Ukiah is the largest city in Mendocino, serves as the seat of the county government, and is located on the area’s largest highway. This means that Ukiah is a hub of activity for people all over Mendocino and residents of the neighboring Lake County. Furthermore, Mendocino County is a central agricultural area, meaning produce shipments are continually driven over local roads. Altogether, all of this means that Ukiah and nearby roadways see high commercial vehicle traffic.

While large trucks carrying goods on our roads are a massive part of the California economy, these vehicles pose a significant risk to drivers, pedestrians, and other roadway users. According to data made available by local traffic enforcement agencies, including California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Ukiah Police Department, there were 216 injury-causing truck accidents in Mendocino County between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2019. These accidents caused 250 injuries and cost another 27 lives.

As Ukiah truck accident lawyers, our job is to ensure that families and individuals can recover financially and personally after serious collisions involving large commercial vehicles.

We’ve been helping people recover compensation for serious accident injuries since 1982. We prioritize forging a personal connection with our clients and try to understand how their injuries have affected their lives.

Many attorneys choose a more business-like approach and are strictly professional with their clients. However, we’ve found that practicing compassion and getting to know the people we represent helps us advocate for their rights more effectively.

While most truck drivers are careful, responsible motorists, these vehicles are still dangerous. In California, tractor-trailers can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and the average combined vehicle and load weight of big rigs is over 70,000 pounds. Because these vehicles are so massive, they carry a tremendous amount of momentum into accidents, meaning that crashes involving a big rig can easily involve significant damage, even if the accident is relatively minor. Information from the NHTSA shows that almost 100,000 large commercial vehicles annually are involved in traumatic accidents in the United States.

Furthermore, big rigs are challenging to control due to their size. Large trucks take a long time to come to a complete stop and cannot quickly maneuver, meaning that these vehicles may be unable to avoid serious accidents. In some cases, these vehicles carry dangerous materials that can add to the danger of an accident.

Almost all big rigs are owned by companies that operate an entire fleet of similar vehicles. These holding companies know the potential for severe accidents and treat this risk as a regular part of their business. For this reason, trucking companies are almost always prepared to take action immediately in the event of a crash. The company will often respond to the accident by dispatching a legal team to the crash site right after a collision occurs. This team will then take witness statements and evidence to control the narrative around what caused the accident.

Trucking companies can often disclaim responsibility for accidents by taking early defensive actions. This can mean that crash survivors and their families cannot claim the compensation they deserve. For this reason, it’s essential to call a Ukiah truck accident attorney as soon as possible. If your lawyer can begin working right away, they will be more able to ensure that liable parties are held accountable for their negligence.

Often, there’s nothing that drivers can do to avoid truck accidents. However, there are some driving techniques that you can practice to reduce the risk of one. To learn more, take a minute to watch this helpful video:

After being injured in an accident, many people aren’t sure if their case suits a lawyer. While there are many reasons that you may not need an attorney, you should always get advice from a lawyer after a crash. Many crash survivors are unaware of the payments they can recover through injury claims, such as compensation for lost wages, hospital bills, physical therapy sessions, and personal suffering. Talking with a lawyer will help you know the best way forward in your specific situation.

Notably, most injury attorneys will gladly offer you a free phone consultation where you can get the advice you need to make an informed decision about your case. Because there’s no cost to you, you have nothing to lose by reaching out for the help you deserve.

If a truck accident caused you or someone you care about serious injuries, please contact our experienced Ukiah Truck Accident Lawyers at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 for free friendly advice.

Our law firm has helped people in Ukiah and nearby cities with truck accident claims involving serious injuries since 1982. You can learn about our practice by browsing the many high-value settlements and verdicts we have received.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 9.27.23] Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash ms cha [cs 848]}