Why You Need a Semi Truck Accident Attorney
If you or someone close to you has been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, you might need to employ an attorney who handles semi truck accidents. These kinds of accidents are not common and require someone who is familiar with the laws and regulations applicable to commercial trucks.
There are many parties who are liable in the event of an accident with a truck, such as the driver and the trucking company, the manufacturer, and more. A competent lawyer will be able to navigate through all of these areas and ensure that 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 some type of error. This is because most people don't have a complete understanding of the elements involved in the process of getting a big rig or eighteen-wheeler onto the road and keeping it safe.
Truck drivers who work long hours and don't get enough sleep could also cause fatal accidents. The data indicates that 30 percent of fatal truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue.
Truckers must comply with all state and federal regulations regarding how long they can drive during a 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 ensures the safety of passengers as well as other drivers.
Human error is a complicated problem that can affect many people and different circumstances. It's difficult to determine who is responsible for the accident and how much you should be paid for your injuries. An experienced attorney who specializes in large truck crashes can help you determine who is legally responsible for your damages.
2. Defective equipment
Large industrial machinery and equipment can be subject to many issues, including malfunctioning safety devices as well as defective parts. Defective equipment can cause injuries which can result in fatalities or life-altering outcomes for workers and others.
The malfunctioning equipment could damage a company's reputation and result in financial losses. Incorrect ladders can lead to injuries and falls, and faulty insulation could result in burns or electrocution.
Defects in the truck or trailer components can pose a risk to other drivers. For instance an inoperable brake system 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, as well as collisions with other trucks. Brakes can fail due to manufacturing problems or the lack of maintenance by the mechanic.
In some cases the manufacturer of the equipment that is defective can be held responsible. A semi truck accident lawyer can seek compensation from the manufacturer if the defect in an equipment piece is the cause of an accident.
3. Long hours
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours truckers are able to work during a week. These limits are meant to avoid fatigue that can lead to many accidents.
Many truck drivers don't adhere to the rules. In order to meet their company's goals for mileage, they go over the limits. This can lead to erratic driving habits and an increase in accidents risk.
Long hours can also lead to long commutes, lack of sleep, and the inability to finish tasks by the deadline. All of these factors can lead to burnout and stress, which can have a huge impact on your ability your job at a high-quality.
While working long hours can be dangerous, it is important to be aware that you are entitled to fair treatment. The best way to safeguard yourself is by hiring an experienced attorney for semi truck accidents.
An experienced lawyer can help you file the proper insurance claim, recover damages and prove negligence on the part of the liable parties. A professional will look over your case to determine the best method to secure the compensation you're entitled to.
4. Negligence
Negligence is defined as any act which violates a person's obligation of care for the public. It is the reason for the majority of personal injury lawsuits. This duty of care includes hiring and training safe drivers, as well as testing them for alcohol and drug use, and ensuring that trucks are maintained in a proper manner.
Distracted driving - Truck drivers typically have multiple tasks to complete while on the roads, which can lead to accidents. trucking lawyers is important to obey the law regarding distracted driving.
Equipment failure A lot of times, an accident can be caused by an issue with the truck trailer or truck. It is possible to bring an action for product liability against the manufacturer of the truck, trailer or any component that caused an accident.
Cargo loaders: The companies who load trucks also have the responsibility to ensure that the cargo is secured and balanced. Unbalanced or loose cargo can cause a truck driver lose control and could cause an accident.
An experienced semi truck crash attorney is recommended when you or someone you love has been injured in a collision with a truck. They are well-versed in these types of cases and can assist you to determine if negligence is the reason for your injuries.
5. Defective design
An experienced attorney should scrutinize the maintenance records for the semi truck as well as the manufacturer's records to determine the cause of an accident. These records can be utilized by a skilled Louisiana truck accident lawyer to identify design defects that could be used in an action against a manufacturer.
Laws governing product liability state that a manufacturer is responsible for a defectively designed product when the risks of injury could have been avoided through the adoption of a reasonable alternative design. To establish a claim of design defect, plaintiffs must prove that a safer model existed at time of injury and that a less hazardous alternative would have prevented the injury, without impacting the utility of the product.
At McCartney Stucky LLC, our founders have years of experience handling heavy truck crashworthiness cases and can help you get compensation for your injuries. If you've been injured or have a loved one who has been killed in an accident caused by a defective truck, get in touch with our team as soon as possible.
6. Defective maintenance
In the trucking industry, maintenance is key in keeping freight and drivers moving safely. Unprofessional maintenance can cause tire blowouts, brake malfunctions and other dangers. Poor maintenance can also result in serious truck accidents that result in injury or even death.
Defective maintenance is one of the most frequent causes of accidents with large trucks. Fortunately, most of these accidents are avoidable.
Companies can improve their performance and reduce failures by planning maintenance. This includes implementing safe procedures, regularly checking equipment and performing routine maintenance.
Although it can be a challenge to create a system for maintenance, it will save you money and help to avoid future accidents. In reality the cost of preventative maintenance could often be less than the cost for repairs following an accident.
The team at Leav & Steinberg LLP can assist you if you've been injured in an accident caused by a company's negligent maintenance of a residential or commercial property. For more information on our services, please contact us. Our legal professionals at our firm have years of experience in premises liability. They will work hard to secure maximum compensation.
7. Injuries
The weight and size of a semi-truck can cause severe injuries or even death in the event of a collision with a passenger car. In some cases, the truck's driver and the passengers in the vehicle die in these accidents.
While there are many kinds of injuries that could occur in a semi truck accident, the most common are fractured bones and other injuries that are traumatic. The severity of injuries can vary from minor fractures up to amputations.
Amputations are dangerous injuries, as they can cause permanent nerve damage and infection. Amputations can also be painful and difficult to treat for patients.
Semitruck accidents can cause serious injuries such as spinal injuries. A spinal cord injury can leave victims with physical and mental impairments that may affect their lives for a long time to come.
Neck and head injuries are also common in semi truck accidents. These injuries could be caused by the force of the collision or flying objects that hit the victim's head or neck. Depending on the nature of the accident the injuries could cause whiplash or a traumatic brain injury.