semi truck accident law firm Truck Accident Law

A semi truck accident-truck collision can result in an injury of a serious nature that could cost the victim a significant amount in medical bills. It can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.

After a crash, it is crucial to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney to assist you. A qualified attorney can help establish your case through evidence like police reports, surveillance camera footage, and more.

Vehicles that are poorly maintained

Owner-operators and trucking companies typically fail to take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good working order. This can lead to many avoidable accidents every year.

Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than cars used for passenger transport due to their dimensions and larger weight. Unfortunately, the pressure of meeting deadlines and maximizing profits can overtake maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical problems that could result in catastrophes.

The brakes on a truck must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a minute’s notice. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck are worn out and become damaged, it can result in serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components must be regularly checked and repaired as necessary to maintain their good condition.

Tires that aren’t well maintained can also be a major factor in truck accidents. Tires that are worn out may lose traction and cause the truck to slide or even tip over. Tires that are defective because of inadequate air pressure or tread design may fail catastrophically.

In addition to regular maintenance, trucks must undergo regular inspections to identify mechanical problems before they lead to an accident. If an inspection is done in a way that is not correct or if the repair shop fails to adhere to the manufacturer’s specifications, it can cause an accident. In these instances, the company that hired or supervised the maintenance or repair shop could be held accountable.

Incorrect lights, signals and reflectors are another common cause of truck accident. These components must function properly so that drivers can be aware of and anticipate the speed of the truck particularly when driving in rural areas or at night. Drivers or trucking companies may not be able to maintain and inspect these equipment, or may not perform daily safety inspections.

A Houston truck accident attorney can review your case and determine who may be responsible for your damages in the event that you were injured from a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence that shows the defendant’s negligence in the crash and help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

Distracted Drivers

Accidents involving commercial trucks can be devastating. These huge vehicles can weigh up 25-times more than your vehicle and cause far more injuries when involved in an accident. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and dangerous. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize an issue on the road, which could lead to life-threatening injuries.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and regulations for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cell phones while driving. Even if truckers follow the rules, they can still become distracted and cause a crash. This can be a result of manual distractions like dropping a hand off of the wheel, or 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 or changing radio stations or chatting with passengers, are also considered to be distracting. If a truck driver is distracted, they might drift into another lane or not be able to see an obstruction in front of them. When a trucker’s attention is diverted, it will only take one second for a massive vehicle to crash into a passenger car.

When a truck collision occurs due to distracted driving it is crucial to take photographs of the crash scene and note down the name and contact details of witnesses. It is important to determine the name of the driver, the business for which they work, and who owns the vehicle, if it’s an independent contractor. This could impact the person who is responsible for your incident since the trucking company is responsible for hiring skilled and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found be partially at fault for your accident, they may be liable for your economic and non-economic damages.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions between trucks are frequent and frequently result in serious injuries. These accidents can occur in a variety of circumstances, including at a stop sign or an intersection when the trucker fails to check behind him for any traffic that is coming up. They can also happen when a car crashes into front of the truck, causing the driver to use their brakes without warning. The trucker could then smash the car from behind.

It can be difficult to prove fault in rear-end collisions, since it’s not always clear which vehicle was responsible for the crash. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence that proves the driver at the rear was responsible for the crash because they followed too closely or distracted driving. This evidence could include photos or police reports, eyewitness testimony, aswell as skid marks in the road.

The driver in the front of the car could also be accountable for the incident. This can happen when they cut off someone else, fail to use their turn signal as any reasonable person would, or decide to slam on the brakes at the very last minute, causing the driver in the back to crash into the vehicle directly in the front of them. This kind of situation is where modified comparative negligence laws could be used, in which the jury assigns a percentage of fault to each party, and damages are reduced accordingly.

Lacerations and Bruises

The rear of the vehicle experiences the most impact 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. The force of the collision can cause broken bones if the occupants are thrown around the interior of the vehicle. Injuries to the spine can be extremely severe. The spinal cord contains a lot of nerves that regulate the body, therefore any injury to the spinal cord could cause serious and lasting issues for those affected.

A person who has been involved in a serious accident could also be suffering from psychological and emotional trauma. They may experience difficulty sleeping or concentrating which can lead them to depression and anxiety. If they are unable work due to the extent of their injury, it can create stress and financial hardship. An attorney can look into all possible sources of liability and help a victim seek fair compensation for their losses.

The trailer hitches are faulty.

All vehicles, whether they are a car, van, truck flatbed, van, need to be securely connected to their trailers. If a trailer goes unhitched, it could lead to catastrophic accidents that result in severe injuries or death. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving the trailer that is running away, you should contact a qualified vehicle accident attorney with a specialization in cases of hitch failure immediately to discuss your legal options.

The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch could be due to a variety of factors which can range from inadequate security or design. It could be due to a defect on the part of the manufacturer where case-by-case product liability law could be applicable. The company or the person responsible for a trailer that is defective is liable for the victim’s medical costs as well as auto repair costs and other losses that result from the incident.

In an accident that killed a person on a road in Ohio known as «Devil’s Backbone» in January 2014 a trailer detached from the truck. It then crashed into two cars directly behind it. The initial investigation blamed the accident to the truck 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 defect in the hitch that was an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the reason behind the crash.

As a result of the defective hitch, the trailer struck the sides of the vehicles and then crashed into them head-on. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries to the drivers of the vehicles.

The truck driver involved in the crash was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However, experts say that he could’ve avoided the crash had he conducted an extensive inspection of his trailer to make sure all connections were in good order. The failure of a trailer’s hitches can result in major catastrophes, since these accidents typically involve a large amount of speed and may sidewipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these situations the trailer may distort the car’s frame and push sharp metal pieces to sever the limbs of passengers in.