Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Truck Accident Lawyers
In studies conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), the most common causes of truck accidents are driver error, excessive speeding, and drivers drifting between lanes. Since driver fatigue can play a role in lane drift and driver error, it is likely that driver fatigue plays an important role in truck accidents as well. The trucking industry has lobbied Congress over the years in order to adopt regulations that allow truck drivers to drive increased hours over longer periods of time. The truck industry has also successfully blocked attempts to electronically monitor driver hours to ensure compliance with drive-time regulations. As a result, consumer groups have argued that an attempt to deliver freight faster at decreased costs has led to increased driver fatigue and an increased risk for more truck accidents.
At the law office of Jacquart & Lowe, our personal injury attorneys work with accident investigators and other experts in investigating the cause of truck accidents. We expose excessive speeding, driver fatigue, and truck driver error and hold negligent truck drivers accountable for the injuries and fatalities they cause. To schedule a free consultation and discuss your case, contact truck accident attorneys at Jacquart & Lowe today.
Causes of 18 Wheeler Accidents
Jacquart & Lowe achieves settlements for people injured in truck accidents caused by the following:
- Lane drift
- Driver error
- Driver fatigue, falling asleep at the wheel
- Driving under the influence
- Lack of proper reflective markings
- Absence of a Mansfield bar in under riding accidents
- Excessive speeding
- Improperly pulled off onto the road shoulder
- Turning into oncoming traffic at an intersection
- Improper driver training
- Poorly maintained truck
Determining the Cause of a Truck Accident
When investigating tractor trailer accidents, our attorneys work with specialists and investigators in measuring skid marks, analyzing data from a truck's GPS system or black box data recorder, reviewing a driver's log book, and check fuel and restaurant receipts. After interviewing witnesses, we can often determine how fast a driver was going, whether he or she had exceeded the allowable amount of drive-time hours, and whether talking on a cell phone or texting were involved.
Under-Riding and Truck Accidents
Another common truck accident involves what is referred to as "under-riding." Since a truck sits much higher than a car, in rear in collisions cars often slide under the back of a truck, shearing off the roof. When actress Jayne Mansfield was killed in just such an accident in 1967, the NHTSA required trucks to install a bar - often referred to as a "Mansfield bar" - in the back of trucks to prevent these kinds of accidents. A truck or trucking company that fails to do so is liable for injuries and deaths that occur as a result.
Many semi accidents result in head trauma, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and other debilitating injuries. If you've been seriously injured in a truck accident, contact the law office of Jacquart & Lowe today.
