When Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies Are Negligent
Every truck accident is harrowing, but hitch accidents that result in runaway trailers are terrifying and often deadly. Trucking companies are responsible for sending safe truckers in safely manufactured and maintained trucks out on the road. When they fail to do so, fatal accidents can result. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury—or worse—after a hitch failed, you need immediate medical attention and then an experienced truck accident law firm!
The dedicated and determined truck accident lawyers at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, are here for you. You need an aggressive advocate to fight for the compensation you deserve, and we won’t let you down. You and your claim matter to us, and we’re here to champion your cause. We are open, for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 800-898-4877, or you may contact us now by CLICKING HERE to submit your case for review.
National Trucking Accident Attorney Stewart J. Guss discusses trucking safety on national news with Mike Papantonio on America’s Lawyer
https://vimeo.com/218029996
Hitch Accidents
When a truck’s hitch malfunctions and the truck loses its trailer, it leads to pandemonium on the road. It’s difficult to predict the exact effect a trailer barreling down the road on its own steam will have, but suffice to say, that it’s likely to be extreme—and can involve multiple vehicles
A big rig’s hitch is the mechanism by which its massive trailer is connected to its cab. In other words, the hitch is essential to keeping the two components safely connected. As critical as the hitch is, you’d think that these devices would be kept in top repair at all times, but hitch accidents do happen. And they result in deadly runaway trailer accidents. If there’s one thing you never want to see when you’re tooling along the highway, it’s a runaway trailer.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for the rigs they send out on the roads. There are several important components to this responsibility:
- The rigs – Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining trucks in safe working condition, and this includes regular mandatory checks at specific points—such as the hitch.
- Truckers – Trucking companies are responsible for hiring well-qualified truck drivers who are safe and reliable and are healthy enough to maneuver a massive truck over our highways and byways safely. Truckers, too, must attend to regular equipment checks, including hitch checks. Finally, trucking companies are responsible for providing their truck drivers with trucking schedules that are reasonable and not overly taxing (in accordance with state and federal laws). A truck driver who’s overworked and exhausted is more likely to forget or neglect to make proper hitch checks.
- Truck mechanics – The trucking company is also responsible for hiring qualified truck mechanics who comply with industry standards when it comes to repairs and maintenance. Further, these companies must provide their mechanics with the tools and resources they need to keep rigs roadworthy, and this includes quality parts for truck hitches.
The Truck and Parts Manufacturer
When it comes to hitch accidents, there’s another important source to consider. The truck and parts manufacturer (or manufacturers) are responsible for building safe, reliable trucks and replacement parts in the first place. When manufacturers negligently design or manufacture trucks and/or replacement parts, they can lead to serious and dangerous accidents. When a hitch malfunctions, it is a devastating development that can injure and terrify many people on the road, and it’s likely that faulty manufacturing played a role.
Your Hitch Accident Claim
The devastation wrought by a malfunctioning hitch and subsequent runaway trailer is difficult to calculate adequately. The terror associated with such an accident, alone, is almost certain to be extreme. Your recovery, however, requires that you adequately assess the extent of your total damages, and as such there are several important areas to consider in addition to the property damage to your vehicle:
- Medical costs – If you’ve been injured by a runaway trailer, your medical expenses are destined to be astronomical and will include emergency transportation and emergency care; surgery and post-surgical care; doctor, specialist, and therapist care; physical therapy; adaptive medical devices; home adaptations; home health care; and an alternative means of transportation until you can return to driving.
- Lost wages – When you suffer serious injuries, you are likely to have to take off considerable time from work and to subsequently suffer lost wages. Further, if your injuries are serious, you could be looking at a diminished earning potential in the future. You may even face an altered career trajectory. Serious injuries often lead to serious financial damages related to employment.
- Pain and suffering – Emotional pain wrought by an accident as terrifying as a runaway trailer is difficult to overstate. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) even have an emotional and cognitive component that many sufferers liken to an altered sense of self. Victims of violent truck accidents often suffer from PTSD-like symptoms (or from PTSD proper), and many are terrified to return to driving (with good reason).
Any of these losses are significant, but when coupled together, the effects are difficult to fully comprehend. Allow your dedicated truck accident law firm to carefully create a snapshot of your total damages and to doggedly fight for the compensation you deserve!
If You Were Injured in a Runaway Trailer Accident, You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Law Firm
The horror associated with witnessing a runaway trailer coming at you on the interstate is difficult to imagine, and the scope of these accidents is often immense.
The dedicated and experienced truck accident legal team at Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is on your side. Successfully maneuvering the path toward recovery demands that you have the resources to assist yourself along the way. Our skilled law firm is here to aggressively advocate for the compensation you both need and deserve.
The legal team of Stewart J. Guss, Attorney at Law, is nationally recognized for protecting the rights of truck accident victims for more than 20 years. If you were injured in a truck accident, call our office right now to schedule a free consultation! Because we take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe us a DIME unless we win your case. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so please do not hesitate to call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us now by CLICKING HERE, and schedule your free consultation today.
