Accidents involving 18-wheelers, also known as tractor-trailers or big rigs, tend to be more serious for several reasons according to an 18 wheeler accident lawyer with our friends at Kiefer & Kiefer:

1. Size and Weight: 18-wheelers are significantly larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. The sheer mass and momentum of a tractor-trailer make collisions with smaller vehicles especially devastating.
2. Increased Stopping Distance: Due to their size and weight, 18-wheelers have a longer stopping distance. This means that they require more time and distance to come to a complete stop, which can result in rear-end collisions or an inability to avoid obstacles on the road.
3. Limited Maneuverability: Tractor-trailers are less maneuverable than smaller vehicles. They have a wider turning radius and may have difficulty navigating tight corners or avoiding hazards. This limited maneuverability can contribute to accidents in certain situations.
4. Driver Fatigue: Long-haul truck drivers often face demanding schedules and spend extended hours on the road. Fatigue can lead to reduced alertness and slower reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents.
5. Blind Spots: 18-wheelers have large blind spots, especially on the right side and directly behind the trailer. Smaller vehicles that linger in these blind spots may go unnoticed by the truck driver, increasing the potential for collisions.
6. Mechanical Issues: Mechanical failures in large trucks, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, can lead to accidents. Regular maintenance and safety checks are essential to prevent such issues.
7. Cargo Spills: When an 18-wheeler is involved in an accident, the cargo it’s carrying can spill onto the road, creating additional hazards and causing more extensive damage.
8. High Speeds: Tractor-trailers are often driven at high speeds on highways and interstates. When accidents occur at high speeds, the force of impact is more significant, leading to more severe injuries and damage.
9. Inexperienced or Inattentive Drivers: Some truck drivers may lack experience or engage in distracted or reckless driving behaviors, increasing the risk of accidents.
10. Jackknifing: Jackknifing is a dangerous situation where the trailer of an 18-wheeler swings outward, causing the truck to fold into a V-shape. This can occur during hard braking or sharp turns and often leads to serious accidents.

Accidents with large commercial trucks can result in severe injuries, significant property damage, and even fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles. You should seek legal representation to ensure that you have an advocate who can help you navigate the complex legal process to obtain fair compensation.

Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and potentially other third parties, such as maintenance providers or cargo loaders. An experienced lawyer will investigate the accident thoroughly, identify liable parties, and determine the cause, which may involve factors like driver fatigue, mechanical failures, or regulatory violations.

Additionally, trucking companies often have insurance teams and legal counsel to protect their interests. Having your own attorney levels the playing field and ensures that your rights are safeguarded throughout the negotiation or litigation process.

Moreover, trucking regulations are extensive and complex, with federal and state laws governing various aspects of the industry. A knowledgeable attorney will understand these regulations and how they apply to your case, ensuring that all relevant laws are followed.

In summary, contacting a lawyer after a semi-truck accident is essential to protect your legal rights, investigate the incident thoroughly, and pursue the compensation you deserve. It’s a crucial step in ensuring that you receive proper medical care and financial support during the challenging aftermath of such a traumatic event.

A will is considered to be a legal instrument that allows an individual to distribute his or her property in accordance with their particular wishes. When a person dies with a valid will, the testator, or the individual with the valid will, is said to die. However, if an individual dies without a will, they are said to die intestate. Without having the legal instrument to dictate where, who, when,, and how an individual’s property will be distributed upon death, an individual will have “an estate plan by default,” meaning that their property will be disposed of in accordance with a prescribed method of distribution by way of applicable law. 

Under the Uniform Probate Code, specifically UPC § 2-101 through 2-105, there are a variety of factors that are determinative of who receives a portion of the estate based upon which takers are alive or deceased at the moment of the intestate individual’s death. For instance, if an individual only has a spouse, and does not have any descendants or parents, the entire disposition will be given to the spouse. If the intestate individual dies with a spouse and descendants, the disposition will depend on how many descendants are the intestate individual’s. These prescriptions are meant to distribute property accordingly in a way that would allow living takers to receive the benefit of the property before the property escheats to the state. “Escheating” to the state means that the entire property would be given to the state government. Under the Uniform Probate Code, a spouse, descendants, surviving parents of the decedent, surviving siblings of the decedent, surviving grandparents of the decedent, and the surviving descendants of the grandparents would be eligible to receive a portion of the estate before the property escheats to the state. Typically, the spouse would take precedence over all relatives, followed by descendants of the deceased. 

