3 Reasons Your Semi Truck Lawsuit Is Broken (And How To Repair It)

Semi Truck Accident Law A semi-truck collision can result in an injury of a serious nature that could cost a person a lot in medical bills. It can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy. Following a collision, it is essential to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney on your side. A lawyer with experience can help prove your case by using evidence like police reports or surveillance camera footage and more. Poorly maintained vehicles Owner-operators and trucking companies typically do not take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good shape. This negligence leads to an overwhelming number of preventable accidents every year. Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than passenger cars due to their larger size and heavier load. However, meeting deadlines and maximising profits may take precedence over maintaining a fleet. This is why trucks are more prone to mechanical problems that can result in catastrophic accidents. The brakes on trucks must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. If the brake pads of a truck, lines or return springs fail they could cause serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts should be checked regularly and repaired in order to keep them in good condition. Poor-maintained tires can also be a major reason for truck accidents. Tires that are worn out can cause traction issues, which causes the truck to skid or even roll over. If a tire is damaged in some way, such as having the wrong air pressure or improper tread design, it may fail catastrophically. Regular inspections of trucks are required along with regular maintenance to detect mechanical issues before they lead to an accident. If an inspection is performed incorrectly or the repair shop fails to follow the manufacturer's guidelines it could cause an accident. In these cases the company that employed or directed the maintenance or the repair shop could be held responsible. Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent cause of truck accident. These items must be properly functioning to allow drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, particularly in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies may neglect to inspect and maintain these items or the driver might fail to conduct regular safety inspections. A Houston truck accident attorney will investigate your case and determine who may be responsible for your injuries in the event you were injured from a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence of the defendant's negligence and help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to. Distracted Drivers The consequences of collisions with commercial trucks can be devastating. These huge vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your vehicle and may cause more injuries when they are involved in a collision. While many factors cause accidents and injuries, distracted driving is one of the most common and risky. A driver who is distracted could lose control of the vehicle or overlook a road hazard that could result in serious and life-changing injuries. Truck drivers must adhere to strict rules and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a ban on texting and using mobile phones while driving. Even if truckers follow the rules, they could be distracted and cause an accident. This could be due to accidental distractions, such as turning your back on the steering wheel or by cognitive distractions like thinking about something other than driving. Many people are aware that texting while driving can be risky, but many do not realize that other activities, like eating, changing radio stations, or chatting with passengers, can also be considered distracting. If a truck driver is distracted, they may wander off into a different lane or miss a traffic jam in front of them. When a truck driver's attention is diverted, it takes only a split-second for a large vehicle to hit a motorist car. When a truck collision is caused by an unintentionally distracted driver it is vital to capture photos of the crash scene and note down the name and contact information of any witnesses. It is also helpful to determine the name of the truck driver and the company they are employed by, as well and who owns the truck if it is an independent contractor. This could have an impact on who is liable for the accident, as it is the trucking company's responsibility to hire competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking company is found be partially at fault for your accident, they could be liable for your economic and non-economic injuries. Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions between trucks are common and often result in serious injuries. These accidents can occur in many different circumstances like at a stop sign or red light, when the trucker doesn't check behind him for any traffic that is coming up. They can also happen when a car comes in front of the truck, causing the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker may then crash into the car from behind. It can be difficult to prove fault when there is rear-end collisions, as it's not always certain which vehicle was responsible. However, a skilled attorney can help gather evidence that proves the driver in the rear caused the crash due to following too closely or being distracted while driving. This could include evidence like photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and skid marks left on the roadway. Sometimes, the driver in the front may be found to be at fault for the crash also. This could occur if they cut someone off or fail utilize a turn signal in the same manner as any reasonable person would do. In this kind of situation, modified comparative negligence laws can be applied. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each of the parties. The damages are then lowered accordingly. Lacerations and Bruises 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 windows. They can also suffer broken bones as they are scattered 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 regulate the body, therefore any damage to the spinal column could cause significant and permanent problems for victims. In addition to these kinds of injuries, victims might also suffer from emotional and psychological trauma from being in a horrific crash. They may experience difficulty being able to sleep or concentrate, which can cause anxiety and depression. If they're unable to work due to the severity of their injury, this could cause pressure and financial hardship. An attorney can look into all possible causes of liability and help a victim seek fair compensation for their losses. The trailer hitches are faulty. Regardless of whether you're driving an automobile, a truck, a van, or a flatbed, all vehicles must to be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer becomes unhitched, it could cause catastrophic accidents that result in serious injuries or even death. If you've been injured in a vehicle accident caused by a runaway truck and you are in need of an experienced attorney who is specialized in cases involving hitch failure to discuss your legal options. The cause of a faulty trailer hitch can be caused by a variety that can be traced to improper securing or defective design. It could be caused by a defect on the part of the manufacturer, where case-by-case product liability laws could apply. The company or the person accountable for a defective trailer is liable for the victim's medical costs as well as auto repair costs and other losses resulting from the incident. For instance, in a deadly crash that occurred in January 2014 on an Ohio road that is locally referred to as “Devil's Backbone,” a trailer came out of the truck, and was thrown through the air into two cars that were behind it. Initial investigation linked the accident to the driver's negligence in failing to inspect and secure the hitch. In June of 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating the possibility that a flaw in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason for the crash. college station semi truck accident lawyer slammed into the side of the vehicles and crashed into them. The result was numerous deaths and serious injuries for 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 prevented the collision with other vehicles if he had conducted a thorough inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in serious accidents, since they typically involve a substantial amount of speed and can easily cause a collision with smaller vehicles or motorcycles. In such cases the trailer may distort the frame of a vehicle and force razor sharp metal fragments to strike the passengers inside.