California’s Most Common Types of Truck Accidents and Injuries They Cause

The California Truck Accident Lawyers of Arash Law Are Dedicated to Helping Victims Recover Maximum Compensation

Truck accidents can cause more serious injuries than other auto accidents. In a collision, a loaded truck gains more momentum than smaller, lighter vehicles. This often results in more serious injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. Depending on the circumstances, truck accident victims may be able to seek compensation for the injuries and losses they have sustained.

Let the experienced truck accident lawyers at Arash Law advocate for your legal rights. We manage the legal aspects of personal injury claims for our clients, allowing them to focus on recovering from their injuries. Call (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our truck accident lawyers in California are dedicated to helping clients pursue accountability against potentially negligent parties.

What Types Of Trucks Are Often Involved In Serious Collisions?

There are many different types of trucks on the road in California. What these trucks all have in common is the added danger they pose to smaller vehicles in a collision. If you were in a big-rig collision, big-rig accident lawyers can assist you in navigating the claims process. Here are just some of the many trucks that pose dangers to drivers, passengers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other road users:

• 18-Wheelers / Tractor Trailers — These are the typical “big rigs” that you see on the interstate. 18-wheelers are typically cargo trucks, meaning they are designed to be weighed down with heavy goods. This makes them among the dangerous vehicles on the road. A big rig accident lawyer will understand the types of injuries you have sustained and the legal issues presented by an accident involving an 18-wheel big rig.
• Delivery Truck Vehicles — For many years, UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service were the main delivery providers in California. With Amazon’s entry and the rise of new tech startups, the delivery industry has seen significant changes. As a result, Californians are now seeing more delivery trucks on the road.
• Waste Disposal Truck Vehicles — There are many different types of “dump trucks.” Some of these are the residential garbage trucks that we see in our neighborhoods. Others are large, commercial trucks designed for construction sites or home renovations. Uneven loads can make a dump truck more likely to tip and cause an accident. Keep plenty of space between your vehicle and any dump truck on the road.
• Tanker Trucks — Tanker trucks carry liquid cargo. The common type is gasoline (known as Oil Tankers), which is delivered to gas stations in large quantities. Gasoline is highly flammable. Because of this, gas tankers can be dangerous on the roadway. If a gas tanker is involved in a collision, it may be possible that the gas will spill and cause a fire. Find a way to get safely out of your vehicle and away from the tanker if you are ever involved in a collision with a gas tanker.
• Fire Trucks and Other Emergency Vehicles — While emergency vehicles are usually not as heavy as cargo trucks, their driving patterns, such as high speeds and quick maneuvers, can increase the risk of accidents in certain situations. Emergency vehicles often drive on the wrong side of the road or through red lights. They squeeze through precarious gaps in traffic and make other dangerous driving moves in order to reach emergencies quickly. This can be dangerous to other drivers on the road. While an emergency vehicle is granted the right of way when engaged in urgent duty, the driver must still drive in a reasonably safe manner. In these situations, even well-intentioned emergency workers may sometimes overlook the duty to drive safely in their rush to respond.
• Flatbed Trucks — Flatbed trucks carry many different kinds of heavy equipment and cargo. When these loads are not secured properly, they can endanger everyone near the truck. Logs, pipes, and other cargo have been known to crash through windshields and kill drivers traveling behind the truck. Use caution when traveling behind any type of flatbed cargo load. If the driver or transit company neglected their duty to secure the load properly, leading to an accident, an experienced truck accident attorney can investigate your case and support your claim for your injuries and losses.
• Farm Trucks and Equipment — Harvesters, livestock haulers, and other farm equipment can also cause accidents. These large, bulky vehicles require truck drivers to slow down. Drivers must also be especially careful when they have live animals, such as horses, with them. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable for injuries resulting from an accident.
• Passenger Movers — Drivers of buses, coaches, tour buses, and other large vehicles have an even higher duty of care than regular drivers. Commercial vehicle accident lawyers are familiar with these laws and can help you understand your legal rights. The law refers to these transportation companies as “common carriers.” Section 2100 of the California Civil Code requires common carriers to use the utmost care and diligence for passengers’ safe carriage. A California commercial vehicle accident attorney can help you file claims against the involved parties and seek compensation based on your injuries and losses.

The Truck Accident Epidemic

Truck accidents are on the rise, both in California and across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a 4% increase in truck accident fatalities between 2011 and 2012. There was also an 18% increase in the number of people injured in truck accidents in the United States during that same time. Here in California, traffic fatalities have been on the rise. 2017 saw about one-third more traffic fatalities (3,602) than our state experienced in 2010 (2,720).

After a truck accident, it’s important to find an experienced attorney who understands cases involving specific types of commercial vehicles, whether a big-rig accident lawyer, semi-truck accident lawyer, commercial vehicle lawyer, or 18-wheeler accident lawyer.

