Truck Accident Lawyer

Broadway Law

Truck Accident Lawyer

While every traffic accident is dangerous, truck accidents are among the most serious accidents on our roadways. Because of the immense size differential between these massive vehicles and the cars we drive, our risk of being seriously injured is greatly increased.

Trucks are essential vehicles for business as they transport goods from one area to the next efficiently. Those massive machines can be dangerous, though, and if you are involved in an accident with one, you will need the services of a truck accident lawyer.

Sharing the road with a big truck can be unnerving. Still, you can rest assured that there are legal experts who can assist even if something unfortunate occurs.

In this article, we will go deep into the topic of truck accidents. Learn more about the common causes of truck accidents, how to avoid them, and numerous other important subjects.

Also, feel free to seek assistance from us at Broadway Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers if you ever need a truck accident lawyer.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

To avoid getting involved in a truck accident, you must have an awareness of what causes them in the first place. Read through some of the most common causes of truck accidents below and watch out for them whenever you take to the road.

Wide Turn Accidents

Techniques that we pull off easily from the driver’s seat become more complicated for truck drivers. Even something like taking a wide turn can prove challenging.

As the truck attempts to navigate a turn, the huge container it is dragging around may swing out. If there are cars nearby, they may get hit by that container.

Sometimes, the truck driver can do everything right, but something may still go wrong if the other drivers on the road are not careful. Stick too close to the truck as it turns, and your vehicle may get hit by the container.

Speeding

Another common cause of accidents is speeding. Driving at high speeds is dangerous for obvious reasons, but there is one specific aspect of it that we should highlight.

Passenger vehicles can often stop abruptly. If a road hazard suddenly comes into view, drivers can stop the car and avoid crashing into it.

Pulling that off when driving a truck is significantly harder.

Trucks need more time and space to come to a complete stop. That is especially true if they were moving at high speeds. If a road hazard suddenly comes into view while a truck is speeding, an accident could prove inevitable.

Excessively Heavy Loads

Trucks are designed to transport heavy materials. They are rugged vehicles that excel in that regard.

Even so, there is a limit to how much weight a truck can carry. Overload a truck, and it could tip over while trying to maneuver around a corner. It is also possible for the truck to remain upright even as its load falls over and hits nearby vehicles.

You expect truck drivers and trucking companies to always be mindful of that load limit. However, there are still those who disregard it.

Boredom

Truck drivers usually need to be on the road for long periods. Spend that much time alone, and you will inevitably get bored.

When boredom strikes, people become more susceptible to making poor decisions.

Truck drivers may reach for their phones to alleviate the boredom. You can easily imagine how poorly that could turn out.

Other Vehicles

It is important to note that truck drivers are not always the ones at fault for accidents taking place. The blame can also sometimes fall on the drivers around them.

Upon seeing a truck, some drivers attempt to overtake it. The problem with trying to overtake a truck is that you could wind up in its blind spot. The truck driver may not be aware of your vehicle, and that could cause an accident.

Some drivers also make the mistake of driving too close to trucks instead of giving them space. As we noted previously, trucks need space to turn and perform other maneuvers. Drive too close to a truck, and you could end up getting hit.

Common Injuries from Truck Accidents

Being involved in a car accident can lead to you sustaining some serious injuries. It is not difficult to imagine how things can get worse if a truck is added to the mix.

Here in this section, we will discuss the common injuries that stem from being involved in a truck accident. Use them as reminders of why you always need to be careful around those large vehicles.

Internal Injuries

Trucks are far sturdier than passenger vehicles. If you crash into one, it will not serve as much of a cushion.

Crashing into a truck even at a relatively low speed can lead to some serious injuries. Internal injuries are particularly concerning.

Do not assume that you are right because injuries are not visible right away. Head to the doctor after your involvement in a truck accident and get fully checked out to see if you have sustained any internal injuries.

Broken Bones

It takes a lot of force to break a bone, but the impact generated during a truck accident is often enough. The unforgiving steel frame of the truck can devastate your body, leading to you breaking multiple bones throughout your body.

Bones in your limbs and ribs are among the ones most susceptible to fracturing after a collision with a truck. Truck accidents can also cause more serious injuries such as fractures along the spine or even a potential skull fracture.

Amputations

In especially bad truck accidents, some of the people involved may be so severely injured that emergency procedures will be carried out right at the scene of the incident. To be more specific, amputation may sometimes be necessary to remove people who have been tangled in the remains of the vehicles.

Why You Need to Partner with a Truck Accident Lawyer

The hope is that you never find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being involved in a truck accident. Sadly, we cannot guarantee that.

If you are involved in such an incident, know that you can seek assistance from a truck accident lawyer. Detailed in this section are some of the ways that a lawyer can help you out following your involvement in an accident.

Attributing Blame

Determining the amount of blame shared by the parties involved in an accident is important in California. That is due to California being a comparative fault state.

Comparative fault means that being partly to blame for the accident does not disqualify you from receiving compensation. You can still sue the other party and claim the compensation the court deems fair in your case.

Since officials follow the principle of comparative fault, the way they distribute blame also affects how much compensation you receive. For example, being 20 % at fault for the accident means you can recoup 80 % of the damages in your case.

Allow your lawyer to handle the blame game. Their assistance will help ensure that you receive fair compensation.

Determining the Compensation Amount

Speaking of compensation, you also must determine the right amount to ask for before proceeding with your case. Here again, is another area where your truck accident lawyer can assist you.

The compensation awarded in a personal injury case is supposed to account for both actual and general damages.

Actual damages refer to material losses such as medical expenses, property damage, and even lost wages. Meanwhile, general damages cover the intangible losses by the accident, such as pain and suffering, lost job opportunities, and mental anguish.

Actual damages are easy to calculate because there are bills, they can reference. When it comes to general damages, lawyers will typically use either the multiplier method or the per diem method to come up with the right amount.

Count on your lawyer to figure the appropriate compensation amount in your case.

Legal Filing with a Truck Accident Lawyer

You probably will not move around a lot following the accident. With bills piling up, though, you may need that compensation sooner rather than later.

Ask your truck accident lawyer to handle the filing for you. Their experience dealing with courts in California can also help speed up the process of filing.

Filing deadlines can depend on the circumstances of the claim. Your lawyer can identify the deadlines that apply and help handle the necessary filings while you focus on recovery.

Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be an incredible challenge. Make things more manageable by partnering with skilled and experienced lawyers. Contact us at Broadway Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers and let us provide the legal assistance you need.