Semi Truck Accident Law A semi-truck collision can result in an injury of a serious nature that could cost a person a fortune in medical bills. It can also cause permanent disabilities requiring expensive equipment and ongoing physical therapy. After a crash, it is crucial to have an experienced New York truck accident attorney to assist you. A qualified attorney will help you prove your case using evidence like police reports or surveillance footage, for instance. Poorly maintained vehicles In a majority of cases trucking companies as well as owner-operators don't take the proper steps to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition. This causes many preventable accidents each year. Semis and tractor trailers require more frequent maintenance than passenger cars because of their larger size and heavier weight. However the pressure of completing deadlines and maximizing profits can overtake maintaining the fleet. Trucks can be prone to mechanical issues that could result in disastrous accidents. The brakes on a truck must be able to stop and slow down the vehicle at a moments notice. If the brake pads of a truck lines, lines, or return springs fail they can result in serious collisions and fatal injuries. These parts should be checked and repaired regularly as needed to ensure their good condition. Tires that aren't well maintained can also contribute to truck accidents. Tires that are worn-out could lose traction, causing the truck to overturn or slide. If a tire is damaged in some way, such as having the incorrect air pressure or tread design, it could fail catastrophically. The inspections are routine for trucks along with regular maintenance to spot mechanical issues prior to causing an incident. If an inspection is performed in a way that is not correct or if the repair shop fails to follow the manufacturer's instructions it could cause a crash. In these instances, the company that commissioned the maintenance or repair shop or managed it may be held liable. Another common cause of truck accidents is faulty lights, signals and reflectors. These components must be in good working to enable drivers to see the truck and anticipate its movements, especially in rural areas or at night. However, trucking firms may fail to check and maintain these components or the driver may not perform regular safety inspections. A Houston truck accident attorney will investigate your situation and determine who could be accountable for your damages in the event that you were injured by a poorly maintained commercial truck. Investigating your case can uncover evidence to prove the negligence of the defendant in the accident and assist you recover the compensation you deserve. Distracted Drivers There aren't many events more devastating than an incident with a commercial truck. These huge vehicles weigh up to 25 times the weight of your vehicle and may cause more serious injuries when they are involved in a collision. While a variety of factors can contribute to accidents, distracted driving is one of the most prevalent and dangerous. A truck driver who is distracted may lose control of their vehicle or fail to recognize an issue on the road, leading to severe and life-changing injuries. Truck drivers are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations formulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This includes a prohibition against texting or using mobile phones while driving. But even if truckers abide by the rules, they could still get distracted and cause a crash. This could be the result of distractions caused by manual actions like taking their hands off the wheel, or cognitive distractions such as thinking about something other than driving. While most people are aware that it's dangerous to text and drive, very few are aware that other activities like eating, changing the station on the radio, and even conversing with the other driver can also be considered distracting. When a trucker is distracted, they might drift into another lane or not be able to see a traffic jam in front of them. It only takes a fraction of a second for a big truck to collide with a vehicle when the trucker's attention wanders. It is essential to collect information about any witnesses and to take photographs of the scene after an accident if an unintentionally distracted driver causes a truck crash. It is also beneficial to find out the name of the driver who is driving the truck and the company they are employed by, as the owner of the truck if it is an independent contractor. This can have an influence on who is responsible for the accident, since it is the responsibility of the trucking company to employ competent and experienced truck drivers. If the trucking company is found to be partly responsible for your accident, it could be liable to you for any economic and non-economic injuries. Rear-End Collisions Rear-end collisions with trucks are common and can cause serious injuries. These accidents can happen in many different situations such as at the stop sign or red light, when the trucker does not check behind him for oncoming traffic. They may also occur when a car cuts in front of the truck, which forces the driver to slam on their brakes without warning. The trucker could then smash the car from behind. It can be difficult to prove fault in an accident that occurs at the rear, as it is not always obvious which vehicle caused the crash. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence that proves the driver behind caused the crash by following too closely or driving distracted. This can be evidence in the form of photos or police reports, eyewitness testimony as well being skid marks on the road. Sometimes the driver in front could be the one responsible for the accident also. This can happen when they cut someone off or fail to use their turn signal in the way that a reasonable person would, or slam on the brakes at the last moment and causing the driver in the back to slam into the car directly in front of them. In this type of scenario the modified comparative negligence laws could be used. The jury will determine a percentage of the blame to each party. The damages are then reduced accordingly. Bruises and Lacerations The rear end of the vehicle has the greatest impact in a rear-end collision so occupants are more likely to suffer serious injuries after hitting their head against the dashboard or back window. They could also break bones due to being torn around inside the car by the force of the collision. Spinal injuries can be severe. The spinal cord houses a number of nerves that control the body, and any injury to the spinal column could cause serious and lasting problems for victims. A victim of a serious accident may also suffer from psychological and emotional trauma. They may have difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, which could result in depression and anxiety. If they're unable work due to the severity of their injury, it can create anxiety and financial hardship. An attorney can investigate the possible sources of liability to assist the victim to receive fair compensation for their loss. The trailer is not working properly All vehicles, whether they are a car or van, truck, flatbed, or van should be securely connected to their trailers. Unexpectedly unhitching a trailer can result in catastrophic accidents that lead to serious injuries or death. If you've suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a runaway truck get in touch with an experienced lawyer who is specialized in cases involving hitch failure to discuss your legal options. The reason for a malfunctioning trailer hitch is many things, ranging from improper secured or defective design. It could be due to a defect on the part of the manufacturer in which case, product liability laws may apply. The company or individual responsible for a defective trailer can be held accountable for the victim's medical expenses as well as auto repair costs and other losses resulting from the incident. In an accident that killed a person on a road in Ohio known as "Devil's Backbone" in January 2014 an unattached trailer was spotted on the truck. It crashed into two cars directly behind it. Initial investigations attributed the accident to the truck driver's carelessness for not inspecting and secure the hitch. In June 2015, however, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the possibility that a defect in the hitch the Ultra LT manufactured Fontaine Fifth Wheel in Trussville, Alabama, was responsible for the crash. The trailer struck the side of the vehicles and then crashed into them. The result was multiple deaths and serious injuries to the drivers. The truck driver who was involved in the accident was found guilty of vehicular homicide. However experts say that he could've avoided the collision in the event that he had conducted a thorough inspection of his trailer to ensure all connections were tight. Incorrect trailer hitches can cause major catastrophes. These types of accidents are typically high-speed and can easily sidewipe motorcycles or smaller cars. In these instances, the trailer may distort the frame of a car and create sharp metal fragments to injure passengers.