If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. These cases can be complicated due to various trucking regulations, so you should hire an experienced RI trucking accident attorney. Our firm charges no legal fees until you receive a settlement or award. Call us toll free 24/7 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Has A Defective Truck Cab Guard Caused Your Serious Injury?
Call a RI Defective Truck Cab Guard Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today!
What Are Truck Cab Guards?
Truck cab guards, also known as “Headache Racks,” are required under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) as an added level of protection for truck cab occupants. The truck cab guards are required as front-end structures on 18-wheelers and personal trucking vehicles that pull flat beds, trailers and log trailers. Cab guards are to prevent shifting cargo from contacting the cab of heavy trucks. The defective cab guards that have allegedly caused injuries are made up of heat-treated aluminum which is light in weight and easy to maintain.
What Are The Dangers Associated With Defective Truck Cab Guards?
Due to the lightweight aluminum used in the production of the cab guards, many manufacturers are finding their cab guards can become weak after extended use. The weakening of the cab guard due to fatigue stress is relatively unknown to drivers, many of whom do not notice the defect until it is too late. If the cab guard then becomes defective, the following could take place:
- The load that is being pulled by the truck can enter the cab, causing serious injury.
- The load can become detached and injure other motorists on the roadway.
- The load can crush cars, trucks and even built structures, depending upon the weight of the loads.
What Are Some Of The Serious Injuries Associated With Defective Truck Cab Guards?
- Concussions
- Cuts
- Bruises
- Memory loss
- Broken bones
- Loss of teeth
- Loss of limbs
- Death
Who Will Be Held Responsible For My Defective Truck Cab Guard Injuries?
As is the case in many truck accident cases, each case is different, and each will have to be reviewed by an experience defective truck cab guard lawyer. Some defective truck cab guards were designed defectively, as is the claim by many of the injured parties with the defective truck cab guards, and the manufacturer could be held responsible. If the defective truck cab guards were found to be defective because of the manufacturing process, then the manufacturer can also be held responsible. If the truck that causes an injury is owned by a corporation, business or company, than that owner that owns the truck can be held responsible, especially if they did not secure a load properly, or failed to protect the driver, passenger or other motorists in other ways.
How Much Does A Defective Truck Cab Guard Lawyer Cost?
Our experienced defective truck cab guard lawyers do not charge any legal fees until you obtain settlement or award for your injuries. We do charge a 1/3 fee of your settlement or award, which is standard in this state. We also pay for costs to get your medical records, police report and other costs and we get these back only if and when we win your case.
Defective Truck Cab Guard Lawsuits and Events
- February, 2017: An Alabama Circuit Court jury found a verdict of $16.8 million in favor of the family of a deceased man who lost his life due to a defective cab guard causing a truck load of heavy logs to enter the cabin, causing the cabin to overturn.
- January, 2008: A Mississippi jury awarded a $12 million verdict to a mother who lost her child due to a defective cab guard when the truck he was driving flipped over.
What Do I Do Immediately After Being Injured By A Defective Truck Cab Guard?
- Turn on your emergency lights and do not move your vehicle unless it is in danger to you or other vehicles.
- Call 911 or your local police department and tell them you are hurt and to come to the scene of the accident.
- If possible, take some photographs of the position of the cars in the accident.
- If possible, call a friend or family member to the scene to be a witness and take more photos, if possible.
- Get any witness names and telephone numbers ASAP before they leave the scene of the accident.
- Make sure that you obtain information from the other driver regarding his name, address and insurance company information. Take some notes of the cars positions, the weather, road conditions, time, place, and any traffic violations.
- If you are injured, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel like you were injured, if you banged your head or any body part, get medical treatment as sometimes pain will not surface until hours after the accident.
- If you are driving a company car, you should also report the injuries and the accident to your employer.
Contact a Defective Truck Cab Guard Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced trucking accident lawyer or a tractor-trailer accident lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of d’Oliveira & Associates would like to meet with you to discuss and investigate your accident. We are able to file a trucking accident lawsuit on your behalf and there are no fees unless we are successful. Please contact the law offices of d’Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation