18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a major hazard to other drivers on the road. Sadly, they are frequently involved in serious accidents that result in severe injuries or death.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the first step to recover monetary damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A qualified legal team can assist in constructing a solid case by relying on evidence like:
Fatigue
Truckers who are tired are responsible for many 18-wheeler accidents. These accidents are nearly always fatal and can cause severe injuries. In addition when truck drivers are exhausted, they are more likely to take risks and ignore federal regulations. These risks include speeding or the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
It is against federal law to operate a commercial motor vehicle while drowsy. However, some firms place excessive demands on their truck drivers and push them to miss breaks and falsify log books. Driving while tired is dangerous for every driver on the road.
Inconsistent schedules and poor nutrition can also result in fatigue for truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be tempted to buy fast food at convenience stores or at gas stations that are typically high in simple carbs and fats. This can make truckers feel sluggish. A lot of them have irregular sleep patterns, which makes it difficult for them to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler attorney can help you determine if truck driver fatigue was an element in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications in order to drive commercial vehicles. Companies and drivers must also comply with Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety checks and maintenance. However, when these laws are not followed, or companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they put everyone on the road at risk.
Large truck accidents could involve hazardous and toxic cargo. This includes dangerous substances such as explosive, flammable or radiological materials. These chemicals are transported all over America's roads. Hazmat drivers have to undergo specialized training to safely load and unload their loads. But if they do not follow the correct procedures or are unable to manage a truck in poor weather conditions, they can cause serious and deadly accidents.
Due to their size and the large blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to stop or slow down compared to traditional cars. Other motorists could be injured or even killed in the event that they do not leave enough space or their brakes fail. Headlights, for example and tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals should all be working properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.
18 wheeler accident lawyer gresham have to adhere to specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is correctly loaded with the correct weight, it will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. However, due to negligence or a desire to make more money, some companies breach these restrictions and allow their trucks to become overloaded. This is a huge risk to the safety of all road users and can lead to serious accidents in the case of a collision.
A loaded truck will require more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. This could also result in blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. A driver with no experience might have a hard time seeing out of these spaces especially when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
Depending on the circumstances there could be additional responsible parties, in addition to the truck driver or trucking company. They could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to secure cargo correctly; or the transportation or shipping companies themselves that pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced attorney for 18 wheelers will be able to identify these parties and investigate their actions to recover damages for accident victims.
Defective Design
When a large truck is involved in an accident, the consequences could be devastating. The weight of these trucks is a significant factor but other factors may also contribute to this like defective parts or mechanical failures.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler collisions. But there are also other issues. Unloading cargo improperly could increase the risk of the truck rolling over or colliding with other vehicles. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can result in fatal wrecks.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective parts. We also have experience at working with design engineers to determine negligence. We are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking companies that encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving habits, like driving in violation of safety laws and trying to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The legal process for defending a truck accident is complicated because it is a mix of the theories and concepts of many different fields, like the physics, chemistry, federal trucking regulations biology, medical standard, driving economics, and many more. This is the reason why it is recommended for a truck crash victim to seek assistance from an experienced attorney. A lawyer can assist the victim of a collision to get an appropriate settlement without having to spend any upfront money.
The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties that may be tempted to take advantage of the victim. Additionally, the lawyer can help the victim file a claim that is in compliance with New York and federal laws.
After a collision with a truck the attorney should act swiftly to gather evidence, including photos and videos of the crash scene and the damage to vehicles and structures involved in accidents. The lawyer should also question witnesses and examine the truck's black box. The lawyer should also look over the trucking company records as well as driver logbooks and other records that may prove negligence. The attorney should also identify the types of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property) and non-financial damage (pain and discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life).