18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a huge risk to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are often involved in serious accidents that result in major injuries or death.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the initial step to recover monetary damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A legal team with experience can help you build a strong case using evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are the reason for a significant portion of 18 wheeler accidents. The wrecks that occur are often devastating and can result in severe injuries and even fatalities. When truck drivers are tired, they are also more likely to ignore federal regulations and risk their lives. This includes speeding, the use stimulants to combat fatigue, as well as inattention.
Federal law restricts driving a commercial vehicle in a state of drowsiness. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, make unreasonable demands of truck drivers. They force them to skip breaks and to falsify their log books. Driving while tired is dangerous for every driver on the road.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also lead to fatigue in truck drivers. These individuals may be tempted to consume fast food at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are usually packed with fat and simple carbohydrates, which can make truck drivers feel tired. Furthermore, many of these individuals have irregular sleep schedules which make it difficult for them to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can assist you in determining whether the fatigue of truck drivers was an element in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain requirements to operate commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must follow strict Federal regulations on hours of service, safety inspections and maintenance. When these laws are ignored or companies make a sloppy effort to save money on maintenance they put everyone else on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents may involve dangerous and toxic cargo, such as hazardous substances like explosive, flammable, or radiological materials. These substances are transported on the roads of America in all. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized training to be able to safely load and deload their cargo. If they don't adhere to the proper procedures, or are unable manage a truck under poor weather conditions they can cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due due to their size as well as the huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to slow down or stop in comparison to conventional cars. If they fail to leave enough space or their brakes fail, other motorists could be injured or killed. Headlights, for example and tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals need to work properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler has been properly loaded the weight limit should not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. However due to negligence or a desire to earn more money, companies could overstep these limits and allow their trucks to be overloaded. This poses a serious threat to the safety of everyone on the road and can lead to serious accidents in the event of an accident.
An overloaded truck will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This can create blind spots, which can be dangerous for vehicles with smaller sized wheels. A driver who isn't familiar with the area may find it difficult to be able to see out of these areas. This is especially the case when a truck makes turns or changes lanes.
Other parties may be held accountable, based on the circumstances. This could include mechanics who improperly inspect or maintain trucks and loading crews that fail to properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. They could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to secure cargo correctly; or the shipping or transport companies themselves who pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents will be able determine the parties responsible and investigate their actions. claim damages for the victims of accidents.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when a large truck is involved. This is due to the enormous weight of these vehicles, but it can also be caused by a variety of other reasons, such as mechanical failures or defective parts.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. However, there are other issues. For example, cargo that is not properly loaded could put the truck at a higher risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't dealt with by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could lead to fatal accidents.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective components. 18 wheeler accident settlement cape coral are also skilled working with design engineers to determine the negligence of the manufacturer. We are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving habits, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The legal process for defending a truck accident is complicated because it is a mix of concepts and theories from many different fields like chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations biology, driving standard, medicine economics, and more. This is why it is ideal for a victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. The lawyer can assist victims of accidents on the road to receive a fair settlement, without the need to pay any upfront money.
The lawyer can also handle the insurance companies and at-fault parties who might be enticed to take advantage of the victim of a truck accident. The lawyer can also help victims of a collision file a claim in accordance with New York laws and federal laws.
Following a crash involving a truck, an attorney must act swiftly to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene, damage to vehicles, and the structures involved in the accident. The lawyer should also interview witnesses and inspect the black box in the truck. The attorney should also analyze the records of the trucking company including driver logbooks, trucking company records and other documents that could demonstrate negligence. The attorney must also determine the kinds of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property) and non-financial damage (pain and anxiety, mental stress and loss of enjoyment).