Trucking companies are subject to strict regulations nationwide. These companies and their drivers have a duty to operate these vehicles safely on the roads. However, accidents do take place and can happen at any given time. When a truck accident occurs, victims are generally left with serious injuries and a lengthy legal process. Trucking companies and truckers, like doctors, rarely admit fault. The reason is that driving is their business. The consequences from professional drivers are more severe than the average person driving for pleasure or commuting.
If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of truck accident, it’s important to get the assistance needed. At Moody Law, our Hesperia truck accident lawyers hold the proper party responsible for your injuries and losses and spare no resources or time to ensure your claim has a successful outcome. As Hesperia auto accident lawyers, we pride ourselves on helping all clients in their legal process following their trucking accident.
What Are the Most Common Injuries From A Truck Accident?
In Hesperia, CA, truck accidents will often result in life-changing injuries. These injuries can seriously alter someone’s life. Generally, the severity of injuries will depend on the type of vehicles involved in each accident.
No matter the specifics of your truck accident, a truck accident lawyer can greatly assist you when filing an injury claim. Some of the most common trucking injuries these attorneys can help with include the following.
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Facial injuries, including broken teeth or skull bones
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Wrongful death
- Head and neck injuries, including concussions and TBIs
- Spinal cord damages
- Partial or full paralysis
Why Choose Moody Law
Since 2019, Moody Law has protected its clients from various personal injuries and vehicle accidents. The team at Moody Law has hands-on experience in truck accident cases and uses their unique knowledge to secure compensation.
If you are looking for a trucking accident attorney, the attorneys at Moody Law should be the first ones you call.
- Law knowledge: For attorneys well-versed in truck accident laws in California, Moody Law can provide assistance for any legal help you are looking for. We know California’s truck accident laws and can ensure you won’t miss anything when filing a claim.
- Professional help in your claim: Whether you are looking for answers to your legal questions or assistance in pursuing a legal claim, we can help.
- Trial experience: By having us on your side, you won’t need to worry about going to trial and not winning the compensation you deserve or are owed. You can trust us in the courtroom and take the rest of your time focusing on a much-needed recovery.
How Do Most Truck Accidents Occur?
Even with strict state and federal trucking regulations, truck accidents still occur. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released data that reported around 500,000 truck accidents occur each year. The same study stated that California alone accounted for 6,000 of these accidents.
With the high number of truck accidents in California, here are some of their common causes.
Driver Fatigue
For many truck drivers, working long shifts is normal. These drivers will spend long and extended periods of time behind the wheels of their vehicles. It’s not a surprise that driver fatigue is a leading cause of accidents. When a truck driver loses focus, gets tired, or can’t concentrate, accidents can easily happen at any time of the day.
Distracted Driving
As with any driver operating any vehicle, distractions can cause accidents. If a truck driver loses focus on the road, adjusts the radio, or programs their GPS driving, it will take attention away from the most important thing; the road. When this occurs, serious accidents can happen, leaving victims with fatal injuries.
Drunk Driving or Driving While Under the Influence
The numbers of drunk driving accidents and fatalities are mind-blowing. Adding a large vehicle to this mix can make the effects life-altering. If a truck driver gets behind the wheel while under the influence, all on the road are put in danger.
In California, it’s illegal for those who are over the age of 21 to drive while under the influence. Serious charges can be faced if BAC levels are 0.08% or above. While driving while under the influence is not a leading cause of accidents, it can still happen and have fatal effects.
Machinery Failures
Just like other products, machinery, and product failures are bound to happen. If there is a mechanical problem in a truck while on the road, it can cause accidents for those around. As a trucking company, it’s important to carry out regular vehicle inspections and ensure there are no defective systems that drivers will encounter while operating their vehicles.
If you are in a truck accident due to faulty machinery, it is key to speak with a semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. This will ensure the proper parties are held accountable for their negligence.
Inclement Weather Conditions
Of course, weather can play a role in safety on the roadways. For example, heavy rains and bad road conditions can impact visibility and control, resulting in an accident. Generally, drivers are trained to reduce speeds in the occurrence of rain or adjust their driving to bad weather conditions. If they don’t do so, their negligent actions can cause horrific injuries.
Even though the weather can cause accidents, a skilled 18-wheeler accident lawyer knows how to determine the fault of any type of truck accident.
What To Do After A Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, it’s normal to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Apart from worrying about upfront medical expenses and your injuries, the legal process may also be on your mind. In California, there are a few things you should do following a truck accident.
Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
First things first, seeking professional assistance is important. Speaking with police and reporting your truck accident must be done first. You can give them an account of events, share the injuries you have received, and have them create a police report that will be used down the road in the claims process.
