Sun Valley Truck Accident Lawyer

Are you in need of a Sun Valley truck accident lawyer?

Nestled near the Verdugo Mountains in the San Fernando Valley, the neighborhood of Sun Valley is home to more than 80,000 people. Residents have the opportunity to explore nearby historic sites or pursue numerous outdoor activities, but such excursions can become difficult or impossible for those who are injured in an accident involving a commercial truck.

Why Truck Accidents Often Result in Serious Injuries

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were approximately 338,000 crashes involving large trucks during 2013. These crashes resulted in 7,000 injuries to truck drivers — and 52,000 injuries to drivers of passenger vehicles. The occupants and drivers of passenger vehicles accounted for approximately 97 percent of all fatalities resulting from accidents involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle.

That more deaths and injuries were suffered by the occupants of passenger vehicles is largely a matter of physics. The average weight of a passenger vehicle is around 4,000 pounds; a commercial truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or 20 times the weight of a passenger vehicle. If all exceptional factors are eliminated, the heavier object will always be able to inflict greater damage on the object with the lighter weight. Thus, an accident that might cause little more than a dent in a truck’s fender can completely demolish a passenger vehicle — and the greater the damage to the vehicle, the greater the likelihood that occupants will be seriously injured.

Are Truck Accidents Common in California?

Truck accidents are very common in California. In fact, between 2003 and 2013, California had the dubious honor of topping the list of states having the highest number of truck accidents. Part of the reason for the high number of accidents in Southern California is simply that there are so many trucks on the roads. The area is home to the largest container port in the country, and the proximity to the Mexican border makes it an important hub for international trade. Add in the need to deliver goods to support a population of approximately 17 million in the greater Los Angeles region and it is easy to see that trucks currently comprise a high percentage of the area’s traffic.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Sun Valley?

Truck accidents can be caused by many different things. For example, trucks need as much as 40 percent more distance to stop than passenger vehicles, so if the truck is tailgating or speeding, it may be unable to stop before colliding with the vehicle ahead of it. Trucks also have blind spots that can make it impossible for the driver to see a car that is only a few feet away; if the truck driver turns or changes lanes improperly, a collision could occur.

When causes are assigned to groups, the most common reasons for truck accidents fall into the group of driver error. This group includes driver fatigue, sleep deprivation, the use of over-the-counter medications, inattention, the use of prescription drugs, distracted driving, alcohol use, speeding, unfamiliarity with the route and traveling too fast for existing conditions. The category of equipment problems also contains a number of causes of truck accidents. Equipment problems include tire blowouts, improper load distribution, inadequate brake adjustments leading to failure, improperly secured loads, defective lighting, transmission failure, improper trailer attachment and defective steering.

Accidents involving big rigs may be the fault of the truck driver alone, but a third party may have to bear at least some of the responsibility. For example, if a company knowingly fails to maintain the truck properly or allows a driver to operate a truck with a known mechanical issue, the company may be liable for the accident. Similarly, a municipality or other government agency that fails to correct a known safety issue — such as a defective traffic signal or a road hazard — may share liability although responsibility may be difficult to prove. Determining who is at fault can be a complicated process that involves witness statements, accident reconstruction, photographs of the scene, the police report and the driving history of the parties involved.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident in Sun Valley

If you or a family member are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, there are some steps you should take to make sure that your interests are properly protected.

• Avoid giving a statement to insurance carriers until you have contacted an attorney with experience in the litigation of claims involving truck accidents. Insurance representatives may appear to be interested only in helping you, and while this is possible, it is more likely that they are seeking ways to limit their company’s costs.
• Be aware that there are time limits on filing claims. If a municipality or county could be held liable for the accident, for example, you will have a much shorter time to file a claim than is allowed for filing a claim with a corporation.
• Obtain immediate medical attention. You might not think that your injuries are serious at the time of the accident, but many people who are injured in truck accidents do not manifest symptoms immediately.
• Do not dispose of anything that could be potential evidence until advised otherwise by your attorney. Torn clothing, the contents of your trunk, your smashed smartphone or other items damaged in the crash could prove to be invaluable evidence.
• Guard your words carefully. When speaking to an insurance company, limit your discussion of the accident to the bare facts; let your attorney handle the issue of who was at fault.

Contacting an Sun Valley Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have an attorney who handles your business or personal affairs, ask him or her to refer you to a qualified truck accident lawyer. You may also ask friends, co-workers or relatives for referrals. You can then call the lawyer’s office and provide the details about the accident. Always take notes and follow your attorney’s instructions.

The legal process that follows a truck accident can be extremely complex. There may be multiple parties involved or violations of multiple laws. If you choose an experienced attorney, however, you will have a much better chance of obtaining justice and maximizing your compensation.

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