A large commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, might be 20 times the size of a traditional passenger car when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial trucks and normal passenger cars, it is not difficult to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a regular vehicle when they get in a collision with a big rig-- not to mention the impacts on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Large truck accident cases are quite a bit different from other car accident cases. Particularly, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more rigorously than regular cars and drivers.
Due to the inherent danger that these big vehicles pose to other motorists, there are multiple laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to ensure that truck drivers are safe.
These laws consist of:
California commercial truck regulations include:
There are added regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these rules and regulations are constantly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.
Semi-truck crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, it is important that truck drivers are safe. Nevertheless, similar to any other car accident reason, there are some things that tend to increase the chances of a semi-truck accident.
Common causes of truck accidents involve:
Semi-truck accidents tend to result in more serious injuries than an accident involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a semi-truck is a lot greater. Semi-truck accidents have been known to result in 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 may have pain, suffering, and disability. They commonly have enormous medical bills also.
After a truck accident, you're probably going to have medical expenses, lost wages, and also pain and suffering. You might be worried about how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where a qualified truck accident lawyer can help. He or she can handle your injury case 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 an exact monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These types of damages include:
The amount one can recuperate 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 attorney and the insurance provider, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will utilize their previous experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies should be held accountable when they are responsible for causing collisions and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to abide by the guidelines and regulations that are there to keep the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar infractions. And typically, the outcome of these poor decisions is a crash.
An experienced truck accident attorney in the San Fernando location knows all of the unique considerations 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 diligent in examining the potential causes and issues that might affect 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 experience to get results. The sad fact is that large truck accidents frequently involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are hurt in a crash involving a large truck, it is vital for you to partner with a law firm that has the ability to fight large companies, large insurance providers, and the law firms that defend them, and that has the resources to make detailed and timely inquiries into the facts and factors that apply in commercial trucking cases.
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