A truck accident can often lead to devastating consequences due to the weight and size of commercial trucks. In an accident, it is often the smaller car and its occupants that pay the biggest prices. Were you or a loved one involved in a truck accident in the city of Irvine? Keep reading to learn more about truck accidents, whether you have a claim, and why a truck accident attorney in Irvine can help you seek compensation.

What Type of Truck Accidents Occur Frequently in Irvine?

Irvine boasts a population of more than 320,000 residents, many of whom travel in and around the city to work, school, and more. Regarded as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Irvine also has a variety of commercial warehouses and areas, which means large semi-trailers frequently join the daily traffic of the city and Orange County.

Some of the typical truck accidents that occur frequently in Irvine include:

Spilled cargo accidents occur when loose or spilling cargo falls out of a trailer, impacting another vehicle. Similarly, spilled cargo can also cause vehicles to swerve to avoid it, which can cause a collision between other vehicles.
Head-on collisions occur when two cars traveling in opposite directions collide front-first. Large semi-trucks can end up weighing more than 80,000 pounds, which means that smaller cars (which average about 4,400 pounds) face the most serious damages in these accidents. Were you involved in a head-on collision with a truck? Call BD&J now to learn about filing a claim.
Wide turn accidents A wide turn accident happens when a large truck angles left to complete a right turn, impacting a vehicle to its left. Similarly, a wide turn accident can also be classified as occurring when a large truck attempts to complete a right turn, but overtakes the next right lane over, crushing the vehicle in that lane.
Jackknife accidents occur when the cab and trailer of a truck fold inward, forming the appearance of a jackknife. Initially caused by a skidding trailer, this accident can impact multiple lanes on the road, leading to greater injuries.

When Do Truck Accidents Occur?

While avoiding truck accidents isn’t always possible, there are certain times and days that see a greater frequency of truck accidents. Data regarding the frequency of truck accidents shows:

About 62% of truck accidents happen in the daytime (NSC)
The months that see the most fatal truck accidents are August and October (NSC)
A majority of fatal truck crashes occur during the weekdays (Monday-Friday) (FMSCA)
The weekdays with highest number of truck accidents were Wednesdays and Thursdays (FMSCA)

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Why Do Truck Accidents Happen?

Truck accidents can happen for various reasons, leading to severe injuries and damages. Some of the most common reasons for truck accidents occurring include:

Truck driver error: The most common reason for a truck accident is truck driver error. This can look like distracted driving, i.e. texting, looking at their GPS, and even eating while on the road. It can also include failing to yield, not checking their blind spots, speeding, or driving while fatigued.
Improperly secured cargo: Improperly secured cargo can cause loose or spilled cargo that can impact other drivers or even cause a truck to tip over. If the cargo includes hazardous materials, this can lead to greater injuries for other drivers and passengers involved.
Truck defects: Defects in the truck, such as faulty brakes, interface system malfunctions, and even flaws in the manufacturing of the vehicle, can often lead to grave truck accidents. Brake system malfunctions are one of the leading vehicle-related factors in a truck accident.
Road defects: Lack of proper road signage, potholes, and even a flaw in the design of the road can cause truck accidents. For example, a curve-filled road with no signs can lead a truck to tip over or even skid to a stop, which could lead to a jackknife accident.

Are Irvine Truck Accident Injuries Really that Serious?

Absolutely. Trucks outweigh smaller vehicles by thousands of pounds, which means that a collision or impact from a truck can lead to serious injuries for other drivers and their passengers. Some of these truck accident injuries can look like:

Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result from trauma to the spinal cord or to the area of nerves and tissue around the spinal cord. These injuries can lead to loss of sensation, respiratory problems, and even permanent paralysis.
Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries are caused by impact on the head, resulting in swelling, bruising, or bleeding of the brain. Consequences of these injuries include concussions, coordination problems, coma, and even death.
Catastrophic injuries: A catastrophic injury is one that permanently alters an individual’s life and may often require continuous medical care. These injuries include spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, and blindness.
Burns: Burns can come from any fires developed due to the impact of certain vehicle areas, but they can also be caused by any spilled hazardous materials that are a part of a truck’s cargo. Serious burns can ultimately lead to nerve damage, disfigurement, and in some cases, amputations.

