Trucks are larger vehicles and hard to maneuver even for experienced drivers. Accidents involving trucks can cause massive damage to other vehicles, property, and cause serious harm or even be fatal for those involved. If you or a loved one has been in a truck accident in San Fernando Valley, you could be looking at hefty medical bills, significant physical trauma, and major mechanical repairs or complete vehicle replacement. Contact The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg at 310-997-0904 to speak with a seasoned and highly recommended truck accident attorney with over thirty-five years of experience. Allow our law office to represent you and ensure you get the maximum compensation due to you for damage and suffering. Our offices can ensure your case is built with intelligence, investigated thoroughly, and those responsible held accountable.
Truck Accidents And Common Causes
Because the damage caused by truck accidents is usually far more significant than that of smaller vehicles, there are federal trucking regulations in place for traffic safety nationwide. Some commonly reported causes of these accidents are:
- Poor vehicle maintenance: When owners/operators of trucks fail to maintain them properly, accidents can happen. For example, tires that are worn or that are not inflated properly can lead to dangerous steering and control issues, and ultimately, truck accidents.
- Equipment failure: From failure of braking components to transmission and engine failure, defective lighting, or failure of the truck’s suspension, equipment not functioning as it is intended can lead to horrific truck crashes. Much like airplanes, large trucks have event data recorders on board that can provide useful data regarding the crash, including the truck’s engine RPMs and wheel speed at the time, information about the tire pressure, service brake, anti-lock braking system, and other pertinent facts.
- Shift in cargo: When heavy cargo shifts, it can cause the operator of a large truck to lose control of the vehicle, leading to an accident. This is generally the result of improperly loaded cargo.
- Driver/operator error: Perhaps the most common cause of big truck accidents, operator errors are often to blame. Speeding, failing to properly check blind spots prior to changing lanes, texting while driving, and using drugs or alcohol while driving are all common.
Each state also has its own set of trucking regulations that must be followed. These regulations set the parameters on truck size, regulations on weight, which routes they can and can not take, how long the driver can drive continuously, and how often/how long the driver has to sleep.
What Classifies As A Truck
There are several types of vehicles classified as large trucks. Categories of trucks include:
- Delivery trucks
- Tankers
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Service trucks
- Cement trucks
- Construction trucks
- Dump trucks
Common Injuries Associated With Truck Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are around four thousand truck accidents each year that result in fatalities. Even with the implementation of new traffic safety laws, the requiring of CDL courses, and additional driver testing, accidents involving trucks have not decreased significantly enough to date. Truck accidents are responsible for inflicting serious physical injuries and trauma to those involved. Some commonly reported injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Rib injuries
- Internal trauma
How Can A Truck Accident Attorney Help?
A truck accident attorney is well-versed in the nuances surrounding truck accidents and understands what it takes to present the victim’s claim in its best light. When individuals are involved in an accident, including truck or tractor-trailer accidents, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, alone, frustrated, and unsure about the future. A seasoned truck accident lawyer can:
- Thoroughly and promptly investigate your accident. This includes working with experts or accident reconstruction professionals to determine fault in your case.
- Seek out and identify all parties that are liable for your injuries and damages.
- Take care of all paperwork with the insurance company(s) involved.
- Work aggressively to get the maximum verdict or settlement in your case.
- Pay all upfront costs required to investigate, negotiate and litigate your truck accident claim and only charge you attorney fees if and when they get a verdict or settlement for you.
Legal Representation
If you have been involved in a truck accident you must seek legal representation to ensure your claims are taken seriously. Sometimes, insurance companies might try to offer you small, quick, and unfair settlements. Their offers never include or fairly take into consideration the trauma, financial burdens, and physical battles you may have.
At The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg, your case is our priority—you will never feel like just a number. Our team of legal professionals strives to quickly and thoroughly answer any questions you may have in regard to your claim, the claims process, and your legal options and rights. Our team also takes pride in keeping clients updated on a regular basis on the status of their cases.
It is important to note that in the state of California, there is a limited amount of time for accident victims to seek compensation from the at-fault party in their cases. You have just two years from the date that you became injured to file your claim in civil court. Although two years seems like a long time, when you’re seriously injured and dealing with medical appointments, therapy, and surgeries while also balancing life, family, and kids, the time has a tendency to slip away. Once two years have passed since your accident, you can no longer recover damages, so be mindful that time is true of the essence when you are injured.
Consult with an expert truck accident attorney about your claim as soon as possible following your injury or the discovery of your injury. Contact The Law Offices of Howard Kornberg by calling 310-997-0904 or email us to request a free case evaluation. Stop by our offices today, in San Fernando Valley. We have the experience to handle your case, the ability to properly document all facets of your accident, and will seek diligently to determine the cause. Our distinguished trial attorney, Howard Craig Kornberg, has over 35 years of experience in litigations, ensuring our clients are treated with compassion and justly compensated.
