18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a significant hazard to other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, they can be involved in serious accidents that result in serious injuries, or even death.
The first step in regaining monetary damages in an 18-wheeler accident is to hire an attorney for personal injuries. A qualified legal team can help you create a strong case using evidence like:
Fatigue
Fatigued truck drivers are responsible for a significant percentage of 18 wheeler collisions. They are often fatal and cause catastrophic injuries. When truck drivers are tired, they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and take risks. These risks include speeding, using stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.
Federal law prohibits driving a commercial vehicle in a state of drowsiness. Unscrupulous transport companies, however, put excessive demands on truck drivers. They make them skip breaks and falsify their log books. Being tired and driving is risky for all drivers.
The fatigue of truck drivers can result from a poor diet and irregular schedules. People who are fatigued may be tempted to buy fast food at convenience stores or at gas stations which are often loaded on fat and simple carbs. This can cause truckers to feel tired and sluggish. Many of these people have irregular sleep patterns which makes it difficult for them to get adequate rest. 18 wheeler accident attorney oakland , LA 18 wheeler lawyer can help you determine whether fatigue of the truck driver was the cause of your crash.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers are required to be able to meet certain requirements to drive commercial vehicles. Companies and drivers must also comply with Federal regulations on hours of service, safety checks, and maintenance. When these laws are ignored or companies make a sloppy effort to save money on maintenance the rest of us on the road at risk.
hazardous materials, like flammables, explosives, or radiological substances, could be involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These chemicals are transported across every road in America. Hazmat drivers have to undergo special training to safely load and unload their trucks. However, if they fail to follow the correct procedures or aren't able to control a truck in bad weather conditions, they could cause serious and fatal accidents.
Due to their size and the large blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to stop or slow down as compared to cars of the traditional type. Other motorists could be injured or even killed if they fail to leave enough space or their brakes fail. Light defects like headlights as well as tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals must be functioning properly to ensure the safety of these vehicles.
Excessive weight
Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. When an 18-wheeler has been properly loaded, the weight limit will not exceed the weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Due to inattention or a desire to earn more money, some businesses could violate these regulations by allowing their trucks to be overloaded. This poses a significant risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could lead to serious accidents in the event of an accident.
A truck that is overloaded will require more space to stop compared to smaller vehicles. This can also create blind spots that are unsafe for smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers may have difficulty to see out of these areas. This is especially true when the truck makes a turn or changes lanes.
Other parties may be held accountable, based on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics that fail to properly inspect or maintain their trucks; loading crews that fail to properly secure cargo or transport and shipping companies themselves. This could include mechanics who do not properly inspect or maintain trucks; loading crews that fail to properly secure cargo; and the shipping or transport companies themselves who pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced lawyer who is skilled in 18 wheeler accidents can determine the parties responsible and investigate their actions. seek damages on behalf of accident victims.
Defective Design
Injuries can be very serious when a large truck is involved. This is due to the enormous weight of these vehicles, but it can also be caused by a number of other factors including mechanical failures or defective parts.
The brakes and tires can fail in 18-wheeler accidents. But there are also other problems. For example cargo that isn't properly loaded could cause the truck to be at the risk of crashing over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't addressed by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could result in fatal accidents.
Our team has extensive experience in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicles cases involving defective components. We are also skilled in working with engineers who design the parts to establish negligent conduct. We are dedicated to helping our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking companies who encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices, including driving in violation of safety laws and trying to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
Truck accident litigation is a tangled legal process because it involves various areas like physics, chemistry as well as federal trucking regulations biology, medicine driving standards, and economics. This is the reason why it is recommended for a truck crash victim to consult an experienced lawyer. An attorney can help a truck accident victim get an appropriate settlement, without having to pay upfront cash.
The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties who may be tempted to take advantage of the victim of a car accident. Additionally, the lawyer can help the truck accident victim submit a claim in compliance with New York and federal laws.
After a truck crash an attorney needs to act immediately to gather evidence, including photos and videos of the crash scene as well as damage to vehicles and structures involved in accidents. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and look over the black box in the truck. The lawyer should also study the records of the trucking company such as driver logbooks, driver's logbooks and other records that may be used to prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the extent of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property), and non-financial damages (pain and mental discomfort and loss of enjoyment in life).