18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge trucks that pose a huge danger for motorists on the road. Sadly, they are involved in serious accidents that cause severe injuries or even death.
The first step towards recovering the monetary damages from an 18 wheeler accident is to hire an attorney who specializes in personal injury. A legal team with experience will help to build a strong case by relying on evidence like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are the reason for a large percentage of 18 wheeler collisions. These accidents are usually catastrophic and cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Additionally when truck drivers are fatigued, they are more likely to take risks and disregard federal regulations. These risks include speeding or the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle in a state of drowsiness. However, unscrupulous transport companies put excessive demands on their truck drivers and encourage them to skip breaks and falsify log books. Driving tired is risky for all motorists on the road.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also lead to fatigue in truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be tempted to purchase fast food from gas stations or convenience shops, which is often high in simple carbs and fats. This can make truckers feel tired and sluggish. In addition, many of them are on irregular sleep schedules that can make it difficult to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler attorney can help you determine if truck driver fatigue was the cause of your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are required to be able to meet certain requirements to operate commercial trucks. Drivers and employers must also comply with Federal regulations on hours of service, safety checks, and maintenance. If these rules are not followed or companies make a sloppy effort to save money on maintenance the rest of us on the road in danger.
Hazardous materials, such as explosives, flammables or radiological materials, can be involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These chemicals are transported across every road in America. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized training in order to safely load and deload their loads. If they fail to adhere to the proper procedures or aren't able manage the truck in adverse weather conditions, they may cause serious and fatal accidents.
Because of their size and the massive blind spots, 18 wheelers require longer time to slow or stop than conventional cars do. Other motorists could be injured or even killed if they fail to leave enough room or if their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lights including taillights and headlights emergency flashers and turn signals must function properly.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must operate under certain weight limits. When an 18 wheeler is properly loaded, it should not exceed the limit of 80,000 pounds. However because of negligence or a desire to make more money, some companies violate these restrictions and allow their trucks to get overloaded. This is a major risk to the safety and security of everyone on the road and can cause severe accidents in the case of an accident.
A vehicle that is loaded with extra weight will need more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. It also creates blind spots which can be dangerous to smaller vehicles. A driver who is inexperienced might have a difficult time navigate around these areas. This is especially true when a truck makes an turn or changes lanes.
Other parties may be held accountable, based on the specific circumstances. 18 wheeler accident settlement vermont could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain trucks and loading crews that do not properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. They could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly; and the shipping or transport companies themselves, which pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents will be able to determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and recover damages for the victims of accidents.
Defective Design
When a large truck is involved in an accident, the consequences could be devastating. This is due in part to the huge mass of these vehicles, however, it could also be caused by a range of other reasons, such as defective parts or mechanical failures.
Brakes and tires are two of the most common components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents, but there are other issues as well. For example cargo that isn't properly loaded can place the truck at the risk of crashing over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can result in deadly wrecks.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective parts. We are also adept at working with design engineers in establishing negligent conduct. We are committed to helping our clients receive the justice they are entitled to. We also fight for justice in instances where negligent trucking companies push their drivers to drive in unsafe ways by ignoring safety laws or rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation involving truck accidents is a complex legal process due to the fact that it requires various fields such as chemistry, physics as well as federal trucking regulations medicine, biology, driving standards and economics. This is why it is recommended for a truck crash victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the victim of a crash to receive an appropriate settlement without having to spend any upfront money.
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 truck accident victim. The lawyer can also assist victims of a collision to file a claim in compliance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck an attorney needs to act immediately to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the crash scene as well as damage to vehicles and the structures involved in the collision. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and inspect the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also study the documents of the trucking company along with driver logbooks and other documents that could be used to prove negligence. The attorney must also decide what damages are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and property repair costs) and non-financial damages (pain and anxiety, mental stress and loss of enjoyment).