Semi Truck Accident Law
A serious injury resulting from collision with trucks can result in the death of a person in medical expenses. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
It is important to have a skilled New York truck accident lawyer by your side after an accident. A professional lawyer can help you prove your case by using evidence like police reports or surveillance footage, for instance.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Owner-operators and trucking companies typically don't take the necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good repair. This negligence results in a high percentage of avoidable accidents every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport because of their larger dimensions and larger load. Unfortunately the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximizing profits often take precedence over maintaining the fleet. Trucks are susceptible to mechanical problems which could cause catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on a truck must be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. If the pads of a truck's brakes lines, lines or return springs wear out, they can cause serious collisions and fatal injuries. It is vital that these parts are regularly inspected and replaced as required to keep them in good working condition.
Inadequately maintained tires can be a major reason for truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction and cause the truck to overturn or slide. If a tire is damaged in any way, like having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to spot mechanical issues prior to causing an accident. However, if the inspection is performed incorrectly or the repair shop does not adhere to the guidelines of the manufacturer, it could cause a crash. In these cases the company that employed or supervising the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible.
The malfunctioning of signals, lights and reflectors are another common cause of truck accident. These components must be in good functioning to allow drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or at night. Drivers or trucking companies may fail to maintain and check these elements, or they may not be able to conduct daily safety inspections.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer can examine your case to identify who might be accountable for your injuries if you were injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence that proves the defendant's negligence and help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
Accidents involving commercial trucks can be catastrophic. These massive vehicles can weigh up 25-times more than your car and cause a lot more injuries in accidents. Distracted driving is just one of the many factors that cause accidents. A truck driver who is distracted could lose control of their vehicle or fail to notice the dangers on the road, which could lead to life-changing injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and regulations for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition against texting or using cellular phones while driving. Even when truckers adhere to the rules, they might still be distracted, causing an accident. This could be the result of manual distractions like taking their hands off the wheel or mental distractions like thinking about something other than driving.
While most people are aware that it is dangerous to text and drive, few are aware that other activities like eating, changing the radio station or even talking to a passenger can also be deemed to be distracting. When a trucker gets distracted, he may drift into another direction and not notice an impending traffic jam. It only takes a fraction of a second for a big truck to hit a passenger vehicle when the trucker's attention wanders.
When a truck collision is caused by a distracted driver, it is important to snap photos of the scene of collision and note down the name and contact information of any witnesses. It is also helpful to know the name of the truck driver as well as the company they work for, aswell as who owns the truck if they are an independent contractor. This can have an impact on who's responsible for the incident, since it is the responsibility of the trucking business to hire competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking company is found be at least partially responsible for the accident, they could be liable for your economic and non-economic injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end truck collisions are common and can cause serious injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of situations such as at the stop sign or an intersection when the trucker fails to check ahead for traffic coming in. They can also happen when a car is able to cut in front of the truck, forcing the driver to slam on their brakes without warning. The trucker could then hit the car from behind.
It can be difficult to prove the fault of a driver in rear-end collisions because it isn't always clear the vehicle that was at fault. An experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence that shows the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash through following too closely or driving distracted. This can include evidence like photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and skid marks left on the roadway.
The driver in the front of the car could be held accountable for the incident. This can happen if they cut off someone else or fail to use a turn signal as any reasonable person. In this type of scenario, modified comparative negligence laws could be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. Damages will be reduced accordingly.
Bruises and Lacerations
In a rear-end crash, the rear end of the vehicle is the one that suffers the most force. This means that the occupants are at risk of serious injuries if they strike their heads against the dashboard or the back window. The force of the crash may cause broken bones if the occupants of the vehicle are thrown around the interior of the vehicle. Spinal injuries can be particularly severe. The spinal cord houses a number of nerves that control the body, so any injury to the spinal column can cause permanent and significant problems for victims.
A person who is the victim of a serious accident may also experience emotional and psychological trauma. They may have difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, which can lead to depression and anxiety. If they're unable work due to the severity of their injury, this can add pressure and financial hardship. An attorney can investigate the possible sources of liability and assist a victim in seeking fair compensation for their expenses.
The trailer hitches are faulty.
All vehicles, whether they're a car or van, truck, flatbed, or van must be securely connected to their trailers. When a trailer becomes unexpectedly unhitched, it can lead to catastrophic accidents that result in severe injuries or death. If you've suffered injuries in a vehicle accident caused by a truck that has run away, contact an experienced attorney who is specialized in cases involving hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch is many things such as inadequate securement or design. It could also be the result of a manufacturer's defect and in that case, lawful product liability may apply. The person or company that is at fault for a faulty trailer is liable for medical bills of victims, auto repair costs, and other losses arising from the incident.
In an accident that killed a person on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 the trailer was detached from the truck. It crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's negligence in failing to examine and secure the hitch. In June 2015 however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a flaw in the hitch the Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason behind the crash.
rancho cucamonga semi truck accident case struck the sides of the vehicle and crashed into them. The result was multiple fatalities and serious injuries for the drivers.
The truck driver in the accident was convicted of vehicular homicide. However experts say that he could've avoided the collision if he'd performed an extensive inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. The failure of trailer hitches can cause major accidents. These kinds of incidents are usually fast and can easily smack motorcycles or smaller cars. In these instances the trailer may distort the car's frame, and cause the metal to strike the passengers inside.