Truck accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries to the occupants of smaller vehicles. If you or a loved one has been injured in collision with a commercial truck or tractor-trailer, it takes an experienced truck accident attorney to fight for your rights.
SoCal Injury Lawyers represents truck accident victims in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. We are knowledgeable in the applicable truck safety laws and have a proven history of holding negligent trucking companies and truck drivers accountable. When you become our client, we will explore all your options for compensation.
Resolving a truck accident claim can be complicated because there are usually a number of parties involved and trucking companies and their insurers typically attempt to deny liability. We know how to fight back and win you just compensation. At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we handle all truck accident claims on a contingency basis. This means you will not pay anything to us until we win compensation for you.
Damages You Can Recover In a California Truck Accident
At SoCal Injury Lawyers, we will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Depending on the circumstances you may be able to recover the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disabilities
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Above all, we will help you get compensation that considers all your future medical and financial needs.
Common Causes of A Truck Accident in Southern California
Some of the leading causes of truck and tractor-trailer accidents include:
- Driver fatigue — Because truck drivers must meet strict delivery deadlines, they usually drive for long periods of time
- Distracted driving — Truckers often rely on GPS navigation systems to get to their destination and typically rely on smartphones to communicate with dispatchers which can result in distracted truck driving
- Driving under the influence — Some truckers may use stimulants and illegal substances to stay awake on long trips
- Improper loading — A truck that is improperly loaded is more difficult to control and prone to a rollover
- Improper maintenance — Trucking companies are legally required to perform regular inspections and maintenance of the vehicles in their fleet.
- Inexperienced drivers — Trucking companies often put inexperienced truck drivers on the road to cut costs because they can be paid less than experienced truckers
- Poor weather and road conditions — Heavy rains and winds can make traveling on the roads and highways treacherous
Determining liability in a truck accident requires a thorough investigation, which is why we collaborate with experienced accident reconstruction specialists. By examining the truck accident scene, inspecting the damage to your vehicle, and identifying and interviewing witnesses, we will work to hold the trucking company, the trucker, or both parties, liable for your injuries.
Why Truck Safety Laws Matter
Trucking companies and truck drivers must follow state and federal truck safety laws. As mentioned above, trucking companies are required to maintain their vehicles and make sure that braking systems, lights, steering and other mechanical components are operating properly. Trucking companies are also required to maintain logs of maintenance and safety inspections; these records must be available for review by state and federal authorities. A trucking company that fails to follow these rules can be held liable for truck accident injuries.
In addition, truck drivers are required to follow federal safety laws that impose driving limits and require regular rest breaks. Some truckers break these rules to meet delivery deadlines, speed to cover vast distances or use stimulants to stay alert on long hauls. Our experienced truck accident attorneys have the skills and experience to hold negligent truck drivers accountable.
Types of California Truck Accidents
Given the amount of commerce that flows through Southern California, commercial trucks and tractor-trailer trailers are frequently involved in all types of accidents, such as:
- Rollovers — A truck that is traveling at high speeds is at risk of a rollover accident, which can also happen on steep inclines. Rollover accidents can also occur if a truck driver suddenly swerves, takes a curve too fast or hits a curb. Improperly loaded trucks are also prone to rollover accidents.
- Jackknifes — This is a common tractor-trailer accident that occurs when the axle brakes lock, which can cause the trailer to skid and stop at a 90-degree angle with the trailer.
- Brake failures — Poorly maintained brakes can fail and sudden stops can cause brakes to overheat, particularly in tractor-trailers. A truck driver who uses improper braking techniques (e.g. suddenly slamming on the brakes), can also cause the brakes to fail which can result in a runaway truck accident.
- Blind spots — Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers have larger blind spots or “No-Zone” areas where truck drivers cannot see smaller vehicles.
- Rear-end — If a commercial truck or tractor-trailer runs into the back of a smaller vehicle, the occupants can sustain catastrophic injuries.
- Wide turns — These truck accidents happen when a trucker misjudges the needed space to complete a turn or fails to notice vehicles in the path of a trailer.
Contact Our Experienced Southern California Truck Accident Lawyers
For over 15 years, SoCal Injury Lawyers has provided truck accident victims with aggressive representation. If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a truck accident, we can help you find justice. Although trucking companies, truck drivers and their insurers typically attempt to deny any liability, we have the skills and experience to hold them accountable and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Fluent in both Arabic and Spanish, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of underserved communities. Please contact our office today to set up a consultation.