Unlike collisions between two smaller passenger vehicles, truck accidents rarely result in minor injuries. This means that the typical tractor-trailer crash is almost always an emergency event requiring prompt medical attention or care. However, even those who are able to walk away from a truck crash can still suffer severe physical, mental, and financial damages.
At Frost Law Firm, PC, it is our job to help accident victims secure the compensation they need to address these types of damages. We center the attorney-client relationship in all that we do, and it is our hope that you will always feel like a priority no matter what stage of your personal injury case you are at. Never settle for an attorney or law office that does not treat your case as if it matters, and know that a Carson truck accident lawyer from our firm has the requisite knowledge and skills to fully investigate the crash, value the worth of your claim, and negotiate a full and fair settlement.
Causes of Carson Truck Accidents
Our experience representing victims of truck accidents in Carson, CA has given our attorneys unique insight into the causes of commercial vehicle collisions. One of the most dangerous actions a truck driver can engage in is something that the average driver might not think much of—speeding.
Although our state’s maximum speed limit is 70 mph, California’s vehicle code limits most large trucks to no more than 55 mph. A lower speed limit for tractor-trailers is an effective legislative measure for addressing the added distance and time that it takes for these large vehicles to come to a full and complete stop. When fully loaded and traveling at 55 mph in ideal driving conditions, a truck will take 196 feet to reach a complete stop after the driver begins pressing on the brakes.
When a trucker drives faster than 55 mph (especially in wet or slick conditions), it takes much longer to stop, which increases the risk of rear-end and override accidents.
Other common causes of California truck accidents include:
- Driver inattention
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Failure to signal
- Poor maintenance or failure to perform a pre-trip inspection
- Federal hours of service (HOS) violations
- Wide turns
- Running red lights or stop signs
Your Carson truck accident lawyer will work alongside you to determine the cause of your crash. At Frost Law Firm, PC, we often rely on pictures of the accident scene, dashcam or security footage, eyewitness testimony, police reports, and accident reconstruction specialists when determining the cause of a truck accident. This method allows us to pull from multiple sources of evidence to build the strongest possible case.
Types of Truck Accidents
Identifying the type of truck accident you were involved in is an important part of building your case. The type of truck crash can reveal a lot about your situation, including what type of injuries you might have suffered and what may have caused the collision. For example, a jackknife accident is rarely—if ever—the fault of a passenger vehicle driver. Jackknifes can almost always be traced back to driver error, lack of driver experience, or improper cargo loading.
Other common types of truck accidents that occur in Carlson, California include:
- Wide turn accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Override accidents
- Underride accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
When you and your attorney correctly identify the type of truck accident, it will be much more difficult for the insurance company to unfairly place the blame on you.
Nationwide Truck Accident Statistics
The rate of fatal truck accidents is on the rise. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that in 2020, there were 4,842 large commercial trucks involved in fatal accidents nationwide, a 33% increase from the year 2011.
This increase in the number of fatal truck accidents mirrors a disturbing trend in the overall occurrence of motor vehicle accidents. Despite there being fewer vehicles on the road in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, researchers found that the rate of serious and even fatal accidents rose.
While you might count yourself fortunate to have survived your collision with a semi-truck, the reality is that you are likely still facing an uphill battle to recovery. If you suffered significant financial losses, emotional trauma, or serious injuries, it is in your best interests to secure the services of a Carson truck accident lawyer. Without the backing of a competent attorney, your odds of securing full and fair compensation will be diminished.
Evidence Used To Secure Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim
Your California truck accident lawyer will use all available evidence to help secure the maximum amount of compensation in your case. Preserving and gathering evidence is often a joint effort, and there are actions you can take (including your efforts to document the accident scene) that will help support the overall success of your claim.
