Truck Accidents Lawyer in California

When a big rig truck collides with a passenger vehicle in California, disaster follows. It is among the deadliest types of auto accidents in the United States. The reason is simple: the sheer size of the big rig truck (and its potential contents) versus a passenger vehicle. The average big rig truck with a fully loaded trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds while the average passenger vehicle's weight ranges between 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a big rig truck accident, receiving fair and just compensation may be a recourse for physical, mental, and emotional recovery.

Big rig truck accidents involving 18-wheelers or commercial trucks are different from accidents involving only passenger vehicles. There's a lot more involved. The big rig truck driver isn't the only one who may be liable. There might be federal regulations to consider alongside state laws. The mechanics involved in the truck, too, are quite different and may be relevant, making big rig truck accident cases more complex.

At The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C., our big rig truck accident attorney, along with our team, in Los Angeles can help. Contact us today either online or at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation.

Common Causes of Big Rig Truck Accidents in Los Angeles

Accidents involving semi-trucks or another type of commercial truck are caused for any number of reasons. 

Some of the most common include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Excessive speed
  • Drunk or drugged driving
  • Driving in high winds
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Inadequate training
  • Inexperience
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Defective truck parts
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Shifting cargo inside the trailer
  • Poorly-fastened cargo on a flatbed trailer.

Not all truck accidents are caused by the big rig truck driver or involve an issue with the truck. Other causes may include environmental conditions, poor road design, or another driver's error. In the end, there may be multiple causes that lead up to the accident, which again can make these cases more complex than other types of auto accidents.

Common Types of Injuries in California from Big Rig Truck Accidents 

No matter how it is caused, a big rig truck crash can lead to severe, life-threatening, life-changing, or fatal injuries for the people in the passenger vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides annual statistics, and year after year, it's been documented that more than 80 percent of those who die from bodily injuries sustained in a big rig truck accident are occupants of the other vehicle (or pedestrians or bicyclists). Only rarely is the big rig truck driver or a passenger of the truck killed, and that's in part because the sheer size and weight of the big rig truck is to their advantage. 

Though fatalities and loss of life can result from semi-truck collisions, there are other serious injuries that can have life-changing effects on the victim. These injuries include:  

  • Spinal injuries
  • Broken and fractured bones
  • Crushing injuries
  • Severe or life-threatening lacerations
  • Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Nerve damage
  • Paralysis
  • Limb dismemberment
  • Burn injuries.

In some cases, certain injuries can lead to additional compensation. For example, if you are left scarred or unable to work, you may receive more than someone who will fully recover.  

Potential Liable Parties in California Truck Accidents

Truck accidents, especially commercial truck accidents, are different from other accidents involving only passenger cars because, in part, a trucking company usually employs the truck driver involved in the crash. As the trucker's employer or carrier, it may be legally responsible for the upkeep of the truck and truck drivers' actions.

Why File a Personal Injury Claim or Wrongful Death Claim for a Big Rig Truck Accident in California?

Truck accidents are complex cases. Injuries sustained from them are often severe, and, as such, are extremely costly. Insurance companies may be happy to settle, but the offer may not reflect what's fair and just. 

When insurance companies make an initial settlement offer, their first goal might be to protect their own interests. They may try to cut costs and the insurer may not uncover all the underlying causes and potential liable parties (e.g., truck driver, trucking company, loaders, mechanics, etc.). Insurance companies may try to get away with not paying for future medical bills, future lost wages, loss of earned income, and other expenses that you may not be aware of but which you may recover. 

By filing a personal injury claim, victims can pursue the compensation that they deserve. 

Timing of the personal injury claim can be critical. There can be deadlines you must meet in order to recover. If you miss certain deadlines, like those imposed by statutes of limitations, then you may not be able to recover. It is important to know the laws specific to your jurisdiction. It can be helpful to speak to a big rig truck accident lawyer today.

Contact a Big Rig Truck Accident Attorney in Los Angeles Today

Big rig truck accidents can be devastating for everyone involved. It can be helpful to hire an auto accident lawyer at The Law Office of Shawn Golshani | Shawn Gol Law, P.C., along with our team. Contact us online or at (310) 900-0809 to schedule a Free Case Evaluation today.

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