7 Little Changes That'll Make A Big Difference With Your Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
18 Wheeler Attorneys
18 wheeler trucks are huge trucks that pose a huge danger for other motorists who are on the road. They are often involved in serious accidents which cause severe injuries or even death.
The first step to recovering monetary damages in an 18-wheeler collision is to find an attorney for personal injuries. A qualified legal team can help you build a strong case with evidence that includes:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are the reason for a significant portion of 18 wheeler accidents. These accidents are usually fatal and result in catastrophic injuries. In addition when truck drivers are fatigued they are more likely to be reckless and ignore federal regulations. This includes speeding, utilizing stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
Federal law prohibits commercial vehicles from driving while drowsy. However, some companies put excessive demands on their truck drivers and push drivers to skip breaks and falsify logbooks. Driving tired is risky for everyone on the road.
A poor diet and erratic schedules can also cause fatigue in truck drivers. They may be enticed to eat fast food at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are typically packed with fat and simple carbohydrates which can cause truck drivers feel tired. Furthermore, many of these individuals are on irregular sleep schedules that make it difficult for them to get enough rest. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler attorney can help you determine whether fatigue of the truck driver was a factor in your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must have certain requirements to operate commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must follow strict Federal regulations governing hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. But, when these regulations are not adhered to, or if companies reduce maintenance in order to save money, they place everyone riding on the road at risk.
The hazardous substances, such as flammables, explosives, or radiological items, are involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These substances are transported on all of America's roads. Hazmat drivers are required to undergo specialized training in order to safely load and unload their trucks. But if they do not follow proper procedures or are not able to handle the truck in adverse weather conditions, they can cause serious and fatal accidents.
Because of their size and the massive blind spots, 18 wheelers require more time to slow or stop than traditional cars. Other motorists could be injured or even killed when they do not leave enough space or if their brakes fail. Headlights, for example as well as tail lights, emergency flashers, and turn signals need to be in good working order to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Weight Excess
Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler is properly loaded the weight limit should not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. However due to a lack of care or a desire to make more money, some companies breach these restrictions and allow their trucks to get overloaded. This poses a risk to the safety of everyone on the road and could result in serious accidents in the event of an accident.
A truck that is overloaded will require more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. This can create blind spots which are dangerous for smaller vehicles. Drivers who aren't experienced might have a difficult time discern these areas. This is particularly true when the truck makes a turn or changes lanes.
In the event of an incident there could be additional accountable parties, besides the truck driver or the trucking company. They could be mechanics who aren't properly inspecting or maintain trucks; loading crews who fail to properly secure cargo; and the shipping or transport firms themselves who press drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents will be able determine the parties responsible, investigate their actions and seek damages on behalf of victims.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when an enormous truck is involved. 18 wheeler accident law firm temecula of these trucks is a major factor however other factors can also contribute to this in the form of defective components or mechanical failures.
The brakes and tires may fail in 18-wheeler collisions. However, there are other issues. For instance cargo that is not properly loaded can make the truck vulnerable to a higher risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't dealt with by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers, they can lead to deadly accidents.
Our team has extensive experience prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases involving defective parts and we're skilled at working with experts in design engineers to establish negligence. We are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. We also fight for justice in instances where negligent trucking companies push their drivers to drive unsafely and disregard safety regulations or rush to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a tangled legal process because it involves concepts from several different fields, including physics, chemistry as well as federal trucking regulations medical, biology, driving standards and economics. This is why it is ideal for a victim to seek help from an experienced attorney. An attorney can help the victim of a collision with a truck to get an appropriate settlement, without having to pay any upfront money.
The lawyer is also able to deal with insurance companies and other parties at fault, who might attempt to profit from the victim of a car accident. The lawyer can also assist the victims of a truck accident to file a claim in compliance with New York laws and federal laws.
After a car accident an attorney must immediately collect evidence such as photographs and videos of the site of the crash damaged vehicles, and structures involved in the crash. The attorney should also question witnesses, and examine the black box on the truck. The lawyer should also review the documents of the trucking company as well as driver logbooks and other documents which can demonstrate negligence. The attorney should also determine the types of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) as well as non-financial losses (pain and mental anguish and loss of enjoyment).