Semi Truck Accident Law
A semi-truck collision can result in an injury that is serious enough to cost a person a lot in medical expenses. hayward semi truck accident settlement can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.
After a crash, it is essential to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney on your side. A qualified attorney can help you prove your case with evidence such as police reports or surveillance footage, for instance.
Poorly maintained vehicles
In a majority of cases trucking companies as well as owner-operators fail to take the appropriate steps to make sure their vehicles are in good condition. This can lead to many accidents that could have been avoided every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars for passengers because of their larger size and heavier weight. Unfortunately, the pressure to meet deadlines and maximize profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical problems that can result in disastrous accidents.
The brakes on a truck are particularly important because they have to be able to stop the vehicle and slow it down at any moment. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck wear out they can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components must be checked regularly and repaired as needed to ensure their good condition.
Inadequately maintained tires can be a major cause of truck accidents. Tires that are worn down may lose traction and cause the truck to overturn or skid. If a tire is deficient in some way, like having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it may fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks also require regular inspections in order to spot mechanical issues before they cause an accident. However, if the inspection is performed incorrectly or the repair shop doesn't follow the manufacturer's guidelines, it could cause a crash. In such cases, the company that hired or supervising the maintenance or repair shop could be held responsible.
The malfunctioning of signals, lights and reflectors are another common cause of truck accident. These elements must function correctly in order for drivers to be able to observe and anticipate the truck's movements, especially when driving in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies might neglect to inspect and maintain these equipments or the driver may not be able to complete daily safety inspections.
A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer can review your case and determine which parties may be responsible for your losses when you've been injured in an accident caused by a faulty maintenance of a commercial truck. These investigations can reveal evidence proving the defendant's negligence and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many things more devastating than an incident involving a commercial truck. These massive vehicles can weigh up 25-times more than your car and cause much worse injuries in accidents. Distracted driving is one of many factors that can cause accidents. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle, or fail to see an issue on the road, leading to severe and life-changing injuries.
Truck drivers are required to follow strict rules and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and using cell phones while operating their vehicles. But even if truckers follow the rules, they may still be distracted and cause crashes. This can be a result of distractions caused by manual actions like taking their hands off the steering wheel or mental distractions like thinking about something else other than driving.
Many people are aware that texting while driving is risky, but not many know that other activities, such as eating or changing radio stations or conversing with passengers can also be considered distracting. When a truck driver gets distracted, they might wander off into another lane, or miss a traffic jam up ahead of them. When a trucker's attention is diverted, it's only one second for a massive vehicle to collide with a car.
If a car accident occurs due to a distracted driver it is crucial to snap photos of the scene of collision as well as collect the name and contact information of any witnesses. It is also beneficial to know the name of the truck driver and the company they are employed by, as and who owns the truck if they are an independent contractor. This can have an influence on who is responsible for the accident, because it is the responsibility of the trucking company to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found be partly responsible for the accident, they may be held responsible for your economic as well as non-economic damages.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions between trucks are common and often cause severe injuries. They can happen in a variety settings, such as at the stop or red light sign, when the trucker fails to check behind them for oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car crashes into front of the truck, causing the driver to hit their brakes 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 certain who was at fault. An experienced lawyer can collect evidence to prove that the driver behind caused the crash due to following too closely or driving erratically. The evidence can include photographs, police reports and eyewitness testimony as well being skid marks on the road.
Sometimes, the driver in the front could be found to be liable for the accident also. This can happen if they cut someone off or fail to use a turn signal like any other reasonable person. In this scenario an amended comparative negligence law may be used. The jury will assign a percentage of blame to each party. The damages will be reduced accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
In a rear-end accident, the rear end of the vehicle is the one that suffers the most force. This means that the people in the car are at risk of serious injuries if they strike their heads against the dashboard or the back window. The impact of the crash could cause broken bones when the occupants are thrown around the interior of the vehicle. The injuries to the spine can be extremely severe. Spinal injuries can cause serious and lasting effects on the victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, victims might also suffer from psychological and emotional trauma from being involved in a devastating crash. They may have trouble in concentrating or sleeping, which could result in depression and anxiety. If they're unable to work due to the seriousness of their injury this could cause stress and financial hardship. An attorney can investigate any possible liability sources and help the victim seek fair compensation for their losses.
The trailer is not working properly
No matter if you're driving a car, a truck, a van, or a flatbed, all vehicles need to be securely attached to their trailers. Unintentionally removing a trailer's hitch can cause catastrophic accidents that can lead to serious injuries or death. If you have been injured in a vehicle accident caused by a runaway truck, contact an experienced attorney who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options.
A malfunctioning trailer hitch may be caused by a variety of things, from improper securement to a defective design. It could be due to a defect on the part of the manufacturer in which case, product liability law may apply. The company or individual responsible for a defective trailer could be held responsible for the victim's medical expenses, auto repair costs and other losses resulting from the incident.
In the fatal crash that took place on a road 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 suggested that the crash was due to the truck driver's carelessness for failing to inspect and secure the hitch. In June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a flaw in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
The trailer slammed into the side of the vehicle and crashed into them. This resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles.
The driver of the truck that was involved in this accident was convicted of vehicular manslaughter. However experts believe that he could have prevented the collision with other vehicles had he performed a thorough visual inspection of his trailer and made sure that all connections were in good order. Faulty trailer hitsches can cause serious accidents, since they typically involve a lot of speed and could easily hit smaller cars or motorcycles. In such instances the trailer may distort the car's frame and push razor sharp metal fragments to sever the limbs of passengers in.