Semi Truck Accident Law
A severe injury sustained in collision with a semi truck can bury someone in medical costs. It can also cause permanent disabilities requiring expensive equipment and ongoing physical therapy.
After a collision, it is important to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney on your side. A qualified lawyer will assist you in proving your case using evidence like police reports and surveillance footage.
Vehicles that are poorly maintained
In many instances trucking companies and owner-operators do not take the appropriate steps to make sure their vehicles are in good working condition. This can lead to a large percentage of preventable accidents every year.
Comparatively to passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers and semis will require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and heavier load. However the pressure to meet deadlines and maximize profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. In the end, trucks can be susceptible to mechanical problems that can result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes of a truck need to be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. If the brake pads of a truck, lines or return springs fail they could result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These components must be checked and repaired regularly when necessary to ensure they are in good condition.
Tires that are not maintained properly can be a major factor in truck accidents. Tires that have worn out could lose traction, causing the truck to rollover or skid. If a tire is deficient in any way, for example, having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it may fail catastrophically.
The inspections are routine for trucks in addition to regular maintenance to detect mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. However, if the inspection is not done correctly or the repair shop doesn't adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines it could lead to an accident. In such cases, a company that employed the repair or maintenance company or supervised it could be held accountable.
Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are a common cause of truck accident. These devices must be correctly functioning to allow drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, particularly in rural areas or after dark. Drivers or trucking companies may fail to maintain and check these items, or may not carry out regular safety checks.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer can examine your case to determine who is accountable for your injuries should you be injured in an accident involving a badly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence to prove the negligence of the defendant in the accident and assist you get the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many events more devastating than an incident which involves a commercial vehicle. These huge vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your vehicle and can cause more serious injuries when they are involved in an accident. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents, distracted driving is one of the most common and dangerous. A distracted driver of a truck can lose control of their vehicle or miss an accident on the road and cause life-threatening injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and rules for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cell phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers obey the rules, they may still be distracted, causing an accident. This could be because of manual distractions, such as taking their hands off the steering wheel or mental distractions like thinking about something other than driving.
While the majority of people are aware that it's dangerous to text and drive, very few are aware that other activities like eating or changing the radio station, and even conversing with the other driver can also be deemed as distracting. When a truck driver is distracted, they could wander off into a different lane or fail to see the traffic jam ahead of them. When a truck driver's attention is diverted, it only takes just a few seconds for a huge vehicle to collide with a car.
If a truck crash occurs due to an unintentionally distracted driver it is vital to take photographs of the scene of the crash and note down the name and contact information of witnesses. It is also important to find out the name of the driver of the truck and the company they are employed by, as well in determining who owns the truck, if it's an independent contractor. This could impact who is liable for your accident since the trucking company is responsible for hiring competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partly responsible for the accident, it could be held accountable to you for any economic as well as non-economic losses.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end truck collisions are common and can cause serious injuries. These accidents can happen in many different situations like at a stop sign or red light when the trucker is not checking behind him for oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, causing the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker could then smash the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove the cause of rear-end crashes, as it is not always obvious which vehicle caused the accident. However, an experienced attorney can help gather evidence that shows the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash through following too closely or driving while distracted. This evidence can include photos, police reports and eyewitness testimony, as well being skid marks on the road.
Sometimes the driver in front might be responsible for the accident also. This could happen if they cut off someone else or fail utilize a turn signal in the same manner as any reasonable person. In this kind of situation modified comparative negligence laws may be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each party. The damages are then reduced accordingly.
Lacerations, Bruises and Bruises
The rear-end of the car is the one that is most affected in a rear-end collision, which means that occupants may suffer serious injuries as they smash their head against the dashboard or the back window. They may also break bones as they are scattered around the interior of the car by the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be serious. The spinal cord houses a number of nerves that control the body, and any injury to the spinal cord could cause long-lasting and serious problems for victims.
A person who has been involved in a serious accident might also suffer emotional and psychological trauma. They might have trouble sleeping or concentrating, which can lead to depression and anxiety. If they are unable to work due to the seriousness of their injury this can add pressure and financial hardship. An attorney can look into any possible liability sources and help a victim seek fair compensation for their loss.
Faulty trailer hitches
Regardless of whether you're driving a car, a van, a truck, or a flatbed, all cars need to be securely attached to their trailers. Unintentionally pulling a trailer off can cause catastrophic accidents, leading to severe injuries, or even death. If you've been injured in a car accident caused by a truck that has run away or trailer, consult an experienced attorney who is experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch can be caused by a variety which can range from inadequate securement or design. It can also be due to an issue with the manufacturer and in that case, lawful product liability may apply. The company or the person who is at the fault for a defective trailer is responsible for victims' medical bills and auto repair expenses, and other losses arising from the incident.
In the fatal crash that took place on a highway in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014, the trailer slid off of the truck. It then 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. However, in santa clara semi truck accident law firm began investigating the possibility that a manufacturing defect had caused the hitch at the center of the crash -an Ultra LT manufactured by Fontaine Fifth Wheel of Trussville, Alabama -- to fail on a large proportion of occasions.
Due to the faulty hitch caused by the defective hitch, the trailer smashed into the sides of the vehicles before plunging into them head-on. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries to drivers of the vehicles.
The driver of the truck involved in the crash was found guilty of vehicular murder, however experts say he could have avoided the collision with other vehicles if he completed a thorough inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. A faulty trailer hitch can cause major accidents. These types of accidents are typically high-speed and can easily sidewipe motorcycles or other smaller vehicles. In such cases the trailer can deform the car's frame, and cause steel fragments that are razor-sharp to strike the passengers inside.