Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck collision can result in a serious injury that can cost the victim a significant amount in medical expenses. It can also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
It is essential to have a skilled New York truck accident lawyer by your side after a crash. A professional lawyer can assist you in proving your case by using evidence like police reports and surveillance footage, among others.
Vehicles that are not maintained properly
Trucking companies and owners-operators often do not take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working order. This negligence results in an increase in the number of preventable accidents each year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars for passengers due to their dimensions and larger weight. However, the pressure to meet deadlines and maximize profits can overtake maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical issues that could lead to disastrous accidents.
The brakes of a truck are particularly important since they have to stop the vehicle and slow it down at any moment. When brake pads lines, return springs, or lines on a truck fail and break, it could lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. It is essential that these components are regularly inspected and replaced when needed to keep them in good working condition.
Tires that are not properly maintained can also play a significant role in truck accidents. Tires that have worn out may lose traction and cause the truck to flip over or skid. If a tire is defective in any way, such as having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it may fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks also require routine inspections to detect mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. However, if the inspection is done incorrectly or the repair shop does not follow the manufacturer's guidelines the result could be an accident. In these instances the company that hired or directed the maintenance or the repair shop could be held accountable.
Faulty lights, signals and reflectors are also a frequent reason for truck accidents. These components must be in good working to enable drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or after dark. Trucking companies or drivers could not maintain and inspect these elements, or they may not be able to conduct daily safety inspections.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer can examine your case to determine which parties may be responsible for your losses if you were injured in an accident involving a badly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can reveal evidence of negligence by the defendant and assist you in obtaining the compensation you're due.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many things that can be as devastating as an accident that involves a commercial truck. These huge vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your car and could cause much greater injuries when they are involved in collisions. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents that result from distracted driving, it is one of the most prevalent and risky. A distracted truck driver can lose control of the vehicle or fail to notice a road danger which could lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and rules for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting and using cell phones while driving. Even if truckers adhere to the rules, they can still become distracted and cause crashes. This could be because of manual distractions, such as taking a hand off the wheel or mental distractions such as thinking about something else other than driving.
While most people are aware the dangers of using text and drive, few are aware that other activities like eating, changing the radio station or even talking to a passenger can also be deemed to be distracting. If a truck driver is distracted, they might drift into another lane or not be able to see the traffic jam ahead of them. When a trucker's attention is diverted, it takes only an instant for a large vehicle to crash into a passenger car.
If a truck crash occurs due to distracted driving It is essential to snap photos of the crash scene and note down the name and contact details of any witnesses. It is essential to know the name of the driver, the company that they work for, and who owns the vehicle, if it's an independent contractor. This can affect who is liable for your accident, as the trucking company is responsible for hiring skilled and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partly responsible for the accident, it could be held accountable to you for economic and non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are quite common and can result in severe injuries. These accidents can occur in a variety of situations like at a stop sign or an intersection when the trucker doesn't check behind him for any traffic that is coming up. They can also occur when a car cuts in front of the truck, causing the driver to apply their brakes without warning. The trucker can then slam into the car from behind.
It is often difficult to prove the cause of a rear-end crash, as it is not always obvious which vehicle was responsible for the crash. However, an experienced attorney can gather evidence that proves that the driver behind caused the crash due to following too closely or being distracted while driving. This could include evidence like photos, police reports eyewitness testimony, and skid marks in the road.
Sometimes, the driver in the front might be the one responsible for the accident also. This could happen if they cut off someone else, fail to use their turn signal as a reasonable person would, or decide to slam on the brakes at the very last minute and causing the driver in the back to crash into the car directly in front of them. In these situations the modified comparative negligence laws may be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each party. The damages will be reduced accordingly.
Bruises & Lacerations
The rear-end of the vehicle is the most impacted area in a rear-end collision so occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries when they hit their head against the dashboard or back window. They can also suffer broken bones due to being thrown around the interior of the car as a result of the force of the crash. Spinal injuries can be serious. The spinal cord contains many nerves that control the body, and any injury to the spinal column may cause permanent and significant problems for victims.
In carson semi truck accident attorney 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 may have trouble getting enough sleep or concentrating, which can lead to depression and anxiety. They may also experience stress and financial difficulties if they are unable work due to their injury. An attorney can look into any possible liability sources and assist the victim in seeking fair compensation for their expenses.
Problematic Trailer Hitches
All vehicles, whether they are a car or van, truck flatbed, van, or are required to be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer becomes unhitched, it can cause a catastrophic accident that could cause serious injuries or even death. If you've been injured in a vehicle accident caused by a truck that has run away or trailer, consult an experienced attorney who is experienced in cases of hitch failure to discuss your legal options.
A malfunctioning trailer hitch may be caused by many different factors, ranging from inadequate security to design flaws. It could be caused by an error on the part of the manufacturer where case-by-case product liability law could be applicable. The person or company at the fault for a trailer that is defective is responsible for medical bills of victims and auto repair costs and other damages resulting from the incident.
In a fatal crash on a highway in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014, a trailer detached from the truck. It crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigations linked the incident to the truck 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 flaw in the hitch, an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
The trailer struck the sides of the vehicle and crashed into them. The result was numerous fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers.
The driver of the truck that was involved in the incident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter, but experts believe that he could have prevented the collision with other vehicles had he completed a thorough inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. A faulty hitch on a trailer can lead to catastrophic accidents, as they typically require a significant amount of speed and could easily wipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these instances the trailer may distort the frame of a vehicle and force razor sharp metal fragments to strike the passengers inside.