Big commercial trucks are necessary for California because they deliver most of the goods needed in the state. However, with the large increase in passenger vehicles and big trucks comes an increase in traffic collisions and resulting injuries and fatalities. While drivers of big commercial trucks have to obey state and federal laws, driver error and company wrongdoing often cause an accident that impacts innocent motorists. When this happens, the injured person or family of a loved one killed in a truck accident can claim personal injury damages.

State Route 99 cuts through Galt, and Interstate 5 parallels it to the west. Residents who head up to Elk Grove or Sacramento or south to Lodi or Stockton have little option but to take one of these roads to get there. Because of the increased congestion as these roads absorb long-distance and commuter traffic, millions of drivers use them yearly. This includes tractor-trailers, tankers, and other large commercial vehicles such as FedEx or cement trucks. Because of their much larger size, an accident involving one of these big trucks commonly results in serious injuries or even fatalities. However, the complexity of handling a compensation case requires the experience and resources of a seasoned lawyer. Over the years, I have successfully handled many truck accident injury claims and may be able to do the same for you.

When an 80,000-pound big rig collides with the average car, which weighs around 4,000 pounds, the truck driver may walk away from it, but those in a passenger vehicle may not. Due to their weight and size, trucks are the most dangerous vehicles sharing the roadway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 2018 that 4,678 fatalities were attributable to significant commercial truck accidents. The primary reasons truck collisions occur are listed below.

Distracted driving is the number one cause of all traffic accidents. Truckers spend up to 11 hours a day on the road, which can lead to this type of problem. Although talking on a cell phone or texting while driving is forbidden, it is enticing when a trucker tries to stay alert. Changing a radio station, eating while driving, and checking GPS are additional distractions.

Speeding is a problem among truckers because of company pressure to make deliveries faster and a shortage of drivers. A seasoned Galt truck accident attorney will check to ensure whether the truck driver has been speeding and can examine the ELD or manual log to compare driving time with distance.

Reckless driving is caused by unsafe lane changes, tailgating, running a stop sign, and others. Because a big truck has blind spots can result in a rollover, underside, or override accident. 

Drivers who are too tired to be behind the wheel of a vehicle can enter a dreamlike state or fall asleep behind the wheel. This is a real problem for long-distance truckers, who sometimes take medications to try and stay alert. 

Falsification of records by the driver means they may spend more hours on the roadway than is allowed. They may also falsify required rest breaks, increasing fatigue and stress on the driver. Remember that long-distance truckers are paid by the mile, so it is to their advantage to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Sometimes, the company that employs the driver is responsible for pushing the trucker to make deliveries faster. Having an attorney in Galt who is experienced in handling state and federal trucking law violations can help you get fair compensation for your injuries.

Because trucking companies have been experiencing a shortage of drivers for several years now, employers may be tempted to hire an unqualified driver. Big rigs have multiple brakes, require a longer stopping distance, and are challenging to maneuver, requiring a wide turning radius. An inexperienced driver can quickly become involved in a jackknife accident, rollover, and underride/override collision.

Because big rigs and other large and heavy commercial trucks, proper maintenance is essential to avoid a collision. If a tire blows out, air line leaks occur, or brakes fail, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, which could be catastrophic to other motorists nearby.

Not only tractor-trailers but tankers, coal trucks, and others can have problems with uneven loads and overloading. When a load is uneven, it increases the risk of a rollover, even at low speeds. These commonly occur when cornering. Improper tie-downs are also a problem, especially on flatbed trailers. When the material being hauled, such as lumber or conduit, comes loose, it can crash on the roadway in front of other vehicles causing an accident.

The video below explains the severe injuries that can occur in truck accidents.

Investigating a collision that involves a big truck is much more complicated than a regular accident. This is why having a truck accident lawyer in Galt by your side is essential. Truck accidents may be the fault of the driver, the company that employs them, or both. In other cases, the driver is an independent contractor. In addition, state and federal regulations need to be satisfied. An investigation by our Galt truck accident lawyers includes the following:

• Checking whether driving logs were falsified.
• Checking maintenance records on the truck to see if a lack of repairs contributed to or caused the crash.
• Looking at the driver’s record to see if he/she was inexperienced or had traffic violations such as speeding, drug use, or distracted driving.
• Reviewing the records of the company to look for violations.
• Checking the number of points on the driver’s record because those with too many cannot drive in certain states.
• Reviewing the report by the police and speaking to the witnesses to understand what they saw.
• Collecting forensic evidence from accident reconstruction.
• Seeking cameras with relevant footage from traffic surveillance systems and businesses.

Our lawyers construct a case against the at-fault party when the evidence has all been collected. It is used both in negotiating on the client’s behalf with the insurance company or in preparing a solid court case. This way, the injured client can concentrate on healing while their Galt truck accident attorney does all the work.

If you have suffered injuries in a big rig accident, contact a Galt truck accident lawyer from our law firm today to discuss your personal injury case and potential options for recovering compensation. Call our legal team at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

See our past cases of  Settlements and Verdicts.