Lancaster Truck Accident Attorney
Our Lancaster Truck Accident Attorneys Are Here To Help
The devastating impact of a commercial truck collision dwarfs ordinary car accidents in both physical damage and legal complexity. When an 80,000-pound semi-truck strikes your vehicle, the resulting injuries often prove catastrophic, leaving you with mounting medical bills and profound physical limitations.
At Setareh Law, we represent truck accident victims throughout Lancaster who face overwhelming challenges after collisions with commercial vehicles. Our team understands the complex federal regulations governing the trucking industry and how violations of these rules contribute to serious accidents. Our Lancaster truck accident lawyers identify all liable parties and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Lancaster Truck Accidents
Truck accidents typically result from preventable errors and regulatory violations. Identifying the exact cause strengthens your claim by establishing clear liability.
Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations
Despite federal regulations limiting driving hours, many truck drivers exceed these limits due to tight delivery schedules and financial pressures. Fatigue impairs reaction time, judgment, and alertness, creating dangers equivalent to drunk driving. Our investigation often reveals logbook discrepancies showing drivers operated beyond legal time limits.
Negligent Hiring and Training Practices
Trucking companies must verify driver qualifications, including proper licensing, training, and clean driving records. When companies hire unqualified drivers or provide inadequate training to meet demand, they place everyone on Lancaster roadways at risk. We examine employment records to determine if the company knew the driver posed a safety hazard.
Improper Maintenance and Equipment Failures
Commercial trucks require regular inspection and maintenance to operate safely. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions often trace back to neglected maintenance schedules or rushed inspections. Federal regulations mandate specific maintenance protocols and documentation that provide evidence of negligence when accidents result from mechanical failures.
Types of Truck Accidents in Lancaster
The configuration and operation of commercial trucks create distinct accident types with varying injury patterns and liability considerations.
Jackknife Accidents
These accidents occur when the trailer swings outward at an angle to the cab, resembling a folding knife. Jackknifing typically results from improper braking, slippery road conditions, or driver inexperience and often involves multiple vehicles caught in the truck’s path. These accidents frequently cause severe injuries as the trailer may strike vehicles in adjacent lanes or create unavoidable obstacles.
Underride Collisions
Among the most deadly truck accidents, underride collisions happen when a passenger vehicle slides beneath the truck’s trailer. Despite federal underride guard requirements, these safety features often fail or are inadequately maintained. Victims frequently suffer catastrophic head and neck injuries as the vehicle’s safety features become ineffective.
Rollover Incidents
Top-heavy commercial trucks can roll over when taking curves too quickly, encountering strong crosswinds, or performing emergency maneuvers. When a fully loaded truck rolls onto passenger vehicles, the crushing weight causes devastating injuries. Driver error, improper loading, or unsafe road conditions typically contribute to these preventable accidents.
Multiple Liable Parties in Lancaster Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases often involve several responsible parties who may share liability for your injuries. Identifying all potentially liable entities maximizes your compensation sources.
You may have claims against:
- The truck driver for negligent operation
- The trucking company for inadequate training or supervision
- Cargo loading companies for improper weight distribution
- Maintenance providers for negligent repairs
- Parts manufacturers for defective components
- Government entities for unsafe road conditions
Our Lancaster truck accident lawyer’s investigation examines the relationships between these parties to establish joint liability when applicable. For example, if a driver fell asleep at the wheel after exceeding federal hour limits with the company’s knowledge, both the driver and the company share responsibility for resulting injuries.
Compensation Available After Lancaster Truck Accidents
Truck accident victims typically require substantial compensation reflecting both current and future damages. The catastrophic nature of these collisions often creates lifelong consequences requiring ongoing medical care and accommodation.
Medical Expenses
Truck accidents frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and internal organ injuries requiring emergency treatment, surgery, and extensive rehabilitation. We calculate both current medical costs and projected future expenses to ensure your settlement covers necessary care throughout your recovery.
Lost Income and Earning Capacity
Serious injuries from truck accidents often prevent victims from working for extended periods or returning to their previous occupations. We document your pre-accident earnings and work with vocational experts to establish diminished earning capacity when permanent limitations affect your employment prospects.
Non-Economic Damages
Beyond financial losses, truck accident victims endure significant physical pain, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life. California law recognizes these intangible damages as compensable. We gather compelling evidence of how your injuries affect daily activities, relationships, and overall well-being to secure appropriate compensation for these losses.
The Investigation Process in Truck Accident Cases
Building a strong truck accident claim requires prompt investigation and evidence preservation. Commercial carriers often deploy rapid response teams to accident scenes, collecting evidence favorable to their defense.
Our investigation includes:
- Securing electronic logging device data before deletion
- Obtaining driver qualification files and training records
- Reviewing maintenance logs and inspection reports
- Analyzing black box data, capturing speed and braking patterns
- Interviewing witnesses while memories remain fresh
Our Lancaster truck accident attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists to establish the collision sequence and determine how regulatory violations contributed to the accident. This thorough approach builds compelling evidence of liability that strengthens your negotiating position against powerful insurance companies.
Why Choose Setareh Law for Your Lancaster Truck Accident Case
At Setareh Law, our Lancaster personal injury lawyers leverage our extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases throughout California. Our Lancaster truck accident lawyers speak Spanish, ensuring clear communication throughout your case. We work with trusted medical specialists and industry experts to build compelling evidence of liability and damages.
We advance all case costs and operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our commitment to responsive communication ensures you receive regular updates throughout the legal process. Contact Setareh Law today at (310) 659-1826 or through our contact form to discuss your Lancaster truck accident case.