Common Causes Of Commercial Truck Accidents

1. Speeding — According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, speeding killed over one thousand Californians in 2016. This was an increase of more than 10% from 2012 (when speeding was responsible for 956 traffic fatalities in California). That same year, nearly a third of all fatal traffic accidents in California (29.1%) were related to speeding. Speeding plays a major role in fatal traffic accidents across California.
2. Jackknife Accident — A jackknife truck is one that has turned so that the cab is angled away from the cargo hold. This commonly occurs as the result of a collision. It can also occur if the driver loses control of the truck due to speeding, poor weather conditions, or other factors. When the rear axle locks, the driver has less control over the cargo load, which can cause the front cab, the rear cargo hold, or both to tip over.
3. Truck Driver Error — When a truck driver does not properly operate equipment or adjust driving patterns for the large vehicle, they may be held legally responsible (“liable”) for accidents that result from this behavior. Trucking companies may also be held legally responsible for the actions of their drivers. In addition to the negligence of its drivers, a company can also face liability for negligent hiring and supervision of employees or failing to provide adequate safety training.
4. Truck Equipment and Mechanical Failure — Poor maintenance and equipment failures can cause a wide range of truck accidents. In addition to a general duty of care, which requires truck drivers to use reasonable care in inspecting their equipment, drivers and transit companies are also subject to regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations require periodic inspections of brakes, tires, and other sensitive equipment.
5. Unsafe Cargo Loading and Overloading — Improperly loaded cargo can result in a variety of problems. The cargo may fly off and hit other vehicles. It can cause tire blowouts. Even a load that is simply uneven can result in a driver losing control of the truck, possibly causing a rollover or jackknife.
6. Blind Spot Crashes — Large trucks have large blind spots. Truck drivers must account for this when changing lanes. Many sideswipe and lane change accidents are often caused by truckers who are either inexperienced or simply not paying attention to their large blind spots.
7. The Runaway Truck — Losing control of a truck on a downhill stretch of road is another hazard that truck drivers must be prepared for. Drivers must watch their speed and control the vehicle carefully. Sometimes, a runaway truck ramp may be available to help the driver control their vehicle. Even if it is not, the driver still has a legal duty to maintain control of the truck at all times.
8. Wide Turns — Large trucks have a wide turning radius. Like other driver errors, this can result in a collision if the driver is inexperienced in the maneuver or if other drivers fail to keep a distance when trucks make these turns.
9. Rollovers — Large vehicles have a higher center of gravity, which can increase the likelihood of a rollover. A cargo load can change the center of gravity; in fact, liquid cargo loads (as in tanker trucks) create a constantly shifting center of gravity due to sloshing. Truck drivers must be prepared for these changes in order to prevent a rollover.
10. Failing to Adjust for Weather or Poor Road Conditions — All drivers should slow down during rain, snow, and other conditions that cause poor visibility. This is also true when there are dangerous conditions on the roadway, such as ice or potholes. Truck drivers must be especially attentive to these conditions. It takes longer to brake and maneuver in a truck, and a collision could be more dangerous.
11. Improper Braking Technique — Generally, large trucks have air brake systems, as opposed to the hydraulic brakes found in most passenger vehicles. It takes both knowledge and experience to operate an air brake system properly. More importantly, it is more difficult to stop a large, heavy vehicle. This is especially true when the truck is loaded with uneven or sloshing cargo. A truck driver who doesn’t know how to brake properly in an emergency poses a risk of injury and even death to other road users nearby.

What Kinds Of Injuries Are Commonly Sustained In Truck Accidents?

• Head and Brain Injuries — These are some of the common severe injuries after a truck collision. Brain injury can interfere with a victim’s ability to work, enjoy hobbies, or simply spend time with family and friends. These losses may not be tangible, but they are real. The law provides a way for individuals injured in an accident to pursue compensation from negligent drivers or their insurance companies for these losses.
• Back and Neck Injuries — These injuries range from severe to mild, and permanent to temporary. A neck injury could result in permanent paralysis. A mild neck injury could result in whiplash, a painful but temporary condition. Neck injury lawyers can review medical records, assess the impact on your daily life, and explain how these injuries may affect the value of a personal injury claim.
• Internal Injuries — These, too, range in severity. Mild bruising of the liver or kidneys could resolve on its own. A severe laceration (cut) to a major organ might require immediate surgery to save the victim’s life.
• Broken Bones — Broken bones can be painful and may result in significant long-term problems.
• Lacerations — Serious lacerations can leave victims with permanent scarring, the need for surgery, and other serious consequences.

Severe injuries from a truck accident can cause death. In this case, the victim’s eligible legal heirs may have the ability to pursue a wrongful death claim against the truck driver, transit company, and other liable parties.

Experienced California Truck Accident Lawyers For Complex Truck Accident Injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you can seek legal advice to understand your next steps and help prevent missing important deadlines. Any statements you make at the scene of the accident or to the insurance company can be used throughout the legal process and may affect your claim.

Our truck accident attorneys will handle the communications and negotiations with the insurers, allowing you to focus on recovering. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391. We are an experienced personal injury law firm, and our truck accident lawyers can advocate for the legal rights of big-rig injury victims in California, including those in San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Riverside, and across the rest of the Golden State.