Setareh Law
May 10, 2024
A Brief Summary of the Following Article
- Safety Regulations: California has implemented truck-only lanes and specific speed limits for large vehicles to improve road safety and reduce accidents between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles.
- Federal and State Guidelines: Commercial drivers in California must adhere to both state-imposed truck lane regulations and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules, including secure cargo and hours-of-service regulations.
- Dedicated Lanes: California features designated truck-only lanes in strategic locations like Los Angeles and Kern County to facilitate safer navigation and minimize interactions between trucks and general traffic.
- Legal Assistance: Setareh Law specializes in truck accident cases, providing comprehensive legal support to ensure clients receive adequate compensation for their injuries and losses.
Certain restrictions have been put in place to reduce the number of traffic incidents involving semi-trucks in California. These safety regulations help passenger vehicles and semi-truck drivers by reducing the risk of them running into each other on the road. One such precaution is the implementation of truck-only lanes, which is a designation that prevents other vehicles from entering these restricted areas of the road which are meant exclusively for semis, Uhauls, RVs, towing vehicles, and trucks with three or more axles.
Which lanes have this regulation, and how does it work? Take a look at the information below to learn more about restrictions for truck drivers and how statewide regulations are keeping drivers safe on the road. We can provide the essential information you should know about trucking laws and accidents. When you work with Setareh Law, we can support you in many ways throughout your trucking accident that resulted in serious injuries.
Truck Lane Regulations
Due to the increasing number of commercial vehicles driving on California roads, truck lane regulations have been enacted as a way to ensure the safety of all drivers. Among these rules are the following restrictions:
- Large vehicles and trucks have a maximum speed limit of 55 MPH on highways
- Trucks must use the far-right lane if there are three or more lanes on a road
- If there are more than four lanes, trucks may use both of the far-right lanes
- Truck-only lanes and sideroads
These regulations have helped create a safer environment for both regular drivers and truck drivers, allowing both parties to maintain distance from each other and create an environment where accidents are less likely to occur.
Commercial Driver Regulations
In addition to the rules that have been put in place by the State of California, drivers of large commercial trucks must also abide by the regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Much like the implementation of truck-only lanes, these rules exist to make the roads as safe as possible and include the following:
- Secure cargo regulations
- Vehicle maintenance and fleet management
- Drug and alcohol screenings for commercial drivers
- Hours-of-service guidelines
- Hazardous material handling
- Use of a digital logging device
- Driver training
Both carriers and their companies must abide by the regulations which have been put in place by the FMCSA. Although failing to adhere to the rules of the FMCSA can result in a fine or a fee, these guidelines create guaranteed parameters for drivers that can make their jobs both easier and safer.
Location of Truck-Only Lanes
As of 2021, two truck-only lanes exist in California. The first of these lanes can be found in Los Angeles on I-5 at the split for State Route 14. This particular road has a dedicated northbound lane for trucks and one that runs southbound. This unique approach to sharing the road is making it easier for drivers of larger vehicles and trucks to navigate the road safely. In addition to the road off of State Route 14, the second truck-only lane runs southbound on the I-5 in Kern County and can be found at the junction for State Route 99. Ultimately, much like California’s first truck-only lane, the purpose of this road is to have trucks merging and navigating the road away from general traffic, which merges at the intersection of I-5 and Route 99. These dedicated lanes make California a pioneer in developing ways for drivers to safely share the road with larger vehicles.
What Evidence Might be Beneficial in Your Truck Accident Claim?
If you have been in a truck accident, including one where someone has failed to follow truck lane regulations, you may benefit from collecting some evidence related to your case. The following items are likely to be helpful during your claim:
- Photographs and videos, including from nearby traffic cams, dash cams, and businesses
- Medical documents, including bills, notes, treatment plans, and medical history
- Receipts related to property damage
- Pay stubs
- Logs of your injuries
- Police report
- Physical evidence
- Written communication pertaining to the incident
- Contact and insurance information for all involved parties
- Witness statements and contact information
Other evidence may also be beneficial in your truck accident claim. If you cannot collect any information for any reason, do not worry. An attorney from Setareh Law can support you in conducting an investigation, collecting and analyzing evidence related to your claim, and many additional ways throughout your claim.
There is no reason to put yourself through unnecessary pain or stress when you are already hurt and managing legal matters. Allow Setareh Law to support you in many ways throughout this challenging process, and contact us whenever you can begin working on your claim.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Support You in Your Claim?
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may want to take legal action against the responsible party, and working with a lawyer can make it much easier to navigate your claim, especially if someone has failed to follow lane regulations properly.
When you work with an attorney from Setareh Law, we can support you in many ways throughout your claim, including the following:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the accident
- Negotiating with every party to recover a satisfactory settlement
- Assuring that all documents are filed correctly and promptly
- Communicating with the other parties on your behalf
- Working with your healthcare providers to obtain any missing records
- Organizing and presenting relevant evidence to prove liability and damages
- Accessing research methods and tools only available to legal professionals
- Providing an understanding of the legal system and how to make it work for you
- Reducing stress related to your truck accident claim
Please refrain from representing yourself during legal matters, especially if you face serious injuries. Self-representation during a truck accident claim can reduce the compensation you can collect. However, when you work with an attorney from Setareh Law, we can help maximize your financial recovery, lower stress, and reduce time spent during litigation.
We also encourage you to contact our firm as soon as possible, as this will help us dedicate more time to your claim. We can also help you in many additional ways, so don’t hesitate to contact Setareh Law for invaluable support during your legal claim.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in California
If you are looking to seek damages after an accident involving a truck, be sure to contact a lawyer who has experience dealing with the court during an automobile collision. At the offices of Setareh Law, we take pride in working closely with our clients to help them build a case that can work out in their favor. We have a long history of helping our clients reach legal success, and we can do the same for you in your time of need. Our firm also speaks English and Spanish, helping more clients feel comfortable working with us.
Our team of experienced attorneys will work closely with you to gather information and build your defense. When you’re ready to move on, Setareh Law can help. Remember, we offer free consultations and work on contingency, so you only pay for our legal support when you win your claim. For your free consultation, call today at (310) 659-1826 or reach out to us online. We look forward to supporting you during your claim and helping you obtain the complete compensation you deserve.
