. These wrecks are almost always devastating and can result in severe injuries and deaths. In addition when truck drivers are tired they are more likely to be reckless and disregard federal regulations. These risks include speeding, the use stimulants to combat fatigue, as well as inattention.
It is against federal law to operate a commercial motor vehicle while sleepy. However, untrustworthy transportation companies place unreasonable demands on their truck drivers, and pressure them to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. Driving tired is risky for all motorists on the road.
Tiredness in truck drivers can be caused by a poor diet and inconsistent schedules. People who are fatigued may be enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores that are usually high in fat and simple carbohydrates that can make truck drivers feel fatigued. Furthermore, many of these individuals have irregular sleeping patterns which make it difficult for them to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler attorney can help you determine if truck driver fatigue was the reason for your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must be able to meet certain requirements to drive commercial trucks. Drivers and companies must also adhere to Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety checks, and maintenance. However, when these rules are ignored, or when companies reduce maintenance in order to save money, they put everyone riding on the road at risk.
Hazardous substances, such as flammables, explosives, or radiological items, are involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These chemicals are transported all over America's highways. Hazmat drivers are required to undergo special training to load and unload their loads. If they fail to follow the correct procedures or aren't able manage a truck in bad weather conditions, they can cause serious and deadly accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18 wheelers need more time to slow or stop than conventional cars do. Other motorists may be injured or even killed in the event that they do not leave enough room or if their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lights including taillights and headlights turn signals and emergency flashers must be functioning properly.
Weight Excess
Trucks are required to be operating within certain weight limits. When an 18-wheeler is properly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. However due to negligence or a desire to make more money, companies could break these rules and allow their trucks to get overloaded. This poses a significant danger to the safety of everyone on the road and can lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A truck that is overloaded will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. 18 wheeler accident attorney carrollton creates blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience might have trouble seeing out of these areas particularly when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
Other parties could also be liable, depending on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics who fail to examine or maintain their trucks; loading crews that do not properly secure cargo; or shipping and transport companies themselves. These could include mechanics who fail to properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly or transport companies that force drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents will be able to determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and seek damages for the victims of accidents.
Defective Design
The injuries can be serious when an enormous truck is involved. This is due to the massive weight of these trucks, but it can also result from a variety of other causes, including defective parts or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires are two of the most frequent components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents However, there are other problems as well. For example cargo that is not properly loaded can make the truck vulnerable to a higher risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they could cause deadly accidents.
Our team is experienced in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective parts. We also have experience in working with design engineers in establishing negligent conduct. We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the justice they deserve. We also fight for justice in cases where negligent trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive in unsafe ways while ignoring safety rules or hurrying to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complicated legal process because it involves concepts from several different fields like chemistry, physics as well as federal trucking regulations medical, biology and driving standards as well as economics. It is crucial that a truck accident victim seeks out the assistance of an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the truck crash victim get an equitable settlement without needing to invest any money upfront.
The lawyer can also deal with insurance companies and other parties at fault who could try to take advantage of the victim of a car accident. Additionally, the lawyer will assist the truck accident victim make a claim conforms to New York and federal laws.
After a truck crash an attorney needs to act swiftly to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the crash scene and damage to vehicles and structures involved in accident. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and inspect the truck's black box. The lawyer should also review the documents of the trucking company, driver logbooks, and other documents that may prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the types of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) as well as non-financial losses (pain and mental discomfort, and loss of enjoyment in life).