Some state’s intestacy laws contain several similarities to the Uniform Probate Code’s prescription of disposition but maintain several differences.  Some state’s intestacy prescriptions are governed by NRS § 134. The similarities between certain state’s intestacy laws and the UPC’s prescriptions of intestacy are mainly when an individual has children without any spouse, parents, or siblings; or when an individual has a spouse, without any children, parents, or siblings. Just as in the UPC, the children and the spouse would, respectively, inherit the entire estate. Where the differences exist between the two bodies of law begin when an individual has a spouse and children. Under the UPC, the presumption of inheritance if all of the decedent’s descendants are all of the spouse’s children is that the spouse would inherit the entire estate. If the decedent has a spouse and one child, the spouse will inherit all of the community property and one-half of the separate property, while the child will inherit the other half of the separate property. When there is more than one child that is both the decedent’s and the spouse, the spouse inherits all of the community and one-third of the separate property, while the children receive an equal share the other two-thirds of the separate property.

The importance of creating a will is to have your property distributed in accordance with your intentions and wishes. The issue with dying intestate is that the government allocates property in a fashion that may not necessarily be the wishes of the decedent. Drafting a complete will that dictates the exact methods that you wish your property to be distributed in various situations where a relative may predecease the testator creates security and certainty as to what manner the decedent’s property will be distributed. 

Thanks to a wrongful death lawyer with our friends at Eglet Adams for their insight on intestacy. 

Rideshare services like Lyft have revolutionized urban transportation, offering convenience and flexibility. However, with the rise of these services, there has been an increase in rideshare-related accidents. These incidents often involve complex legal issues that can be difficult to navigate without professional help. Attorneys like those at Disparti Law Group, who specialize in Lyft accident cases understand these complexities and can provide essential guidance.

Understanding Multiple Layers Of Liability

One of the key complexities in rideshare accidents is determining liability. Unlike traditional vehicle accidents, rideshare incidents can involve multiple parties – the rideshare company, the rideshare driver, other drivers, and potentially third-party contractors. Determining who is at fault requires a thorough investigation and understanding of how rideshare companies like Lyft operate, including their insurance policies and driver contracts.

Navigating Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage in rideshare accidents is another area of complexity. Rideshare companies typically have large insurance policies that cover accidents involving their drivers. However, the coverage can vary depending on the driver’s status at the time of the accident. For instance, the policy may offer different coverage levels depending on whether the Lyft driver was waiting for a ride request, en route to pick up a passenger, or during a trip. Understanding these nuances is crucial for victims seeking compensation.

Identifying The Right Course Of Legal Action

Choosing the right course of legal action in a rideshare accident can be challenging. Depending on the circumstances, you might need to file a claim against the driver’s personal insurance, the rideshare company’s insurance, or both. Sometimes, it may even be necessary to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Experienced lawyers can help victims understand their options and choose the best course of action based on the specifics of their case.

The Role Of Technology In Evidence Gathering

Technology plays a significant role in rideshare accidents. Data from the rideshare app, such as trip logs, driver status, and GPS tracking, can be critical in establishing the facts of the case. Accessing and interpreting this digital evidence requires specialized knowledge and experience, which a skilled Lyft accident lawyer can provide.

Rideshare accidents present unique legal challenges that require specialized knowledge and experience to navigate effectively. From understanding the layers of liability to navigating complex insurance issues and leveraging technology for evidence, these cases are multifaceted. If you find yourself involved in a rideshare accident, seeking the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney is crucial. They can provide the expertise needed to navigate these complexities and work towards securing the compensation you deserve for any injuries or damages sustained.