Santa Maria Truck Accident Lawyers
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Our Santa Maria Truck Accident Lawyers Help Protect The Rights Of The Injured
Trucks are integral in California’s commerce industry, but commercial truck accidents are becoming more common across the state each year. With an increasing number of large vehicles on the road, the risk of serious accidents also rises. If you or someone you know was injured in a truck collision, Arash Law’s lawyers in Santa Maria provide legal representation and guidance. We can help you understand your options for seeking compensation for the damages you have suffered. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Crashes with big rigs can result in serious injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage. Victims and their families may face long-term consequences, including medical expenses, lost income, and permanent injuries. These cases can be complex and often require professional legal support.
If you’re injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, consulting a law firm can help you understand your rights and pursue potential compensation. The attorneys at Arash Law have experience handling truck accident cases and can assess the specific facts of your situation. We offer a free case review to evaluate whether you may have a valid personal injury claim and provide guidance on your next steps.
2019: $27M confidential settlement in a case involving multiple plaintiffs.– BRIAN BEECHER
How Dangerous Is Traffic In Santa Maria?
Traffic accidents are far too common, especially those involving large commercial trucks. Santa Maria, California, is a hub for agricultural commerce. Trucks deliver and pick up goods from local farms and manufacturing plants daily. The number of trucks, therefore, can take up multiple lanes of traffic. Passenger vehicles travel alongside trucks on major routes such as Highway 166 and nearby rural roads. Both drivers and pedestrians should remain attentive to their surroundings to reduce the risk of accidents.
Common Causes Of Santa Maria Commercial Truck Accidents
Accidents happen for a variety of reasons. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, most truck accident cases are caused by driver error. Santa Maria residents may experience truck-related traffic accidents in the following situations:
Following Too Closely
It is dangerous for a truck to follow a passenger vehicle too closely and vice versa. Passenger vehicles sit much closer to the ground, and if a commercial truck follows too closely, it could collide with the other vehicle and cause a serious accident. Following too closely can also cause either driver to suddenly hit their brakes, resulting in a rear-end accident.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the most common reasons for traffic accidents. In the event of a sudden obstacle or emergency, a speeding truck may be unable to stop in time, increasing the risk of serious crashes and injuries.
Driver Distractions
Distracted driving contributes to many accidents annually. Even a brief lapse in attention can result in life-threatening collisions. Common distractions include using a phone or other in-cab activities, all of which significantly increase the risk of an accident.
Drug And Alcohol Impairment
It is dangerous to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drunk and drug accidents are far too common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13,384 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents in 2021, which is a 14% increase from 2020 data. On average, one drunk-driving death occurred every 39 minutes in 2021.
Driving under the influence can lead to lowered inhibitions, visual impairment, and other problems that can result in accidents and serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been in a big rig accident, consider consulting with the experienced Santa Maria truck accident lawyers at Arash Law to learn more about your legal options.
Driver Fatigue
Many commercial truck drivers are under pressure to meet tight deadlines. This means that they may be tempted to drive while sleepy. However, this is an unsafe practice. Falling asleep for even a moment can lead to a deadly accident.
Because these cases are particularly complicated, having an attorney assist you in understanding your rights after an accident can support your pursuit of compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a commercial truck accident, our truck accident attorneys in Santa Maria provide legal guidance in the claims process.
How Vulnerable Is My Vehicle Against A Big Rig?
If you are driving a passenger vehicle, you and your passengers are vulnerable to serious and life-altering injuries, even death, when you get involved in a collision with commercial trucks like 18-wheelers and semi-trucks. Thousands of traffic accidents involving these large vehicles happen each year, and of these accidents, hundreds involve the death or serious injury of passenger vehicle drivers and passengers.
Commercial Trucks Vs. Passenger Vehicles
There are some obvious differences between normal-sized passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks, such as in size. Commercial trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds more than normal passenger vehicles. In fact, a fully loaded truck can weigh around 80,000 pounds. That is the size of 20 to 30 passenger vehicles!
Because of their size, traffic collisions that involve big rigs tend to result in serious injuries and catastrophic consequences. Big trucks also need more time to stop than other vehicles. Large trucks take, on average, 40% longer to come to a complete stop than passenger vehicles.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Lawyer For My Truck Accident Case?
While it is not legally required to hire a personal injury lawyer after a truck accident, having legal representation can be beneficial. Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, such as trucking companies, drivers, and insurers, as well as complex regulations that can make claims difficult to navigate.
Our Santa Maria truck accident lawyers can help investigate the cause of the crash, identify liable parties, and gather evidence to build a well-documented case. They also assist in assessing the damages that are available for you and estimating the potential value of your claim. Legal guidance can protect your rights and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and related costs.
