semi truck accidents Truck Accident Law

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

It is crucial to have a reputable New York truck accident lawyer on your side following an accident. A skilled lawyer can to prove your case using evidence like police reports, surveillance camera footage, and much more.

Poorly maintained vehicles

Owner-operators and trucking companies often don't take the necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order. This can lead to an astronomical number of preventable accidents each year.

Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars for passengers due to their dimensions and larger load. However keeping deadlines and increasing profits can often take precedence over the maintenance of the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical issues that could cause devastating accidents.

The brakes on a truck have to be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a minute's notice. When brake pads lines, return springs or return lines on a truck wear out, it can lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. These parts should be checked and repaired regularly as needed to ensure their good working condition.

Poor-maintained tires can also be a major factor in truck accidents. Tires that are worn out can cause traction issues and cause the truck to slide or even flip over. If a tire is defective in some way, for example, having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically.

The inspections are routine for trucks along with regular maintenance to spot mechanical issues before they lead to an accident. If an inspection is performed improperly or the repair shop doesn't follow the manufacturer's instructions this could result in a crash. In these cases, the company that hired or oversees the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible.

Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent reason for truck accidents. These elements must be properly functioning to allow drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or after dark. Trucking companies or drivers may not maintain and inspect these elements, or they might not conduct regular safety inspections.

A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will analyze your case to determine who could be responsible for your losses after you've been injured during an accident caused by a faulty maintenance of a commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence that demonstrates the defendant's negligence in the accident and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Distracted Drivers

There aren't many events more devastating than an incident involving a commercial truck. These massive trucks can weigh up to 25 times more than your vehicle and cause far more injuries in an accident. While many factors contribute to accidents, distracted driving is one of the most prevalent and dangerous. A truck driver who is distracted can lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize a hazard in the roadway, which could lead to life-changing injuries.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and guidelines for truck drivers. This includes a ban on texting and using cell phones while driving. Even when truckers adhere to the rules, they may be distracted and result in an accident. This is often caused by manual distractions such as getting your hands off the steering wheel or firm cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.

While most people understand that it is dangerous to text and drive, very few realize that other activities like eating, changing the station on the radio, and even conversing with a passenger can also be deemed as distracting. If a trucker is distracted, he may drift into another area and not be aware of a traffic jam ahead. If a truck driver's focus is diverted, it's only a split-second for a large vehicle to strike a passenger car.

If a car accident occurs due to an unintentionally distracted driver it is vital to capture photos of the scene of the accident and collect the contact details and name of any witnesses. It is also helpful to determine the name of the truck driver as well as the company they are employed by, as and firm who owns the truck if they are an independent contractor. This can have an impact on who is liable for the accident, because it is the responsibility of the trucking firm to recruit competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partially responsible for the accident, it could be liable to you for any economic and non-economic damages.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions between trucks are not uncommon and can result in serious injuries. They can occur in a variety of settings like an intersection or stop signal, where the trucker is unable to observe the road ahead for traffic coming in. It can also happen if cars cross the truck's path, which forces the driver of the truck to stop suddenly without warning. The trucker could then crash into the car from behind.

It can be hard to prove fault when there is rear-end collisions, as it's not always evident which vehicle was responsible. An experienced lawyer can assist in gathering evidence to show that the driver in the rear caused the crash because they followed too closely or distracted driving. This could include evidence such as photos, police reports eyewitness testimony and skid marks on the roadway.

The driver in front of the car may also be liable for the incident. This can happen if they cut off someone else or fail to use a turn signal like any reasonable person would do. In these situations the modified comparative negligence laws may be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each party. Damages are then reduced accordingly.

Bruises & Lacerations

The rear-end of the car is the one that is most affected in a rear-end crash, meaning that occupants can sustain serious injuries from hitting their head against the dashboard or the back window. They can also suffer broken bones after being scattered around the interior of the car by the force of the collision. Injuries to the spine can be extremely severe. The spinal cord contains many nerves that regulate the body. Therefore, any injury to the spinal column can cause long-lasting and serious issues for the victims.

In addition to these kinds of injuries, the victim may suffer from emotional and psychological trauma from being involved in a devastating crash. They may have difficulty sleeping or concentrating which can lead them to anxiety and depression. They could also be facing stress and financial strain if they are unable work due to an injury. An attorney can look into all possible sources of liability and assist the victim in seeking an appropriate amount of compensation for their expenses.

Faulty trailer hitches

All vehicles, regardless of whether they are a vehicle, a car, van, truck, flatbed, or van must be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer is suddenly unhitched, it can result in catastrophic accidents that result in severe 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 experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.

The reason behind a defective trailer hitch is many things such as inadequate secured or defective design. It could be due to an issue on the part of the manufacturer in which case the product liability laws could apply. The person or company that is at the fault for a defective trailer can be held liable for the cost of medical bills and auto repair costs and other damages resulting from the incident.

For instance the fatal crash that occurred in January 2014 along an Ohio road that is locally referred to as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came off the truck and crashed head-on into two cars behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the driver's negligence in failing to properly inspect and secure the hitch. In June 2015 however, 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 responsible for the crash.

The trailer struck the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. This resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles.

The truck driver involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However, experts suggest that he could've avoided the crash if he'd performed an extensive inspection of his trailer to ensure that all connections were secure. A faulty trailer hitch could cause major problems. These accidents are typically fast and can easily smack motorbikes or smaller vehicles. In these cases the trailer could distort the car's frame and cause razor-sharp metal fragments to entrap passengers.