San Fernando Valley Truck Accident Attorneys

Why are there so many large trucks on the road?

Over 60 percent of all freight in the US travels by truck. That is the majority of everything that is made, imported, consumed, or sold in this country. Our cities and highway systems have to accommodate both passenger travel and shipping, so it’s not surprising that cars and big rigs sometimes collide.

What makes big rig accidents so dangerous?

Big rigs, tractor trailers, and other commercial vehicles are involved in one out of eight car accident fatalities. Drivers of semi trucks have to contend with longer stopping times, slower steering response and reduced visibility compared to drivers of passenger cars. These factors, along with the massive bulk of a tractor trailer make trucking accidents especially dangerous.

In car crashes where a truck plays a role, 86 percent of fatalities and 77 percent of injuries are suffered by the drivers and passengers in the smaller vehicles. Truck accident injuries range from broken bones to concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, amputation, and death. These are life-altering — even life-ending — injuries. Protecting your rights in these circumstances requires the help of an expert truck accident attorney in the San Fernando Valley.

What is being done to prevent truck accidents?

Driver fatigue is one of the main factors in incidents where trucks are involved, accounting for 30 to 40 percent of all trucking accidents. Almost 20 percent of truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at least once during a three-month period. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has responded with strict safety guidelines mandating rest for truck drivers. Licensing standards have also been established. These are good steps, but they cannot prevent trucking accidents where standards are ignored by truckers and trucking companies.

Types of Truck Accidents

There are a number of ways that large trucks cause accidents on Southern California’s roads.

• Jackknifing: This occurs when the trailer of a big rig moves forward with enough force to push the front of the truck sideways, folding it up like a pocket knife. A jackknife incident can block multiple lanes of traffic, resulting in backed up traffic, multi-car collisions, and catastrophic injuries.
• Rear-end: The weight of a large truck means that it needs more time and distance to come to a halt. If a trucker is unable to stop before striking a passenger car from behind, the damage to car and passengers can be devastating.
• Rollovers: High winds, slippery pavement, uneven loads or other conditions can cause a truck to tip, swerve or roll over.
• Other: Even low-speed accidents or a glancing blow from a large truck can result in serious injuries to the occupants of a car.

Truck drivers and trucking companies are not always the ones at fault. Automobile drivers need to recognize the type of conditions truckers have to deal with. A big rig has less visibility, longer stopping distances and reduced maneuverability. Driving recklessly or aggressively around trucks can result in an accident.

Why should I hire a truck accident injury attorney?

The best way to get the compensation you deserve is to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney right away. Physical evidence at the scene will begin to disappear once normal traffic resumes. Weather, wear and tear from vehicles, and even future accidents may make it impossible to prove what happened. Written evidence may be destroyed since trucking companies are only required to keep documents for a certain period of time. Once that clock runs out, paperwork you need may be destroyed to help limit the company’s liability.

No matter who is at fault, trucking accidents that result in personal injury or death are devastating events. Truck and car drivers must take the right precautions in order to share the roads safely. Trucking companies are required to keep their trucks in good mechanical condition, but all drivers are responsible for using caution and knowing the limitations of their vehicles.

How can I protect my rights after a trucking accident?

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, get the professional advice of a trucking accident attorney as soon as possible. This is vital for you to get the legal help you need to understand your rights and be compensated for your suffering and loss.

How much money can I get in a settlement?

There are many factors that go into determining your compensation. For example, medical expenses and lost wages will be considered. You may be compensated for physical pain and suffering, as well as for emotional suffering. Other damages might apply as well.

What a case is worth depends on the details of the accident and its aftermath, including:

• The Severity of Your Injuries
• Your Occupation
• Your Age
• Who is Liable, or Who Can Be Sued for Damages
• The Amount of Insurance Money is Available
• The State Where the Lawsuit is Filed

Why are the Valley Accident Lawyers Your Best Choice?
The San Fernando Valley truck accident attorneys at Valley Accident Lawyers has experience to handle truck accident cases. We understand the issues involved. We can locate the right parties and/or companies to sue and find out where to sue them. Preparing and filing a lawsuit requires that your lawyer conducts research and discovery to get the facts of the case. It may be necessary to hire experts and take depositions from the other party, including any experts hired by the trucking company.

We have the expertise to take care of all these details. If the trucking company fails to offer a reasonable settlement that our clients legally deserve, we are prepared and willing to try the case in court.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, call us today for a free consultation.

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