
Rhode Island truck accident lawyer
Trucking accidents In Rhode Island can be dangerous and scary, even after the physical pain and shock of the accident have been dealt with the problems of how to determine who is to blame and how much compensation is available must be determined. The laws governing the operation of trucking companies and individual trucks are often difficult to understand, largely because trucks are governed by both state and federal law. If you were injured in a truck accident in RI, contact a Rhode Island truck accident lawyer.
Rhode Island truck accident lawyer
The process of investigating a big rig trucking accident and apportioning blame following an accident begins for the trucking company soon after the accident takes place. In many cases, an investigator is dispatched to look into the accident while the vehicles are still in place after the accident. In an attempt to apportion blame the investigators and insurance agents representing a Semi Truck company have been known to attempt to interview an injured party soon after the collision and obtain signed medical waivers to curtail a future compensation claim being made.
Rhode Island truck accident attorney
Each investigator is working for the trucking company or insurance company and therefore wish to shift the blame away from the truck driver. A person making a claim against a trucking company in Rhode Island Superior Court should seek legal advice to determine how best to proceed with their claim in RI against the company. Providence trucking crash Personal Injury lawyers should have knowledge of the many documents a truck driver is required to keep as they embark on a journey. For long journeys a driver is even required to keep a sleep log, this allows an investigator to ensure they have not been overworked should an accident occur.
Trucking accidents in RI
Trucking accidents in RI come in many forms and may include a Semi Crash with a car, motorcycle or pedestrian. Sadly many Tractor Trailer crashes are deadly especially when a truck collides with a bike, bicycle , pedestrian or small auto. Rhode Island has numerous big time Wrongful Death attorneys.
RI Personal injury Attorney
There are many options available to a person making a compensation claim following a Providence area truck wreck. These include the option of seeking a claim against the operators of a trucking company, or seeking a claim against the manufacturer of a part used to repair a truck when mechanical failure is to blame for the accident. A RI Personal injury Attorney is the best option in determining which claim to pursue based on the evidence supplied during an investigation into the accident. Multiple claims can often be made against the driver of the truck, the trucking company and the manufacturer of the truck or parts used on the truck.
In most cases, an initial consultation will take place that will allow the trucking lawyer to make a decision on whether a compensation claim would be worthwhile. The vast amounts of information about a RI Tractor Trailer accident can be confusing for a person not well versed in trucking law.
Commercial box trucks and flatbed trucks in Rhode Island are often loaded with heavy materials and carry an extensive amount of gross weight . Unlike a tractor-trailer, flatbeds and box trucks typically have the cargo transport area mounted directly to the chassis, where the load is carried on the vehicle, instead of being pulled behind.
Rhode Island truck accident attorney
The extra weight on the truck often makes it more challenging to maneuver, because of its diminished response in handling the vehicle under normal and severe conditions. Box and flatbed trucks haul a variety of loads from lightweight goods including food and furniture, to extremely heavy loads of building materials, cranes, motors, concrete beams and drywall.
Flatbed Accidents in RI
Because the cargo on a flatbed truck is exposed, drivers are required by law to stop the vehicle periodically and check the load to ensure that all carried material and goods are properly secured in a safe manner. Unfortunately, loads can easily become unsecured, creating an extremely dangerous situation if any transported materials spill out onto the roadway. An Rhode island and Providence Plantations accident involving a single flatbed truck can easily become a multi-vehicle collision if the cargo is dispersed all over the road.
Recreational Vehicle Accidents In Pawtucket, Lincoln and Cumberland RI
Statistics maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that tens of thousands of individuals are injured every year in recreational vehicle accidents. This is likely the result of inexperienced RV drivers operating oversized vehicles including campers, motorhomes, fifth wheels, conversion vans, van campers, truck campers and conventional vehicles.
Big Rig trucking accident in RI
In many incidences, the RV driver is a senior citizen who may be challenged in their ability to steer, see or respond quickly under various difficult driving conditions. In addition to limitations of the driver, the recreational vehicle’s sheer size and poor maneuverability increase its potential of being involved in an accident. Common causes of motorhome and recreational vehicle accidents in Rhode Island include:
• A runaway trailer
• Overloading
• Driver inexperience
• Poorly balanced load
• Improperly calculated turn
• Rollovers caused by the vehicle’s high center of gravity
• Issues with the blind spot that blocks sight of other vehicles on the road
Unfortunately, there are no state-mandated special driving permits for RV drivers in most states despite the challenges involved in their handling and maneuvering their vehicle on city roadways, freeways and interstates. If you were injured in a trucking wreck in Pawtucket, Cranston, Warwick, East Greenwich then contact the best RI Truck Accident attorney who is also a Rhode Island personal injury attorney
Van Accidents in Rhode Island
Statistics managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that large passenger vans, especially those carrying up to 15 passengers, have an increased potential of being involved in a rollover. In fact, a rollover is 500 percent more likely in the van when full, compared to when the driver is alone in the vehicle.
This is because of the incredibly high center of gravity when the van is filled to capacity with passengers and cargo including suitcases, golf clubs and other personal property.
In addition, a study by the NHTSA showed that even when there are minimal passengers in the van, most of those suffering a fatality from an accident were not wearing a seat belt.
Legal Responsibility for truck accidents in RI
Operating a large vehicle on America’s roadway brings with it the duty to maintain a safe environment for all occupants and others sharing the road. This is because victims of medium-size truck accidents involving box vans, flatbeds, passenger vans and recreational vehicles often sustain catastrophic injuries or death.
In many incidences, victims will hire a Rhode Island personal injury attorney or a RI Truck Accident lawyer specializing in medium-size truck accidents to seek financial compensation for their medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering. The skilled RI law firm / Rhode Island truck accident attorney will investigate the accident, take eyewitness accounts, develop a case, and hold all responsible parties accountable for their negligence including the driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, roadway maintenance crews or anyone whose negligence led to the victim’s injuries. A good Rhode island truck accident lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve.
“In 2014, 3,978 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 5-percent decrease from 2013. From 2013 to 2014, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles decreased by 4 percent, from 0.143 to 0.138. There was a 33-percent decrease in the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses between 2004 and 2009, followed by an increase of 20 percent between 2009 and 2013. From 2013 to 2014, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses decreased by 4.5 percent. The number of injury crashes involving large trucks or buses decreased steadily from 95,000 in 2004 to 60,000 in 2009 (a decline of 37 percent). This decline was followed by an increase of 55 percent from 2009 to 2014.” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration DOT
Truck and bus crash statistics
” In 2014, 3,978 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 5-percent decrease from 2013. From 2013 to 2014, large truck and bus fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by all motor vehicles decreased by 4 percent, from 0.143 to 0.138. There was a 33-percent decrease in the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses between 2004 and 2009, followed by an increase of 20 percent between 2009 and 2013. From 2013 to 2014, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks or buses decreased by 4.5 percent. The number of injury crashes involving large trucks or buses decreased steadily from 95,000 in 2004 to 60,000 in 2009 (a decline of 37 percent). This decline was followed by an increase of 55 percent from 2009 to 2014. On average, from 2004 to 2014, intercity buses accounted for 13 percent, and school buses and transit buses accounted for 41 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of all buses involved in fatal crashes.” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admistration- Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2014 FMCSA
Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court located in Providence licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this East providence law firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other lawyers for principle responsibility.