San Luis Obispo Truck Accident Lawyers
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Our San Luis Obispo Truck Accident Lawyers Offer Insightful Legal Help After An Injury
Semi-truck accidents are capable of causing catastrophic damage to San Luis Obispo residents in passenger vehicles. Trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles, and they weigh substantially more, so when they do collide with smaller vehicles, the accident often causes serious bodily injury or death. If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, reach out to our experienced San Luis Obispo truck accident lawyers. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free case evaluation.
Liability in truck accidents may involve multiple parties. Truck drivers may be liable when they engage in dangerous activities such as distracted driving. In some cases, excessive driving hours can increase the risk of a driver falling asleep at the wheel.
Trucking companies may also share responsibility, especially if they failed to enforce safety regulations or adequately maintain their vehicles. In some cases, liability may extend to third parties. For example, cargo loaders may be held accountable if a truck was improperly loaded or exceeded weight limits.
Filing a civil lawsuit against a commercial trucking enterprise can be intimidating. These companies may have entire legal departments devoted to defending the truck company in litigation. Truck accident lawyers in San Luis Obispo can help you understand the legal options available to you if you want to seek financial compensation for your injuries.
By hiring a San Luis Obispo truck accident attorney, you can take advantage of attorney-client privilege and attorney-client confidentiality. These principles enable you to share information with your attorney, knowing that it will remain confidential. By doing so, you can be candid with your personal injury attorney.
Those who drive on freeways in California know the dangers they are exposed to every day, but many drivers do not comprehend the problems that may arise if they are involved in an accident with a large commercial truck. For more insight into roadway safety and crash statistics, resources such as those from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can be helpful.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Seeking Support After A Truck Accident In San Luis Obispo, California
Accident victims may need to undergo surgical procedures to recover from their injuries. Also, many victims may require months of physical rehabilitation and physical therapy. Sometimes, accident victims may need to take an extended amount of time off work, and these lost earnings can cause financial insecurity and other problems among family members. If you want to seek financial compensation for your injuries, then you should speak to a truck accident lawyer in San Luis Obispo.
California Truck Accident Statistics
According to the NHTSA, in 2021, 5,700 trucks were involved in fatal accidents in the United States. As reported by the organization, trucks make up 9% of all traffic crashes resulting in death. Truck collisions can happen anywhere, but certain areas are more prone to them than others. Rural areas are especially high risk, as 55% of all fatal truck accidents occur in rural locations. In contrast, urban areas were home to only 45% of fatal truck accidents.
Each year, commercial truck accidents in California result in a considerable number of fatalities, with state data indicating more than 300 deaths annually. Victims who suffer injuries during truck accidents experience extreme physical and psychological trauma. Sometimes drivers and passengers do not know how to react when they find themselves in a truck accident.
Unfortunately, in addition to physical pain and psychological symptoms, accident victims also must deal with financial insecurity after suffering injuries during a truck accident. Recovery may force some victims to take an extended time away from work, which can create financial strain for them and their families. If you do not have health insurance coverage, it can be especially difficult to afford the medical care that is necessary after a truck collision. San Luis Obispo truck accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your medical fees and other damages.
Actions To Take After Suffering Injuries During A Truck Accident
It is generally advisable for truck accident victims to consult with knowledgeable truck accident lawyers in San Luis Obispo. Multiple elements must be assessed when you are preparing to file a civil lawsuit against a trucking company. The following are important steps that should be taken before drafting a complaint:
- Inspect any black box data that survived the truck accident.
- Analyze all logbooks recorded by the truck driver.
- Review the accident scene for any relevant evidence.
These tasks will help you obtain evidence that can be used to substantiate your legal claims. Your chosen lawyer can help secure this and other crucial evidence to establish the negligence of another party.
The Most Typical Causes Of Truck Accidents In San Luis Obispo, California
Truck accidents can occur for many reasons, and no two cases are exactly alike. Many truck accidents arise due to the negligence of a truck driver or the trucking company responsible for maintaining the truck.
The following are some of the most common causes of truck accidents our San Luis Obispo lawyers can legally handle:
Negligent Driving During Dangerous Conditions
Every person who drives a vehicle must act prudently and match their driving to current environmental conditions. Reduced visibility, wet pavement, or slippery surfaces can make operating a large truck more challenging. When drivers do not adapt to these conditions — such as by maintaining safe speeds or allowing additional stopping distance — the likelihood of an accident can increase. Maintenance employees, truck drivers, and trucking companies may also be liable in these types of truck accident cases.
Inadequate Tire Maintenance
Poor tire maintenance is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in California. Sometimes tires on commercial trucks are retreaded, and this adds a new layer of tread to an old tire. Sometimes the retreading procedure is performed in an inadequate manner. This may cause tire blowouts on the road.