Although every truck accident case is different and will require its own unique approach, evidence that often comes into play includes:
- Photographs and video. Use your phone to thoroughly document the scene of the accident. Take more pictures and videos than you think you need. Be sure to include pictures of the general scene, close-up shots of vehicle and property damage, any apparent injuries, nearby street signs, and evidence that may disappear quickly, such as debris and skid marks. Make sure that your photographs and videos show the time of day, weather conditions, and any adverse driving conditions that may have contributed to the accident.
- The police report. The information contained within the police accident report will state the clear and simple facts as understood by the responding officer. An accident report should include the names, contact information, and insurance information of all involved drivers, as well as the location of the accident, whether any traffic citations were issued, and the officer’s conclusion about the cause of the crash.
- Black box data. Many commercial tractor-trailers are equipped with electronic onboard recording devices, also referred to as black boxes. Truck black boxes gather and record critical data before, during, and after an accident, including acceleration, vehicle speed, steering data, and whether the driver ever applied the brake.
- Phone records. Professional drivers should know the dangers of distracted driving better than anyone. Unfortunately, many truck drivers continue to regularly engage in dangerous behind-the-wheel behaviors, including texting, writing and reading emails, using social media, talking on the phone, and taking pictures or videos. Phone records can show whether a truck driver was distracted at the time of the accident.
- Eyewitness statements. While still at the scene of the accident, collect contact information from all eyewitnesses. Ask if they would be willing to provide a statement about what they saw and share this information with your attorney. Multiple eyewitness statements confirming your version of events can be especially helpful if the trucking company or its insurer is trying to place the blame on you.
- Medical bills and records. In order to secure the compensation you are rightfully owed, you must be able to prove the extent of your injuries and the effect they have had on your life. Your attorney can use the information contained within your medical records and any bills you receive to prove the severity of your physical injuries, your financial losses, and how much you are owed for these damages.
- Bank statements and pay stubs. Your financial damages encompass much more than just your medical bills. Anyone who has had to take time off work to focus on their recovery can attest to the profound impact a serious truck accident injury has had on their life. Your pay stubs and bank statements can help create a fuller picture of your financial losses, including missed paychecks, benefits, and more.
- Testimony from expert witnesses. The lawyers at Frost Law Firm, PC are experts in California tort law. We regularly partner with other professionals—including health care experts and accident reconstructionists—who can provide their expert testimony on behalf of our clients, which in turn allows us to build the strongest cases possible.
Depending on the circumstances, your case may require additional evidence. As California truck accident attorneys, we advise that victims keep all documents that pertain to their crashes. Keep these documents in a safe place and bring them with you when you meet with Frost Law Firm, PC for your free case evaluation.
Questions To Ask Your Carson Truck Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right law firm for your truck accident case is one of the most important decisions you will make during this entire process. But how can you be sure that you are making the right choice? Most reputable law firms will offer a free case evaluation to injury victims.
During this consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss the details of your case with an actual truck accident attorney. At Frost Law Firm, PC, we encourage potential clients to ask any and all questions they might have. If you are unsure of what to ask, here are some questions we recommend as conversation starters:
- Do I have legal standing for a truck accident case?
- Have you successfully handled cases like mine before?
- Will I have to deal with the insurance company on my own, or will you take over communications on my behalf?
- How and when do you collect your legal fees?
- How can I get in touch with you if I have additional questions or concerns?
Do not be afraid to ask questions. A good attorney will be more than happy to answer any and all questions you have. There is no such thing as a silly or unimportant question—our Carson truck accident lawyers are prepared to provide detailed guidance to even your most complicated legal queries.
Frost Law Firm, PC Is the Law Firm That Cares
At Frost Law Firm, PC, we don’t believe that a truck accident victim should be forced to unfairly bear the financial burden of their injuries when they were not at fault for the collision. Our attorneys are driven by the desire to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies responsible for their actions, even if that means taking your case to trial.
In all that we do, we strive to provide unparalleled legal representation to those who have been harmed through no fault of their own. Contact our law office today for a free opportunity to speak one-on-one with a Carson truck accident lawyer.
