How Hours of Service Violations Can Shape a Truck Accident Claim
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Rules in Tractor-Trailer Crash Claims When a semi-truck crash happens near the end of a long shift, an early question is whether the driver was within the federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue leaves little physical trace at a crash scene, so the answer usually comes from records rather than the roadway. A truck accident attorney reviewing one of these cases usually starts by comparing the driver's logs against every other record of th
Who Is Liable in a Semi-Truck Crash? A tractor-trailer crash often involves more than one responsible party. The driver, the trucking company, the trailer owner, the shipper that loaded the freight and the maker of a failed part may all play a role. Working out who is legally responsible is an early task for a truck accident attorney, because each responsible party may have separate insurance. Claims against the driver Most claims start with the driver's conduct, such
What to Know About Jackknife and Underride Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Underride and Jackknife Crashes: How They Happen and Who May Be Responsible Underride and jackknife crashes are two tractor-trailer crash types that often cause severe injuries. In an underride crash, a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully under a trailer or truck body. A jackknife occurs when the tractor and trailer fold toward each other, often blocking several lanes. Each one raises distinct evidence questions for a truck accident attorney. What makes underride cras
Who Can Be Held Responsible for an 18-Wheeler Crash? A crash involving a tractor-trailer often has more than one responsible party. The driver, the trucking company, the trailer owner, the shipper that loaded the freight and the maker of a failed part may all play a role. Sorting out legal responsibility is one of the first tasks for a tractor-trailer crash lawyer, because each responsible party may have separate insurance. The driver's conduct The starting point is u
Diminished Value and Other Car Crash Insurance Issues
Insurance Adjusters, Total Losses and Diminished Value Most people deal with an insurance adjuster long before a lawsuit is even a question. An adjuster evaluates the claim on behalf of the insurance company, and some common practices can reduce the value of a claim if they go unnoticed. Understanding these practices is one reason people consult a car accident attorney before they sign anything. What the adjuster may ask for An adjuster for the other driver may call w
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer Picking a truck accident lawyer differs from picking a lawyer for a minor car crash. Tractor-trailer claims tend to involve federal safety regulations, electronic evidence and multiple insurance policies, and the trucking company frequently has lawyers and investigators working on the crash from the first days. These questions can make a first consultation more productive. Check the license and the record Before meeting with a tru
What a Truck Accident Attorney Checks in a Driver's Logs
Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Rules in Tractor-Trailer Crash Claims When a tractor-trailer crash happens late in a long run, an early question is whether the driver had stayed inside the federal hours-of-service limits. Fatigue rarely leaves skid marks, so the answer usually comes from records rather than the roadway. A truck accident lawyer looking at one of these claims will usually compare the driver's logs with every other record of the trip. How the federal ho
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney Picking a truck accident lawyer differs from picking a lawyer for a minor car crash. Tractor-trailer claims often involve federal safety regulations, electronic evidence and several insurance policies, and the trucking company often has its own lawyers and investigators involved from the start. The questions below can make a consultation more useful. Check the license and the record Before meeting a truck crash