Semi Truck Accident Law

A serious injury resulting from collision with trucks can result in the death of someone with medical costs. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.

After a collision is crucial to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney by your side. A qualified lawyer will assist you in proving your case by using evidence like police reports or surveillance footage, for instance.

Poorly maintained vehicles

Owner-operators and trucking companies often do not take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good shape. This leads to an astronomical number of avoidable accidents every year.

Compared to passenger cars, tractor-trailers and semis will require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and heavy load. Unfortunately, the pressure of completing deadlines and maximizing profits often over maintaining the fleet. As a result, trucks are susceptible to mechanical failures that could cause devastating accidents.

The brakes on trucks are crucial because they must be able to stop the vehicle and slow it down at the smallest of moments. When brake pads lines, return springs or lines on a truck wear out they can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries. It is vital that these components are regularly inspected and replaced as required to ensure that they remain in good working order.

Tires that aren't properly maintained can play a significant role in truck accidents. Tires that are worn-out can lose traction and cause the truck to rollover or slide. Tires that aren't working because of an insufficient air pressure or tread design, can fail catastrophically.

In addition to regular maintenance, trucks must undergo regular inspections in order to spot mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. If an inspection is conducted incorrectly or the repair shop does not adhere to the guidelines of the manufacturer the result could be an accident. In these situations, a company that employed the repair or maintenance company or who was responsible for its supervision could be held responsible.

Another reason for truck accidents is the failure of signals, lights, and reflectors. These devices must be correctly functioning to allow drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, particularly in rural areas or at night. Drivers and trucking companies could fail to maintain and check these components, or they may not carry out regular safety inspections.

A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine who is accountable for your injuries should you be injured in an accident involving a badly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can reveal evidence that proves the defendant's negligence and help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

Distracted Drivers

There aren't many events as devastating as an accident which involves a commercial vehicle. These massive vehicles can weigh up 25-times more than your car and can cause more severe injuries in accidents. While many factors contribute to accidents and injuries, distracted driving is one of the most frequent and dangerous. 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 severe and life-changing injuries.

Truck drivers are required to follow strict rules and regulations formulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cell phones while operating their vehicles. But even if truckers follow the rules, they may still be distracted and cause crashes. This is often caused by mechanical distractions like getting your hands off the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions like thinking about something other than driving.

While most people understand that it is dangerous to text and drive, very few are aware that other activities like eating or changing the station on the radio or conversing with passengers can be considered to be distracting. When a trucker is distracted, they may wander off into a different lane and fail to notice a traffic jam ahead. It only takes a split second for a big truck to collide with a vehicle when the trucker's attention is diverted.

It is important to gather information on witnesses and to take photographs of the scene after an accident if an unintentionally distracted driver causes the truck to crash. It is also important to determine the name of the driver of the truck and the company they work for, as well in determining who owns the truck if it's an independent contractor. This could impact who is liable for your accident, as the trucking company is responsible for securing skilled and competent truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partly responsible for your accident, they may be held accountable for your financial and non-economic injuries.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions with trucks are quite common and can cause serious injuries. They can occur in a variety settings like an intersection or stop sign, when the trucker fails to look behind them for oncoming traffic. It can also happen when an automobile crosses the semi truck accident lawsuits's path, which forces the driver of the truck to brake at a rapid pace without warning. The trucker could then crash into the car from behind.

It can be hard to prove the fault of a driver in a rear-end collision, because it isn't always evident which vehicle was at fault. A skilled attorney can help find evidence to prove that the driver behind caused the crash by following too closely or driving erratically. This can include evidence such as photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony and skid marks on the roadway.

The driver in front of the car may also be liable for the accident. This can happen when they cut off someone else or fail use a turn signal as any reasonable person would do. This kind of situation is where modified comparative negligence laws be in play, where the jury assigns a percentage to each party, and damages are reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault.

Bruises and Lacerations

In a rear-end accident, the rear of the car is the one that suffers the most force. This means that people in the car are at risk of serious injuries if they hit their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They may also break bones due to being bounced around the interior of the car by the force of the crash. Injuries to the spine can be particularly severe. Spinal injuries can have long-lasting and serious impacts on the victims.

In addition to these kinds of injuries, a victim might also suffer from psychological and emotional traumas as a result of being involved in a devastating crash. They may have difficulty being able to sleep or concentrate, which can cause anxiety and depression. If they're unable to work due to the severity of their injury, this can cause stress and financial burden. An attorney can investigate the possible sources of liability and help the victim seek an appropriate amount of compensation for their expenses.

The trailer is not working properly

All vehicles, whether they are a vehicle, a car, van, truck flatbed, van, or are required to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally pulling a trailer off can result in catastrophic accidents that lead to severe injuries or semi truck accident even death. If you've suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a runaway truck or trailer, consult an experienced attorney who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options.

A damaged trailer hitch could be caused by a variety of things, from improper security to design flaws. It can be the result of a manufacturer's defect and, in this case, product liability laws may apply. The company or the person responsible for a defective trailer is liable for the victim's medical costs along with auto repair expenses and other losses that result from the incident.

In a fatal crash that occurred on a highway 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 investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's negligence for failing to inspect and secure hitch. In June 2015 however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate 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.

Due to the faulty hitch caused by the defective hitch, the trailer smashed into the sides of the vehicles before crashing into them head-on. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles.

The driver of the truck involved in the accident was convicted of vehicular homicide. However experts believe that he could have avoided the crash by conducting an in-depth inspection of his trailer to make sure that all connections were secure. A faulty hitch on a trailer can lead to catastrophic accidents, as these accidents typically require a significant amount of speed and can easily wipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these situations the trailer could distort the frame of a vehicle and force sharp metal pieces to crush passengers inside.