Large commercial trucks are a common sight on highways and streets throughout Livermore. A truck driver may often use Interstate 580, State Route 84, or Vasco Road to make deliveries throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. A big rig crash involving passenger vehicles or others on the road may have the potential to result in major injuries, such as internal trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries. What is most unfortunate about 18-wheeler collisions is that they may result in death in some extreme cases. No matter the cause of the incident, an experienced Livermore truck accident attorney can help an injured party or a decedent’s family by seeking the full and fair compensation they deserve.

If you were injured or lost someone you loved in a recent big rig crash in Livermore, our law firm is here for you and your family. Give us a call today to arrange a meeting for free, friendly case advice from one of our skilled truck accident lawyers at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400.

A big rig crash often ends with devastating results for those involved. Since many parties and entities are involved in such cases, you can expect insurers to make the claims process challenging to protect their profit margins. That is why you need an experienced attorney on your side who will have the resources, skills, and experience to make a difference in your commercial truck accident claim. At AutoAccident.com, we handle personal injury and wrongful death cases exclusively. This means that our practice is focused on helping those who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones at the hands of others. When you are ready, our legal team will be here to guide you through the process and help you recover fair compensation for your losses. Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled and compassionate lawyers today.

Inclement weather conditions, road work, and traffic congestion may make driving in Livermore challenging. That is why drivers, including truckers, must remain on high alert when traveling through the area. However, not all truck drivers do so and often cause catastrophic crashes in the following ways:

• Distracted Driving: A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people in 2020. With this information in mind, it is without a doubt that texting and driving, and other distractions are dangerous. The risk of a distracted driving accident is often greater for truck drivers traveling long distances to make deliveries.
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Trucking companies are expected to screen drivers to ensure that they have a negative drug test before operating a commercial motor vehicle. This is by 49 CFR 382.301 on pre-employment testing. Conversely, alcohol and drug tests may be required after accidents based on the criterion outlined in 49 CFR 382.303 on post-accident testing. When DUI is determined to be a cause of a big rig crash, punitive damages may be sought as a way of punishing the truck driver for their egregious conduct.
• Speeding: Commercial truck drivers often work on tight schedules to deliver on time. To make that possible, truckers often speed to get to their destinations. Whether a truck driver is operating a big rig too fast for road or traffic conditions or is exceeding the posted speed limit, speeding contributes to many semi-truck collisions and catastrophic injuries to others.
• Truck Maintenance: Truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to inspect their vehicles and take them in for routine maintenance. When poor truck maintenance is determined to contribute to a big rig crash, the trucker or trucking company may be held liable for resulting damages. This will be based on the facts and circumstances of the case. Conversely, if a defect in the parts or components of the semi-truck caused an accident, the manufacturer of the 18-wheeler may be held liable for losses incurred through an auto products liability claim.

As you can see, a big rig crash may occur for many reasons, and these are just a few of them. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, a skilled truck accident lawyer in Livermore would work to determine how the incident took place. With an independent investigation of the crash and thorough examination of the facts, an injury lawyer can help you and your family by identifying all at-fault parties and seeking fair compensation on your behalf.

One of the most common reasons for big rig crashes is truck driver fatigue. According to a past Large Truck Crash Causation Study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 13 percent of drivers operating commercial motor vehicles were fatigued at the time of the accident. Driver fatigue is most unfortunate because it causes one too many senseless and devastating collisions each year. The Hours of Service (HOS) is a federal regulation that governs the trucking industry for:

• How long a truck driver is on the road for a shift
• How many hours a trucker can log in a workweek
• How much time a truck driver must take off between shifts

Not all truck drivers and trucking companies follow HOS regulations, and trucking companies often put undue pressure on truckers to meet strict delivery deadlines. This may often come at the cost of others on the road when a truck driver is sleep-deprived and causes a big rig crash. If you have questions about your case and believe that driver fatigue may have played a role in the incident, contact an experienced Livermore truck accident lawyer today.

The purpose of compensation in a personal injury case is to make a claimant whole again. This may come in two types: economic and non-economic damages. The first type is intended to reimburse an injured party for financial losses, whereas the second type compensates them for the intangible harm they have endured because of a big rig crash. Compensation that a Livermore truck accident attorney can help you recover in a personal injury claim may include:

• Medical Expenses: Costs of medical care for injuries related to a big rig crash are recoverable. This may also include future expenses for reasonable and necessary treatment in cases involving serious injuries.
• Lost Wages: Injuries from an 18-wheeler collision may temporarily cause the affected party to be out of work. Conversely, when permanent injury or disability results from the incident, a claimant may seek lost future earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering: A semi-truck wreck may be traumatic and life-changing, to say the least. The emotional suffering and physical pain may be lasting, so it may call for pain and suffering damages.

Meeting the filing criteria and deadlines involved in a commercial truck accident case may be stressful and overwhelming, particularly when dealing with traumatic injuries and trying to rebuild your life after the devastating incident. With a skilled truck accident attorney in Livermore protecting your rights and best interests, you can focus on healing and being with your family. Watch the video below for details on selecting the best attorney to represent you.

After getting injured in a recent big rig crash, it is crucial to know that evidence directly related to the incident significantly influences a civil case. When time passes after a semi-truck collision, the risk of evidence getting lost or destroyed increases. That is why it is recommended to retain legal counsel immediately following an 18-wheeler crash. A top Livermore truck accident attorney will get to work quickly by sending letters of preservation of evidence to the other side immediately. Remember that the sooner an injury lawyer is hired, the more time the attorney will have to build a strong case for fair compensation on your behalf.

While a two-year statute of limitations generally applies to most personal injury and wrongful death matters arising from commercial truck accidents, the unfortunate reality is that evidence necessary for proving the case may not last as long. That is why it is crucial to collect and preserve evidence immediately. What is great about working with an accident attorney is that you can depend on them to assist you with this step. You can also count on your lawyer to handle negotiations with the other side and file a lawsuit in civil court in Alameda County to protect the statute of limitations.

Since 1982, our personal injury law firm has been there for the families of Alameda County and across California. We understand that injured parties and families who have lost loved ones in truck accidents are trying to make the best out of a devastating situation. If this has happened to you and your family, we would be honored to help by putting our experience, knowledge, and resources to work for your case. 

Our legal team is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our clients, and our Settlements and Verdicts are a testament to that. Contact us today at (925) 428-5220 or (800) 404-5400 to arrange a meeting for free, friendly case advice from one of our skilled Livermore truck accident lawyers.

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 8.2.22]

Photo Source: By “chatbotphoto” via Pixabay

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