Our California Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Big-rig truck accidents, which involve massive vehicles like 18-wheelers, have become a seriousconcern—especially on busy roads (which there’s no shortage of in California). Because oftheir enormous size and the heavy loads they carry, accidents involving big-rig trucks can causeserious injuries. Sometimes, these accidents can even be deadly.
If you or someone you know is involved in a big-rig truck accident, we’d highly recommendseeking legal advice from an experienced California lawyer—like the lawyers at PacificAttorney Group—who specialize in these cases. They’ll be able to help you navigate the legalcomplexities of big-rig truck accident cases, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.Wondering how we can help you? Let’s break itdown below, as well as discuss the mostcommon causes of big-rig truck accidents, the different types of big-rig accidents, and theunique challenges that often come with these types of cases.
What is a Big Rig?
Let’s start by talking about what a big rig is. A big rig—also known as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler—is a large commercialvehicle that’s specifically designed to transportgoods over long distances. These trucks are an important part of the transportation industry,since they move a huge amount of goods across the country.
However, their size and weight require careful handling, and drivers need to adhere to strictsafety regulations. As we’ll soon discuss, big-rig truck drivers often have to drive for hours uponhours—which can lead to driver fatigue. This, along with distracted driving and overloadedtrailers, is a majorissue (and one of the leading causes of big-rig truck accidents.
Common Causes of Big Rig Truck Accidents
There are a few different causes of big-rig truck accidents. Of course, sometimes, freakaccidents happen—but, most of the time, big-rig truck accidents will happen for one ormultiple of the following reasons. The more you know about the common causes of big-rigtruck accidents, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to avoid them in the first place.
Common Causes of Big Rig Truck Accidents
There are a few different causes of big-rig truck accidents. Of course, sometimes, freakaccidents happen—but, most of the time, big-rig truck accidents will happen for one ormultiple of the following reasons. The more you know about the common causes of big-rigtruck accidents, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to avoid them in the first place.Driver FatigueTruck drivers often work long hours and have to meet tight deadlines. As you can probablyimagine, this often leads to exhaustion. When drivers are tired, their ability to make quickdecisions and respond to changes on the road is impaired. This increases the risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving
Almost everyone has a smartphone these days, and because of this, distracted driving has become a major issue. When truck drivers use their phones while driving, they are not fullyfocused on the road. This, on top of driver fatigue, is a recipefor disaster.
Overloaded Trailers
If a truck’s cargo exceeds the recommended weight limit, it can affect the vehicle’s stability. This can make it a lot more difficult for the driver to control their big-rig truck. If they end uplosing control, an accident is likely to happen.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Regular maintenance is super important for big rigs. If a truck has faulty brakes, worn-out tires,or other mechanical issues, it can lead to major accidents on the road. Oftentimes, a hiddenmechanical issueis what causes truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles—along with overloaded trailers and distracted driving.
Common Types of Big Rig Accidents
By understanding the common types of big-rig accidents, you’ll be able to stay safe on the road.Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of big-rig truck accidents below:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions usually happen when a truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance behind another truck or car. Typically, this is a result of distracted driving—since the truck driver is distracted, they end up crashing into the vehicle in front of them.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when the truck’s trailer swings out and forms a sharp angle with the tractor. This usually happens because of slippery road conditions, or because the truck driver has to slam on their brakes suddenly.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are very dangerous. They usually happen when a truck flips onto its side. Thankfully, this is relatively rare, but an 18-wheeler truck can flip onto its side if its cargo hasn’t been loaded properly, or if the driver is trying to take a sharp turn at a high speed.
Underride Collisions
In an underride collision, a smaller vehicle gets wedged underneath the big-rig truck’s trailer. This is obviously very dangerous for the driver of the smaller vehicle. The top of the car can actually end up getting cut off when it slides underneath the truck’s trailer—which can be deadly.
Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions happen when a truck driver changes lanes without checking their blind spots. Similarly, if a big-rig truck driver drifts into another lane due to driver fatigue, this can also cause a sideswipe collision—especially if the driver next to the truck also isn’t paying attention.
Common Injuries in Big Rig Accidents
Unfortunately, car accidents that involve big-rig trucks typically result in severe injuries (to one or both drivers). This is because, with big-rig truck accidents, there is usually a lot of force involved (due to the size and weight of the truck). If the truck happens to have an overloaded trailer, this can make matters even worse. Some of the most common injuries include:
Whiplash
The sudden impact of a collision involving a big-rig truck can cause the driver’s head and neck to jerk around forcefully. Naturally, this can lead to neck strain and pain (for both drivers involved). This injury may not sound all that serious, but if left untreated, whiplash can lead to long-term complications.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
In some cases, the incredible force of a big-rig truck accident can cause head injuries. While some victims are lucky enough to walk away with a mild concussion (which isn’t fun to deal with, but will usually heal without complications), some will suffer from traumatic brain injuries. TBIs can have lasting effects on a person’s cognitive abilities and motor skills.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are very serious. They can result in partial or complete paralysis, which requires extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Needless to say, spinal cord injuries can drastically alter the lives of victims and their families.
