A trucking accident attorney can help when you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by a big rig or another commercial vehicle. Residents of Granite Bay often find themselves on the Eisenhower Highway or traveling to Sacramento, which is ringed by complex roadways. Many of the vehicles traveling on these roads are 18-wheelers.

Unfortunately, the increased number of commercial trucks on the streets means collisions involving these vehicles. Because big trucks are bound by state and federal regulations, consulting with an experienced Granite Bay truck accident attorney is essential to obtain the compensation you deserve following an accident injury. Call our injury lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free case evaluation.

If you suffer an injury in a collision with a big truck, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve. The Edward A. Smith Law Offices have successfully obtained compensation for many Granite Bay residents and have provided quality service and representation since 1982. We understand that choosing a personal injury attorney can be difficult, and we want you to realize that our office has the experience and legal talent to obtain the compensation you deserve. 

When a collision occurs between a big rig weighing up to 80,000 pounds and the average motor vehicle weighing less than 4,000 pounds, it is not surprising that severe injuries and deaths occur. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Act, truck drivers undergo a background check and alcohol and drug testing. The hours they drive are regulated, and rest breaks and periods between going back on the road. Other strict standards include a vehicle inspection before going on the road and load checks. If these regulations have been violated, liability can be established involving the at-fault driver and the company that employs them. However, the assistance of a lawyer with experience in dealing with truck accidents is necessary to establish a strong claim for damages.

Many of these accidents are due to the truck driver’s negligence or the company that employs them. Some of the ways negligence contributes to a collision that can require the assistance of a Granite Bay truck accident attorney include:

• Fatigue: Truck drivers are expected to spend many hours on the road, leading to boredom and fatigue. Sometimes, the company pushes the driver to make delivery faster, which can cause stress and fatigue in trying to meet a deadline.
• Driver training: With the significant shortage of truck drivers nationwide, some companies may hire inexperienced drivers. The problem with this is that big commercial trucks handle differently and have special considerations, such as the no-zones surrounding them. An inexperienced driver is more likely to be involved in an accident.
• Drugs: Although few truckers use alcohol, some use drugs to stay alert and awake while on long-haul trips. Drugs can affect drivers’ ability to use clear judgment, and their reflexes and vision can suffer. When drug use is shown to cause a wreck, our Granite Bay truck accident lawyers can help prove it, establishing your compensation claim.
• Distracted driving: Those long hours on the road can lead to distractions such as texting, fiddling with a radio station, and gazing off into the distance. Any of these distractions can lead to a collision.
• Speeding: A significant cause of all types of accidents is that truck drivers speed to deliver on time. This frequently occurs if they do not allow sufficient time for the trip or if a traffic jam occurs. 
• Poor maintenance: Bad brakes, tires, or problems with the accelerator or steering can lead to an accident. 

Truck accidents commonly occur like other traffic collisions, such as head-on or broadside collisions. However, some types of accidents only happen with a large truck. The different types of truck collisions include:

• Underride/override accidents: Big rigs require underride protection in the rear of the trailer. However, not all big trucks have this protection, or the old barriers don’t adequately protect other motorists. Underride/override accidents commonly result in fatalities and severe trauma, such as brain and spinal cord injuries.
• Jackknife accidents: An inexperienced driver or braking errors can result in a jackknife accident. When a truck jackknifes, the trailer slides around to the side, which can crash into other vehicles, pedestrians, or others.
• No-zone collisions: Big trucks have blind spots around the vehicle, especially along the sides of the trailer. However, if a trucker forgets that a car is driving along the side of the truck and attempts a lane change, that can result in an accident with severe injuries.

The following video discusses the different types of injuries in a truck accident.

The best truck accident lawyer in Granite Bay can help you obtain compensation to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. Our experienced investigators immediately go to a truck accident site to collect evidence to support your injury claim. They review the police report for inaccuracies and talk to witnesses. The investigators check the logbook to see if there is any sign the driver cheated or did not obey state and federal regulations. Maintenance records for the truck in question will be checked to see if negligence was involved in the accident. 

Accident reconstruction is performed, and a search for traffic and business surveillance cameras could have caught the accident on video. When all the evidence has been accumulated, our truck accident attorneys in Granite Bay go to work to build a strong case in favor of our client. Evidence can be used when negotiating with the insurance company or preparing a case to present in civil court. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call our experienced Granite Bay truck accident attorneys today for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Before hiring a personal injury lawyer, it is best to look at their client reviews and a list of past case results. See our client ratings on Avvo, Google, and Yelp and our past cases on our Verdicts and Settlements page.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 7.24.23] photo by pixabay.com cd [cs 1093] bw}