Accidents caused by commercial trucks are overwhelming, traumatic, and even deadly. The difference in weight and size between a big rig and a passenger vehicle is so massive that when a semi-truck hits one of these smaller cars, the occupants in the passenger vehicles are at a greater risk of suffering catastrophic bodily injuries.

Proving the at-fault parties’ negligence can be challenging, and the thought of going to court can be intimidating, especially when you are still recovering from the trauma of being in a crash with a big rig. If you or a family member was injured in a large commercial truck accident in Sacramento County, call our experienced Elverta injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

Though a passenger vehicle driver could cause a collision, the truck driver or trucking company’s negligent action often results in an injury crash. Some common factors seen in truck accidents include:

• Unsafe speed
• Driver fatigue
• Oversized cargo loads
• Lack of truck maintenance
• Impaired driving
• Insufficient training of truck driver
• Improperly loaded cargo

Trucking accidents in the U.S. are consistently on the rise. According to recent statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):

• Large trucks involved in deadly crashes increased 2 percent from 2018 to 2019.
• Commercial trucks involved in deadly crashes per 100 million miles traveled increased by 4 percent.
• The number of big rigs involved in injury accidents increased by 6 percent.

Statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) show:

• Over 4100 people were killed in big rig accidents in 2019.
• Truck drivers accounted for 16 percent of those deaths.
• 67 percent of vehicle occupants died in the accidents.
• Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians made up 15 percent.

If you were involved in a car accident caused by a truck driver’s negligence and suffered severe injuries, you may need to take legal action through an accident injury claim. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be able to file a lawsuit against  multiple parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The insurance company of the truck company
• The company that maintains the commercial trucks
• The manufacturer of the trucks

The trucking industry is regulated by the FMCSA. One regulation truck companies and their drivers often violate is hours of service, restricting the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road without taking a break. Truckers who go three or more hours over the established driving time limit can be liable for a regulatory violation.

The FMCSA also restricts truck drivers from using a hand-held cell phone while driving. Drivers who violate this regulation can be subjected to a fine and a commercial driver’s license loss.

There are also state regulations that truck companies and drivers must follow. The California Department of Transportation (DOT) has passed laws governing weight limits based on cargo types, the number of axles, and tires on a semi-truck.

Most personal injury claims will likely be resolved out of court through a settlement. However, there is no guarantee that a case will be settled. Large truck companies and their insurers will do everything to deny or reduce your claim. For this reason, you will need an experienced Elverta truck accident lawyer who is not afraid to take your case to court if necessary.

Watch the following YouTube video to learn why you should consider filing a trucking accident claim.

Semi-truck accidents often cause devastating injuries and significant property damage. If you have sustained severe injuries or lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident and believe it’s due to someone else’s negligence, it is essential to understand your legal rights. While dealing with the aftermath of a devastating accident is overwhelming, it is critical to consult with an experienced injury lawyer to discuss filing a compensation claim. An attorney can handle the entire process of your case, so you can just focus on healing. Contact our experienced Elverta truck accident attorneys today for free and friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

Since 1982, our personal injury law firm has served the Elverta and Northern California communities, helping injured people get total compensation for their accident cases.

^{Editor’s Note: updated 10.26.23 Photo by Yassine Khalfalli on Unsplash cha [cs 753]}