Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck collision can result in serious injuries that could cause a person to pay a huge amount in medical expenses. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
It is important to have a reputable New York truck accident lawyer to assist you after a crash. A professional lawyer can help you prove your case by using evidence such as police reports and surveillance footage, among others.
Vehicles that aren't maintained properly
Owner-operators and trucking companies often don't take the necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order. This leads to an increase in the number of avoidable accidents every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport because of their larger size and heavier weight. However, the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximising profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. Trucks are susceptible to mechanical problems which could cause disastrous accidents.
The brakes of a truck are particularly important as they must be able to stop the vehicle and slow it down at a moment's notice. When a truck's brake pads lines, lines or return springs fail they can result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts must be regularly checked and repaired in order to keep them in good working condition.
Poor-maintained tires can also be a major cause of truck accidents. Tires that are worn down can cause the tires to lose traction and cause the truck to slide or even flip over. If a tire is deficient in any way, like having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it may fail catastrophically.
Trucks require regular inspections along with regular maintenance to identify mechanical problems before they cause an accident. However, if an inspection is conducted incorrectly or the repair shop doesn't adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines it could lead to a crash. In these situations, the company that hired or oversees the maintenance or repair shop could be held responsible.
Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are another common reason for truck accidents. These components must function properly to enable drivers to be aware of and anticipate the movement of the truck particularly in rural areas or at night. Trucking companies or drivers could fail to maintain and check these equipment, or may not be able to conduct daily safety inspections.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will investigate your case to determine who could be liable for your damages if you were injured in an accident caused by a faulty maintenance of a commercial truck. These investigations can reveal evidence that proves the defendant's negligence in the accident and help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many events more devastating than an incident that involves a commercial truck. These massive vehicles can weigh up to 25 times more than a car and can cause more severe injuries in an accident. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and risky. A truck driver who is distracted can lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize an accident on the roadway, which could lead to severe and life-changing injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and rules for truck drivers. This includes a ban on texting or using cell phones while driving. Even if truckers abide by the rules, they might still be distracted, causing an accident. This is often caused by mechanical distractions like not having your hands on the steering wheel or mental distractions like thinking about something other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving is dangerous, but they are not aware that other activities, like eating, changing radio stations, or conversing with passengers could also be considered to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted, the driver could drift off into another direction and not notice an impending traffic jam. When a truck driver's attention is diverted, it takes only just a few seconds for a huge vehicle to collide with a car.
It is crucial to gather information about any witnesses and also take pictures of the scene after an accident if the driver is distracted and causes a truck crash. It is also beneficial to determine the name of the truck driver as well as the company they work for, aswell in determining who owns the truck, if it's an independent contractor. This will affect who is liable for your accident, as the trucking company is responsible for securing skilled and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found be partially responsible for your accident, they could be held responsible for your economic as well as non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions with trucks are common and often result in severe injuries. These accidents can occur in a variety of circumstances, including at a stop sign or red light when the trucker fails to check behind him for oncoming traffic. They may also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, which forces the driver to slam on their brakes without warning. The trucker might then slam the car from behind.
It can be hard to prove the fault of a driver in rear-end collisions as it's not always certain which vehicle was at fault. However, an experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence that shows the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash due to following too closely or driving while distracted. This evidence could include photos of the scene, police reports, eyewitness testimony, as well as skid marks on the road.
Sometimes, the driver in the front may be found to be liable for the accident in addition. This could happen if they cut someone off or fail to use a turn signal like any other reasonable person would do. rochester semi truck accident lawyer of situation is where modified comparative negligence laws be in play, where the jury determines a percentage of the fault to each party, and damages are lowered accordingly.
Bruises and Lacerations
The rear-end of the vehicle is the most impacted area in a rear-end crash, meaning that occupants can sustain serious injuries when they hit their head against the back window or dashboard. The force of the crash can cause broken bones if the occupants of the vehicle are thrown around the vehicle's interior. Spinal injuries can be very serious. Damage to the spine can have long-lasting and serious effects on victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, the victim may suffer from psychological and emotional trauma as a result of being involved in a devastating crash. They may have difficulty being able to sleep or concentrate, which can lead them to anxiety and depression. If they're unable to work due to the degree of their injury this could cause stress and financial burden. An attorney can investigate the possible causes of liability to assist a victim in receiving fair compensation for their loss.
Troublesome trailer hitches
No matter if you're driving either a car, van, truck, or a flatbed, all vehicles need to be securely attached to their trailers. If a trailer becomes unhitched, it could lead to catastrophic accidents that cause serious injuries or death. If you've suffered injuries by an unhitched trailer, call an experienced lawyer for car accidents that specializes in cases of failure of the hitch immediately to discuss your legal options.
The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch can be caused by a variety that can be traced to improper secured or defective design. It can also be the result of a manufacturer's defect and in that case, products liability laws could apply. The company or individual responsible for a defective trailer is liable for the victim's medical expenses as well as auto repair costs and other losses that result from the incident.
For example the fatal crash that was reported in January 2014 on an Ohio road locally known as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came free from the truck and careened directly into two cars in front of it. Initial investigation linked the accident to the truck driver's negligence in failing inspect and secure the hitch. However, in June 2015 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a manufacturing defect had caused the hitch involved in the crash -- an Ultra LT manufactured by Fontaine Fifth Wheel of Trussville, Alabama -- to malfunction on a large proportion of times.
Due to the faulty hitch caused by the defective hitch, the trailer smashed into the sides of the vehicles, before colliding into them head-on. The result was multiple fatalities and serious injuries for the drivers.
The driver of the truck involved in the incident was found guilty of vehicular murder, however experts say that he could've avoided the collision if he'd performed an in-depth inspection of his trailer to make sure that all connections were secure. Incorrect trailer hitches can cause major catastrophes. These accidents are typically high-speed and can easily sidewipe motorcycles or smaller cars. In these instances the trailer can distort the frame of a car and result in sharp metal fragments to impale any passengers.