TRUCK ACCIDENTS

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Seek Compensation for Serious Injury or Wrongful Death

The sheer size and weight of 18-wheeler accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities. Identifying and proving negligence in these cases can be much more complex. At Caddell Reynolds Law Firm, we will work to find out what happened; whether it was driver fatigue, poor truck maintenance, an overloaded or unbalanced truck, drinking and driving, or some other issue. We will dig deep to get to the truth of what happened.

It is very important to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer in Little Rock to handle your tractor trailer accident claim because these cases tend to be much more complex. Identifying who was at fault is critical to gaining fair compensation. Often an extensive investigation is required to figure out the true cause of the truck accident because it is not always obvious on the surface.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT CALL OUR FIRM FOR HELP AT 800-671-4100 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.

Truck Accident Investigation & Reconstruction

After the truck accident, your attorney will begin the process of determining exactly what happened and why. A truck accident lawyer who is experienced in this field knows the many laws and regulations that truck drivers are required to follow. If the truck driver who caused your accident was not following those laws, there may be significant penalties for that driver.

Even when tractor-trailer drivers follow all laws, there are still risks just from the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. Your attorney will perform research on the driver, truck, and company in order to determine if there were problems or discrepancies that could have contributed to your accident. They can also go beyond police reports and doctor’s notes to reconstruct the accident. They will study the scene itself, weather conditions, witnesses, and more to fill in missing details.

Some of the information your lawyer will collect includes:

• Whether the driver had a valid commercial driver’s license
• If the truck driver had past tickets or accidents
• Whether the vehicle was over the weight or size limit
• If there was any hazardous waste and if proper regulations for it were followed
• If the weather conditions had an impact on the truck driver’s capabilities
• Whether witnesses saw anything not reported to the police
• What activity the driver’s cellular phone records shows

The more information your attorney collects, the easier it will be for them to present a strong case and help you receive proper compensation for your injuries. This is why years of experience pays off as a truck accident lawyer; you should hire an attorney with a demonstrated record of investigative experience.

How Your Lawyer Collects Information

The black box that records data in most vehicles can be very helpful to any attorney investigating a truck wreck in Oklahoma caused by a tractor-trailer or big rig. The recorded data will provide details such as:

• The exact location of the vehicle when the accident occurred
• The speed of the truck’s engine at the time of the accident
• Whether the brakes were used, and when they were applied

That information can be used to show whether the truck driver was at fault or somewhat negligent, which is one of the ways your attorney can prove your case against the driver.

In addition to the black box, truck drivers are required to keep detailed logs of the hours they drive, the hours they sleep, and the hours of down time they get in between.

If you have been involved in a truck wreck, your attorney will ask for the logbook records of the truck driver who was involved in the accident with you. That can help your lawyer determine if the truck driver was legally allowed to be driving at the time the accident took place.

Your attorney will also ask for other documentation from the trucking company, such as:

• Work orders for the truck
• Any repair orders or receipts
• Maintenance logs to show the vehicle had been properly cared for
• Inspection reports for the truck

Armed with that information, a Little Rock truck accident lawyer can provide you with a strong defense and help you get the compensation you deserve from the truck driver and company that caused the accident.

3 Things You Must Know If You Are Involved in an 18-Wheeler Accident

Automobile accidents can lead to serious injury, legal expenses, and insurance costs. However, not all collision cases are handled the same way. Crashes involving an 18-wheeler often involve negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles including 18-wheelers are held to strict laws governing their maintenance, repair, and operation.

As such, these cases are treated very differently from those involving non-commercial vehicles. Even if the insurance companies deny you compensation, you may still have a valid claim depending on the condition of the opposing vehicle. An attorney experienced in supporting 18-wheeler accident cases can get to the bottom of your matter and secure rightful compensation. Many people involved in 18-wheeler accidents aren’t aware of the unique laws that can win their case. Here’s what you need to know:

1. There are strict laws governing truck driver behavior.

New federal commercial motor vehicle laws restrict the number of consecutive hours truck drivers can operate an 18-wheeler. There are also strict limitations on food and beverage consumption, cargo, and other operating procedures in order to prevent severe accidents on the highway.

Including cargo, 18-wheelers can easily reach weights of 30 tons or more. The force of such an object colliding with a car one tenth of its mass can produce deadly results. An experienced attorney can verify whether the trucking company was compliant with the various laws and hold them accountable in the event of an accident.

2. Most commercial 18-wheelers have a black box recording device.

Black boxes and GPS devices automatically activate in response to sudden changes in vehicle movement, such as rapid acceleration or sudden braking. Once activated, these gadgets automatically record crucial information about the truck, including:

• Engine speed
• Vehicle location
• If and when application of the brake occurred

This data can help an attorney piece together the accident and prove your claim against a negligent 18-wheeler driver.

3. Truck drivers must provide sufficient vehicle documentation.

Federal motor carrier laws require truck drivers to have their 18-wheelers regularly inspected and retain this documentation. In Arkansas, 18-wheeler accident cases require the truck driver to provide recent inspection reports detailing the vehicle’s condition before and after the trip. Drivers must also retain copies of work and repair orders to verify the truck’s compliance with road safety standards. A qualified accident attorney can subpoena such documents to prove your Personal Injury case.

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries or death due to truck driver negligence, you need to take action. Don’t wait to have your case evaluated. Federal regulations require drivers to retain vehicle inspection documentation only for a set period. After the expiration date, the trucking company can discard the documents and you may no longer have a valid claim against them.

ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENTAL INJURY DESERVES A FULL INVESTIGATION WHEN IT IS CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER. CADDELL REYNOLDS LAW FIRM ADDRESSES ALL DETAILS TO ENSURE YOUR CASE GETS THE FULL ATTENTION IT DESERVES. CALL US AT 800-671-4100 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION.

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