18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a serious hazard for other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents which result in severe injuries or even death.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the initial step to obtaining monetary damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A competent legal team can help build a strong case by relying on evidence like:
Fatigue
Truck drivers who are fatigued are responsible for a large percentage of 18 wheeler accident. These accidents are almost always fatal and result in catastrophic injuries. In addition, when truck drivers are tired, they are more likely to risk their lives and ignore federal regulations. These risks include speeding and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving a commercial vehicle while drowsy. However, unscrupulous transport firms place excessive demands on their truck drivers and encourage them to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. Being tired while driving is dangerous for every motorist on the road.
Fatigue in truck drivers can result from a poor diet and irregular schedules. These individuals may be tempted to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores, which are usually packed with fat and simple carbohydrates that can make truck drivers feel tired. Furthermore, many of these individuals have irregular sleep schedules which make it difficult to get enough rest. 18 wheeler accident law firm kenosha , LA 18 wheeler attorney can assist you in determining if truck driver fatigue was an element in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are required to be able to meet certain requirements to drive commercial vehicles. Drivers and employers must also adhere to Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. But, when these regulations are ignored, or when companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, they place everyone on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can be involving dangerous and toxic cargo, which includes dangerous substances such as explosive, flammable or radiological items. These substances are transported on the roads of America in all. Hazmat drivers have to undergo special instruction to safely load and deload their cargo. If they don't follow the correct procedure or are not able to handle a truck in bad weather conditions they can cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to slow down or stop in comparison to conventional cars. If they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. Headlights, for example as well as tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals must work properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. When an 18 wheeler is properly loaded, it should not exceed the 80,000-pound limit. However because of negligence or a desire to make more money, businesses may overstep these limits and allow their trucks to overload. This poses a risk to the safety of all road users and could result in serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A vehicle that is loaded with extra weight will need more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This can also create blind spots which are dangerous for smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience might have a hard time seeing out of these areas especially when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
Other parties may be also liable, based on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain their trucks; loading crews that fail to properly secure cargo; or shipping and transport companies themselves. It could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or servicing trucks, loading crews that do not secure cargo correctly and shipping or transport firms that pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney who specializes in 18 wheeler accidents will be able to determine the parties responsible and investigate their actions. recover damages on behalf of accident victims.
Defective Design
If a large truck is involved in an accident, the consequences could be devastating. The weight of these trucks is a major factor, but other factors can be contributing to this including defective parts or mechanical failures.
Tires and brakes can fail in 18-wheeler accidents. However, there are other issues. For example, cargo that is not properly loaded could place the truck at a higher risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can result in fatal wrecks.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts. We also have experience in working with design engineers to establish the negligence of the manufacturer. We are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive the justice they are entitled to. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking companies that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, such as disregarding safety regulations and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The litigation surrounding truck accidents is complicated because it is a mix of theories and concepts from different fields, such as physics, chemistry federal trucking regulations biology, medical standard, driving economics, and more. It is essential that the person who is injured in a collision seeks out the assistance of an experienced attorney. The lawyer can assist victims of accidents on the road to receive an equitable settlement without having to pay upfront money.
The lawyer can also deal with insurance companies and those at fault who may try to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. Additionally, the lawyer will assist the truck accident victim file a claim that is in line with New York and federal laws.
Following a crash involving a truck an attorney needs to act quickly to collect evidence, including photos and videos of the scene of the crash and the damage to vehicles and other structures that were involved in the accident. The attorney should also talk to witnesses, and inspect the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also look over the records of the trucking company, driver logbooks and other documents that could prove negligence. The attorney must also determine what damages are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and property repair costs) and non-financial damages (pain and discomfort, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment).