Yreka is located right on Highway Interstate 5, one of the largest highways in the United States, serving as a shipping route for the entire west coast. Because of this, local drivers are no strangers to big rigs. Large commercial trucks are common in Yreka and surrounding areas, so residents are typically aware of how dangerous they can be.

In California, big rigs can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, meaning they carry tons of force into accidents. Even collisions at relatively low speeds can cause critical injuries involving these massive vehicles. People who survive truck accidents are often left with life-changing trauma.

As Yreka truck accident lawyers, our job is to help people injured during large commercial vehicle accidents regain their health and personal well-being.

Not only are big rigs likely to cause severe injuries during accidents, but the sheer size of these trucks means they are less able to make collision-avoidance maneuvers. Big rigs are at high risk of collisions without quickly stopping or veering around obstacles, especially on wet or icy roads. While most truckers do everything to drive safely, big-rig accidents happen frequently.

Large trucks are almost always owned by a trucking company, and these companies typically operate entire fleets of similar vehicles. With so many cars on the road, these companies consider accidents a normal business risk. This means that trucking companies are ready to immediately take legal action and attempt to disclaim any financial liability for accidents involving their vehicles. The company will often dispatch a private legal response team to the accident site to conduct private investigations.

Unfortunately, trucking companies’ quick and aggressive defense can make it difficult for crash survivors to obtain fair compensation. For this reason, it’s critical to reach out to a Yreka truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. If your lawyer can start working on your case immediately, they’ll be better able to defend your right to obtain compensation from at-fault parties. Furthermore, having a lawyer early on can help you focus on healing from your injuries, knowing that an expert is handling your case.

The following accident data is gathered from local traffic agencies’ reports, including the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol (CHP). According to this data, 2,313 injury-causing auto accidents occurred in Siskiyou County between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019. Of these 2,313 collisions, 206 involved a big rig, meaning that over eight percent of all traumatic auto crashes in Siskiyou County were truck accidents.

Furthermore, truck accidents were much more likely to cause fatal injuries than other types of collisions. Siskiyou County truck accidents had a fatality rate of 8.25, while collisions generally had a rate of 4.89. According to the available data, the leading causes of Siskiyou County truck accidents were speeding, improper turning, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and unsafe lane changing.

Although it isn’t possible to say when or where an accident will occur, drivers can take significant steps toward reducing their risk of being involved in a big-rig accident. While most Yreka drivers are comfortable sharing the road with these vehicles, it’s still important to keep these essential tips in mind:

Accident injuries are likely to have far-reaching effects on your life. A significant injury often means you will need extensive medical care, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and more. Furthermore, being injured is likely to affect your ability to work, possibly resulting in a significant and sudden loss of income.

Because these damages are so widespread, the types of compensation survivors can obtain through personal injury claims vary widely. Some types of payments that survivors can seek from at-fault parties and/or insurance companies include lost income, hospital bills, and damaged property. Additionally, many can claim compensation related to their personal suffering.

However, every case is unique, and the best way to understand what damages may be available in your specific case is to speak personally to a Yreka truck accident lawyer.

Many people want to know if their injury case must go to trial. The answer is that it is unlikely, and most cases are settled during negotiations. However, you and your lawyer may decide to take the case to court if a settlement can’t be reached. While most cases don’t go to trial, you should know that your attorney is ready to do everything possible for your case. By asking an attorney if they are comfortable going to trial, you can understand how committed they are to successfully resolving your case.

Big rig accidents are likely to have a significant impact on your life. If you or someone you know was hurt during a trucking accident, please contact our experienced Yreka truck accident lawyers today for free, friendly advice about your case by calling (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 10.6.23] Photo by Markus Spiske from Pexels ms cha [cs 874]}