semi truck accident lawyer Truck Accident Law

A semi-truck crash can result in an injury that is serious enough to 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 essential to have a professional New York truck accident lawyer on your side following a crash. A lawyer with experience can help establish your case through evidence like police reports and surveillance camera footage and much more.

Poorly maintained vehicles

Owner-operators and trucking companies typically do not take the necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition. This leads to an astronomical number of preventable accidents each year.

Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport due to their larger size and heavier load. Unfortunately the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximising profits can overtake maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical problems that could result in catastrophes.

The brakes on a truck must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. When brake pads lines, return springs, or lines on a truck are worn out, it can lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. It is crucial that these parts are regularly inspected and replaced as necessary to ensure they are in good working order.

Poor-maintained tires can also be a major reason for truck accidents. Tires that are worn down can cause the tires to lose traction, which causes the truck to slide or even roll over. Tires that aren't working or damaged, whether due to an insufficient air pressure or tread design, can fail catastrophically.

In addition to regular maintenance, trucks must undergo regular inspections to identify mechanical issues prior to causing an accident. However, if an inspection is not done correctly or the repair shop fails to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines this could result in an accident. In these cases, the company that hired or oversees the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible.

Another major cause of truck accidents is defective lights, signals, and reflectors. These items must function properly so that drivers can see and anticipate the speed of the truck particularly in rural areas or at night. Trucking companies or drivers could not maintain and inspect these equipment, or may not carry out regular safety checks.

A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will analyze your case to determine who is accountable for your damages should you be injured in an accident caused by a faulty maintenance of a commercial truck. This investigation could uncover evidence of negligence by the defendant and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Distracted Drivers

There aren't many things that can be more damaging than an accident involving a commercial truck. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 25 times more than your car and cause a lot more injuries in accidents. While many factors cause accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and risky. A driver who is distracted can lose control of the vehicle or fail to notice an opportunity to avoid a road accident which could lead to serious and life-altering injuries.

Truck drivers must adhere to strict rules and regulations that have been formulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and using cell phones while driving. Even if truckers obey the rules, they may be distracted and result in an accident. This could be due to mechanical distractions like taking your hand off the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.

While the majority of people are aware the dangers of using text and drive, very few are aware that other activities like eating or changing the radio station or even talking to passengers can be considered to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted, the driver could drift off into another lane and fail to notice a traffic jam ahead. It only takes a fraction of a second for a large truck to collide with a vehicle when the trucker's focus wanders.

When a truck collision occurs due to distracted driving it is vital to take photographs of the scene of collision as well as collect the name and contact information of witnesses. It is important to know the name of the driver, the company for which they work, and who owns the vehicle in case it's an independent contractor. This could have an influence on who is responsible for the accident, as it is the responsibility of the trucking firm to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partly responsible for your accident, they could be held accountable to you for financial and non-economic damages.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end truck collisions are common and can result in serious injuries. These accidents can happen in a variety of situations like at a stop sign or red light when a trucker does not check ahead for traffic coming in. They may also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, which forces the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker may then slam the car from behind.

It is often difficult to prove fault in rear-end collisions, since it is not always obvious which vehicle was responsible for the crash. However, an experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence that shows the driver in the rear caused the crash due to following too closely or driving distracted. This evidence could include photos or police reports, eyewitness testimony, as well as skid marks in the road.

Sometimes the driver in front could be found to be liable for the accident also. This could happen if they cut off someone else or fail to obey their turn signal in the manner that a reasonable person would, or hit on the brakes at the last minute which causes the driver behind to crash into the vehicle directly in front of them. In these situations the modified comparative negligence laws may be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. The damages will be reduced accordingly.

Bruises & Lacerations

The rear of the vehicle has the greatest impact during a rear-end collision which means that the occupants could suffer serious injuries after hitting their head against the dashboard or the back window. The force of the collision can also cause broken bones if the occupants are thrown about the vehicle's interior. The injuries to the spine can be extremely severe. Damage to the spine can be serious and have long-lasting impacts on the victims.

A person who is the victim of a serious accident could also be suffering from psychological and emotional trauma. They may experience difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, which could lead them to depression and anxiety. They could also be facing stress and financial strain in the event that they are unable to work due to their injury. An attorney can investigate all possible causes of liability and assist a victim in seeking an appropriate amount of compensation for their losses.

The trailer hitches are faulty.

All vehicles, whether they're a car or van, truck, flatbed, or van, need to be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer becomes unhitched, it could cause catastrophic accidents that cause serious injuries or death. If you've been injured by a runaway trailer, contact an experienced lawyer for car accidents specializing in hitch failure cases as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

The reason behind a defective trailer hitch could be due to a variety of factors that can be traced to improper securement or design. It could be caused by a defect on the part of the manufacturer, in which case, product liability law may apply. The company or the person responsible for a defective trailer can be held accountable for the victims' medical expenses along with auto repair expenses and other losses that result from the incident.

In a fatal crash that occurred on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 a trailer detached from the truck. It then crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigation linked the accident to the driver's lapse in inspect and secure the hitch. In June 2015 however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason behind the crash.

The trailer hit the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. The result was numerous deaths and serious injuries for the drivers.

The truck driver who was involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However experts believe that he could have avoided the crash had he conducted an extensive inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. Incorrect trailer hitches can lead to major disasters. These accidents are typically high-speed and are able to sidewipe motorbikes or small cars. In these situations the trailer could distort the frame of a car and result in sharp metal fragments to entrap passengers.