What to Do After a Big Rig Truck Accident
If you’re ever involved in a big-rig truck accident, there are quite a few important steps you’ll need to take in order to protect your rights. A big-rig truck accident lawyer will be able to help you through this process. Let’s break it down below:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel like you’ve been injured after a car accident involving a big-rig truck, you should get checked out by a doctor right away. Some injuries might not show symptoms immediately, and leaving these “invisible” injuries untreated can have drastic consequences.
Contact Law Enforcement
You should always contact law enforcement after any type of car accident—especially if the other driver commits a hit-and-run. The police will create an official accident report, which can be valuable evidence in court. Make sure to provide them with an accurate account of what happened.
Gather Evidence
You should also make sure to take plenty of photos of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved and any visible injuries that you (or your passengers, if applicable) have sustained. Collect any witness statements, as well as their contact information to support your case.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Dealing with the aftermath of a big-rig truck accident can be overwhelming, to say the least. This is why we’d highly recommend hiring a lawyer who specializes in big-rig truck accident cases. A skilled attorney will have a solid understanding of the laws and regulations related to big-rig accidents, and they’ll be able to build a strong case on your behalf.
A big-rig truck accident lawyer will also be able to negotiate with insurance companies. If necessary, they’ll even represent you in court to make sure that you get the compensation you’re entitled to. At Pacific Attorney Group, we’re committed to making sure you get proper compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Don’t hesitate to set up a free consultation with one of our lawyers!
Challenges in Big Rig Accident Cases
Big-rig truck accidents are different from typical car accidents. This is another reason why it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer. There are quite a few unique challenges that can come up in big-rig accident cases, such as:
Determining Liability
It can be difficult to identify who is actually at fault in big-rig truck accidents. This is because multiple parties may be involved—including the truck driver, the trucking company, and maintenance providers. A big-rig truck accident lawyer will be able to determine liability for you so that you can focus solely on recovering from your injuries.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance claims can be overwhelming. The insurance companies that represent trucking companies often have teams of lawyers working to minimize their liability. Don’t worry, though, because a knowledgeable attorney will help level the playing field and get you the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney will handle all communication with the insurance company, preventing you from inadvertently saying something that could harm your case. They will also gather all necessary evidence—including medical bills, loss of wages, property damage assessments, and future treatment estimates—to present a comprehensive demand package to the insurance company.
Gathering Evidence
Building a strong case requires collecting and analyzing a lot of evidence. This evidence might include accident reports from law enforcement, witness statements (if applicable), and truck maintenance records.
This can be a lot to deal with if you’re also recovering from serious injuries. However, a big-rig truck accident lawyer will be able to help you gather all of the evidence you need to make your case as strong as possible.
Legal Implications and Liability in Big Rig Truck Accidents in California
Determining liability in big-rig truck accidents can be complicated due to the involvement of multiple parties. In many cases, the truck driver, the trucking company, and even the manufacturer of the truck or its parts may share responsibility for the accident.
Truck drivers are expected to adhere to strict regulations and safety guidelines. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting accidents. However, trucking companies can also be held accountable if they have neglected their duty to ensure driver compliance with safety regulations or if they have encouraged unsafe practices to meet deadlines.
In some instances, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be at fault. If a mechanical failure or defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer can be held liable for damages. Of course, determining liability requires a thorough investigation. In some cases, it may require the expertise of accident reconstruction specialists.
What is the Average Payout in 18-wheeler Accident Cases?
Determining the average payout in 18-wheeler accident cases isn’t always easy. Usually, the payout will depend on several factors—like the severity of the injuries you or the other driver sustained, the extent of property damage, and the level of negligence exhibited by the truckdriver or trucking company.
While it’s next to impossible to provide an exact figure, it’s not uncommon for settlements in 18-wheeler truck accident cases to reach millions of dollars. In these cases, compensation typically covers both economic (medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage) and non-economic (pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life) damages.
In cases where the truck driver or trucking company’s behavior was particularly reckless or negligent, punitive damages may also be awarded to the victim. Since each case is unique, the outcome will depend on the specific circumstances involved. This is why it’s so important to consult with an experienced big-rig truck accident attorney.
Schedule Your Consultation with Our California Big Rig Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a big-rig truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to Pacific Attorney Group at (800) 358-9617 for a free consultation. Our skilled lawyers will be able to help you navigate the complicated nature of big-rig truck accidents. They can even represent you in court, if necessary, to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Together, we can raise awareness about big-rig truck accidents, promote driver safety, and work towards a better future on the Golden State’s roads. After all, everyone should be able to travel with confidence and peace of mind—truckers and sports car drivers alike.
Seek legal help from our experienced California big-rig truck accident lawyers today! We’rehere to protect your rights and help you get proper compensation and justice for what you’vebeen through