Semi Truck Accident Law

A semi truck accident law firm-semi truck accident lawyer collision can result in serious injuries that could cost the victim a significant amount in medical bills. It can also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.

After a collision is important to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney by your side. A qualified attorney can help you prove your case with evidence such as police reports or surveillance footage, for instance.

Vehicles that are not maintained properly

In a lot of cases trucking companies as well as owner-operators do not take the appropriate steps to make sure their vehicles are in good working condition. This can lead to a large percentage of accidents that could have been avoided every year.

Comparatively to passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers and semis require more frequent maintenance work due to their size and heavy loads. Unfortunately, meeting deadlines and maximising profits may take precedence over maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical problems which could lead to devastating accidents.

The brakes on a truck have to be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a single notice. When brake pads lines, semi truck accident return springs or return lines on a truck are worn out and break, it could lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. It is crucial that these components are regularly inspected and replaced when required to keep them in good working order.

Poor-maintained tires can also be a major reason for truck accidents. Tires that are worn out can cause traction issues and cause the truck to skid or even roll over. Tires that are defective or damaged, whether due to improper air pressure or tread design can fail catastrophically.

In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to identify mechanical issues before they cause an accident. However, if the inspection is conducted incorrectly or the repair shop doesn't follow the manufacturer's guidelines, it could cause a crash. In these instances the company that employed or supervising the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible.

The malfunctioning of signals, lights and reflectors are another frequent reason for truck accidents. These components must be in good working to enable drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas and after dark. Drivers and trucking companies could not maintain and inspect these elements, or they may not carry out regular safety inspections.

A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer will review your case and determine who is liable for your damages when you've been injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence proving the defendant's negligence and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Distracted Drivers

Accidents involving commercial trucks can be catastrophic. These massive vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your car and can cause more serious injuries when they are involved in an accident. While many factors cause accidents and injuries, distracted driving is one of the most prevalent and risky. A truck driver who is distracted could lose control of their vehicle or fail to notice a hazard in the roadway, which could lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and guidelines for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting and using cell phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers follow the rules, they might still be distracted and cause an accident. This could be because of distractions caused by manual actions like dropping a hand off of the wheel or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something else other than driving.

Many people are aware that texting while driving can be dangerous, but few know that other activities, such as eating or changing radio stations or conversing with passengers can also be considered distracting. When a truck driver is distracted, they could wander off into another lane, or not be able to see the traffic jam ahead of them. When a truck driver's eye is diverted, it will only take just a few seconds for a huge vehicle to collide with a car.

If a car accident occurs due to distracted drivers, it is important to take photos of the scene of collision and note down the contact details and name of any witnesses. It is essential to know the name of the driver, the business for which they work and who is the owner of the vehicle if it's an independent contractor. This could have an impact on who is liable for the accident, as it is the trucking company's responsibility to find competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking firm is found to be partially responsible in your accident, it may be liable to you for any economic and non-economic damages.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions between trucks are quite common and can result in severe injuries. They can happen in a variety of situations, such as at an intersection or stop signal, where the trucker is unable to check their surroundings for any traffic that is coming up. They can also occur when a car comes in front of the truck, causing the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker might then slam the car from behind.

It can be hard to establish fault when there's rear-end collisions because it isn't always evident who was at fault. However, a skilled attorney can gather evidence that shows the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash through following too closely or being distracted while driving. This evidence could include photos as well as police reports and eyewitness testimony as well as skid marks on the road.

Sometimes the driver in front may be found to be at fault for the crash as well. This could happen if they cut off someone else or fail to obey their turn signal as any reasonable person would, or hit on the brakes at the last minute and causing the driver in the back to slam into the car directly in the front of them. This is where modified comparative negligence laws can be in play, where the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party and damages are reduced accordingly.

Lacerations and Bruises

In a rear-end accident, the rear-end of the car is the one that suffers the most impact. This means that the occupants are at risk of serious injuries if they crash their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They also may break bones from being scattered around the interior of the car as a result of the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be serious. The damage to the spine could cause serious and lasting effects on victims.

In addition to these types of injuries, a victim may suffer from psychological and emotional trauma as a result of being involved in a devastating crash. They might have trouble sleeping or concentrating, which could result in anxiety and depression. If they're unable work due to the seriousness of their injury it can create stress and financial hardship. An attorney can look into the possible sources of liability and help the victim seek fair compensation for their loss.

Problematic trailer hitches

It doesn't matter if you're driving either a car, truck, a van or a flatbed, all vehicles must to be securely attached to their trailers. If a trailer becomes unhitched, it can result in catastrophic accidents that result in severe injuries or death. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a truck that has run away, contact an experienced attorney who is experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.

A faulty trailer hitch can be the result of a variety of things, from improper security to design flaws. It could also be the result an error by the manufacturer and, in this case, products liability laws could apply. The company or person at the fault for a defective trailer is responsible for medical bills of victims and auto repair costs and other losses related to the incident.

In the fatal crash that took place on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014, an unattached trailer was spotted on the truck. It then crashed into two cars that were directly behind it. Initial investigation linked the accident to the driver's negligence in failing to examine and secure the hitch. But in June 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a manufacturing defect had caused the hitch that was involved in the crash -- an Ultra LT manufactured by Fontaine Fifth Wheel of Trussville, Alabama -- to fail on a significant number of occasions.

The trailer struck the sides of the vehicles and then crashed into them. The result was multiple fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers.

The driver of the truck that was involved in this accident was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. However, experts believe that he could have avoided the collision with the other vehicles had he done a thorough visual inspection of his trailer and made sure that all connections were tight. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in catastrophic accidents, as these types of incidents typically involve a large amount of speed and could easily sidewipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these cases, the trailer may distort the car's frame and cause sharp metal fragments to entrap passengers.