Why You Need a Semi Truck Accident Attorney

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a crash that involved a commercial truck, you may have to engage a semi truck accident attorney. These kinds of accidents are rare and you'll require someone who is familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to commercial trucks.

Accidents with trucks can cause liability for a variety of parties, including the trucking company, driver, manufacturer, and many others. A competent lawyer will be able to help you navigate these areas and ensure that you receive the compensation you are due.

1. Human error

The majority of truck accidents are caused by human error. In fact 87% of truck accidents involve some type of error. This is because most people don't have a complete understanding of the aspects involved in the process of getting a big truck or 18-wheeler on the road and keeping it safe.

In addition, truck drivers who work long hours without getting enough rest can result in fatal accidents. Data shows that driver fatigue is the cause of 30 percent of all truck accidents fatalities.

Therefore, it is essential for truckers to abide by state and federal regulations on how many hours they can drive in one day and how much rest they need before they can drive again. This prevents accidents from happening in the first place, and also ensures the safety of other drivers.

However, human mistakes are a complicated matter that involves many different people and circumstances. It's difficult to determine who was responsible for the accident and how much you should be paid for your injuries. It takes the assistance of an experienced large truck crash lawyer to analyze the cause of a crash to figure out who may have legal responsibility for paying you money damages.

2. Defective equipment

There are a lot of things that could be wrong with large industrial equipment and machinery which includes malfunctioning safety equipment and defective components. Defective equipment can cause injuries that can lead to fatalities or life-altering consequences for workers and others.

The equipment that is defective can damage a company's reputation and cause financial losses. Ladders that are defective can cause injuries and falls, while poor insulation can cause electrocution or burns.

Defects in the truck or trailer components can pose a risk to other drivers. For instance, a malfunctioning brake system could make it difficult for truck drivers to steer the vehicle.

This can result in a number of truck accidents, such as rear-end collisions and collisions other vehicles. Brakes may fail due to an issue with the manufacturing process or due to a lack of maintenance by the mechanic or owner.

In some instances, the manufacturer can be held responsible for the defective equipment. A semi truck accident lawyer may seek compensation from the manufacturer if the defect in the equipment piece is the cause of the incident.

3. Long hours

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates how long truckers can work each week. These limits are meant to reduce fatigue, which can lead to numerous accidents.

Unfortunately many truck drivers don't adhere to the guidelines. Many truck drivers push themselves beyond their limits in order to go beyond their company's miles goals. This can cause various issues such as overworked drivers as well as erratic driving habits and an increased chance of accidents.

Long hours can also result in long commutes, lack of sleep, and an inability to complete tasks within the deadline. These causes can lead to stress and burnout that can affect your ability perform at a high-level job.

Despite the risks of working long hours, it's essential to remember that you deserve an honest shake. The best way to protect yourself is by hiring an experienced semi truck accident attorney.

The right lawyer can help you file the appropriate insurance claim, collect damages and establish negligence on the part of the liable parties. A professional lawyer will be sure to examine your case to determine the best way to proceed to get the compensation you're entitled to.

4. Negligence

Negligence refers to any action that breaches a person's duty of care for the public, and is the foundation for most personal injury claims. This duty of care entails hiring and educating safe drivers, and also testing for alcohol and substance use, and maintaining trucks in a proper manner.

Distracted driving - Truck drivers typically perform multiple tasks while driving on the roads, which could result in accidents. Distracted driving is a crime.

Failure of the equipment - In some cases, a defect in the trailer or truck itself could be the cause of an accident. It is possible to file a claim for product liability against the manufacturer of the truck, trailer or other components which caused the accident.

Cargo loaders – Companies that load trucks must be able to ensure that cargo is properly secured. Loose or imbalanced cargo can cause a truck driver to lose control and cause an accident.

A seasoned semi truck accident attorney is recommended if you or someone you know is injured in a collision with a truck. They understand how to look into these cases and can help establish that negligence was the cause of your injuries.

5. Defective design

If a semi-truck is involved in an accident, it is essential that an experienced attorney examines the maintenance records of the truck and the records of the maker of the vehicle to determine what led to the accident. These data can be used by an experienced Louisiana truck accident attorney to find design flaws that could be used in lawsuits against a company.

The law on product liability states that a manufacturer is accountable for a product that is defectively designed in cases where the reasonably anticipated risks of injury could have been mitigated with the adoption of a reasonable alternative design. To prove a claim for design defects the plaintiffs must demonstrate that a safer design was in place at the time of injury, and that a less dangerous alternative would have prevented the harm without negatively impacting the product's value.

McCartney Stucky LLC's founders have extensive experience handling cases involving crashworthiness of heavy trucks and are able to help you seek compensation for your injuries. If you've suffered injuries or a loved one been killed in an accident caused by a defective heavy truck, please contact our team as soon as possible.

6. Defective maintenance

Maintenance is crucial in the trucking industry to ensure that freight and drivers are secure. Improper maintenance can result in brake malfunctions, tire blowouts and other risks. In the same way, improper maintenance could be the reason for a serious truck accident that results in injuries or fatalities.

Maintenance issues are among the most common causes of accidents which involve large trucks. Most of these accidents could be avoided.

Companies can enhance their performance and reduce failures by planning maintenance. This means implementing appropriate safety procedures, regularly checking equipment and conducting routine maintenance.

While it may be difficult to establish a system to manage maintenance, it can save you money and prevent future accidents. Preventative maintenance is usually less expensive than paying for repairs after an incident.

The team at Leav & Steinberg LLP can assist you if you've been injured in an accident caused by a negligent company's maintenance of a residential or commercial property. Contact us for more information about our services. The legal experts at our firm have vast experience in premises liability and will work to maximize your compensation.

7. Injuries

The size and weight of a semi truck could cause severe injury or death in a collision the vehicle of a passenger. These accidents can lead to the death of the truck driver as well as the passengers.

While there are many different types of injuries that can occur in a semi truck accident, the most common are broken bones and traumatic damages. The severity of injuries ranges from minor fractures to severe amputations.

Amputations are extremely serious injuries, as they can cause permanent nerve damage and infection. Amputations can be extremely painful and difficult for patients to treat.

Semitruck accidents can result in severe injuries like spinal cord injuries. A spinal cord injury may cause cognitive and physical impairments that may last a life time.

Neck and head injuries are also commonplace in semi truck accidents. These injuries can be caused either by the impact of a collision or flying objects hitting the victim's neck or head. These injuries can cause whiplash or brain injuries based on the cause of the accident.