Who Could Be Responsible for My Irvine Truck Accident Injuries?

Some of the responsible parties for a truck accident in Irvine can include:

The Truck Driver

In most cases, the truck driver may be held liable after a truck accident. Truck drivers have a duty of care to other motorists and pedestrians on the road. When this duty is breached by distracted driving, fatigued driving, and even driving recklessly or failing to follow the proper road rules for trucks, a truck driver takes on the responsibility for any ensuing accidents. Work with BD&J to hold truck drivers accountable.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies could be held liable after an accident if they failed to provide proper safety training to their drivers, failed to perform background checks on drivers, or ignored past driving violations or reports against their drivers. Failure to follow cargo securing procedures, enforce driver breaks, and even keep vehicle maintenance up to date can also place responsibility on a company after a truck accident.

A Vehicle Manufacturer

Vehicle defects in design and faulty parts can result in truck accidents in Irvine. In particular, malfunctions in brake systems are a prominent issue when it comes to vehicle part factors in trucking accidents. When it comes to defective parts, a flaw in the truck design, and even failure to provide accurate instructions for use of the vehicle, a truck manufacturer could be responsible for an accident resulting in injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take to Resolve?

Every claim is different, which means timelines may vary. Some cases can take weeks to settle, while others can take months. Factors that can affect the timeline of a claim are evidence gathering, liability acceptance, and negotiations for settlement.

Don’t let the deadline for your claim pass you by. Connect with the truck accident attorneys in Irvine from BD&J. Call now, our team is available 24/7 to assist you.

Is it Hard to Prove Liability in a Truck Accident?

It is not necessarily hard to prove liability, but it is a complex process that requires specific evidence. Photos, videos, truck driver logs, documentation of injuries, and eyewitness accounts are just a few of the necessary evidence that must show the duty of care of the liable party was breached.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive for My Truck Accident Claim in Irvine?

Some of the compensation that can be recovered from a truck accident claim includes current and future medical expenses, any assistive devices, expenses for vehicle repair or a vehicle loss, loss of income if unable to work, and pain and suffering.

My Loved One Passed Away from Their Injuries in a Truck Accident, What Can I Do?

If your loved one passed away from injuries sustained in a truck accident caused by another party, you don’t have to go through the complex and overwhelming process of a claim to hold parties responsible for compensation on your own. Speak to a wrongful death attorney about filing a claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in California?

Californians looking to file a wrongful death claim have two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a claim.

How Can the BD&J Truck Accident Lawyers in Irvine Help My Claim?

At BD&J, our team of trusted attorneys has been representing the rights of injured residents throughout California for more than 20 years, obtaining more than $2 billion* in compensation. We have the expertise and resources to go against big trucking companies after an accident, so all you have to do is focus on your recovery.

Call 855-906-399 to connect with the BD&J team.

Do I Have to Pay Upfront to Work with BD&J?

No, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means all case costs are advanced to clients, and we recover attorney fees from the final compensation amount after a case is settled. This means less financial strain for clients*.

How To Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident

To prove negligence in a truck accident, you must complete the following:

Capture photos and videos of the accident scene and all the vehicles involved. – This also includes saving any dashcam footage that captured the accident. Be sure to highlight the area of the accident, including the weather, the vehicles involved, and the stretch of road where the accident took place.
Talk to any eyewitnesses of the accident. – Talking with witnesses, including other drivers or pedestrians at the scene, can help get another viewpoint of the accident. Be sure to exchange information with any willing witnesses to the accident.
Go to the hospital as soon as possible to get your injuries checked out. – Do not delay going to the hospital, as this can be harmful for your health and minimize injuries for your claim. Go to the hospital as soon as you’re able, even if you don’t have any symptoms of injuries.
Sit down with a truck accident lawyer. – Proving negligence can take a variety of evidence, and you can obtain much more with the help of a truck accident lawyer. A truck accident attorney can communicate with the trucking company, interview expert witnesses for accident reconstruction, and more.

Need help with proving negligence for your Irvine truck accident claim? Consult with a BD&J attorney as soon as possible.