When you are injured in an accident with a big truck, you need an experienced lawyer to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Californians are especially vulnerable to collisions with big trucks because they are commonly used to transport goods and materials throughout the state. Businesses and consumers want their products delivered quickly, which stresses the industry and places other motorists at risk of a collision.

Because Placerville motorists commonly travel along U.S. Route 50 and State Highway 49 to reach areas such as Sacramento, Folsom, and Auburn, their risk of a collision with a big rig or other commercial vehicles increases. If you are unfortunate enough to be injured in a crash with a big truck, the lawyers at Autoaccident.com are here to help.

Because the average motor vehicle weighs less than 4,000 pounds and a big rig fully loaded weighs around 80,000 pounds, severe injuries, and fatalities often happen when they collide. Their power, size, and weight make a big truck one of the most dangerous things on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, were 4,678 fatalities caused by collisions with big trucks in 2018, an increase over the previous year. Pedestrian fatalities increased by 13 percent in accidents involving commercial trucks. Some of the most common reasons for truck accidents that contribute to the number of injuries and deaths include:

• Speeding is a significant cause of truck accidents. This may be related to the shortage of truck drivers on the roads and pressure from the company that employs the trucker.
• Drugged driving is a concern among truckers and contributes to collisions. Spending long hours on the road leads to boredom and sleepiness, so some truckers use over-the-counter or other drugs to stay alert.
• Reckless driving, such as unsafely changing lanes, merging, or following too closely, results in accidents caused by commercial trucks. Reckless driving can cause an underride/override accident or collision because of a truck’s blind spots.
• Falsifying records has always been a problem with some truck drivers. Because truckers are allowed to drive for a certain number of hours and then take rest breaks, they or the company that employs them may be tempted to falsify records. Because familiarity with state and federal laws is needed to prove that documents were falsified, hiring an experienced lawyer is a good idea.
• Inexperienced drivers are sometimes hired because of a shortage of truck drivers. Because they have little experience handling a big rig, these drivers are likelier to be involved in a rollover or jackknife collision.
• Fatigue is caused by long hours on the road and sleep deprivation and can lead to an accident when a driver falls asleep at the wheel.
• Poor maintenance causes accidents when a worn tire blows out, brakes fail, or leaks occur in the airlines. This can lead to a driver’s loss of control over their vehicle.
• Poorly managed cargo, such as overloading, uneven load, or poor tie-downs, results in a collision. Cargo can spill on the roadway or cause the big truck to roll over, impacting other motorists and causing severe injuries.

The video below explains why trucking accident cases differ from car accident cases.

Because there are many ways a truck driver or the company that employs the trucker can be negligent and cause a motor vehicle crash, having experienced representation is essential. A claim for personal injury damages covers your medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost wages and reimburses you for your pain and suffering.

It has been shown that enlisting the help of an experienced injury lawyer can result in a higher settlement following an accident injury. We send our investigators to the crash site for evidence supporting your compensation claim. They review the police report for errors and talk to the witnesses, who can offer valuable information. The investigators look for cameras at traffic lights and businesses that may have filmed the accident. They perform accident reconstruction, commonly used as evidence in court and with insurance companies.

Because truck drivers and their companies must follow federal and state regulations, the investigators will check if any rules were broken. This can include falsifying logs, driving too long, and not checking the load for safety at specified intervals. They will check maintenance records, the driver’s background and driving record, and company information such as previous violations. Drivers who have committed too many infractions, been involved in other accidents, or have too many points on their driving record cannot drive in many states. The investigators will also check if a traffic infraction, speeding, or drug use contributed to the crash.

When the investigators have completed their work, all this information will be given to our lawyers. They will use it to build a strong case against the at-fault party and/or company in favor of our client. This evidence can be used in negotiating with the insurance company on our client’s behalf to provide the best possible outcome. If the insurance company balks at providing an appropriate settlement, the lawyers can build a solid case to present in civil court. As always, the client owes nothing until their case has been won.

We’re here to offer our free and friendly advice if you or your loved one is injured in an accident with a big rig or another commercial truck. Call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400, or you can connect with us by sending a message online.

We’re proud to be a California member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Forum.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.2.21] Image by Schwoaze from Pixabay cd llo [cs 1007]}