Improper Trailer Maintenance
Trailers require routine maintenance so they do not pose a risk to other motorists on the road. Accidents and malfunctions may cause bodily injury or death.
Driving While Impaired
Truck drivers must remain alert and attentive while operating large commercial vehicles. The use of alcohol, prescription medication, or other substances can impair judgment, coordination, or reaction time, increasing the risk of a collision.
Inattentive Truck Drivers
Federal law restricts commercial truck drivers from using mobile phones while driving. Commercial truck drivers may only use hand-free telephones while driving. When a driver texts and drives, the loss of focus can increase the risk of a collision.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations restrict the total number of hours commercial truck drivers can operate their vehicles in a given period of time. However, delivery schedules and operational demands can sometimes lead drivers to work longer hours than recommended. When adequate rest is not taken, fatigue can reduce alertness and increase the likelihood of an accident.
The Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents In San Luis Obispo
Truck accidents can affect every area of a victim’s life. It is important to learn about the legal options that are available to you if you suffered injuries during a truck accident. The following are some of the most common types of truck accidents that occur in San Luis Obispo:
- Ambulance & EMS truck accidents
- Fire truck accidents
- Tractor-trailer accidents
- Semi truck accidents
- Moving van accidents
- Garbage truck accidents
- Delivery van accidents
- Cargo truck accidents
- Big rig accidents
- 18-wheeler truck accidents
The Parties Which May Be Liable For Your Injuries In A Truck Accident Case
Several parties may share responsibility for injuries sustained in a truck accident. While a truck driver may be directly liable for causing harm, other individuals or companies involved in the operation, ownership, or maintenance of the vehicle can also be named as defendants. These entities may include the truck manufacturer, the shipping company, the trucking company, and the leasing company.
A truck driver may be liable for your injuries if their actions caused your injuries. However, if the driver was performing job-related duties at the time of the accident, their employer may also share responsibility under California law.
Trucking companies are responsible for keeping their fleets in safe operating condition. When maintenance issues like brake failure, worn tires, or faulty equipment contribute to an accident, the company may be held accountable for resulting injuries or damages.
Shipping companies and manufacturers may ignore regulations or engage in unsafe business practices. These issues may lead to truck accidents. For example, a shipping company might overload a trailer or fail to secure cargo properly, and a manufacturer could be held responsible if a defective truck part contributed to the crash.
Determining fault in these cases can be a complex process. Attorneys who handle truck accident claims can identify potentially liable parties and help gather the evidence necessary to support a claim.
Inspections, Relevant Evidence, And Truck Accidents In San Luis Obispo
Truck accident cases often involve a large amount of documentary evidence. Surveillance videos, photographs, truck logs, and other forms of evidence are often relevant for many truck accident cases. The following are some of the most important sources of evidence that San Luis Obispo attorneys may collect in truck accident cases:
- Accident Scene Inspection — A complete review of the accident scene can reveal evidence regarding how the truck accident occurred. In some cases, expert witnesses may be brought in to analyze this evidence and prepare formal reports.
- GPS Information and Black Box Data — It is necessary to search for any GPS and black box data available after a truck accident. These sources help reveal which actions the truck driver took before the accident occurred.
- Logbooks — Reviewing these records can help reveal which policies, regulations, and laws the truck driver may have violated before the truck accident.
Consulting with a San Luis Obispo lawyer can clarify which types of evidence are relevant to your situation. They can also help preserve, collect, and interpret this information to support the development of your claim.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
The Most Common Injuries Suffered By Truck Accident Victims In San Luis Obispo
Collisions involving large commercial trucks can result in serious injuries to drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles. Unfortunately, some truck accident victims may suffer temporary or permanent disability. The following are some of the common injuries truck accident victims suffer in San Luis Obispo, California:
- Deaths — Truck accidents often result in the deaths of drivers and passengers.
- Third-Degree Burns — Explosions and fires can cause victims to suffer severe burns.
- Fractured Bones — Some accident victims suffer multiple fractures.
- Internal Organ Damage — Internal organ injuries are common in truck accident cases.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries — Traumatic brain injuries may cause memory loss and emotional dysregulation.
- Neck Injuries — Whiplash is a common injury suffered by truck accident victims.
- Spinal Cord Injuries — Compressed nerves and other complications make spinal cord injuries one of the most severe consequences of being involved in a truck accident.
This list of possible injuries is not exhaustive. If you were in a truck accident, you should seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you believe you suffered only minor injuries.
Contact Our San Luis Obispo Truck Accident Attorneys
Arash Law helps injured victims seek financial compensation for their injuries. We have decades of combined experience representing clients in truck accident cases. We focus on your case and advocate for your rights when dealing with insurance companies.
Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. Our truck accident attorneys serve cities such as San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
