Why You Need a Semi Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you may require an attorney who handles semi truck accidents. These accidents are unique and you'll require someone who is familiar with the laws and regulations applicable to commercial trucks.
There are many parties who could be held responsible for a truck accident, including the driver the trucking company the manufacturer, and more. A skilled lawyer will know how to navigate through all of these areas to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
1. Human error
Human error is a huge factor in truck accidents. In fact, 87 percent of truck accidents result from the possibility of human error. This is due to the fact that most people don't understand all the factors involved in getting a large tractor or 18-wheeler onto a road and keeping it safe.
In addition, truckers who work long hours and not getting enough rest can cause fatal accidents. The data indicates that 30 percent of all truck accident fatalities result from fatigue of the driver.
Truckers must follow all state and federal regulations regarding how long they can drive per day and how many hours of sleep they must get before they are able to drive again. This helps prevent accidents from happening in the first place and also provides the safety of other drivers.
Human mistakes are a complicated matter that involves a variety of people and situations. This makes it difficult to determine who is at fault for an accident and what you deserve for your injuries. It is necessary to work with an experienced large truck crash attorney to investigate the causes of a collision to determine who could be at legal responsibility for paying you money damages.
2. Defective equipment
There are many things that could be wrong with large industrial equipment and machinery, including malfunctioning safety systems and defective parts. Defective equipment can cause injuries that can cause deaths or life-altering effects for workers and other people.
Failures in equipment can cause financial losses and damage to a company's reputation. arlington truck accident attorneys that are not properly constructed can cause falls and injuries and electrical equipment could have a defective insulation that could cause burns and electrocution.
Furthermore, issues with parts of the truck and trailer can be dangerous to other drivers. For example an issue with the brake system could make it difficult for a truck driver to control the vehicle.
This can lead to a variety of truck accidents, such as rear-end crashes and collisions with other vehicles. Brakes can fail due manufacturing problems or the lack of maintenance from the mechanic.
In some instances manufacturers can be held accountable for the defective equipment. If an issue with a piece of equipment is the cause of an accident, a semi truck accident attorney may seek compensation from the manufacturer.
3. Long hours
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the amount of time truckers are able to work during the week. These limits are intended to prevent fatigue that can lead to numerous accidents.
Many truck drivers don't stick to the rules. To meet their company's mileage goals they go over these limits. This can lead them to have erratic driving habits and increased accidents risk.
Long commutes and lack of sleep can all result in long working hours, and a decreased ability to complete tasks on time. All of these factors can lead to burnout and stress, which could have a profound impact on your ability your job at a high-quality.
Despite the risks of working for long hours, it's important to remember that you're entitled to an honest shake. The best way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced semi truck accident attorney.
A good lawyer can help you make an insurance claim, collect damages, or demonstrate negligence on behalf of the parties responsible. A professional will take the time to review your case to determine the best method to receive the compensation you're entitled to.
4. Negligence
Negligence is any act which violates a person's obligation of care to the public. It is the foundation for the majority of personal injuries claims. This duty of care can include hiring and training safe drivers and testing them for drug use and alcohol consumption, and maintaining trucks properly.
Distracted driving - Truck drivers frequently have multiple tasks to complete while on the road, which could result in accidents. Distracted driving is a crime.
Equipment failure - In a few instances, a defect or defect in the truck or trailer itself could be the cause of an accident. You can file a product liability claim against the truck manufacturer or trailer manufacturer, as well as any of the parts that were involved in an accident.
Cargo loaders - Companies that load trucks also have the responsibility to ensure that the cargo is properly secured and balanced. Unbalanced or loose cargo may cause a truck driver lose control, which can lead to an accident.
A skilled semi truck accident attorney is recommended when you or someone you know was injured in a truck crash. They are experienced in these kinds of cases and can assist you to prove negligence caused your injuries.
5. Defective design
An experienced attorney should scrutinize the maintenance records of the semi truck and records of the manufacturer to determine the reason for an accident. These records can be used by an experienced Louisiana truck accident lawyer to determine design flaws that could be used in the case of a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
The law of product liability states that a manufacturer can be held responsible for defectively designed products when there are reasonable risks of injury. To prove claims of design defects, plaintiffs must prove that a safer product was available at time of injury and that a safer alternative would have prevented the injury, without any impact on the product's use.
At McCartney Stucky LLC, our founders have years of experience handling heavy truck crashworthiness cases and can assist you to get compensation for your injuries. If you've been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident caused by a defective truck, please contact our team as soon as you can.
6. Defective maintenance
Maintenance is crucial in the trucking industry to ensure freight and drivers are secure. Unprofessional maintenance can cause tire blowouts, brake malfunctions, and other hazards. Defective maintenance could cause serious truck accidents that result in injury or even death.
Large trucks are frequently involved in accidents due to poor maintenance. Fortunately, the majority of accidents are preventable.
Companies can improve their performance and reduce the risk of failure by planning maintenance. These include following safety procedures as well as regularly checking equipment and performing routine maintenance.
Although it can be a challenge to design a system for maintenance, it can save you money and help to avoid future accidents. In reality the cost of preventative maintenance may often be less than paying for repairs following an accident.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of a company's maintenance of a residential or commercial property, the team at Leav & Steinberg LLP can help you find an answer to your case. For more information about our services get in touch with us. Our legal experts at our firm have years of experience in premises liability and will work to maximize your compensation.
7. Injuries
The weight and size of a semi truck could cause severe injury or death in the event of a collision with the vehicle of a passenger. In some instances, the truck's driver and the passengers in their vehicle die in these crashes.
There are many types of injuries that could be sustained during semi-truck accidents, but the most common ones are broken bones , as well as other traumatic damage. Injuries can range from minor fractures up to amputations.
Amputations can be very serious injuries, since they can lead to permanent nerve damage, and possibly infection. They can also be painful and difficult to treat.
Spinal cord injuries are another type of severe injury that can be sustained in an accident involving a semi-truck. A spinal injury can cause physical and cognitive impairments that can last a life time.
Head and neck injuries are also common in semi-truck accidents. These injuries can be caused by the force of the crash or by flying objects that strike the victim's neck or head. Based on the nature of the accident these injuries can result in whiplash or a traumatic brain injury.