California Truck Accident Attorneys

Understanding Commercial Truck Accidents

Being involved in a trucking accident may be a frightening experience. The sheer weight and size of a large commercial truck makes it one of the most potentially dangerous vehicles on the road, posing an inherent hazard to other drivers. If a truck driver is drunk or acts carelessly or negligently in any way while on the road, or if a trucking company fails to properly maintain its vehicles and perform background checks on its drivers, a trucking accident may occur. This will most often result in injury or death to the drivers or passengers of other vehicles, rather than to the truck driver.

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Protecting the Victims of 18-Wheeler Accidents

Man Wearing Surgical Collar In Pain

If you were injured in an accident with a commercial truck, it is important to recognize the complexity of these claims and lawsuits. You will not be going against an individual driver and their insurance company, but rather a huge trucking company with deep pockets and a lot of reason to avoid a large payout. It is for this reason that you should involve an experienced lawyer to help you with filing a claim or a lawsuit. At Pacific Attorney Group, we know the stress that can come from this type of situation and we are here to help. To learn more, please navigate around our website to read our informative pages.

Truck Accident Information Center

Avoiding Truck Accidents
One of the most important things that you can do involving trucks is to avoid the accidents altogether. At Pacific Attorney Group, we know the importance of taking proactive steps to help avoid serious injuries. To learn more about steps you can take to avoid truck accidents, click here.

Fatal Truck Accidents
Truck accidents have the potential to claim lives, and those lost are usually the occupants of smaller vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. According to nationwide truck accident statistics from 2011, truck drivers accounted for less than 7% of fatalities. Our attorneys know how to fight for justice on behalf of families who have lost loved ones in these serious accidents.

Hours-of-Service Regulations
One of the most serious issues associated with truck driver safety involves the number of hours they work in a day and in a workweek. Working too many hours with insufficient rest can decrease driving abilities, increasing the chances of an accident. Federal hours-of-service regulations are in place to address these issues; trucking companies who violate these may face steep fines and other penalties.

Overloaded Trucks
A truck must be properly loaded if a driver is to have maximum control over the vehicle. If a truck is overloaded, it may be more difficult to maneuver and may be more likely to tip or roll over. The load may shift dangerously during transport, placing all people on the road at risk.If you were injured in an accident with an overloaded truck, an attorney at our firm may be able to help.
Tanker Truck Accidents
Tanker trucks are responsible for carrying liquid cargo. When these commercial vehicles are involved in accidents, they can cause life-threatening injuries not only because of the force of impact but because of the release of its cargo. Gasoline, chemicals and other cargo carried by tanker trucks can present a real hazard on the road.
Truck Accident Injuries
The injuries sustained in a truck accident are likely to be severe due to the force of impact and the greater damage that a passenger vehicle may sustain. From whiplash to traumatic brain injuries to amputation, truck accident injuries may forever change a victim’s life. Our lawyers are committed to helping victims recover compensation that will help them rebuild and move on after these serious injuries.

Truck Rollover Accidents
Due to their high center of gravity, large commercial trucks are especially prone to rolling over should they be hit or run into an obstacle of any kind. This not endangers the occupants of the truck, but those in the vehicles around the truck, and could even result in a multi-vehicle pile-up.

Truck vs. Truck Accidents
One truck being involved in an accident is bad enough. Should two be involved, it can be devastating, with the momentum of both vehicles combining to create even more damage. If you were involved in an accident of a truck versus another, contact our firm so that we can fight on your behalf.

Tractor Trailer Collision
Tractor trailers are a main staple of the economy in the U.S. Hauling cargo across the nation, they can be seen on all roads and highways – especially in metropolitan areas. If you were involved in an accident with one of these massive vehicles, we can help you file a claim.

Truck vs. Car Accident
Due to the wide disparity in weight, there is little that is fair in an accident pitting commercial truck against smaller passenger vehicle. With most semi-trucks weighing in at over 80,000 pounds, the property damage and injuries can be immense. For help in seeking the justice you deserve, give us a call today.

Unsecured Truck Loads
Falling cargo can cause a serious collision, and trucking companies, truck drivers or truck loading companies may be held accountable for improperly securing truck cargo. To discuss a case involving this type of accident, do not hesitate to contact our LA offices for a free consultation.

What Causes Truck Accidents?
Most truck accidents, like other traffic accidents, are caused by driver negligence. Speeding, drunk driving and driving while distracted are typical causes, but there are some causes that are unique to large truck collisions as well. This includes overloaded trucks, unsecured truck loads, imbalanced cargo, truck driver fatigue and improperly maintained trucks.

Why hire a truck accident lawyer?

By taking immediate action and consulting an attorney, a truck accident victim can get a better understanding of their particular legal rights in moving forward with a civil lawsuit or insurance claim against the responsible party. An attorney can step forward and handle all communication with law enforcement, the trucking company, any insurance companies involved, and all other parties in order to allow the victim to focus on healing.

