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Large trucks that carry huge loads are enormous vehicles which weigh approximately 10,000 pounds and are also known as tractor trailers, semi trucks or big rigs. Big rig accident attorneys of Louisiana state that the size of these trucks is a serious traffic hazard and if driven by a negligent driver can cause severe harm to the public by getting involved in accidents on the road. The Louisiana big rig accident attorneys have years of experience under their belt and have represented thousands of victims who are involved in serious on the road accidents. They provide free consultations to the clients and can be contacted any time of the day.
According to the reports of big rig accident lawyers of Louisiana a typical fully loaded large commercial truck weigh approximately 80,000 pounds in comparison to a passenger automobile that weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Due to extreme difference in size any collision between a commercial truck and any other transport automobile is likely to cause serious or sometimes fatal injuries.
The stopping distance of these big rig trucks is very huge. A slight increase in the speed of the vehicle increases the distance manifold. For example, it will take a 40 ton 18-wheeler driving at 65 mph an additional 100 feet to stop than if it were traveling at 55 miles an hour. Expert big rig accident lawyers of Louisiana state that mainly big rig accidents involve rear-end collisions. Jack-knifed trailers, right hand squeeze. Another common cause of large accidents is break failure.
According to the information presented by Louisiana Big Rig Accident Lawyers people suffer serious injuries when involved in a truck accident such as:
- Fractured Bones
- Head Injury
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Louisiana big rig accident lawyers suggest that persons injured in a big rig accident must keep the following tips in their minds:
- Do not pursue the claim case alone and never settle a claim by yourself
- Take immediate action after any loss
- Consult an experienced big rig accidents attorney immediately
- Do not discuss the accident with anyone
- Do not sign any documents
- Do not agree to any settlement
- Do not assume any fault
Big rig accident attorneys of Louisiana argue that increase in potential risk to regular drivers is directly proportional to overcrowding of tractor-trailers, big trucks or heavy goods carriers on the highway roads. Those who share the road with these titans are often in the assumption that the drivers and their employers have complied with all the safety laws and regulations. Big rig accidents lawyers of Louisiana contend that in most of the cases their assumptions is proved otherwise and these people become victims of reckless driving of the careless drivers, overloading of the trucks and sometimes presence of hazardous material. Not only do these accidents create traffic delays but they are also creator's of devastating injuries and damage. In 2003 alone, over 450,000 large trucks were involved in crashes.
Louisiana big rig accident attorneys state that major factors that bring about deadly truck crashes are:
- Driver Exhaustion
- Not handling the truck properly
- Driving the vehicle at great speeds
- Driving under the influence of illegal drugs
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Damaged auto parts
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training as to the driving technique
- Mechanical Failure
- Improper loading or overloading of the trucks
- Inadequate capabilities or characteristics of the trucks, for example limits associated with acceleration, braking and visibility
On Road Time Limit of Commercial Drivers -According to Louisiana big rig accident attorneys Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to all vehicles engaged in interstate traffic. According to them there are specific regulations governing hours of service of drivers (49 C.F.R. §395). A driver is not permitted to drive more than 10 hours following 8 straight hours off duty or for any period after having been on duty 15 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty.
Comparative Negligence Law-Big rig accident lawyers of Louisiana contend that in cases related to 'comparative negligence law' determining another party's liability for the accident depends on the degree of victim's fault. It is necessarily a comparison of carelessness of a person supposed to be at fault and the person getting injured or the victim. That party's chunk of liability decides the proportion of the resulting damages the person assumed to be at fault has to pay. According to big rig accident attorneys of Louisiana if it is proved that the victim's carelessness was 50% or more responsible for the accident than it is impossible to recover anything. Fixing Responsibility-Big rig accident attorneys of Louisiana are of the view that when an accident occurs the most likely persons to be sued are the driver of the truck, the trucking company and perhaps the truck's manufacturer. The victim can sue the trucking company on the condition that an employment relationship is established between the truck driver and the trucking company. If such a relationship is exhibited the company can be sued for the driver's negligence under a legal theory known as ''respondeat superior''. Louisiana big rig accident lawyers state that it will not be possible to establish liability under ''respondeat superior'' if the driver operating the truck is found to be an independent contractor of the trucking company. In some cases big rig accident attorneys of Louisiana may establish liability of the trucking company on the argument that the driver was hired in a negligent manner and was not properly supervised. In case it is demonstrated that some defect in the truck caused the accident then the truck's manufacturer can be held liable.
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