In 2016, approximately 12.5 million big commercial trucks and buses were registered, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). With so many massive vehicles on the road, collisions are inevitable, but some of them could have been prevented.
If you or a loved one was recently hurt in a truck crash, a Livonia, Michigan truck accident attorney at White Law PLLC will fight for your rights and help you get compensation. We take on the trucking firms and their insurance carriers to protect your rights and your claim.
After a truck accident, you may be suffering from severe bodily injuries, mental distress, and financial strain. At White Law PLLC, we want to make your life as simple as possible, allowing you to concentrate on getting better. A simple phone call will begin the process.
Assigning Liability in a Truck Accident
Following a car collision involving a truck, it’s simple to blame the trucking company. Of course, you might not always wish to go after these businesses for the financial damages you incur on the road. There may be others to blame for your accident, depending on the specifics.
For instance, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of the Fremont roadways for drivers. This can include things like putting up the right signage and fixing the potholes in a timely manner. The agency that fails to protect motorists may be liable for damages.
Just as the vehicle’s manufacturer or the mechanic might be responsible if a part fails, the same holds true for truck malfunctions. A truck accident lawyer in Livonia can examine the accident site to find out exactly who it is possible to file a claim against.
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Possible Compensation in a Case Involving a Semi Truck or Other Commercial Vehicle
Multiple elements determine a case’s worth, including the victim’s injuries, the number of cars, and the type of truck involved in the collision. Business enterprises often own and operate 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and semis.
Damages that can be recovered after a truck crash may include:
- Payment for all of your current and anticipated medical bills
- Expenses related to your injury
- Payment equivalent to time spent out of work
- Compensation for potential income lost
- Payment for permanent disability
- Compensatory damages for emotional trauma
Commercial insurance coverage for big vehicles are often more comprehensive than policies for regular cars because they are used for business purposes. Injured parties can seek help from a Livonia trucking accident attorney to assist them in filing injury claims against major trucking corporations.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
What Causes Accidents Involving Semi-Trucks?
A truck collision can be caused by a number of different things. Federal and state transportation standards must be strictly adhered to in order to ensure the safety of commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers.
A truck’s safe operation might depend on the efforts of several individuals, and it can be disastrous if even one of them fails.
However obvious the reason for your accident appears to be at first glance, it may not be so. An attorney in Livonia who is experienced with truck accident claims can look over the available evidence to establish what led to the accident and who is at fault.
Some of the most common reasons for semi-truck collisions are as follows:
Unreasonable Delivery Expectations
Unfortunately, many truck drivers have been pushed to either speed or spend too much time in the cab by the unreasonable demands of their employers. When time is of the essence, pressure is imposed on the driver, which can lead to unsafe practices, exhaustion, and mistakes.
Violation of Hours-of-Service Rules
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, has rigorous regulations regarding the maximum hours a truck driver can be on duty. The purpose of hours-of-service rules is to protect drivers and other road users from fatigued driving mistakes.
A Livonia semi-truck accident attorney can get the driver’s logbook, EDR data, or other resources to determine if rest breaks were taken if driver fatigue was a factor.
Trucks Are Overloaded Or the Cargo Isn’t Secure
Loading the vehicle properly is essential to the driver’s safety. When loaded to capacity, a vehicle can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Overloaded trucks pose a risk to other motorists because they are harder to control and their cargo may spill out onto the road.
If a truck isn’t loaded properly, its contents might move or become unstable. An unsteady driver might cause the truck to swing, veer, off the road, or jackknife. Cargo loaders may be held liable for an incident if the load is unstable or not thoroughly checked for damage before being moved.
Malfunctioning Components
In the case of a 36-ton truck, a faulty auto part might have catastrophic results. A semi-truck may crash or collide with another vehicle on the road due to manufacturing defects such as bad tires, ineffective brakes, or an igniting gasoline line.
A skilled Livonia truck accident lawyer can determine whether or not a faulty component was to blame for your accident and pursue legal action against the liable parties.
Defective Maintenance
The truck’s owner or the trucking and freight firm typically is responsible for keeping the truck in safe operating condition. The vehicle might break down if the firm neglects to get it inspected on time or if they try to save money by not doing proper maintenance.
When the usual inspection and maintenance plan isn’t followed, problems including engine failure, fires, faulty brakes, and faulty steering might occur. Your Livonia truck crash lawyer will review the trucking firm’s maintenance and inspection records to see if they were negligent.
One of the most important things a lawyer can do to maximize a client’s financial compensation is to accurately identify the causes and all responsible parties. It is more likely that the injured party will get full compensation if all probable sources of liability are identified.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Contact a Trucking Accident Law Firm in Livonia Today
A common misconception is that people cannot afford legal representation. There is no upfront cost to you when you choose an attorney from White Law PLLC to represent you in a semi-truck accident lawsuit. We won’t ask for payment until we win or settle your case, so there’s no risk on your end.
Speak to a lawyer immediately so that you may start working toward getting the compensation you are owed. You should not wait weeks to speak with an attorney. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you maximize your claim.
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