Trucking Accidents
At Needham, Kepner, Fish & Jones, we have a wealth of experience assisting bicyclists, drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians who have been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler. Due to the relative size of commercial trucks to other cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, accidents with these vehicles often result in serious and catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful deaths.
Trucking accident cases differ from other types of motor vehicle accidents because trucks and other commercial carriers must comply with extensive federal regulations. These address every aspect of trucking, including proper methods of loading the truck, driving restrictions, inspections, and maintenance. Perhaps most importantly, these regulations require drivers and trucking companies to keep detailed logbooks that document maintenance history, how long the driver has been driving, and other trip activity. When an accident occurs, these records can prove critical to demonstrating liability. Our attorneys can obtain these logbooks, examine them to uncover any violations, and consult with experts to determine whether the logbooks may have been forged or altered following the accident.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Many trucking accidents are due to a combination of causes. These can include driver error, defective parts, poor equipment maintenance, and dangerous weather conditions.
Driver error is a common cause. Commercial vehicles typically have decreased fields of vision, obstructed views, limited mobility, and require longer braking time. As a result, drivers must have the proper training and experience to be able to drive these unwieldy vehicles. In the event a truck operator drives too fast for traffic or road conditions, drives aggressively, drives under the influence, or is too tired to drive safely, an accident can result.
Equipment problems are another common cause of trucking accidents. Brakes, wheels, tires, safety mechanisms, and other parts of the vehicle must be inspected and maintained regularly and this maintenance should be reflected in logbooks. On the other hand, sometimes equipment and parts fail because of a design or manufacturing defect, even if the trucking company has engaged in proper maintenance. We will perform a thorough investigation to determine all potential sources of recovery, including the driver, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of any defective parts.
Seek Experienced Legal Counsel
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a trucking accident, consult with experienced attorneys as soon as possible so that we can begin investigating the incident, obtaining the logbooks, examining the accident scene, contacting witnesses, and preserving evidence. To schedule a free consultation, contact Needham, Kepner, Fish & Jones today.
