18 Wheeler Attorneys

18 wheeler trucks are massive vehicles that pose a significant danger for motorists on the road. Sadly, they are involved in serious accidents which result in serious injuries, or even death.

Engaging a personal injury lawyer is the first step to recovering financial damages after an 18-wheeler accident. A competent legal team can help you build a strong case using evidence such as:

Fatigue

Fatigued truck drivers are the reason for a large percentage of 18 wheeler accident lawsuit wheeler collisions. These accidents are usually catastrophic and result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. When truck drivers are tired they are more likely to disregard federal regulations and take risks. These risks include speeding, using stimulants to combat fatigue and inattention.

It is against federal law to operate commercial motor vehicles while drowsy. Unscrupulous transport companies place excessive demands on truck drivers. They make them skip breaks and falsify log books. Driving tired is dangerous for all motorists.

The fatigue of truck drivers can result from a poor diet and unbalanced schedules. Some people are enticed to eat fast food at gas stations or convenience stores, which are typically high in simple carbohydrates and fats which can make truck drivers feel fatigued. Many of these individuals also suffer from irregular sleep patterns, which makes it difficult to get enough sleep. A Gretna, LA 18 wheeler accident lawyer wheeler attorney can assist you in determining whether the fatigue of truck drivers was an element in your crash.

Maintenance Issues

Truck drivers must meet certain qualifications to operate commercial trucks. Businesses and drivers must adhere to strict Federal regulations regarding hours of service, safety inspections, and maintenance. However, when these laws are not observed, or companies make a sloppy effort to maintain their vehicles to save money, they put everyone on the road at risk.

The hazardous substances, such as explosives, flammables, or radiological items, are involved in large truck accidents. These substances are transported on all roads in America. Hazmat drivers must undergo special training to safely load and unload their trucks. If they fail to follow the correct procedure or are not able to manage a truck under poor weather conditions they can cause serious and fatal accidents.

Due to their size and large blind spots, 18-wheelers take longer to slow down or stop when compared to conventional vehicles. Other motorists may be injured or even killed when they do not leave enough space or their brakes fail. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, all light sources including headlights and taillights, emergency flashers and turn signals should be working properly.

Weight Excess

Trucks must operate under specific weight limits. If an 18 wheeler accident attorney-wheeler is properly loaded it should not exceed the 80,000-pound limit. However because of negligence or a desire to make more money, businesses may breach these restrictions and allow their trucks to become overloaded. This poses a risk to the safety of road users everywhere and can lead to serious accidents in the case of an accident.

A vehicle that is loaded with extra weight will need more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. It also creates blind spots which can be dangerous to smaller vehicles. Unexperienced drivers might have a difficult time be able to see out of these areas. This is especially the case when the truck makes turns or changes lanes.

Depending on the circumstances it is possible that there are other responsible parties, in addition to the truck driver or trucking company. This could include mechanics that do not properly inspect or service trucks, loading crews who fail to secure cargo correctly or transport companies that pressure drivers to meet deadlines. An experienced 18 wheeler attorney can identify these parties and examine their actions to recover compensation for victims of accidents.

Defective Design

When a huge truck is involved in an accident, the damage can be catastrophic. This is due in part to the huge mass of these vehicles, but it can also be caused by a number of other factors, such as mechanical failures or defective parts.

The brakes and tires may fail in 18-wheeler accidents. However, there are other problems. For example cargo that is not properly loaded can cause the truck to be at an increased risk of rolling over or colliding with other vehicles on the road. When these problems are not addressed by the trucking company or maintenance service providers, they can cause fatal accidents.

Our team has extensive experience prosecuting commercial and truck cases involving defective parts and we are skilled in working with expert engineers to prove negligence. We are dedicated to helping our clients recover the compensation they are entitled to. We also defend justice in situations when negligent trucking companies encourage their drivers to drive unsafely while ignoring safety rules or trying to meet unrealistic deadlines.

Negligence

Truck accident litigation is complex because it involves theories and concepts that span different fields, such as the physics, chemistry, federal trucking regulations biology, medical standard, driving, economics, and more. This is why it's best for a truck accident victim to consult an experienced attorney. The lawyer can help the victim of a truck accident receive an equitable settlement without having to pay upfront fees.

The lawyer can also deal with the insurance companies and at-fault parties who may be tempted to profit from taking advantage of the truck accident victim. In addition, the lawyer can help the truck accident victim make a claim in line with New York and federal laws.

After a crash involving a truck, an attorney should be quick to gather evidence such as photographs and videos of the crash site as well as damage to vehicles and structures involved in the accident. The attorney should also talk to witnesses, and examine the black box inside the truck. The lawyer should also study the trucking company records as well as driver logbooks and other records that may prove negligence. The attorney must also determine the kinds of damages that are recoverable. This includes both financial losses (medical costs and repairs to property) and non-financial damages (pain and anxiety, mental stress and loss of enjoyment).