Hamden Trucking Accident Lawyers Win Compensation for Victims
Aggressive Connecticut advocates take on negligent truck drivers and companies
Due to their large size and heavy weight, trucks present a danger to the occupants of other vehicles that share the road with them, especially when their drivers or owners are negligent. At Gesmonde Pietrosimone & Sgrignani, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven, we are accomplished Connecticut litigators who fight for the rights of accident victims throughout the state. If you are injured in a collision with a truck, you can trust us to develop and pursue legal strategies designed to win maximum compensation.
Driver fatigue puts innocent people at risk
As in other auto accidents, driver negligence is often to blame for a collision involving a commercial vehicle. A fatigued truck driver won’t be able to give sufficient attention to traffic signs and signals, curves in the road, other vehicles and occasional pedestrians. In some cases, a motorist might even fall asleep at the wheel. An overly rigorous delivery schedule could lead a commercial vehicle operator to ignore federal regulations that require drivers to take and accurately report sleep breaks. We may be able to prove driver fatigue through the vehicle’s electronic data recorder or reviewing the driver’s logs. Our personal injury firm also looks for other driver-related problems that may have contributed to the accident, such as inexperience, a history of traffic citations, and evidence that the truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Poor truck maintenance and mechanical defects make accidents more likely
Even in the hands of the best driver, a poorly maintained truck can be a hazard on the road due to problems that might include:
- Overly worn brakes
- Tires that have worn treads, lack the correct amount of air pressure or are improperly rotated
- Failure to check and replace oil and brake, steering and radiator fluids
- Failure to replace damaged lights
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires every trucking company to inspect, maintain and repair its fleet on a regular basis. If there is a chance that a trucking accident was caused by poor maintenance, we will thoroughly investigate that possibility.
Sometimes, the problem is a mechanical defect, which can be a mistake in the design or manufacturing of the truck itself, or any of its individual parts. The driver or trucking company may be liable for failing to replace the defective part, if they had reason to know of the flaw. However, the manufacturer of the truck or part might also be liable. If the circumstances suggest this type of negligence, we will review the pertinent facts.
How oversized trucks and loads increase the risk of accident
Trucks and the loads they carry are oversized if their height, width, length or weight violate regulatory standards or hinder the vehicle’s ability to operate safely. Oversized trucks and loads can cause accidents by:
- Making it difficult for the truck to maneuver in traffic or around curves and corners
- Blocking the view of others on the road
- Making it difficult to stop quickly
- Impeding the truck driver’s vision or perception of their surroundings
All of these effects can cause an oversized or overloaded truck to collide with another vehicle. This problem is common and we act quickly to determine if it is a factor in accidents involving big rigs.
Contact an experienced Connecticut trucking accident lawyer regarding your claim
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. advocates on behalf of Connecticut clients injured in trucking accidents. To discuss your case, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online. Our offices are in Hamden and East Haven.