We depend on trucks to transport goods all over the country. When you’re driving in California, it’s likely that you’ll see large 18 wheelers on the highway. When you’re sharing the road with these vehicles, you expect those both in charge of the trucks and operating the vehicles to prioritize safety. If they do not, they could cause a collision that results in devastating injuries and damages. If you or a loved one was harmed in a collision, you can seek justice with a San Pedro truck accident lawyer from Frost Law Firm, PC.
When you’re dealing with the injuries and losses of a truck wreck, taking legal action may be the furthest thing in your mind. Our lawyers are here to help you. We’ll build a strong claim on your behalf so you have the best chance of getting financial compensation for your losses. While we cannot undo the accident and the harm that followed, we can help you secure your financial future so you’re able to get the recovery you need.
How Do 18 Wheeler Collisions Occur?
When a San Pedro truck accident lawyer is fighting for your rights, we’ll need to find out how the accident happened. We have experienced attorneys who will investigate the accident and work with accident reconstructionists if necessary.
While any form of negligence can result in a truck collision, there are some common ones that are typical reasons that led to the accident. Let’s take a look at what those are:
- Fatigued Driving. Truck drivers often drive long hours for multiple days. While they may have regulations that set when they can drive and when they need to rest, some may ignore these because of their demanding schedules. Fatigued driving means the driver has a slower reaction time and will be less able to make quick decisions. They could also fall asleep at the wheel and lose control of the truck.
- Driver Error. Driving a truck takes training and experience. If a driver isn’t used to being behind the wheel of a big rig, they may not know how to handle a vehicle of that size and weight. Since these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 lbs, it will take longer for the truck to speed up, slow down, and to navigate turns. A trucker may not allow enough time and could cause a collision.
- Distracted Driving. If a truck driver doesn’t know where they’re going, they may rely on their phone to tell them. They could be more focused on the GPS than the road. Other forms of distraction include using their phone for other purposes, eating, and drinking. While some truck drivers may want to save time and eat while they’re on the road, this takes their focus away from driving. This could lead to losing control of the truck.
- Overloaded Trailer. Improperly loaded trailers or insecure cargo can lead to issues on the road. In some cases, the trailer may detach from the truck or it could be too much weight for the axles to handle. In these situations, there’s little the truck driver can do to maintain control of the truck.
- Truck Failure. Tire blowouts, brake failure, and other vehicle issues can affect trucks. If this happens when the semitrailer is in use, the driver may not be able to prevent a collision.
Once our lawyers have gathered how the accident happened, then we can look into how it affected you. The injuries from a truck collision are often serious. We’re here to do everything we can so you can get the help you need.
How Truck Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries
In 2018, California had the third highest rate in the country with 45 large truck occupant deaths. Those involved in a collision in another vehicle are also at risk of serious injuries or fatalities because of the truck’s size and weight. Knowing what kinds of truck accidents can occur can provide more information about the injuries sustained and why they were so severe.
- Rollover Accidents. If something causes the truck to lift from the ground, whether it’s hitting a ramp or taking a turn too quickly, it can rollover. At this point, the truck driver cannot direct where the rollover will occur. This means the truck could rollover into the lanes next to them and collide with other vehicles.
- Jackknife Collisions. When a truck driver is speeding or the cargo isn’t secure in the semi, the trailer can swing out from behind the tractor. This is called a jackknife. The trailer can block the lane next to them and hit other vehicles. This could be particularly deadly if the trailer is in the lane of oncoming traffic.
- Override Accidents. The trailer portion of a truck and the truck’s front can drive over vehicles and trap them underneath, causing an override accident. The driver of the trapped vehicle will likely not be able to maneuver out from under the truck. Overrides can be fatal because the truck can shear off top of the trapped vehicle.
When you see the types of truck collisions that can occur, you can understand how they lead to devastating injuries. Some of these injuries may never completely heal, prevent you from returning to work, or could cause a permanent disability.
Injuries to the brain, spine, and internal organs can result in catastrophic injuries. Truck accidents can also result in crushing injuries or cause loss of limb.
Catastrophic injuries can cause many financial and emotional losses. That’s where our lawyers come in. We’ll fight for your compensation to cover:
- Medical Expenses (Past and Future Care)
- Lost Wages/Diminished Earning Capacity
- Loss of Earnings
- Property Damage
- Pain and Suffering
- Disfigurement
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If your loved one lost their life in a truck accident, our lawyers in California can help you get justice for them. The damages you can recover when you come forward with a wrongful death action can be similar to the ones listed above, but other damages like funeral and burial costs and loss of companionship may also apply to your case.
As your San Pedro truck accident lawyer analyzes how you were hurt and how your injuries will continue to affect your life, we’ll be able to calculate the total losses of the accident. We’ll also use the evidence to identify the negligent party and hold them accountable for their actions.
Who Was Responsible for Your Accident?
When you were harmed in a semitrailer collision, there are a few possible parties that could have been responsible. It’s important to allow your lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation so we can find out who was truly at fault for what happened to you. The evidence may point to one of the following parties:
- Truck Driver. The truck driver could have made a mistake that caused the accident. Whether they weren’t focused on the road, weren’t prepared to operate a large truck, were too exhausted to safely drive, or they exhibited another form of negligence, our lawyers will find out.
- Auto Part Manufacturing Company. Sometimes, the responsible party may not have been at the scene of the accident. A manufacturing company may have sold defective auto parts that failed while the driver was operating the truck. This could have caused them to lose control of the truck through no fault of their own. In this case, the manufacturing company may be responsible for your injuries.
- Trucking Company. The trucking company may have acted negligently. They could have overloaded the truck to transport more cargo or have negligent hiring practices. Your lawyer will look into the trucking company’s history to see if there is a pattern of negligence.
Once we’ve determined the negligent party, we can start the legal process so we can work on getting you justice. We understand how taking on a company, whether it’s an auto parts manufacturing company or trucking company, can be intimidating as they’ll likely have representation as well. We won’t let them minimize the damages done to you. Our lawyers will represent your best interests and will fight for you to receive the compensation to deserve.
Get Representation from a San Pedro Truck Accident Lawyer
The costs of care after a truck accident can be overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to cover those costs on your own—especially when they happened because of someone else’s negligent actions. The lawyers at Frost Law Firm, PC will be at your side so you have experienced representation protecting your rights at every part of the process.
We’re ready to go over your case and go over your legal options. Contact our office today so we can schedule a free case evaluation. We’ll go over how we can help and answer any questions that you have.
