aurora semi truck accident lawyer sustained during a crash with semi-trucks can cost someone in medical bills. It can also result in permanent disabilities that require expensive equipment and long-term physical therapy.
After a collision is essential to retain an experienced New York truck accident attorney to assist you. A qualified lawyer will assist you in proving your case with evidence such as police reports or surveillance footage, for instance.
Poorly maintained vehicles
Owner-operators and companies that operate trucks often don't take the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are in good condition. This causes a large percentage of preventable crashes every year.
Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than passenger cars because of their larger size and heavier weight. Unfortunately working to meet deadlines and maximizing profits often take precedence over maintaining a fleet. Trucks are susceptible to mechanical issues that could lead to disastrous accidents.
The brakes of a truck need to be able stop and slow down the vehicle at a minute's notice. When the brake pads on a truck, lines, or return springs fail they could result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts should be regularly checked and repaired as necessary to maintain their good condition.
Poor-maintained tires can also be a major contributor to truck accidents. Tires that are worn-out may lose traction and cause the truck to roll over or skid. If a tire is damaged in some way, like having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically.
In addition to regular maintenance, trucks require regular inspections to spot mechanical problems before they lead to an accident. However, if an inspection is not done correctly or the repair shop does not adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines, it could cause an accident. In these instances, the company that employed the repair or maintenance company or was the one who supervised it could be held accountable.
Faulty lights, signals and reflectors are a common cause of truck accident. These elements must be properly functioning to allow drivers to see their truck and anticipate its movements, particularly in rural areas or at night. However, trucking companies could not inspect and maintain these components or the driver could not perform regular safety checks.
A reliable Houston truck accident lawyer will examine your case to determine which parties may be liable for your damages when you've been injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained commercial truck. These investigations can uncover evidence that proves the defendant's negligence and help you get the compensation you're entitled to.
Distracted Drivers
There aren't many things more devastating than an incident involving a commercial truck. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 25 times the weight of your car and can cause more severe injuries in a crash. While many factors cause accidents but distracted driving is among of the most prevalent and risky. A truck driver who is distracted might lose control of their vehicle, or fail to see an accident on the road, which could lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has strict rules and regulations for truck drivers. This includes a ban on texting and using mobile phones while operating their vehicles. Even if truckers follow the rules, they can still become distracted and cause crashes. This can be the result of manual distractions such as dropping a hand off of the wheel or mental distractions such as thinking about something other than driving.
While most people understand that it is risky to text and drive, very few are aware that other activities, such as eating, changing the radio station or conversing with a passenger could also be deemed as distracting. If a truck driver is distracted, they may drift into another lane or fail to notice the traffic jam ahead of them. When a trucker's attention is diverted, it takes only just a few seconds for a huge vehicle to strike a passenger car.
If a car accident occurs due to distracted driving it is vital to take photos of the scene of the accident and note down the name and contact information of witnesses. It is also beneficial to know the name of the driver who is driving the truck and the company they are employed by, as well and who owns the truck if it is an independent contractor. This could have an effect on who is accountable for the incident, since it is the responsibility of the trucking firm to find competent and skilled truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partly responsible for your accident, they could be held accountable to you for economic and non-economic damage.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions with trucks are quite common and can cause severe injuries. They can happen in a variety settings, such as at a red light or stop sign when the trucker fails to check their surroundings for traffic in the direction of oncoming traffic. They can also occur when a car crashes into front of the truck, which forces the driver to apply their brakes without warning. The trucker could then hit the car from behind.
It can be difficult to establish fault when there's rear-end collisions as it's not always evident the vehicle that was at fault. An experienced lawyer can gather evidence to prove that the driver in the back caused the accident by following too closely, or driving with a distraction. This can include evidence like photographs, police reports, eyewitness testimony and skid marks in the road.
The driver in the front of the car could also be liable for the accident. This can happen when they cut off someone else or fail utilize a turn signal in the same manner as any other reasonable person would do. In this kind of situation an amended comparative negligence law can be applied. The jury will assign a percentage of blame to each of the parties. Damages will be reduced accordingly.
Lacerations and Bruises
The rear end of the vehicle is the one that is most affected in a rear-end collision so occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries when they hit their head against the dashboard or back windows. They also may break bones due to being bounced around the interior of the car by the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be severe. The spinal cord is home to many nerves that regulate the body, and any damage to the spinal column may cause significant and permanent problems for victims.
In addition to these kinds of injuries, a victim may also experience psychological and emotional traumas as a result of being in a horrific crash. They might have trouble sleeping or concentrating, which may lead to depression and anxiety. If they are unable to work due to the seriousness of their injury this could cause stress and financial hardship. An attorney will investigate the possible causes of liability to ensure that the victim receives the right amount of compensation for their loss.
Troublesome trailer hitches
It doesn't matter if you're driving either a car, van, a truck, or a flatbed, all vehicles have to be securely attached to their trailers. When a trailer becomes unexpectedly unhitched, it could result in catastrophic accidents that result in severe injuries or even death. If you've been injured in a car accident caused by a truck that has run away get in touch with an experienced lawyer who is skilled in cases involving the failure of a hitch to discuss your legal options.
A defective trailer hitch could be caused by many different things, from improper security to design flaws. It could be caused by an issue on the part of the manufacturer in which case product liability law could be applicable. The person or company at fault for a faulty trailer is liable for victims' medical bills and auto repair expenses, as well as other losses that result from the incident.
For instance in a fatal crash that took place in January 2014 on an Ohio road that is locally referred to as "Devil's Backbone," a trailer came loose from the truck and crashed head-on into two cars behind it. Initial investigations attributed the crash to the truck driver's inattention to examine and secure the hitch. In June 2015 however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch and an Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was the cause of the crash.
Due to the defective hitch due to the hitch's failure, the trailer struck the sides of the vehicles and then crashed into them head-on. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries for the drivers.
The truck driver who was involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However, experts suggest that he could've avoided the collision if he'd performed an in-depth inspection of his trailer to ensure all connections were tight. The failure of trailer hitches can cause major catastrophes. These kinds of incidents are usually high-speed and are able to sidewipe motorcycles or other smaller vehicles. In such instances the trailer may distort a car's frame and force sharp metal pieces to strike the passengers inside.