California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Provides Transparent Representation For Every Client
Commercial vehicles are a common sight on American roads. Large commercial trucks, including tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers, are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy because they move more than 70% of all goods transported around the country.
The high volume of commercial traffic poses significant risks for road accidents, which can result in disabling injuries and financial losses for affected individuals. If you or your loved ones have been involved in a truck accident, contact our commercial vehicle accident lawyers to book a free case review.
Verdict for a client who was sideswiped by a commercial truck.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Truck Accident Statistics In California
With commercial vehicles weighing up to 80,000 pounds, the devastating consequences of truck crashes should come as no surprise. Unfortunately for occupants of passenger cars, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, collisions with commercial vehicles often result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. The sheer size of commercial trucks and the volume of these trucks on our roads contribute to a large number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities in California.
Although truck drivers are held to a higher standard of care than other motorists, commercial vehicle accidents are not uncommon in California. Each year, large commercial vehicles contribute to over 4,000 deaths in the U.S. California has the second-highest number of fatal traffic accidents in the country (over 350 deaths in 2018).
How Our California Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you or a family member has been injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a commercial vehicle, you may be considering calling California commercial vehicle accident lawyers for help. Since truck accidents often involve multiple at-fault parties, seeking help from an attorney to handle your case is advisable.
Our commercial vehicle accident attorneys are committed to advocating for your rights. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you:
- Perform an in-depth investigation.
- Collect evidence on your behalf.
- Determine potentially liable parties.
- Guide you through the legal process.
- Assess your damage and losses.
Truck Accident Laws In California
As mentioned earlier, trucks and commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of California’s economy. Without all the trucks that transport goods, food, gasoline, raw materials, and other products, the Golden State would come to a standstill. Commercial vehicle carriers and operators of tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and other trucks in California must abide by strict federal and state laws.
Under federal law, carriers and drivers of commercial vehicles must comply with the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations:
- Drivers cannot drive longer than 11 hours after ten consecutive hours off duty.
- Drivers must have a break of at least 30 minutes every 8 hours.
- Drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in a 7-day period or 70 hours in an 8-day period.
For years, many trucking companies were able to avoid liability for accidents caused by their drivers if the drivers were classified as independent contractors rather than employees. However, while most truck drivers are still classified as independent contractors, carriers can be held vicariously liable for crashes involving their vehicles regardless of the drivers’ employment status.
Recovering damages following a truck accident requires knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations. Speaking with California commercial vehicle lawyers after a collision can be beneficial to your case since they are familiar with all the key regulations applicable to the trucking industry.
What to Do After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in California?
If you have been involved in a commercial vehicle accident, take the following steps:
- Stop Immediately — California law requires drivers to stop at the scene if they have been involved in a crash.
- Provide Your Information — You must provide your information to all parties involved. The information that must be provided includes your name, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license.
- Report The Accident — Under California law, you must report your accident to the Department of Motor Vehicles if the crash involved injuries, deaths, or property damage of more than $1,000.
- Gather Information — If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you should ask for the truck driver’s name, phone number, address, license plate number, insurance information, and the trucking company’s identification and contact information.
- Preserve Evidence — A police report can support your claim. However, it is also a good idea to take photos and videos and talk to witnesses to preserve more evidence.
- Seek Medical Attention — Even if you feel fine, it is critical to see a doctor for a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
- Contact A Lawyer — Once hired, our California commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Arash Law can help you preserve pieces of evidence needed to build your claim. They can also take over communications and negotiations with insurance companies.
Causes Of Commercial Vehicle Crashes
Not all commercial vehicle accidents involve driver error, but most of them do. In fact, some crashes involve more than one contributing factor. Here are the most common causes of commercial vehicle crashes:
- Brake failure and other problems with the braking system.
- Driving too fast for the road or weather conditions.
- Driving on unfamiliar roads.
- Poor road conditions.
- Driving under the influence of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Inadequate surveillance.
- Drowsy or fatigued driving.
- Driving under pressure to meet specific deadlines.
- Inattention and distracted driving.
- Performing illegal maneuvers, such as unsafe lane changes.
- Experiencing tire problems.
- Driving too close (failing to maintain a safe following distance).
- Having cargo that is not properly secured.
- Driving an overloaded truck.
- Driving under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
Most commercial vehicle accidents are caused by some error on the part of the driver. However, many collisions involve multiple liable parties. Consult with a knowledgeable and detail-oriented lawyer for help identifying responsible parties in your truck accident case.
