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Over $2 Billion* Recovered for Our Clients
Given the large size of the trucks, the lengthy hours that drivers are on the road, and truck drivers’ willingness to disregard speed limits in order to meet deadlines, it is no wonder that every 16 minutes, a truck crash or collision occurs. Trucking accidents, namely those involving big rigs, buses, and commercial vehicles, are often far more complicated than non-commercial car accidents. Injuries are often more severe, the question of fault may not be easily answered, and there are usually more parties involved than what you would find in an ordinary car accident.
For example, in addition to the truck driver having a fault, sometimes the government or vehicle manufacturer shares liability for the accident. The California truck accident lawyers at BD&J are used to taking on the largest corporations involved in these cases and have the resources necessary to obtain justice for their clients. If you or your loved one were to find themselves in a semi-truck accident, BD&J is ready to jump into action on your behalf.
What are the Causes of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating types of vehicle accidents, especially due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. There are also numerous complexities that come with bringing a case in court against a driver, a trucking company, and an insurance company at once. That’s why a skilled truck accident attorney can help you navigate your case and obtain the compensation you deserve.
There are several factors that may lead to truck crashes, which can make assigning fault and winning a case more complicated. Common causes of truck accidents can include:
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers face long hours on the road, and even though federal regulations have been imposed to lessen the time a driver is on the road between breaks, driver fatigue remains a significant issue.
- Distracted Driving: This includes anything that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, including using a mobile phone, eating, or adjusting their GPS.
- Speeding and/or Reckless Driving: Truck companies’ deadlines can often contribute to truck accidents. The pressure to deliver goods on time causes many truck drivers to exceed speed limits or engage in other aggressive driving behaviors, such as cutting other drivers off, running red lights, etc.
- Mechanical Failures: Commercial trucks need regular maintenance to continue a safe journey on the road. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and engine problems can lead to severe accidents.
- Improperly Loaded Cargo: Unbalanced or loose cargo loads can cause accidents when the loads shift or fall off the truck. These problems can affect trucks’ stability and maneuverability, making them more prone to tipping over.
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What are Common Types of Truck Accidents?
Common truck accidents the BD&J truck accident attorneys have represented include:
- Jackknife Accidents: Occur when the trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab and can be caused by sudden braking or the driver losing control on a slippery surface.
- Rear-end Collisions: Occur when a large truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it.
- Underride Accidents: Occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck.
- T-bone Collisions: Happen as a side-impact of the truck to another vehicle and are most common in intersections.
- Rollover Accidents: Happen when a truck flips over on its side or roof and can often be caused by wide turns.
- Wide-turn Accidents: Happen when a truck swings left to make a right turn, colliding with other vehicles in adjacent lanes.
How Serious Are Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents typically result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Victims of these accidents often suffer life-changing injuries that require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. A truck accident attorney can help you pursue compensation for injuries such as:
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms of this injury type include disorientation, concussion, impaired movement, pain, and in severe cases, brain death.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries cause severe pain in the neck, head, or back area, loss of movement, and a decline in sensory function (hard to feel touch, the temperature of something, etc.).
- Broken or Fractured Bones: This injury is characterized by severe pain and tenderness, swelling, loss of movement, and inability to bear weight around the injured area.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Includes symptoms of pain, limited range of motion, tenderness, and swelling around the area (muscles, ligaments, and tendons).
- Organ Damage: These injuries can lead to fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, bowel obstruction, and the case of damage to vital organs like the heart, brain, or lungs, can lead to death.
- Burns: Severe burns are painful, and can cause disfigurement, infection, scarring, and loss of limbs.
Truck Accident Statistics
Some truck accident stats to consider include:
- Trucking accidents now happen 20% more frequently than they did just 20 years ago.
- 5,472 people died in large crashes in 2023 alone, as reported by the National Safety Council, which was a 40% increase in the last decade.
- According to a study published by the United States Department of Transportation in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, large semi-trucks were 23% more likely to be involved in fatal multiple-vehicle accidents than passenger cars.
What Can Compensation from a Truck Accident Cover?
After going through a truck accident, you shouldn’t be left paying for accident-related expenses out of your own pocket. Compensation from a truck accident claim can be used to cover:
- Current and future medical bills for injuries caused by the accident
- Lost wages if unable to work after the accident
- The pain and suffering caused by emotional trauma from the accident
- Any physical rehabilitation needed to regain movement
- Repair costs for impacted vehicles in the accident or other property damage
- Punitive damages if the truck driver was found to have had prior traffic violations or recorded dangerous driving behaviors
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Could Be Liable in a Truck Accident?
Liability can rest on multiple parties. Some of the most notable parties that could be held liable according to California truck accident lawyers include the truck driver, the trucking company, the entity that leased the truck, a mechanic who failed to properly inspect the truck, and in some cases, the driver of another vehicle involved.
How Can Liability Be Proven?
In order to prove liability in a truck accident, using strong evidence, such as photos and videos of the accident (including dashcam footage), police reports, witness testimony, and medical reports detailing the injuries is key.
Are There Any Laws for Truck Drivers to Promote Safe Driving?
Yes, there are plenty of laws that commercial drivers must abide by. Truck drivers carrying property are not allowed to drive more than 11 hours consecutively and must follow with a break of 10 hours consecutively. Trucks should be regularly maintained, and their cargo cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. Trucks are also required to stay under certain speeds, which is usually about 10mph less than standard vehicles.
Rules are meant to be followed in order to keep motorists safe. Call BD&J if you were involved in a serious truck accident.
How Much Does It Cost to Work with a California Truck Accident Lawyer from BD&J?
At BD&J, we understand the financial strain that comes with dealing with painful injuries and other accumulated expenses from a trucking accident. This is why we work on a contingency fee basis, which means no fees until we win*.
What Are Contingency Fees?
When working under a contingency fee structure, the lawyer’s compensation is taken from the final compensation amount after a case is settled. This means no upfront costs are paid from the client’s side until after the claim is resolved.
Can I Still Recover Compensation in a Truck Accident if I Was at Fault?
Yes. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that injured drivers can still recover compensation if they were found to have some fault in a truck accident. The compensation amount is simply reduced by the percentage the injured plaintiff is found to be at fault.
How To Treat Injuries After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you and your passengers may be dealing with a variety of injuries. Treating these injuries as soon as possible is a must. Seek treatment by:
- Going to a hospital as soon as possible. – It doesn’t matter if you’re not feeling any symptoms of pain or discomfort. Getting checked out for your injuries can be the best thing for your wellbeing and can support your claim.
- Following treatment plans as recommended by a medical professional. – Ignoring or stopping treatments for your injuries can be detrimental for your health and minimize your injuries when filing a personal injury claim. This is why it is crucial you see all recommended injury treatments to their conclusions.
- Consulting a California truck accident lawyer. – Any experienced law firm will provide free initial consultations to learn if you have a case. Talk with a California truck accident attorney from BD&J to learn more about obtaining compensation for your injuries and their respective treatments.
Committed California Truck Accident Attorneys Who Fight for Injured Drivers
If you or a loved one suffered a truck accident caused by the reckless or negligent acts of another company or driver, you should not be left to pay for damages out of your own pocket. For more than 20 years, the advocating truck accident attorneys at BD&J have recovered compensation for injured clients and their families. Call us now to book your free initial consultation.