Who Can Be Held Liable In A Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident cases can be complicated, as they often involve multiple parties. Our truck accident attorneys in Santa Maria help identify who may be responsible for your injuries and related losses.
Any of the following parties may share responsibility in a truck accident:
Independent Truck Drivers
If you get into an accident with an independent truck driver and they are held liable for it, you may be able to sue their commercial truck insurance to cover your damages. A personal injury attorney can assist you in pursuing accountability from the at-fault driver and their insurance provider.
Trucking Companies And Delivery Companies
Trucking and delivery companies are employers. They are responsible for completing background checks on each potential employee before making a hiring decision. Trucking and delivery companies must institute safety guidelines and make sure that employees comply with them.
Failure to supervise employees may make an employer legally liable for their employees’ mistakes. An employer may also be found liable for the damages drivers cause if they fail to maintain their trucks.
Truck Manufacturers
If a part malfunction or a defect in the truck caused the accident, the truck manufacturer may be held responsible for paying your damages. Liability may also arise if the manufacturer fails to address recalled parts or safety issues in a timely manner.
Truck Maintenance
Truck companies and drivers are responsible for properly maintaining their rig’s safety features. Poor maintenance can cause an unexpected traffic accident. For example, if the truck driver fails to inspect the wheels, a tire blowout accident could occur. If an accident investigation determines that the crash occurred due to a failure to conduct proper maintenance, it may impact the overall value of a claim.
The Company Responsible For Loading The Cargo
Loaders must properly pack a commercial truck. Improper loading can lead to a rollover accident where the truck tips over and lands on its side or its roof. If the accident occurred due to improper loading, the company that commissioned the labor and the loaders may be legally liable.
Types Of Truck Accident Cases
Santa Maria truck accident lawyers offer experienced legal guidance in a variety of truck-related accident cases. Common types of truck accidents in Santa Maria include the following:
- Blind spot accidents.
- Tire blowout truck accidents.
- Rollover accidents.
- Fatigue-related truck crashes.
- Accidents caused by spilled or shifting cargo.
- Wrongful death cases.
Do I Have A Truck Accident Case?
One of the first questions that truck accident victims have is whether they have a case. To determine if you have a legal claim, you need evidence that an accident occurred and proof of damages, such as medical bills or lost wages. You also need to demonstrate that another party’s negligence contributed to the crash and that the accident directly caused your injuries or losses. Experienced Santa Maria truck accident attorneys can help evaluate your claim, gather evidence to document your damages, and identify any liable parties.
If you were injured in a truck accident, it is important to find out if the driver was employed by a trucking company. California state law recognizes a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, which allows an injured plaintiff to sue the driver who caused the accident and their employer. However, if the truck driver was an independent contractor, that doctrine does not apply, and the plaintiff will be limited to suing the driver and other potential defendants besides the trucking company.
Potential legal claims against the employer can include failure to properly train, inadequate hiring practices, improper or inadequate maintenance and operation of their vehicle, and excessive working hours for the driver. Trucking companies must not require their employees to work past federally regulated limits.
Your legal counsel can help you identify potentially liable parties. After an in-depth investigation, your Santa Maria truck accident lawyers will help you determine the cause of the crash. They can also assist you in seeking compensation for the damages you suffered after the accident.
Naming all potentially responsible parties can provide additional options for recovery if one defendant does not have sufficient insurance coverage.
Settlement in a Wrongful Death Motor Vehicle Accident – largest Wrongful Death Settlement in Monterey County in 2020 – Top 20 Wrongful Death Settlement in California for 2020;– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
How Can Santa Maria Truck Accident Lawyers Help With My Truck Accident Case?
After an accident, an attorney can help you pursue a settlement to cover both your current and future expenses. They can manage the legal matters of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Help Negotiating With The Insurance Company
Pursuing compensation after a truck accident often requires experienced legal guidance. Even when filing a claim with your own insurance provider, negotiating a settlement that adequately reflects your damages can be complex. Truck accidents may involve multiple insurance companies, making it challenging to manage claims. Our Santa Maria truck accident lawyers can help you navigate these negotiations, advocate for your interests, and pursue a settlement that accounts for your accident-related losses and other long-term impacts.
Speak With Our Santa Maria Truck Accident Lawyers
If you suffered an injury or a loved one was killed in an accident with a large truck, our Santa Maria truck accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and options. The legal team at Arash Law has decades of experience helping clients pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other related losses. We are available to provide legal assistance to you as well.
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t charge attorney’s fees unless compensation is obtained. However, you may still be responsible for case-related costs, regardless of the outcome. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule a free initial consultation.
Our truck accident lawyers in Santa Maria also serve neighboring cities and communities, including Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Lompoc, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Atascadero, Isla Vista, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Taft, Carpinteria, Avenal, Shafter, and Wasco.
