Truck Accident Law

A skilled lawyer for truck accidents is knowledgeable about the trucking industry, encompassing the specific laws that govern truck drivers and trucking companies. They will conduct an investigation and discover evidence, such as maintenance records of the trucking company which could support a negligence claim.

A NYC truck accident lawyer in NYC can determine the negligent parties in your case, and assist you in recovering from your injuries.

1. Injured or fatigued Driver

When a passenger vehicle encounters a truck, the most efficient method of determining the extent of liability is to look at the conduct of the driver and his manner. A lawyer for truck accidents will review the footage of surveillance and witness testimony to determine who was at fault.

A lot of places have surveillance cameras. This includes all intersections interchanges, hotels gas stations and restaurants. A skilled truck accident lawyer can make use of this evidence to identify potential defendants, especially when the driver was unobservant or distracted at the time of the accident.

In cases of truck accidents, it is possible that the driver was fatigued or even injured at the time of the crash. A thorough analysis of the logs from the driver will reveal if they slept too long without sleep or if they failed to adhere to Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that restrict the amount of time truckers can be on the road and demand regular rest breaks.

The trucking company can also be held liable for the carelessness of their employees. A negligent hiring or training method could have contributed to this accident, as could policies that encourage drivers to drive for as long as is possible, which can result in a reduction in rest and sleep hours and increasing their risk of being involved in an accident.

Government agencies that are responsible for maintaining roads can also be held responsible if a hazardous road caused the accident. A skilled truck accident lawyer can identify the appropriate agency and hire an experienced maintenance or construction contractor to determine the cause of the dangerous condition and if it’s applicable. A seasoned attorney can determine which parties could be responsible and seek compensation from all sources.

2. Defective Equipment

Many truck accidents are caused by malfunctioning equipment, including the brakes as well as the coupling system, tires and cargo restraints. These items were designed to withstand the rigors of use and must be properly maintained and repaired to avoid failure. When something goes wrong, it could make the driver of a truck unable to control the vehicle and can result in fatal or serious collisions. Incorrect truck parts and equipment could be the responsibility of a number of entities that include the trucking firm, the manufacturer, and the parts dealer or repair shop.

If an accident happened because of a malfunctioning part or piece of equipment, the victim may seek damages for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include the current and future medical costs lost income, loss of earning capacity. Noneconomic damages include suffering and pain and brain injuries that are traumatic emotional distress. In certain circumstances punitive damages could be available to punish the defendant to prevent similar wrongful acts from happening again in the future.

Despite the best efforts of trucking companies and their drivers issues will always arise. When this happens, it’s crucial to identify the responsible parties in order to pursue compensation for your loss.

If you’ve been injured in a truck collision and need help from an experienced attorney at Burch Law Firm can help. Contact us today for a free consultation. evanston truck wreck lawyer will examine the case, identify the responsible parties and fight for the compensation you’re due. We can help you get compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and emotional or physical suffering. We handle cases throughout Missouri, including Jefferson City, Columbia, and St. Louis. We are available to take your calls 24/7 7 days a week.

3. Unloading Cargo in a way that isn’t safe

The cargo trucks carry on the roads may seem straightforward enough, but there are strict regulations that loaders and drivers must adhere to when stacking and secure their loads. Any failure to comply with these guidelines can lead to serious problems. In a report released recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration discovered that shifting cargo is one of the main causes of truck accidents.

Many of these truck crashes involve cargo falling off of the vehicle and onto other vehicles or onto the road. This is especially dangerous, as the cargo could cause a danger or obstruction on the road and force motorists to swerve. It could also fall on pedestrians who are biking or walking near the truck.

Based on the manner in which the incident was triggered, several parties could be at fault. If a driver was negligent in loading their cargo, for example it could be held responsible under the legal theory of respondeat superior. However the trucking company which employs that driver might be also liable because it is liable for the actions of its employees in accordance with the principle of vicarious liability.

In the event that an accident was caused by inadequately secured or loaded cargo, an experienced truck accident lawyer can make use of professional investigators and police reports to determine what went wrong and who was at fault. A Cordisco and SAIL LLC attorney can help victims determine which defendants they should make a claim for compensation against. A successful claim could result in a settlement or a verdict which gives victims the financial aid they require to recover from their injuries.

4. Unsafe Road Conditions

Companies that operate trucks, as well the drivers they employ, bear the responsibility of keeping their vehicles in good working condition. Failure to do this can result in serious accidents. To ensure that trucks function properly, mechanical parts are regularly checked and replaced. If this is not done, it could cause a dangerous and unsafe road.

The conditions of the road and weather can also trigger truck accidents. Due to their massive size, trucks are more likely to be involved in a crash if they drive in adverse weather or on wet roads. Additionally, truck drivers must adhere to strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations about how many hours they are allowed to drive in a day. These rules are intended to safeguard the public. However, when truckers ignore them to meet deadlines, or to make more money from employers, they put the public at risk.

Potholes and uneven surfaces can cause skidding. Other problems include inadequate lane markings like solid or broken lane lines that cause confusion for drivers about what lane they’re in and merging lane ramps that are too small for large vehicles to safely switch lanes.

If a truck crash occurs because of road conditions that are not safe the trucking company or the government agency that is responsible to maintain the road could be held responsible. The party who created the unsafe conditions has to be proven to have violated its duty of care. This could be due to negligent hiring or vehicle maintenance, as well as testing for drugs. California law permits victims to recover damages for medical bills as well as lost wages, suffering and loss of quality of life.

5. Injuries to Pedestrians

Truck accidents can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians who are walking along streets or in their own yards. Most pedestrians don’t have protection from the huge size and the weight of a truck and they can sustain catastrophic or even fatal injuries from these kinds of accidents.

In these cases, a personal injury attorney will seek compensation from any party who was negligent. In some cases, this may be as simple as the truck driver if they ran a red light and struck the pedestrian, but in others, it could be the trucking company who allowed the trucker longer shifts than allowed by law, did not maintain the vehicle, or even conducted an background check that would have revealed an occurrence of unsafe driving behavior.

Accidents involving pedestrians and trucks are most often caused by the driver’s inattentiveness or distraction. While this kind of incident is normal in any car accident, it could be more deadly due to the fact that truck drivers are typically higher in their cabs and have larger blind areas that are difficult to see.

A pedestrian injured in a truck crash can receive damages for medical expenses as well as lost earnings, discomfort and pain, as well as property damage. In some instances, the plaintiff is found partially at fault for the incident because of their own actions (such as not turning over to the left side when the truck began to accelerate) their compensation could be reduced in proportion. This is why it is vital to choose a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney to take care of your case. Contact us now to begin.