With spring on the horizon, we are sure to start seeing many Texas residents hitching their boat trailers to the back of their vehicle and heading out to the lake.
Take care when riding alongside any vehicle with an attached trailer. These are not only difficult to maneuver but also pose a risk of coming undone, especially at high speeds. When this happens, there is a sudden non-moving obstruction in the middle of the roadway that can cause a serious accident. If you were injured in an accident involving any type of trailer, contact a Texas car accident attorney immediately. If it turns out that the trailer was not attached properly, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
How Accidents with a Trailer Hitch Happen
An accident with a trailer hitch is almost always the result of one of these circumstances: The hitch was not fitted properly onto the ball, there was no locking mechanism or it was not working properly, safety chains were either not in place or not attached correctly, the trailer load was back heavy allowing the tongue to come loose, or anyone of the safety components had a design flaw. If the cause of your accident can be traced back to a fatal error in the design of the trailer hitch, then you may have a product liability case. Your Texas car accident attorney will conduct a full investigation into the details of your crash before deciding the best way to pursue the payment of damages for your injuries.
Using Extra Caution While on the Road
The driver of the SUV or pick-up that is pulling the trailer needs to be extra cautious while out on the ride. Sudden maneuvers or large bumps can cause even a properly attached trailer to come undone. This means driving slowly with tail lights and brake lights that are in good working order. If a trailer pulls away from the vehicle at a high speed, the damage it can do can be catastrophic.
Finding Evidence of Negligence
Just like in any car accident case, those involving a trailer need to show evidence of negligence in order to be successful. Insurance policies cover the damage caused by a trailer, so it is likely that the policy carrier will be fighting hard to avoid a payout. It is important that you contact a Houston car accident attorney as quickly as possible after your accident. He will need time to go over the crash and look at the trailer and hitch to determine exactly what the cause was. Once the cause has been established, you can be sure he will work hard to help you receive compensation.