Should your lawyer be able to win a settlement or jury award on the accident victim’s behalf, he or she may be able to recover money for medical care, emotional trauma, lost wages, and possibly much more. This may be exactly what the trucking accident victim and his or her family will need to rebuild, recover, and move on.

Unfortunately, trucking accidents are a relatively common occurrence. The city and the surrounding communities are overflowing with residents, businesses and all types of establishments and people that need the services of trucking companies and that share the road with truck drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident of any kind, our firm may be able to help.

When Do You Need A Truck Accident Attorney?

When truck drivers, loading companies and trucking companies are negligent or commit wrongful acts, you need to alert a truck accident attorney to help in holding them accountable. A truck accident attorney at our firm may be able to help you if you were injured in this type of accident and are looking for a legal professional to help with your claim. We can offer helpful tips on what to do after an accident and can protect your rights through every step of your claim as we seek compensation on your behalf.

What You Can Do

What can you do if you were injured in an accident caused by an unsecured truck load? Be sure to remain at the scene and call 911 to report the incident. If you or anyone else at the scene is seriously injured, be sure to tell the 911 operator so an ambulance can be sent to the scene. Exchange driver and insurance information with the other driver or drivers, and take note of the license plate and company name on the truck. If you can, take pictures at the scene and get the information of any witnesses present. When law enforcement arrives, offer your cooperation but be sure that you do not admit fault. The same applies if an insurance adjuster for the trucking company arrives on the scene. Admitting fault may have a negative impact on your claim.

Engage a Truck Accident Attorney

As soon as possible, involve an attorney. A legal professional who is experienced in handling truck accident cases can offer insight and guidance that you may not even know that you needed. A truck accident attorney  can also handle any communication with the insurance company, law enforcement, the trucking company, truck driver and any other relevant parties. This can take an immense load from your shoulders, as you can rest assured that your attorney will be handling this communication in such a way as to protect your interests and legal rights.

Our attorneys have more than 40 years of legal experience and are proud members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum® for securing million dollar verdicts on behalf of our clients. In fact, we recovered more than five million in verdicts and settlements for our clients from 2008-2010 alone. To see how we can help you, call for a free case review.

18 Wheeler Truck Accident

Pacific Attorney Group is committed to helping the families of victims who have lost their lives in truck accidents. If you lost a family member or loved one in a fatal truck accident in Southern California, call our offices for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer. The attorney can talk to you about what occurred, offering compassionate and knowledgeable insight regarding your options. You can seek justice for truck driver negligence or wrongdoing on the part of a trucking company – but you will need to present a strong case. A truck accident lawyer at our firm may be just the person to do this.

Why Truck Accident Fatalities Occur

The person most likely to be fatally injured in a multi-vehicle truck accident is not the truck driver but the occupant of the other, smaller vehicle. Just over 80% of truck accident fatalities in the U.S. in 2011 were occupants of other vehicles, as compared to less than 7% who were occupants of large trucks. The remaining 13% were non-occupants: pedestrians and bicycle riders. Why is the occupant of a smaller vehicle, a pedestrian or a bicyclist more likely to lose his or her life in a truck accident? Let’s take a look at this important issue.

A large commercial truck may weigh anywhere from 10,000-80,000 pounds or even more with a special permit. A typical passenger car may weigh about 3,000 pounds, depending on the make and model. When such a size and weight disparity is present in a collision, the smaller object will sustain more damage. The force of impact delivered two the truck and the car will be equal, but the car will experience more damage from this force. An easy way to consider this is looking at a bug that collides with the window of a car in motion. The same force was delivered to both the bug and the windshield, but the bug may be literally pulverized while the windshield will sustain no damage.

The smaller vehicle may be crushed or severely damaged in a collision with a large truck, but the truck may sustain only cosmetic damage. The driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle may experience serious injuries as the vehicle collides inward. If it is an underride accident, the changes of fatal injury are increased. The top of the smaller vehicle may be crushed or even sheared off by the truck cab or trailer.

The chances of a fatal truck accident are even greater when a truck strikes a pedestrian or cyclist. The driver and passengers in a motor vehicle struck by a large truck are protected by a steel frame, seatbelts and airbags. A pedestrian or bicycle rider does not have this protection. Pedestrians typically have no protection, and even though cyclists may wear helmets and other protective gear, it may do little to prevent catastrophic physical trauma.

Contact our Truck Accident Attorneys

Holding any and all at-fault parties accountable after a fatal truck accident is a main goal when our firm represents the family of a victim who has lost his or her life. We believe in helping families experience a sense of closure in knowing that justice has been served and also work to increase awareness of the dangers of truck accidents to help prevent future losses of life. If you would like to talk about your case, contact a truck accident lawyer at our firm today. We are here to help.

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