Cedar Rapids Truck Accident Injury Attorneys

In the extensive network of highways, trucking accidents can cause significant disruption, often resulting in life-altering injuries for victims. During such chaos, Cedar Rapids trucking injury lawyers stand out as unwavering advocates, helping survivors navigate the challenging aftermath. They specialize in the complex domain of trucking laws and regulations, ensuring that victims receive the support and guidance they need.

Truck Company Negligence for Poor Commercial Truck Maintenance

Truck accidents tend to be especially severe, often leading to serious, disabling, or life-threatening injuries for drivers and occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. While driver errors frequently cause these accidents, truck company negligence can also play a significant role, particularly when poor maintenance of commercial trucks is involved.

Poor Maintenance and Trucking Company Negligence

The trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which enforces rules on various aspects, including the maintenance of commercial vehicles. Every truck company is responsible for the upkeep of its big rigs. Although manufacturing defects can sometimes be the cause, failures in commercial truck maintenance are often to blame. When poor maintenance is found to be a contributing factor or the outright cause of an accident, the truck company can be considered negligent and liable for damages.

Types of Truck Equipment Problems

Several types of equipment issues are more likely to cause accidents or exacerbate their severity:

- Brake Failure: Worn brakes that haven't been replaced can lead to a driver's inability to stop, potentially causing a collision.
- Jackknifing: This can occur when front brakes are depowered or removed, causing the trailer to fold and potentially crush or strike nearby vehicles.
- Tire Problems: Blowouts, worn tire treads, and improperly inflated tires can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Lighting and Visibility Issues: Malfunctioning lights or windshield wipers can impair a driver's visibility, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Trailer Attachment Issues: An improperly attached trailer can swing out of control or detach entirely, posing a significant danger to others on the road.

Damages Recoverable in a Truck Accident Claim

When a truck company's negligence causes an accident, victims can seek compensation for various financial losses:

- Medical Expenses: This includes ambulatory services, hospitalization, follow-up visits, medication, physical therapy, and future medical expenses.
- Lost Income: Compensation for income lost during the recovery period, and potential future income loss if the injuries result in disability.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for the victim's vehicle.
- Physical and Emotional Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, reduced quality of life, mental anguish, PTSD, and other psychological impacts.

Legal Help to Prove Truck Company Negligence

Proving a truck company's negligence can be challenging and requires a thorough investigation. An attorney who specializes in truck accident cases can be crucial in establishing liability. At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, we can help investigate the crash and determine if poor commercial truck maintenance was a contributing factor.

Truck Regulations and Laws for Truck Drivers in Iowa

Truck drivers in Iowa must adhere to both federal regulations enforced by the FMCSA and specific state laws. These regulations and laws can be critical in determining fault and liability in the event of an accident.

Iowa Laws for Truck Drivers

- Texting and Cell Phone Use: All drivers, including truck drivers, are banned from texting while driving and talking on a hand-held cell phone.
- Accident Reporting: An accident report must be filed if property damage totals $1,500 or more, if there is any injury, or if a fatality occurs.
- Hazardous Materials: The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces specific rules for the transportation and parking of hazardous materials, requiring proper placards and immediate reporting of accidents involving such materials.

Injury Lawyers and Truck Regulation Violations

If there is a suspicion that a truck regulation was violated, an injury lawyer can help determine fault and liability. Truck accident victims can consult an attorney to review potential regulatory violations and their impact on a claim.

Systems That Prove Fault in Iowa Car Accidents

Iowa follows comparative fault rules, meaning the fault of each driver in an accident is compared to determine liability. Here are some common methods used to prove fault:

Failure to Stop, Maintain Control, or Follow Too Closely

- Assured Clear Distance Ahead: Drivers must stop within a clear distance to avoid collisions.
- Failure to Maintain Control: Drivers must control their vehicles, especially when approaching intersections.
- Following Too Closely: Drivers must maintain a reasonable distance considering speed, traffic, and road conditions.

Failing to Yield

- Intersection Rules: Vehicles must yield at uncontrolled intersections and when turning.
- Backing Onto a Highway: Vehicles must yield when reversing.
- Slow-Moving Vehicles: Slow vehicles must stay in the right-hand lane or as close to the curb as possible.

Failing to Obey Traffic Control Devices

- Traffic Signals: Drivers must follow traffic light rules, including stopping for red lights and yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians when making turns.

Walker, Billingsley & Bair is prepared to act fast to defend your rights after a truck accident in Iowa. Contact our office at 641-792-3595 to speak with an attorney.