18 Wheeler Attorneys
18-wheeler trucks are huge vehicles that pose a significant danger to other motorists on the road. Unfortunately, they are often involved in serious accidents that cause serious injuries or even death.
The first step towards recovering the financial damages incurred in an 18 wheeler accident is to find an attorney for personal injuries. A qualified legal team will help to build a strong case based on evidence such as:
Fatigue
Fatigued truckers are the reason behind many 18-wheeler collisions. These accidents are usually disastrous and can cause devastating injuries and deaths. If truck drivers are tired they are also more likely to disregard federal regulations and risk their lives. These risks include speeding, the use of stimulants to combat fatigue, and inattention.
It is against federal law to operate a commercial motor vehicle while drowsy. However, unscrupulous transportation companies make excessive demands of their truck drivers, and pressure them to skip breaks and alter log books. It is a risk to drive tired for everyone on the road.
The fatigue of truck drivers can result from a poor diet and inconsistent schedules. These individuals may be tempted to take a quick bite at gas stations or convenience stores. These foods are typically filled with fat and simple carbohydrates which can make truck drivers feel exhausted. Many of them have irregular sleep patterns, which can make it difficult to get adequate rest. An attorney with expertise in Gretna 18 wheeler accidents will help you determine if fatigued truck drivers played a role in your accident.
Maintenance Issues
Truck drivers must meet certain requirements to drive commercial trucks, and companies and drivers must comply with strict Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. However, when these rules are not observed, or companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they place everyone on the road at risk.
hazardous materials, like explosives, flammables, or radiological materials, can be involved in large truck accidents. These substances are transported across America's roads. Hazmat drivers must undergo specialized instruction to safely load and deload their loads. If they fail to follow the correct procedures or are unable to manage the truck in harsh weather conditions, they can cause serious and fatal accidents.
Due due to their size as well as the huge blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to slow down or stop compared to traditional cars. If they fail to leave enough space, or if their brakes fail, motorists could be injured or killed. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all light sources including taillights and headlights turn signals and emergency flashers must function correctly.
Excessive weight
Trucks must adhere to certain weight limits. When an 18 wheeler is properly loaded it is not going to exceed the 80,000-pound limit. Because of negligence or the desire to make more money, some companies may violate these restrictions by allowing their trucks to be loaded over. This poses a risk to the safety of road users everywhere and could lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.
A truck that is overloaded will require more distance to stop than a smaller vehicle. It also creates blind spots which can cause harm to smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers might have trouble seeing out of these spaces especially when the truck is turning or changing lanes.
Based on the circumstances, there may be other responsible parties, in addition to the truck driver or the trucking company. It could be mechanics who do not properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who fail to secure cargo properly and transport or shipping companies that press drivers to adhere to deadlines. 18 wheeler accident attorney nebraska experienced 18 wheeler attorney will be able to identify these parties and investigate their actions in order to recover damages for victims of accidents.
Defective Design
The severity of injuries can be high when an enormous truck is involved. This is due to the enormous mass of these vehicles, but it can also be caused by a range of other reasons, such as defective parts or mechanical failures.
The brakes and tires are two of the most frequently used components that fail in 18 wheeler accidents however, there are other issues to consider. For instance cargo that is not properly loaded could put the truck at an increased risk of rolling 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 lead to fatal accidents.
Our team has a wealth of experience prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective components. We also have experience at working with design engineers to determine negligence. We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve. We also defend ourselves against negligent trucking firms that encourage their drivers to engage in unsafe driving habits, like ignoring safety laws and rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines for delivery.
Negligence
The litigation surrounding truck accidents is complicated because it is a mix of the theories and concepts of many different fields like chemistry, physics, federal trucking regulations biology, driving standard, medicine economics, and more. It is imperative that the person who is injured in a collision seeks out an experienced lawyer. The lawyer can help the victim of a collision to get an acceptable settlement without having to invest any money upfront.
The lawyer can also negotiate with insurance companies and other parties at fault who could try to take advantage of a truck accident victim. The attorney can also help victims of a collision make a claim that is in line with New York laws and federal laws.
Following a collision with a truck an attorney must be quick to gather evidence including photographs and videos of the scene damaged vehicles, and structures that were involved in the crash. The lawyer should also talk to witnesses and look over the black box of the truck. The lawyer should also review the documents of the trucking firm the driver's logbooks, as well as other documents that can show negligence. The attorney must also decide what damages are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repair costs for property) as well as non-financial losses (pain and discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment).