Truck Accident Lawyer Irvine

A semi-truck can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. The average passenger vehicle only weighs 4,000 pounds. Because of the massive difference in size and weight, in an accident, the driver and passengers in a small car, truck, or SUV, often sustain severe or fatal injuries when involved in an accident with a semi-truck. Unfortunately, each year, thousands of people are severely injured or killed in truck collisions. If you were in an accident that involved a commercial truck, you need to speak to a truck accident lawyer, as soon as possible. An attorney who specializes in this field of the law can help you on your path to recovery as they work tirelessly to ensure the driver, trucking company, and anyone else responsible for your accident are held accountable.

Hire A Qualified 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Today

There are many federal and state laws and regulations that govern the trucking industry. In some cases, these regulations can provide additional avenues to recover compensation in a truck accident claim. These cases are often very complex, requiring a thorough investigation and the help of accident reconstruction experts and private investigators, both of which will help a truck wreck lawyer build a solid case that clearly indicates all of the parties at fault.

Liability in a Commercial Truck Accident

In a commercial truck accident, aside from the driver, there may be other entities that can be held liable for your injuries and other damages. This can include the:

• Trucking company
• The company that loaded the cargo
• The auto technician responsible for maintenance and inspections
• Trailer manufacturer
• Truck manufacturer

An experienced semi-truck accident lawyer can explore these other avenues and investigate the case to determine all parties that can be held responsible.

The Investigation

As your lawyer investigates the case, they will determine what caused the accident, whether it was a matter of driver error, inclement weather, unsafe road conditions, and other factors that could contribute to the collision.

Truck Driver

Your attorney will carefully examine the truck driver’s training, credentials, duties, and actions, in addition to their mental and physical state. The driver will also be required to take a drug test immediately following the accident.

A driver’s driving log will show whether or not the driver was following state and federal driving regulations. Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in the country. Federal driving regulations require a driver to stop for a variety of reasons, including stopping to rest or take a break to ensure the load hasn’t shifted during the journey. A driver’s log will be reviewed to confirm that state and federal laws regarding rest times and driving times were followed.

Maintenance and Repairs

The truck’s maintenance records and the truck itself must be reviewed and inspected. What state was the truck in? A truck accident attorney will look at testing, inspections, and repairs, to determine if the vehicle was safe to drive.

How Commercial Trucking Attorneys Can Help

Poor judgment or a truck driver who becomes distracted for a mere second can result in a serious accident that may change your life forever. Negligent, distracted, careless, impaired, or fatigued drivers are responsible for many motor-related deaths and accidents all over California each year. For the victims and their families, the financial, physical, and emotional consequences can be devastating.

The commercial trucking attorneys at MVP Accident Attorneys have continued to build a reputation for providing fair, aggressive representation to accident victims who have been severely injured due to the negligence of others.

A commercial trucking lawsuit can be very complex. An accident that involves an 18-wheeler can be especially devastating because the size of these vehicles increases the risk of severe injuries or fatalities.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

A truck accident can be caused by driver error, a lack of training or experience, wet weather conditions, poor maintenance, or overloaded cargo.

Inclement Weather

Some truck drivers may lack the experience or skills needed to drive in wet weather conditions. Fog can also cause a serious accident. It’s the responsibility of the truck driver to drive through these conditions safely or pull over and rest to wait for the weather to clear up. They must use their judgment here, to make the right choice, one that will keep themselves and other drivers on the road safe. Unfortunately, many drivers will push through, in an attempt to make a delivery on time. This type of poor judgment is what’s often to blame for collisions with passenger vehicles.

Lack of Proper Training

A truck driver must have extensive training to drive and operate their vehicle safely. However, there are some companies out there that will cut corners. The driver may have poor driving skills that can leave them unprepared for driving in certain conditions. These poor skills can lead to a major accident.

Driver Distraction

A driver may be distracted by radios, GPS devices, computers, and cell phones. These distractions can cause the driver to take their eyes off the road or it can slow down their reflexes, leading to a serious accident.

Overloaded Cargo

According to federal law, 18-wheelers can only have a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds. If a truck is overweight, it can make it difficult to stop and control.

Common Injuries Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Handle

Irvine, California truck accident lawyers come across many of the same types of injuries associated with truck accidents, including:

• Soft tissue and muscle injuries
• Neck injuries
• Brain and head injuries
• Amputation and disfigurement
• Hip injuries
• Wrongful death
• Internal injuries
• Burn injuries
• Limb and joint injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Paralysis

Due to the size and weight of these trucks, commercial truck accidents are often the most dangerous. Truck companies and their drivers must operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. This includes proper routine maintenance, extensive background checks and training for their drivers, and obeying traffic laws. Truck drivers have a higher duty of responsible care in California.

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident with a commercial truck, it’s important to have a qualified lawyer in your corner as soon as possible. An attorney can accurately and thoroughly investigate the case. If you wait too long, some crucial evidence may no longer be available. Many trucking companies will be quick to repair the 18-wheeler, which means you've lost an important piece of evidence. An attorney with experience handling truck accident cases is wise to this tactic and will request a truck inspection immediately.

Types of Truck Accidents

A tractor-trailer can cause devastating injuries due to its weight and size, compared to that of a passenger vehicle.

Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents many personal injury lawyers come across:

Jackknife

In a jackknife accident, the truck folds itself, causing the tractor to create a ninety-degree angle with the trailer. This type of accident is often caused by the driver of the truck slamming on the brakes.

Rollover

If the driver of the truck loses control of their vehicle, due to turning too quickly or speeding It can cause the truck to roll over onto passenger vehicles.

Tire Blowouts

A blowout is a common issue with tractor-trailers because of their massive weight. Some truck companies will cut corners to save money and may skip replacing the tires when it’s needed.

Rear-Ends

A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a semi-truck slams into a passenger vehicle in front of it, it can result in a catastrophic accident.

Wide Turn

When a trucker swings left to make a right turn it’s called a wide turn. When the truck driver makes this turn and doesn’t see the traffic around the rig, a fatal accident may be the result.

Under Ride

When a truck stops quickly, a passenger vehicle that’s coming from behind may get stuck under the trailer. In most cases, these accidents are fatal.

Lost Load

A trailer that’s not loaded properly can cause the freight to fall out during transport. This can lead to hazardous conditions for other drivers on the road.

Contact the MVP Accident Attorneys Today

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to the negligent acts of the commercial truck driver, you must contact a big truck accident attorney today to protect your claim and your rights. Contact the team at the MVP Accident Attorneys to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options and how you can hold the truck driver and the trucking company responsible for your injuries.

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