Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck accident can cause serious injuries that could cost a person a lot in medical bills. norman semi truck accident lawyer could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
It is essential to have a professional New York truck accident lawyer to assist you after a crash. A qualified lawyer will assist you in proving your case with evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage, etc.
Vehicles that are not maintained properly
In a lot of cases trucking companies and owners-operators do not take proper steps to ensure their vehicles are in good condition. This leads to an overwhelming number of accidents that could have been avoided every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport due to their size and heavier weight. However, meeting deadlines and maximising profits is often prioritized over maintaining the fleet. In the end, trucks can become prone to mechanical malfunctions that can result in catastrophic accidents.
The brakes on trucks are crucial because they have to be able to stop the vehicle and slow it down at an instant's notice. If the pads of a truck's brakes lines, lines or return springs wear out they could result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These components should be checked regularly and repaired in order to keep them in good working condition.
Tires that aren't well maintained can contribute to truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction and cause the truck to overturn or slide. If a tire is defective in any way, such as having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it may fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require routine inspections to detect mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. If an inspection was performed improperly or the repair shop doesn't follow the manufacturer's recommendations this could result in a crash. In these situations, a company that employed the repair or maintenance shop or managed it may be held liable.
Another cause of truck accidents is defective lights, signals and reflectors. These components must function properly to allow drivers to see and anticipate the speed of the truck particularly when driving in rural areas or at night. Drivers or trucking companies may not be able to maintain and inspect these equipment, or might not conduct regular safety checks.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer will examine your case to identify who might be liable for your damages when you've been injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence of the defendant's negligence and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many events more devastating than an incident involving a commercial truck. These huge vehicles can weigh up 25 times the weight of your vehicle and cause far more injuries in an accident. Distracted driving is one of many factors that contribute to accidents. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize the dangers on the road, which can lead to life-threatening injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and rules for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting or using mobile phones while driving. Even if truckers obey the rules, they can still be distracted and cause an accident. This is often caused by mechanical distractions like not having your hands on the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
While most people are aware that it's dangerous to text and drive, very few realize that other activities like eating, changing the radio station, and even conversing with passengers can be deemed to be distracting. If a trucker gets distracted, the driver could drift off into another area and not be aware of a traffic jam ahead. It takes only a split second for a huge truck to strike a passenger vehicle if the trucker's mind wanders.
It is essential to collect information about any witnesses and to take photographs of the scene of the crash when an unintentionally distracted driver causes a crash of a truck. It is also beneficial to find out the name of the truck driver and the company they are employed by, as well in determining who owns the truck if they are an independent contractor. This could have an influence on who is responsible for the incident, since it is the responsibility of the trucking business to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partially responsible in the accident, it could be liable 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. They can happen in a variety situations like at the stop or red light sign, when the trucker fails to observe the road ahead for oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, causing the driver to apply their brakes without warning. The trucker could then crash into the car from behind.
It can be hard to establish fault when there's rear-end collisions as it isn't always clear which vehicle was responsible. An experienced lawyer can find evidence to prove that the driver in the back caused the accident by following too closely, or driving in a distracted manner. This can be evidence in the form of photos as well as police reports and eyewitness testimony, as well as skid marks on the road.
The driver in the front of the car could also be held responsible for the collision. This could occur if they cut someone off or fail use a turn signal as any other reasonable person would do. In this scenario the modified comparative negligence laws could be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. The damages will be reduced accordingly.
Bruises and Lacerations
The rear of the vehicle experiences the most impact in a rear-end collision, meaning that occupants can sustain serious injuries as they smash their head against the dashboard or back windows. They could also break bones from being thrown around the interior of the car due to the force of the collision. The spine is a vulnerable area and injuries to it can be particularly severe. The spinal cord contains a lot of nerves that regulate the body, therefore any injury to the spinal cord could cause permanent and significant issues for the victims.
A person who has been involved in a serious accident may also suffer from emotional and psychological trauma. They may have trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, which may lead to depression and anxiety. They may also face stress and financial strain in the event that they are unable to work due to an injury. An attorney can investigate the potential sources of liability to assist a victim in receiving the right amount of compensation for their loss.
Faulty Trailer Hitches
All vehicles, regardless of whether they are a car, a truck, van flatbed, van, or are required to be securely connected to their trailers. When a trailer becomes unexpectedly unhitched, it can cause catastrophic accidents that cause serious injuries or death. If you've suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a runaway truck get in touch with an experienced lawyer who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options.
The cause of a faulty trailer hitch can be caused by a variety that can be traced to improper secured or defective design. It could be caused by an issue on the part of the manufacturer in which case product liability law may apply. The person or company responsible for a defective trailer is liable for the victim's medical expenses along with auto repair expenses and other losses resulting from the incident.
For instance in a fatal crash that took place in January 2014 on an Ohio road that is locally referred to as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came free from the truck and crashed directly into two cars in front of it. Initial investigation linked the crash to the truck driver's negligence in failing to inspect and secure the hitch. In June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a defect in the hitch, an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
The trailer slammed into the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries for the drivers.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular murder, however experts say he could have avoided the crash if he'd performed a thorough inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. Faulty trailer hitsches can cause serious accidents, since these types of incidents typically involve a lot of speed, and they can sidewipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these situations the trailer could distort the car's frame and cause razor-sharp metal fragments that can impale passengers.