Truck Accident Lawyer 101:"The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Why Driver Error is the Biggest Cause of Trucking Accidents
Trucking accidents can cause serious injuries to anyone involved.
If you're interested in learning more about your rights as a legal person following a collision with a truck, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. They will help you get the compensation you require to cover your medical expenses.
Driver Error
There are many factors that could cause accidents on trucks however driver error is the most frequently cited. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 87% of all accidents were the result of driver error.
Trucking accidents can be quite grave. This is why it is so important to seek legal representation. A lawyer with experience can help you obtain compensation for your injuries and other damages.
An attorney will begin by gathering evidence to determine the cause of your trucking accident. This includes reviewing the history of maintenance on the truck and getting an expert's opinion regarding the condition of the truck's mechanicals and even obtaining the logs of the trucking company, which is required by law.
Another important step is to determine whether the driver was in violation of hours-of-service regulations. These laws govern the length of time a truck driver may operate their truck and how long they can rest before returning to work. Truckers who exceed FMCSA's limits may be held accountable for any harm they cause during an incident.
Trucking accidents are also caused by fatigue. The effects of fatigue can cause truckers to be less responsive to an emergency and could result in dangerous mistakes, like driving too fast in bad weather conditions.
Driver distraction is a common cause of trucking accidents. The act of eating, texting, daydreaming and talking on the phone, or using navigational devices such as GPS and maps could all take a truck driver's attention away from driving and make it difficult to respond to any situation.
Driver error can be caused by poor loading, fatigue, speeding, and other causes. truck accident lawyer connecticut who are distracted are more likely to pay attention, miss gaps, disregard warning signs, panic, or be frozen during a crash.
While these mistakes aren't unique to everyone but truck drivers are most susceptible to making them. This is due to the fact that they are operating a large, powerful vehicle that requires more attention than smaller passenger cars. Additionally, they are under greater pressure to get their cargo to the right place at the right time.
Improper Loading
Accidents involving trucks are usually caused due to improper loading. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry, setting service hours, making sure that vehicles are in conformity with weight and size limits and informing drivers about the proper procedure for loading cargo safely.
Truck drivers often ignore these rules in order to reach their destinations quicker and avoid paying fines. They also don't make sure they are safe when driving.
The resultant accidents aren't only dangerous for those who are involved in the collision and their passengers, but they also cause injuries and property damage to other motorists sharing the road with commercial trucks. Accidents involving trucks could involve rolling over, jackknifing or collisions with other vehicles.
Heavy loads can also cause issues with steering and braking. This is particularly true if the load wasn't properly secured or moved.
If you have been injured in an accident involving the truck, seek medical attention right away. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is responsible and what damages you are entitled to.
Overloading a truck could affect its ability to stop at the right time, causing rear-end collisions and other traffic accidents. The weight of a truck can hinder its ability to drive, leading to jackknifing and loss control.
Weather conditions can also make these problems worse for example, rain or snow falling on cargo tie-downs. This can cause the bungee cords and ropes that attach to the truck to break or slip and cargo could fall off the truck.
Unsecure cargo can cause serious injuries or even death to anyone who is in its path. If you have been hurt in an accident with an unloaded truck, you should speak with a Massachusetts lawyer who is aware of the legal responsibilities of the parties who were involved in the incident.
You should seek compensation if you are injured in an accident involving a truck loaded improperly. Based on the particulars of your case, you might be entitled to receive financial compensation for medical expenses or lost wages, suffering and property damage.
Tire Blowouts
In a trucking crash, an engine blowout could result in devastating injuries or even death. It can also cause accidents because debris is scattered and could be smashed by other vehicles.
Low air pressure, worn tires, negligent maintenance, or inspection of the truck can all result in blowouts. These incidents could have been prevented in many instances in the event that the trucking company and driver had followed standard procedures to prevent blowouts.
Federal laws require that truck drivers take breaks regularly and maintain their vehicles properly. They must also examine the truck thoroughly and report any problems immediately. In certain instances a trucking business may hire a contractor to perform inspections and repairs, and should it fail to comply with its legal obligations in these areas, it could be held liable for any accidents resulting from its negligent actions.
Speeding up is one of the main causes of trucking accidents that result in tire blowouts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truckers often exceed the safe speed limits for commercial vehicles. This can cause tires to wear and result in them blowing out.
An attorney with expertise in big rig accidents can assist you file a claim for compensation if injured in a trucking accident triggered by blowout. They will investigate your case and determine who's at fault for the crash.
You should also think about who was accountable for the tire that blew out. You can file a product liability case against the tire manufacturer in the event that they produced a defective tire.
A driver could lose control of their truck after an airbag blowout, because the vehicle becomes unstable. This could result in the vehicle rolling over, or even a crash with a jackknife.
When a large-sized semi-truck or truck blows its tires, it will alter the weight balance of the vehicle, which can affect its stability. This can cause the truck to slide over or cause serious injury.
It is important to understand that a tire blowout can happen anytime, anywhere and is typically an unavoidable accident. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the industry of trucking is highly regulated, which is why it is crucial to comply with all traffic laws and maintain your personal vehicle to avoid injury in a trucking crash.
Squeeze-Type Accidents
Contrary to passenger cars commercial trucks like semi trucks 18 wheelers, semi trucks and tractor trailers require special maneuvering on the road due to their size and weight. They must be able to negotiate turns safely and avoid rolling over which is a major worry for truck drivers.
Squeeze play accidents happen when a car or passenger vehicle is stuck between a large tractor trailer or a truck and the wall, curb or any other kind of road barrier when it's trying to overtake the driver of the big vehicle in a turn. This can result in serious injuries and property damage particularly for smaller vehicles.
The most effective way to avoid this kind of accident is to give trucks ample space to maneuver. It's also essential to pay attention to the signals of truck drivers and ensure that they're not making the wrong turn and turning wide which is often the cause of squeeze play accidents.
Another reason to be cautious around large trucks is that their cabs are extremely tall. This makes it difficult for other drivers to observe their blind spots. If this happens, motorists might make a mistake and try to go around a large rig to the left even it is apparent that the truck is making a right turn.
This can result in a sideswipe crash, in which the vehicle in the front of the truck hits the side of the big rig. The vehicle is then forced to swerve into different lanes, which can cause multi-vehicle pileups and damage to the truck, occupants of both vehicles, as well as other motorists on the highway.
A personal injury lawyer with experience handling these cases is a good option if you've been injured in a trucking accident due to an incident of a squeeze play. They can assess your case and determine whether the truck driver was at fault for the accident, and assist you in filing an claim for compensation.