Philadelphia Unhitched and Defective Trailers Attorneys
Unhitched and Defective Trailers
The experienced Pennsylvania defective, unhitched trailer, and trucking accident attorneys of The Beasley Reiff Law Group have represented victims and their families of these accidents since 1955. Many times our Pennsylvania tractor trailer accident attorneys have found that tractor trailer accidents are simply accidents waiting to happen when proper control mechanisms are not in place. Our experienced defective trailer and trucking accident lawyers have extensive experience representing victims injured when trailers become detached from trucks or other vehicles pulling them.
Lack Of Regulation Allows Trailer Safety Violations To Slip Through The Cracks
Many times, regulation and inspection of trailers are left up to state or local municipalities. Unfortunately, in most states, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, very little regulation is addressed to trailers that are under the weight of 3,000 lbs. Many of these trailers may be home made and purposefully made just under the weight of 3,000 lbs so as not to be subject to any regulations. Many of these trailers are subject to only minimal requirements which simply state that lights must be working at the time of registration and very few states check the quality of trailers or connectors. The code exempts many trailers and only requires that brakes be inspected beyond the initial confirmation of a VIN plate. Many state laws, including those of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are silent as to the design or construction specifications for those vehicles or for safety measures, including towing chains or hitches. In many cases, our defective trailer and trucking accident lawyers have found that tow trailers have obvious safety violations relating to the lighting, braking, and inspection requirements.Several factors are known to be at fault in trailer detachment accidents:
- Operator behavior;
- Mechanical failure;
- Design defect or limitation;
- Inadequate security;
- Failure to post proper warnings;
- Uninspected damage;
- Improper repairs;
- Metallergical or component failures;
- Improper operation;
- Improper training of operator;
- Lack of proper maintenance procedures;
- Loose cables;
- Rusted belts;
- Improper belting security;
- Lack of safety harness;
- Failure of safety locks;
- Sharp or protruding parts;
- Improper height/weight restrictions;
- Corrosion of parts;
- Poor lighting;
- Electrical shorts;
- Improper hitching devices;
- Improper assembly;
- Overloading the trailer;
- Switch failures;
- Abrupt start/stop of trailer;
- Violations of applicable state codes concerning weight requirements.
Since the trailer industry is highly unregulated, there is no uniform system for reporting injuries, opening the door for many unreported dangers. This means that many innocent consumers and victims are left in the dark. We have found that many trailer operators have cut corners on safety by improperly staffing; incorrectly loading and unloading positions; not paying attention to the cargo; or failing to pay attention to the safety of others on the road.
Winning Legal Battles With Legendary Experience
If you or a family member has sustained an injury as the result of a defective trailer or unsecured trailer, there will be some important questions that you and your attorneys will have to explore in order to determine if you have a case and who is responsible. The experienced defective trailer accident lawyers of The Beasley Reiff Law Group have worked with an experienced group of investigators and experts to determine how the accident occurred and who is liable. Since 1955, the skilled lawyers of The Beasley Reiff Law Group trucking accident law firm have been awarded over $2 billion dollars on behalf of injured victims and their families. Our Pennsylvania trucking accident lawyers have been recognized as possessing the highest possible ratings in both legal ability and ethical standards, as well as noted to be the top attorneys in Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, and Pittsburgh Magazine. Our long history of litigating catastrophic accident cases is well documented in the acclaimed book The Courtroom Cowboy telling many behind the scenes stories of our great successes. For a free, no obligation consultation, contact us online or call us toll free at 1-800-588-0130.
