A large commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, may be 20 times the size of a standard passenger vehicle when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial trucks and standard passenger vehicles, it is not difficult to imagine how risky it is for the passengers of a regular car when they get in a collision with a big rig-- not to mention the effects on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Large truck accident cases are quite a bit different from other car accident cases. Specifically, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more rigorously than regular vehicles and drivers.
Due to the inherent threat that these huge vehicles present to other motorists, there are several laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that truck drivers are safe.
These laws include:
There are added regulations regarding the transport of dangerous materials. All of these guidelines and regulations are constantly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.
Semi-truck collisions are serious business. Due to the size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger car, it is crucial that truck drivers are safe. Nevertheless, much like any other automobile accident reason, there are some things that have a tendency to increase the chances of a semi-truck accident.
Common reasons for truck accidents include:
Semi-truck collisions have a tendency to cause more severe injuries than a collision involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a semi-truck is a lot greater. Semi-truck collisions have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and much more.
Sometimes individuals leave truck accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will sustain severe injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have enormous medical costs as well.
After a truck accident, you're likely going to have medical costs, lost income, as well as pain and suffering. You might be worried concerning how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where an experienced truck accident lawyer can help. He or she can handle your injury claim carefully, and make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a truck accident results in injuries, you may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This consists of:
Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have a precise monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These kinds of damages include:
The amount one can recover for non-economic damages varies. It depends on the extent of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed as a result of the crash. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will utilize his or her prior experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies must be held accountable when they are responsible for causing collisions and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to follow the guidelines and regulations that exist to keep the roads safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor decisions that impact the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar infractions. And more often than not, the outcome of these poor choices is an accident.
An experienced truck accident attorney in the Burbank location understands all of the unique factors that might be relevant in truck accident cases. At Tim D. Wright, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations regarding vehicles and drivers, and we are thorough in assessing the potential causes and issues that might impact issues of liability for commercial trucks.
Even if the trucking company involved is based out of state, or the claim might involve independent drivers, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, and so on, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and expertise to get results. The unfortunate fact is that large truck accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a wreck involving a large truck, it is important for you to partner with a law firm that has the capability to fight large companies, large insurers, and the law firms that defend them, and that has the resources to make comprehensive and timely inquiries into the facts and variables that apply in commercial trucking claims.
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