Along with police assistance, medical personnel will arrive for your benefit. You can get treated for any injuries and request to go to the emergency room if more serious injuries are suspected. It’s most important to get yourself checked out as soon as possible in terms of injuries because you will need documentation for injuries if you wish to secure compensation.
Collect Essential Evidence From the Scene Of the Accident
Whatever device you have on you at the time of your truck accident, it’s smart to take photos and videos of the scene. If you are able to, collect proof of the accident and what occurred. The police will help you with this step and can also find witnesses to the accident to better understand who’s at fault.
Hire a Big Rig Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
In truck accident law, not all truck accidents are created equal. Some lawyers only know the basics and speed through these types of cases, rushing a settlement that isn’t in the client’s best interest. Other truck accident attorneys will take the necessary time and energy to look into the claim and achieve the best results.
As you look at the various types of firms before hiring a lawyer, scheduling consultations and speaking with the attorney first is recommended. Look for a team with experience in similar cases and a good success rate.
By seeking a strong 18-wheeler accident lawyer, you will be able to hold all parties at fault accountable for your injuries. And you have a better chance of obtaining the right amount of compensation following an accident.
Liability For Truck Accidents In Hesperia, California
Truck accident cases can be tricky when it comes to determining who will be held liable for your injuries. To establish an at-fault party, sufficient evidence is needed. However, even from there, there could still be questions about who should truly be held responsible.
An 18-wheeler accident attorney will be able to look at the evidence presented, speak with witnesses, and consider your injuries to determine who was negligent and caused the accident. They will determine the following parties and deem one responsible:
- The truck driver: This is the first party that will be considered when liability is looked at. Drivers can be fatigued, recklessly drive, or operate their vehicle under the influence to cause a crash.
- The trucking company: Often held liable for accidents, the trucking company has a large duty to ensure they hire properly trained drivers and inspect their vehicles to find any dangers. However, if a truck has serious defects, the manufacturer should also be looked at.
- The trucking manufacturer: Let’s imagine a truck accident was caused due to faulty equipment or inaccuracies when the vehicle was being made. If this turns out to be the case, the manufacturer can be held partly liable for an accident upon further investigation.
When determining liability and investigating the accident, a large part must be checked. In each commercial vehicle, there is what is called a black box. This box tracks and records a truck’s operations and any other data required. In a truck accident, your tractor-trailer accident lawyer will get this information to determine accurately what occurred.
Damages That Can Be Claimed in Truck Accidents
Generally, truck accidents can be settled out of court. These settlements will need to be determined and agreed upon by both sides. Trucking companies and drivers have extensive insurance coverage for accidents, but it won’t always be provided when you need compensation for what was lost.
This is where a truck accident lawyer can help. In a truck accident claim, two types of damages are available for victims.
- Economic damages: These damages account for all tangible things. This means that if there is a calculated number amount that you have lost, it will fall under this category. Economic damages cover things like vehicle damage, medical bills, and lost income.
- Non-economic damages: This category of damages is for more subjective things. Although these don’t have a specific number of monetary losses, their final value can be determined by other factors. Non-economic damages are things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress resulting from a truck accident.
In rare cases, another type of damage can be obtained. Punitive damages are awarded to the victim in cases of gross negligence. In California, extensive proof and clarity of fault are required for these damages to even be considered in your claim.
When Should You File Your Truck Accident Lawsuit in California?
California, along with every other state, has what’s called a statute of limitations. This term is used to understand the timeline someone has to file a legal claim following an accident. The time limit begins when an accident occurs and spans over a two-year period.
Simply put, you have two years from the date of your accident to speak with a lawyer and file a legal claim. If you don’t file a claim within this time limit, you won’t be able to claim any losses for your injuries. Two years may seem like a long time, but with the legal process, it’s important to file as soon as possible.
As soon as you can, contact a tractor-trailer accident attorney to get started on your case. There are many moving parts and bits of evidence that must be looked at, which can take time. The sooner you get started, the sooner your claim can be filed.
Get the Assistance You Need For Your Truck Accident Claim
With Moody Law’s extensive help, your truck accident claim will be handled appropriately. We offer comprehensive legal guidance for all truck accident claims we receive. In serious accidents like this, it’s important not to leave anything to chance. Upon hiring our skilled team, we can confidently take the necessary steps to secure you the highest amount of compensation.
No matter what step of the process you are in, it’s beneficial to have us review your claim. Nothing in this post is intended to be legal advice. If you need more information about the legal process or want to start your claim, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.