18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a significant danger to other drivers on the road. Sadly, they are involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries or even death.
18 wheeler accident lawsuit denton is the first step to recovering financial damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A legal team with experience can help build a strong case with evidence that includes:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are responsible for a significant percentage of 18 wheeler collisions. They are often fatal and cause devastating injuries. When truck drivers are fatigued they are also more likely to ignore federal regulations and run the risk of taking risks. These risks include speeding or the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle in a state of drowsiness. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, make unreasonable demands of truck drivers. They make them skip breaks and to falsify their log books. Driving while tired is dangerous for everyone on the road.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also result in fatigue for truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be enticed to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores, which are typically packed with simple carbohydrates and fats, which can make truck drivers feel exhausted. In addition, many of them have irregular sleep schedules which can make it difficult to get enough sleep. An attorney who is specialized in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can help determine if the fatigue of a truck driver contributed to the accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks. Businesses and drivers must adhere to strict Federal rules regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. If these rules are not followed or companies make a sloppy effort to save money on maintenance the rest of us on the road in danger.
The hazardous substances, such as explosives, flammables, or radiological substances, could be involved in large truck accidents. These substances are transported across America's highways. Hazmat drivers need to undergo specialized instruction to safely load and unload their loads. But if they do not follow proper procedures or aren't able to control the truck in harsh weather conditions, they can cause serious and fatal accidents.
Due due to their size as well as the huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to slow down or stop as compared to cars of the traditional type. Other motorists could 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 the vehicles, all lights including taillights and headlights turn signals and emergency flashers must function properly.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler is properly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed 80,000 pounds. However due to a lack of care or a desire to earn more money, companies may breach these restrictions and allow their trucks to be overloaded. This poses a significant risk to the safety and security of everyone who is on the road and could result in serious accidents in the event of a collision.
A vehicle that is loaded with extra weight will need more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Also, it creates blind spots which can cause harm to smaller vehicles. A driver who isn't familiar with the area may find it difficult to discern these areas. This is particularly true when the truck is making the turn or changes lanes.
According to the circumstances there could be additional responsible parties, in addition to the driver of the truck or the trucking company. This could include mechanics that do not properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who aren't able to properly secure cargo or transport companies that press drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney for 18 wheelers will be able to identify the parties responsible and examine their actions to recover damages for accident victims.
Defective Design
If a large truck is involved in an accident, the injuries can be severe. The weight of these trucks is a major factor but other factors may also be involved, such as defective parts or mechanical failures.
The brakes and tires may fail in 18-wheeler accidents. But there are also other issues. For example cargo that isn't properly loaded could put the truck at greater risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could lead to fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective parts. We are also skilled working with engineers who design the parts to establish the negligence of the manufacturer. We are committed in helping our clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking companies who encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving habits, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complicated legal process because it is a mix of concepts from a variety of fields like chemistry, physics as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, biology driving standards, and economics. It is crucial that the victim of a crash seeks out the assistance of an experienced lawyer. A lawyer can assist the truck crash victim get an acceptable settlement without having to spend any upfront 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 truck accident victim. Additionally, the lawyer will assist the truck accident victim make a claim in accordance with New York and federal laws.
After a car accident the attorney should be quick to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene the damage to vehicles and structures that were involved in the accident. The attorney should also speak with witnesses and look into the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also study the records of the trucking company the driver's logbooks, as well as other documents which can demonstrate negligence. The attorney must also decide what damages are recoverable. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs for property) and non-financial losses (pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life).