"Ask Me Anything": Ten Responses To Your Questions About Best 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

18 wheeler accident lawsuit Wheeler Attorneys

18 wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that create a major danger to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are often involved in serious accidents that result in severe injuries or death.

The hiring of a personal injury lawyer is the initial step in recovering monetary damages after an 18-wheeler accident. A qualified legal team will help you build solid evidence like:

Fatigue

Tired truck drivers are the cause for a significant portion of 18 wheeler collisions. These accidents are usually fatal and cause devastating injuries. When truck drivers are tired they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and take risks. This includes speeding, utilizing stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.

It is against federal law to operate commercial motor vehicles when drowsy. However, unscrupulous transport companies put excessive demands on their truck drivers and force them to miss breaks and alter log books. It is a risk to drive tired for every driver on the road.

A poor diet and erratic schedules can also lead to fatigue in truck drivers. People who are fatigued may be enticed to eat fast food at gas stations or convenience stores which are typically high in simple carbohydrates and fats, which can make truck drivers feel sluggish. Furthermore, many of these individuals are on irregular sleep schedules that make it difficult for them to get enough rest. An attorney that specializes in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents can assist you to determine if the fatigue of a truck driver caused the accident.

Maintenance Issues

Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications in order to operate commercial trucks. Drivers and employers must adhere to Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety checks, and maintenance. However, when these rules are ignored, or when companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they put everyone on the road at risk.

The hazardous substances, such as flammables, explosives, or radiological items, are involved in truck accidents involving large trucks. These chemicals are transported across all roads in America. Hazmat drivers must go through specialized training to ensure that they are able to safely load and unload their loads. If they don't follow the proper procedures or are not able to handle the truck in poor weather conditions, they could cause serious and fatal accidents.

Due to their size and huge blind spots, 18-wheelers need longer to stop or slow down when compared to conventional vehicles. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they do not leave enough space, or if their brakes fail. Headlights, for example and tail lights, emergency flashers and turn signals must all be functioning properly to ensure safe operation of these vehicles.

Excessive Weight

Trucks must abide by specific weight limits. If an 18-wheeler is properly loaded, it won't exceed the limit of 80,000 pounds. However because of negligence or 18 wheeler accidents a desire to earn more money, companies could violate these restrictions and allow their trucks to overload. This poses a significant risk for the safety of everyone driving and can lead to serious accidents in the case of a collision.

A truck that is overloaded will require more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. This can also create blind spots that can be dangerous for smaller vehicles. An inexperienced driver may have a difficult time being able to see out of these areas, especially when the truck is turning or changing lanes.

Other parties may be also liable, based on the specific circumstances. This could include mechanics who do not properly check or maintain trucks and loading crews who fail to properly secure cargo; or shipping and transport companies themselves. These could include mechanics who improperly inspect or service trucks, loading crews that aren't able to properly secure cargo and shipping or transport firms that pressure drivers to adhere to deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify these parties and look into their actions to obtain compensation for victims of accidents.

Defective Design

When a large-sized truck is involved in an accident, the consequences could be devastating. The weight of the trucks is a major factor, but other factors can be contributing to this, such as defective parts or mechanical failures.

Tires and brakes are two of the most frequently used components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents, but there are other factors to consider. For example, cargo that is not properly loaded could place the truck at greater risk of rolling over or collision with other vehicles on the road. If these issues aren't taken care of by the trucking companies or maintenance service providers they could cause fatal accidents.

Our team is experienced in prosecuting truck and commercial vehicle cases involving defective parts and we have a great deal of experience working with experienced design engineers to prove negligence. We are committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they are entitled to. We also fight for justice against negligent trucking companies who encourage their drivers to engage in dangerous driving practices, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.

Negligence

The litigation involving truck accidents is a tangled legal process because it involves various fields like chemistry, physics and federal trucking regulations, biology, medicine, driving standards and economics. This is why it's best for a truck accident victim to consult an experienced lawyer. A lawyer can assist the victim of a truck accident receive a fair settlement without having to spend any upfront money.

The lawyer is also able to deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties who may be enticed by the opportunity to take advantage of the victim of a car accident. The lawyer can also assist victims of accidents with trucks make a claim that is in line with New York laws and federal laws.

After a collision with a truck an attorney needs to act swiftly to gather evidence, including photographs and videos of the scene, damage to vehicles, and structures involved in accidents. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and look into the truck's black box. The lawyer should also study the records of the trucking company the driver's logbooks, 18 wheeler accidents as well as other documents which can prove negligence. The attorney should also identify the types of damages that can be recovered. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and property repair costs), and non-financial damages (pain and discomfort, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment in life).