This Week's Top Stories About Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are large vehicles that pose a significant danger to other motorists on the road. Sadly, they are frequently involved in serious accidents which result in major injuries or death.
Hiring 18 wheeler accident lawyer jersey city is the first step to recover monetary damages from an 18-wheeler collision. A legal team with experience will help to build a strong case based on evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are responsible for a significant percentage of 18 wheeler collisions. These accidents are almost always fatal and cause devastating injuries. Additionally, when truck drivers are exhausted they are more likely to be reckless and ignore federal regulations. These risks include speeding, utilizing stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
It is illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle while tired. However, unscrupulous transportation companies put excessive demands on their truck drivers, and pressure drivers to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. Being tired while driving is dangerous for everyone on the road.
A poor diet and erratic schedules can also lead to fatigue in truck drivers. These individuals might be tempted to buy fast food in convenience stores or at gas stations that are usually high on fat and simple carbs. This can make truckers feel sluggish. Furthermore, many of them have irregular sleeping patterns which can make it difficult to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler lawyer can help you determine if truck driver fatigue was the reason for your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are required to have certain qualifications to drive commercial trucks. Drivers and employers must adhere to Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety checks, and maintenance. If these regulations are not adhered to or companies cut corners to save money on maintenance and repairs, they put everyone on the road in danger.
Large truck accidents could involve hazardous and toxic cargo, such as hazardous materials such as explosive, flammable, or radiological substances. These chemicals are transported all over America's roads. Hazmat drivers are required to undergo specialized training to safely load and unload their trucks. If they fail to adhere to the proper procedures, or are unable manage a truck under poor weather conditions, they could cause fatal and serious accidents.
Due to their size and large blind spots, 18 wheelers need more time to slow or stop than traditional cars do. If they do not allow enough room, or their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all lighting including taillights and headlights emergency flashers and turn signals must function properly.
Excessive Weight
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. When an 18 wheeler is properly loaded it is not going to exceed the 80,000-pound limit. Because of inattention or a desire to make more money, some companies might break these restrictions by allowing their trucks be overloaded. This poses a significant danger to the safety of everyone on the road and could cause serious accidents in the event of a collision.
A truck that is overloaded will require more space to stop compared to a smaller vehicle. It also creates blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers might have trouble being able to see out of these areas particularly when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
In the event of an incident there could be additional accountable parties, besides the truck driver or the trucking company. This could include mechanics who do not properly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly; or the shipping or transport companies themselves who pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced attorney for 18 wheelers can identify these parties and look into their actions to obtain damages for accident victims.
Defective Design
If a large truck is involved in an accident, the consequences could be devastating. The weight of the trucks is a major factor however other factors can also be involved including defective parts or mechanical failures.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler accidents. But there are also other problems. Incorrectly loading cargo can increase the risk of the truck rolling over or colliding into other vehicles. If these issues aren't taken care of by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could cause fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts and we are skilled in working with experts in design engineers to establish negligence. We are committed to helping our clients obtain the compensation they deserve. We also advocate for justice in cases where negligent trucking firms encourage their drivers to drive unsafely while ignoring safety rules or rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
The litigation surrounding truck accidents is complicated because it is a mix of theories and concepts from different fields, including physics, chemistry federal trucking regulations biology, medical, driving standards, economics, and more. This is why it's the best option for a victim to seek assistance from an experienced lawyer. An attorney can help the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement, without having to pay upfront cash.
The lawyer can also handle the insurance companies and at-fault parties that may be tempted to profit from taking advantage of the victim. In addition, the lawyer can help the victim submit a claim in accordance with New York and federal laws.
Following a crash involving a truck the attorney should act quickly to collect evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene of the crash and the damage to vehicles and structures damaged in the an accident. The attorney should also question witnesses, and inspect the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also review the trucking company records including driver logbooks, trucking company records and other documents that could be used to prove negligence. The attorney must also decide the extent of damages that can be recovered. These include both financial losses (medical bills and repair costs for property) and non-financial losses (pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment).