Bakersfield Truck Accident Laywer
When you compare 18-wheeler truck accidents to other types of motor vehicle accidents in Bakersfield, they are often more complex. The size and weight of these types of vehicles are mismatched in this type of accident, and it’s this size and weight difference that typically ends up hurting individuals in the smaller vehicle. This can lead to devastating and overwhelming results for other drivers or pedestrians.
Since there are frequently catastrophic outcomes in Bakersfield truck accidents, it’s important to reach out to an experienced attorney skilled in these types of accident scenarios if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. This way, you can focus on healing while your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer works on getting you the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
When you’re driving in California, it’s important that you provide commercial trucks with plenty of room when at all possible. Their size alone creates huge blind spots for drivers and requires much more room for drivers to come to a stop completely. Still, no matter how careful drivers are and the precautions they take, truck accidents still occur. Accidents involving trucks may occur for a number of reasons, but some of the most common reasons include:
Distracted Driving
While truck drivers shouldn’t be distracted by their cell phones or radio when they’re driving, like with any other drivers, they sometimes are. This can lead to a devastating accident.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are allowed through federal law to be behind the wheel of commercial semi-trucks for no more than 11 hours per shift. However, many end up ignoring this requirement because they’re often facing extreme pressure to meet deadlines. These deadlines often cause them to fall asleep or speed while driving, frequently leading to catastrophic and even fatal outcomes for individuals in passenger vehicles.
Drug or Alcohol Use
Like with distracted driving, big-rig truck drivers who drive while under the influence pose a lethal threat to anyone around them.
Weather
When you think of California, you may picture the state being perpetually sunny. But, mist, fog, and even ice can lead to hazardous road conditions that cause trucks to swerve and hydroplane.
Unsecured Loads
Large rigs can sometimes lose their cargo posing dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
Case Results
$1,000,000 – Truck Accident
$850,000 – Truck Accident
$450,000 – Truck Accident
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Who’s At Fault In a Truck Accident?
A truck accident case often involves federal and state transportation laws, motor vehicle carrier rules, and even the trucking company’s own particular safety rules. However, the question that often comes up is which rules did the driver of the truck violate and why did they violate these rules? Learning the answers to these questions can help establish liability. In truck accident cases, victims can often pursue compensation from the following parties:
Drivers
Truck drivers have responsibilities while operating trucks on the road, just like car drivers do. If the driver of a truck is negligent or reckless and it leads to an accident that results in substantial injuries, they can be held liable.
Truck Companies
Often truck companies have their drivers on very aggressive schedules, which is why 18-wheeler truck accidents often occur due to driver fatigue.
Truck Manufacturers
A poorly manufactured or designed commercial truck is dangerous to all people on the road. A skilled truck accident attorney can bring a claim against large manufacturing companies that design or manufacture defective trucks.
Cargo Handlers
Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo is often the cause of accident cases involving trucks. A reliable truck accident attorney can thoroughly investigate to determine if the truck involved in your accident was overloaded with cargo. If they determine it was, they could file a claim against the company that loaded the cargo and hold them responsible.
Comparative Fault in Truck Accident Cases
In the state of California, your percentage of fault in your truck accident will determine the potential compensation that you may recover. This is referred to as comparative fault. Often, the defendant’s insurance company will try to prove that you were at a minimum partially at fault in the accident, if not totally at fault. Your claim could diminish somewhat or even reduce completely, based on the decision of the jury.
Since liability is complex, you’ll want to ensure you have a commercial truck accident attorney whose experience, reputation, and skill you can trust to fight for your legal rights. They’ll pursue compensation and justice for your injuries.
California’s Statute of Limitations
Every state has its own set time limits, referred to as statutes of limitations for victims of truck accidents to file a claim for the injuries they sustained in the accident against the at-fault party who was responsible for the accident and resulting injuries. There is a two-year statute of limitations set forth by the state of California for truck accident claims. While the California court system must adhere to the law, there are certain rare exceptions that allow victims of accidents to pause the time clock. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so they can assess your case and determine if your situation qualifies for these exceptions.
Reach Out to the Experienced Bakersfield Truck Accident Attorneys at Setareh Law
If you suffered injuries in a trucking accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve to know your rights. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages. Here at Setareh Law, our Bakersfield truck accident lawyers are experienced and very knowledgeable in truck accident cases and will work hard to try and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at (310) 659-1826 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case review. Our lawyers also speak Spanish if needed. If you have a case, we will get started right away to bring you and your family justice as quickly as possible.
