clifton heights semi truck accident attorney Truck Accident Law

A semi-truck crash can result in a serious injury that can cost a person a lot in medical expenses. It could also cause permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term therapy.

It is crucial to have a professional New York truck accident lawyer to assist you after a crash. A skilled attorney can you prove your case with evidence like police reports, surveillance camera footage, and more.

Poorly maintained vehicles

Trucking companies and owners-operators often don't take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good repair. This negligence results in an astronomical number of preventable accidents occurring every year.

Compared to passenger cars, tractor-trailers and semis need more frequent maintenance due to their size and weight. load. However, the pressure of completing deadlines and maximizing profits is often more important than maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical problems that could cause catastrophes.

The brakes on a truck must be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a moment's notice. When brake pads, lines or return springs on a truck get worn out, it can lead to serious accidents and fatal injuries. These components must be regularly inspected and repaired as needed to ensure their good working condition.

Tires that aren't properly maintained can contribute to truck accidents. Tires that are worn down may lose traction and cause the truck to rollover or skid. If a tire is damaged in any way, for example, having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically.

The inspections are routine for trucks in addition to regular maintenance to spot mechanical issues before they can cause an accident. If an inspection was performed improperly or the repair shop does not follow the manufacturer's guidelines it could cause a crash. In these situations, a company that hired the repair or maintenance shop or managed it may be held liable.

Poorly functioning lights, signals and reflectors are another frequent cause of truck accident. These elements must be properly functioning to allow drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or after dark. Trucking companies or drivers could fail to maintain and inspect these elements, or they may not perform daily safety inspections.

A reputable Houston truck accident lawyer will review your case and determine who could be liable for your damages should you be injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. The investigation can uncover evidence to prove the defendant's negligence in your crash and help you obtain the compensation you're entitled to.

Distracted Drivers

The consequences of collisions with commercial trucks can be devastating. These massive vehicles can weigh as much as 25 times more than your car and cause much worse injuries in accidents. Distracted driving is just one of the many factors that can cause accidents. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize a hazard in the roadway, which could lead to serious and lawsuit life-threatening injuries.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and guidelines for truck drivers. This includes a prohibition on texting or using cellular phones while driving. Even if truckers abide by the rules, they can be distracted and cause an accident. This could be because of manual distractions, such as dropping a hand off of the wheel, or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.

While most people understand that it is risky to text and drive, few are aware that other activities like eating or changing the radio station or even talking to a passenger can also be considered to be distracting. If a trucker is distracted they may wander off into a different area and not be aware of an impending traffic jam. When a truck driver's attention is diverted, it takes only a split-second for a large vehicle to collide with a car.

When a truck collision is caused by distracted driving, it is important to take photos of the scene of the accident as well as collect the contact details and name of witnesses. It is also important to determine the name of the driver who is driving the truck and the company they work for, as well and who owns the truck if it is an independent contractor. This could have an effect on who is accountable for the accident, as it is the responsibility of the trucking company to find competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partially responsible in the accident, it could be liable to you for economic and non-economic damages.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions with trucks are frequent and frequently result in severe injuries. They can happen in a variety of situations for example, at the stop or red light signal, where the trucker is unable to look behind them for any traffic that is coming up. It can also happen when a car cuts across the truck's path, forcing the driver of the truck to stop at a rapid pace without warning. The trucker may then crash into the car from behind.

It can be hard to establish fault when there's rear-end collisions, as it isn't always certain the vehicle that was at fault. A knowledgeable attorney can find evidence to prove that the driver behind caused the crash due to following too closely or driving in a distracted manner. This can include evidence such as photos, police reports eyewitness testimony, and skid marks on the road.

The driver in front of the car may also be accountable for the collision. This can happen when they cut someone off, fail to use their turn signal in the way that a reasonable person would, or slam on the brakes at the very last minute, causing the driver behind to crash into the car directly in front of them. This type of scenario is where modified comparative negligence laws can be applied, in which the jury assigns a percentage to each party and damages are reduced accordingly.

Lacerations, Bruises and Bruises

In a rear-end collision, the rear end of the vehicle is the part that takes the most force. This means that passengers are at risk of serious injuries if they hit their heads against the dashboard or the back window. They can also suffer broken bones after being scattered around the interior of the car by the force of the collision. The severity of spinal injuries can be devastating. Injuries to the spine can cause serious and lasting effects on victims.

In addition to these types of injuries, a victim may also be suffering from psychological and emotional trauma from having been involved in a terrible crash. They may have difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, which could lead them to anxiety and depression. If they are unable work due to the seriousness of their injury this can add stress and financial hardship. An attorney can research all possible sources of liability and assist the victim in seeking an appropriate amount of compensation for their loss.

Problematic trailer hitches

All vehicles, regardless of whether they are a vehicle, a car, a truck, van, flatbed, or van are required to be securely connected to their trailers. Unintentionally removing a trailer's hitch can cause catastrophic accidents that can lead to severe injuries or even death. If you've been injured in a collision involving the trailer that is running away, you should contact a qualified vehicle accident attorney who specializes in cases involving hitch failure immediately to discuss your legal options.

The cause of a faulty trailer hitch can be a variety of things, ranging from improper securing or defective design. It could be the result of a defect in the manufacturing process or a manufacturing defect, in which case the product liability laws may apply. The company or the person who is at responsible for the malfunction of a trailer is responsible for the cost of medical bills and auto repair costs and other losses related to the incident.

For example there was a fatal crash that occurred in January 2014 on an Ohio road known locally as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came free from the truck, and was thrown through the air into two cars that were behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's inattention to examine and secure the hitch. However, in June 2015 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to investigate the possibility that a manufacturing defect caused the hitch that was involved in the crash -- an Ultra LT manufactured by Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama -- to malfunction on a large proportion of occasions.

The trailer struck the side of the vehicles, and then crashed into them. The result was numerous fatalities and serious injuries for the drivers.

The driver of the truck involved in the incident was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter. However, experts believe he could have avoided the collision with the other vehicles if he done a thorough visual inspection of his trailer and ensured that all connections were in good order. The failure of a trailer's hitches can result in serious accidents, since these incidents often involve a lot of speed and may wipe smaller cars or motorcycles. In these instances the trailer may distort the car's frame, and cause razor sharp metal fragments to impale passengers inside.