Rancho Bernardo Truck Accident Injury Lawyers
Trucks accidents can cause minor to catastrophic injuries. An experienced Rancho Bernardo truck accident attorney will fight for you and the compensation you deserve
Injuries from truck accidents (“tractor trailers”) are very common in California. The California Highway Patrol reported that 9,710 people were injured in truck involved collisions in 2017, and that 459 of those injured were in San Diego County. This data means that, on average, more than one person was injured in a truck accident every day of 2017. Due to the size and weight of trucks compared to other smaller vehicles, truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or death to anyone involved the accident.
Obtain Compensation After a Truck Accident with an Aggressive Lawyer
When a truck accident occurs because of the careless or intentional actions of another person or entity, an injured victim can seek money damages through a personal injury claim. It is important to obtain legal assistance from a personal injury lawyer if you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident. It is extremely difficult for an injured person to navigate the substantive and procedural legal issues in a truck accident, without the help of knowledgeable Rancho Bernardo truck accident lawyer.
Savage Law is dedicated to helping injured victims get healthy and receive the financial compensation they deserve after a truck accident. Our Rancho Bernardo based law office is aggressive in its approach to resolving injury claims. A skilled injury attorney will relentlessly negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company to obtain maximum compensation for your case. The injury lawyers at Savage Law maintain constant pressure on the defendant to resolve your case without unnecessary waiting and posturing. Consider contacting Savage Law today for a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and injuries.
Large Commercial Vehicle Accidents Can Cause Fatal Injuries
Fatal accidents involving semi-trucks and other large commercial trucks occur on an everyday basis in California. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 361 fatalities in 2017 from crashes involving large trucks in California. There are 365 days in a year, so this data means that, on average, someone was killed almost every day in 2017 from an accident involving a large truck.
Semi-trucks are nearly 20 times larger and heavier than the majority of passenger vehicles. Big rig drivers are typically behind the wheel for hours at a time, which can lead to drivers dozing off or falling asleep at the wheel. These sleepy truck drivers often overcorrect when they open their eyes, turning the steering wheel too much in the opposite direction. Overcorrecting a semi-truck weighing 40,000 to 80,000 lbs can result in deadly rollover and jackknife accidents. Even a small impact from a big rig can have devastating consequences.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California
Accidents Caused by Distracted or Inattentive Driving
One of the most common causes of truck accidents is distracted or inattentive driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2018, distracted driving caused 2,841 deaths and over 400,000 people to be injured. Common examples of distractions while driving include talking or texting on a cell phone, adjusting a stereo or navigation system, eating, fixing hair or makeup, reaching for objects, and talking to passengers.
Texting while driving can cause catastrophic injuries or death. According to the NHTSA, sending or receiving a text takes the driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, it is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. California Vehicle Code §23123.5 makes it illegal to hold and use a cell phone while texting, calling, or using apps while driving. The device must be affixed to the vehicle, and may be operated in hands free mode using voice activation, or with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when the cab portion of a semi-truck and the trailer fold at their connecting point. These accidents are very dangerous for nearby vehicles, which can collide with the swinging portion of the trailer or become wedged underneath the underride.
Jackknife accidents can be caused by any of the following conditions: Speeding; Brake failure; Road debris; Slick roads; Overcorrecting; Loose cargo; Locked wheels; or Driver error.
Underride Truck Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a car collides with a semi-trailer truck and slides underneath the big rig. The height difference between most passenger vehicles and a semi-truck and makes it relatively easy for cars to slide underneath the tall trucks. The Department of Transportation requires semi-trucks to have a rear safety bar or underride guard, which helps prevent these types of accidents. Despite the requirement, these safety features are not routinely inspected, often leading to defective guards being installed, or no guard at all.
Rollover Truck Accidents
A rollover accident occurs when a truck rolls onto its side or roof. These accidents often happen when a semi-truck is speeding around a curve in the road, or when the truck suddenly turns or changes direction. Common causes of rollover truck accidents include speeding, improper cargo loading, driver error, overcorrecting, and slick roads.
Accidents Caused by Drunk Driving
California Vehicle Code §23152 makes it illegal for a person who has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or more to drive a vehicle. The vehicle code sets the BAC for commercial drivers at .04 percent, or half of the legal limit for non-commercial vehicles. Many commercial vehicle operators in California ignore the law and drive under the influence, causing many unnecessary accidents each year.
Tire Blowout Accidents
A tire blowout on a large truck can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to swerving and overcorrecting, jackknifing, and roll over incidents. Tire blowouts can be caused by regular wear and tear of the tires, a lack of adequate vehicle maintenance, or defective tires.
Who is At Fault for a Truck Accident in California?
It is extremely important that an injured victim determine any and all parties who may be at fault after a truck accident. Injured parties can name multiple defendants in the same truck accident case. If multiple parties are at fault, an injured victim can miss out on additional compensation by not naming all parties. If an at fault party is not named, the other named parties may assert a defense that the unnamed party is fully or partially at fault. The following parties can be liable in a truck accident: Truck Driver; Truck Owner; Driver’s Employer; Trucking Company; Truck or Product Manufacturer; and Maintenance Companies.
Get Legal Support from an Experienced Truck Collision Attorney in Rancho Bernardo, CA
When a truck accident has been caused by another person’s reckless or negligent driving, there is potential to recover significant compensation from the at fault party’s insurance company. Truck accident cases can be very difficult, yet very rewarding. If you or someone you know was injured in a truck accident, it is critical to obtain the legal support of a knowledgeable attorney.
Savage Law is focused on helping injured victims obtain medical treatment necessary to get healthy, and money to compensate the victim for past and future damages. The truck accident attorneys at Savage Law in Rancho Bernardo, CA are aggressive and persistent in pursuit of maximum compensation for its clients. Our Rancho Bernardo law office uses the law to the advantage of its clients in fighting for the best possible outcome without unnecessary delay. Call Savage Law to schedule a no-obligation consultation today.