Liable Parties In Commercial Vehicle Accidents
In most commercial vehicle accidents, it is vital to conduct a thorough and in-depth investigation to identify all liable parties. In fact, it is not uncommon for truck crashes to involve multiple responsible parties. Potentially liable parties include:
- The Truck Driver — When a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident caused by driver error, such as driving too fast, failing to maintain a safe following distance, or distracted driving, the driver of the vehicle may be held liable for the crash.
- The Commercial Vehicle Carrier — Commercial vehicle carriers are responsible for hiring experienced truck drivers, ensuring that their vehicles are well-maintained, and following other state and federal regulations.
- The Vehicle Mechanics — It is not uncommon for trucking companies to hire mechanics to inspect and maintain their fleet of commercial vehicles.
- The Cargo Shipper & Loader — If problems with cargo contributed to a commercial vehicle accident, the parties responsible for shipping and loading cargo might be liable for the collision.
- The Truck Manufacturers or Vehicle Parts Makers — Some commercial vehicle crashes are caused by faulty construction, defective design, and other manufacturing flaws.
- Local & State Government Entities — When a commercial vehicle accident is caused by poor road conditions, the government agency responsible for the maintenance of the road where the collision occurred can be held liable.
Fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule a free initial consultation with our California commercial vehicle accident lawyers to investigate your crash, assess your case, and establish liability.
Settlement in a case where a client was injured while unloading commercial truck; client sustained crush injuries to legs.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Common Injuries In Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Commercial vehicle accidents can be so devastating that victims may suffer serious and fatal injuries. Some of the most common injuries in commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Head & Brain Injuries — Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are not uncommon in commercial truck crashes. Head and brain injuries occur due to blunt force to the head or a rapid forward and backward movement and shaking of the brain as a result of a collision. TBIs and other head injuries can lead to short-term and long-term effects and disabilities.
- Broken Bones — Broken bones are an extremely painful type of injury after a commercial vehicle accident. Unfortunately, victims of truck accidents suffer broken bones due to blunt force trauma.
- Spine Injuries — The impact of a truck crash exerts a tremendous amount of force on the bodies of people involved, especially the occupants of passenger vehicles. Back and spine injuries can lead to paralysis and disability.
- Internal Injuries — Internal organs can also be damaged in a commercial vehicle accident. It is not uncommon for victims to sustain damage to their stomach, heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs.
Damages Available In Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Given the sheer size of commercial vehicles, most victims of truck crashes face a long road to recovery. If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, our lawyers at Arash Law can help you pursue compensation for your physical, financial, and emotional suffering.
Damages that may be available in a commercial vehicle accident in California include:
- Medical Expenses — Commercial vehicle crashes are often associated with severe and disabling injuries. If you were injured in a collision with a truck, your medical bills could add up very quickly. Medical expenses following a truck accident may include the cost of emergency transportation, surgeries, medical treatments, prescription medications, therapy, rehabilitation, follow-up care, and many more.
- Lost Wages — The injuries sustained in a commercial vehicle accident can limit your ability to work and earn a living. If this is the case, you may be able to seek damages for the wages you lost because of the collision. However, it is important to work closely with an experienced attorney to help you calculate your past, current, and future lost wages properly.
- Pain & Suffering — It is not uncommon for commercial vehicle accident victims to suffer from emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other forms of pain and suffering.
How Our Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers Can Support Your Claim
If you have been involved in a commercial vehicle accident in California, our seasoned lawyers at Arash Law can help. We give each case the personalized attention it deserves.
Our attorneys can help you handle your case by doing the following:
- Gaining Access To And Examining Logbooks — This process is done to determine how and why the accident occurred. In commercial vehicle crashes, logbooks can show that the driver or the carrier violated any regulations or laws.
- Reviewing Evidence — A logbook is not the only critical piece of evidence in a commercial vehicle accident case. Other important pieces of evidence include witness statements, photos, videos, surveillance or dashcam footage, GPS, and black box data, among others.
- Inspecting The Accident Scene — Our knowledgeable lawyers can also inspect the scene of your accident to look for such evidence as tire marks, poor road conditions, vehicle damage, and other relevant details.
- Talking to Insurers — Negotiating with insurance companies is a critical part of the claims process. We present your claim, supported by evidence, to demonstrate your actual losses during negotiations.
Call A Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer For A Free Initial Consultation
Commercial vehicles are among the most dangerous vehicles on California’s roads. Accidents involving them often result in catastrophic outcomes. If you or someone you love has been involved in a collision with a big rig, tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or any other commercial vehicle, do not hesitate to call our dedicated lawyers. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
Our team of committed lawyers has the necessary resources, skills, and experience to work on your commercial vehicle accident case. Book a free case review by calling (888) 488-1391 or by completing our online intake form.
