Dallas Trailer Hitch Failure Accident Attorneys

Representing Those Severely Injured in Dallas Trailer Hitch Failure Accidents

When a trailer detaches from the cab, it’s able to freely collide with any object, or vehicles, on the road. Given the size and weight of 18-wheeler trailers, it is no wonder catastrophe usually ensues. Those who are the victims of trailer hitch failure accidents are often left severely injured and traumatized, and many will never be the same.

We at The Lenahan Law Firm have seen just how devastating truck accidents are and have worked diligently for many victims in order to get them the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one have been severely injured in a Dallas hitch failure accident, contact us at (214) 295-1008 to find out how we can help you. No one should be left to suffer due to someone else’s negligence.

What Are Common Trailer Hitch Failure Causes?

When a hitch fails, the trailer of the truck can become unattached from the cab, rolling freely away and causing massive damage, especially to any vehicles near the truck. Runaway trailers accidents can occur due to several negligent reasons, although the outcome is almost always devastating. Some of the more common causes include:

• Overloaded trailers
• Brake malfunctions
• Driver speeds, or otherwise drives recklessly
• Rusty hitch components
• Defective locking mechanisms
• Improperly used or sized safety chains
• Manufacturing or designs flaws

No matter why the trailer hitch failed, the accident caused is likely to be catastrophic, both in terms of property damage and injuries.

The Dangers of Severe Hitch Failure Accidents

All semi-truck accidents are dangerous. 18-wheelers weigh, on average, 80,000 lbs. and that’s before being loaded with cargo. No average passenger vehicle can stand up to something that big and heavy. Trailer hitch failure accidents are no exception and are actually more dangerous than the average truck collision because the driver loses all control of the trailer.

As the trailer rolls free from the cab, the truck driver can do nothing to salvage the situation. Rather, the trailer will run into any vehicles in its path, easily rolling over and crushing them, until it runs out of momentum, which may not be for a while. Those unfortunate enough to be involved in a runaway trailer accident will likely suffer from extreme injuries, such as:

• Crush injuries
• Burns
• Spine injuries
• Brain injuries
• Limb loss or amputation
• Fractured, broken, or crushed bones
• Internal damage
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Skull fractures

These injuries will likely take weeks, months, or even years to properly recover from. That means you will have to pay for treatments, be able to take time off work in order to heal, and, if you care for any family members, find a way to continue this care while also giving yourself the time you need to truly recover.

All of these things are easier said than done, and more often than not, can only be accomplished through proper compensation, which you can receive through a personal injury claim. However, when seeking damages from the at-fault party and their insurance, you need to know just who is liable.

Truck Accidents and Liability

When it comes to trailer hitch failure accidents, several parties may be responsible for your injuries. Determining this liability depends on the details of your case, as every claim will be different. In our experience, however, there are a few parties that are usually the ones at fault.

Truck driver: A trail can become disconnected if the driver was acting negligently, either by driving recklessly, by not making sure they secured the trailer with proper safety chains, or by overloading the trailer past legal limits.

Trucking company: Trucking companies operate to make a profit. This profit forward mindset often means that proper procedures and safety measures are not taken seriously. The company may pressure their drivers to speed in order to have as small a turn around time as possible, or to overload their trucks in order to deliver as many goods as can be fit in the trailer.

Equipment manufacturer: The company that built the hitch or the safety mechanisms that keep the hitch in pace may not have done their job properly, leading to a malfunction. If it is found that the hitch failed because it was not built to the proper standard, then those that built it could, and should, be held liable for their actions.

Receive Outstanding Legal Advice in Dallas, Texas

The Lenahan Law Firm can provide some of the best legal help in Texas. We fight hard for our clients and are never scared to go up against large trucking companies. Even if you think your claim will come out to nothing, if you have been severely injured in a truck collision, you deserve to be compensated. Call our firm today at (214) 295-1008 to get in contact with a knowledgeable Dallas truck accident attorney.

Additional Information

• The Danger of Equipment Failures