18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are large vehicles that pose a serious danger to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are involved in serious accidents which result in severe injuries or even death.
The first step to recoup the monetary damages from an 18 wheeler accident is to hire an attorney for personal injury. A qualified legal team will assist you in constructing an evidence-based case, using facts such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are the reason for a large portion of 18 wheeler-related accidents. The wrecks that occur are often catastrophic and result in catastrophic accidents and deaths. Additionally when 18 wheeler accident lawsuit canton are exhausted they are more likely to take risks and ignore federal regulations. These risks can include speeding and the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle when you are sleepy. Unscrupulous transport companies make unreasonable demands of truck drivers. They require them to miss breaks and to falsify their log books. Being tired while driving can be hazardous for all drivers.
A poor diet and erratic schedules can also lead to fatigue in truck drivers. They may be enticed to consume fast food at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are usually packed with simple carbohydrates and fats which can cause truck drivers feel tired. A lot of them have irregular sleep patterns which can make it difficult to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining whether fatigue of the truck driver was the cause of your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks. Businesses and drivers must abide by strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. But, when these regulations are not followed, or companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they put everyone riding on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents can involve dangerous and toxic cargo. This includes hazardous materials such as flammable, explosive, or radiological substances. These substances are transported on the roads of America in all. Hazmat drivers must undergo special training to load and unload their trucks. If they fail to adhere to the proper procedures or fail to control a truck under poor weather conditions, they could lead to deadly and fatal accidents.
Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to stop or slow down when compared to conventional vehicles. Other motorists could be injured or even killed in the event that they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. Headlights, for example as well as tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals must be in good working order to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is correctly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Due to inattention or a desire to earn more money, some businesses may violate these restrictions by allowing their trucks be loaded over. This poses a serious risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could lead to serious accidents in the event of an accident.
A vehicle that is loaded with extra weight will need more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. Also, it creates blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience may have a difficult time seeing out of these areas, especially when the truck is making a turn or changing lanes.
Other parties may be held accountable, based on the circumstances. This could include mechanics who fail to check or maintain trucks or loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or shipping and transport companies themselves. These could include mechanics who do not properly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo properly; or the transportation or shipping companies themselves that pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify the parties responsible and investigate their actions to recover compensation for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
When a huge truck is involved in an accident, the damage could be devastating. This is due in part to the huge weight of these vehicles but it can also result from a variety of other factors including mechanical or mechanical problems.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler accidents. However, there are other issues. For instance cargo that is not properly loaded can place the truck at a higher risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these problems aren't addressed by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers, they could lead to fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases involving defective parts, and we're skilled at working with expert design engineers to establish negligence. We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation they are entitled to. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking companies who encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices, including driving in violation of safety laws and trying to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a complex process because it involves theories and concepts that span different fields, like chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations biology medicine, driving standard economics, driving standard. It is essential that a truck accident victim seeks the advice of an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the truck crash victim get an acceptable settlement without having to invest any upfront cash.
The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties that may be enticed by the opportunity to take advantage of the victim of a car accident. The lawyer can also assist the victims of a truck accident submit a claim in accordance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck an attorney must respond quickly to collect evidence, such as photos and videos of the scene of the crash and damage to vehicles and the structures involved in the accident. The attorney should also interview witnesses, and examine the black boxes of the truck. The lawyer should also study the trucking company records including driver logbooks, trucking company records and other documents that could prove negligence. The attorney should also determine the kinds of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) and non-financial damage (pain and mental discomfort, and loss of enjoyment in life).