Why You Need a Semi Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you may have to engage an attorney who handles semi truck accidents. These kinds of accidents are not common and you will need someone who is knowledgeable of the laws and regulations applicable to commercial trucks.
Truck accidents can create liability for many parties including the trucking company, driver, manufacturer, and many others. A knowledgeable lawyer knows how to navigate these areas, and will ensure you get the compensation that you deserve.
1. Human error
Human error is a major factor in truck accidents. In fact, 87 percent of truck accidents are caused by the possibility of error. This is because a majority of people don't understand all the elements that go into getting a large tractor or 18-wheeler onto a road and maintaining its safety.
In addition, truckers who work for long hours without getting enough rest could cause fatal accidents. Research shows that fatigued drivers is responsible for 30 percent of all truck accidents deaths.
Truckers must adhere to all federal and state regulations regarding the length of time they can drive during a day and how much rest they need before they can drive again. This prevents accidents from happening in the first place, and also provides safety for other drivers.
Human error is a difficult problem that can affect many individuals and different situations. It's difficult to determine who is responsible for the accident and how much you are entitled to for your injuries. It requires the assistance of an experienced large truck crash lawyer to analyze the cause of a collision to determine who might be the one with legal responsibility for paying money damages.
2. Defective equipment
Large industrial equipment and machinery can be susceptible to many problems, including malfunctioning safety devices and faulty parts. The result of injuries caused by defective equipment could turn a routine day at the workplace into a life-threatening or fatal circumstance for workers and the people surrounding them.
Failures in equipment can cause financial damages and even damage to a company's reputation. truck accident lawyers can lead to injuries and falls, while poor insulation could lead to electrocution or burns.
Additionally, the defects in the parts of the trailer and truck can be dangerous to other drivers. For example a brake system that is not working properly could make it difficult for truck drivers to control the vehicle.
This could lead to a variety of truck accidents, such as rear-end collisions and collisions other trucks. Brakes can fail due to manufacturing problems or the lack of maintenance from the mechanic.
In some instances, the manufacturer of the equipment that is defective could be held accountable. If an issue with a piece of equipment is the reason of an accident, a semi-truck accident attorney can seek compensation from the manufacturer.
3. Long hours
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the number of hours that truckers are allowed to work each week. These limits are intended to stop fatigue, which can be an element in many accidents.
A lot of truck drivers don't adhere to the rules. In order to meet their company's mileage goals they exceed these limits. This can result in numerous issues, including overworked drivers as well as erratic driving habits and an increased chance of accidents.
Long hours can also result in long commutes, lack of sleep, and an inability to complete tasks before the deadline. All of these contribute to burnout and stress, which can have a significant impact on your ability to perform your job at a high level.
Despite the dangers of working for long hours, it's important to remember that you are entitled to fair treatment. A semi truck accident lawyer is the best way to ensure your rights are protected.
The right lawyer can help you file the proper insurance claim, obtain damages and show negligence on the part of parties responsible. A good lawyer will look over your case to determine the best course of action to secure the compensation you deserve.
4. Negligence
Negligence refers to any action that violates a person's duty of care for the public and is the reason for the majority of personal injury lawsuits. This duty of care includes hiring and educating safe drivers, as well as testing for alcohol and substance use, and maintaining trucks in a way that is safe.
Distracted driving - Truckers often perform multiple tasks while driving on the road, which could result in accidents. Distracted driving is a crime.
Equipment failure - In some cases, a defect in the trailer or the truck itself could be the cause of an accident. You could file a Product Liability case against the truck or trailer manufacturer, or any of the parts that were involved to the accident.
Cargo loaders – Companies who load trucks are responsible to ensure that cargo is properly secured. Truck drivers may lose control of their trucks if they have unbalanced or unbalanced cargo. This can lead to accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is essential to contact an experienced semi truck accident lawyer. They know how to investigate these cases and will help you establish that negligence was the cause of your injuries.
5. Defective design
An experienced attorney should scrutinize the maintenance records for the semi truck and records of the manufacturer to determine the cause of an accident. These data can be used by an experienced Louisiana truck accident attorney to find design flaws that could be used in a lawsuit against a manufacturer.
Product liability law says that a manufacturer may be held liable for defectively designed products if there are reasonable risks of injury. To prove a claim for design defects the plaintiffs must prove that a safer product was available at the time of harm and that a less dangerous alternative would have prevented the harm without negatively impacting the utility of the product.
McCartney Stucky LLC's founders have a wealth of experience handling cases that involve high-risk truck crashes and can assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries. If you've suffered injuries or a loved one has been killed in an accident caused by a defective heavy truck, contact our team as soon as you can.
6. Defective maintenance
Maintenance is vital in the trucking industry to ensure the safety of both freight and drivers is assured. Unprofessional maintenance can cause tire blowouts, brake malfunctions and other risks. Incorrect maintenance can result in serious truck accidents that cause injuries or death.
Maintenance issues are among the most common causes of accidents which involve large trucks. Most of these accidents could be prevented.
Planning maintenance is an essential element of any business and businesses can take steps to increase their efficiency and reduce the number of failures by taking preventative measures. This includes implementing safe procedures, regularly inspecting equipment and performing routine maintenance.
Although it isn't easy to establish a system to manage maintenance, it will save you money and to avoid future accidents. In reality, the cost of preventative maintenance may typically be less than paying for repairs following an accident.
The team at Leav & Steinberg LLP can help if you have been injured in an accident that was caused by a company's negligent maintenance of a residential or commercial property. Contact us for more information about our services. Our legal experts at our firm have a wealth of experience in premises liability and will work hard to maximize your compensation.
7. Injuries
A semi truck's size and weight could result in severe injury or death if it is struck by a car. In some cases the driver of the truck as well as the passengers in their vehicle are killed in these crashes.
There are a variety of injuries that can be sustained from semi truck accidents however the most common ones are fractured bones as well as other trauma injuries. The severity of injuries ranges from minor fractures up to amputations.
Amputations are extremely serious injuries, as they can cause permanent nerve damage, and possibly infection. They can be extremely painful and difficult to treat.
Spinal cord injuries are a different type of severe injury that can happen in an accident involving semi trucks. A spinal cord injury can leave victims with cognitive and physical impairments that can affect their lives for a long time to come.
Semitruck accidents can also result in neck and head injuries to the head and neck. These injuries can be caused by the impact of a crash or flying objects hitting the head or neck of the victim. These injuries can cause whiplash, or traumatic brain injuries, based on the crash.