Truck Accident FAQs
If you or your loved one was severely injured in a truck accident, you may have questions that need answering. We know how a truck accident can devastate a family, and leave you struggling to figure out how to carry on with your lives. Here, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions regarding truck accidents.
What Damages Can I Claim for a Truck Accident?
A crash with a large commercial truck can cause significant losses. Therefore, it is critical to have an experienced lawyer by your side, fighting for full and fair compensation. Damages you may be entitled to claim after a truck crash may include medical expenses related to your injuries, lost income and loss of future income due to your injuries, and pain and suffering, both emotional and physical.
How Common Are Big Rig Crashes?
Large commercial truck accidents occur more frequently than you might suspect. Big rigs can cause serious or even fatal injuries when they collide with passenger vehicles. 4,761 people were killed in large truck crashes in the most recent year for which fatality statistics are available from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the people who died, 72% were occupants of smaller passenger vehicles, and 10% were pedestrians or bicyclists. In the most recent year for which injury statistics are available, a total of 116,000 people in the U.S. were injured in traffic crashes involving large commercial trucks.
Do Many Truck Accidents Happen in California?
Yes. In fact, according to FMCSA, California ranked second among the top ten states in the nation for truck and bus fatalities during 2015-2017. In California, 361 people were fatally injured in truck accidents involving semi-trucks in a recent year.
Are Commercial Truck Drivers Subject to Different Regulations Than Other Drivers?
Yes. Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to federal regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations cover everything from hours of service, to how the truck is maintained and loaded, to drug and alcohol testing for drivers. Violations of any of these safety standards can help support your claim for compensation after an accident involving a big rig.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries Sustained in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are complex cases involving multiple, potentially responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances, liability for your truck crash injuries may be assigned to the:
- Truck driver
- The trucking company that hired the driver
- Truck or parts manufacturer (if the crash was caused by a defect)
- Cargo loading company (if improper loading of the cargo contributed to the crash)
- The company responsible for maintaining the truck (if equipment failure caused the accident)
Our experienced Orange County truck accident lawyers can thoroughly investigate your truck accident to determine fault and liability.
How Many Large Commercial Trucks Are on the Roadways?
Semi tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other big rigs are everywhere on U.S. roadways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that nearly 12.5 million large commercial trucks and buses were registered in a recent year, logging more than 300 billion vehicle miles.
Should I Accept a Settlement for My Truck Accident Damages?
You should never accept a settlement for a truck accident without first speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney. An offer that may appear reasonable may not come close to covering all your losses. Our Orange County auto accident lawyers at Allen Flatt Ballidis & Leslie will be happy to meet with you in a free consultation to answer any further questions you may have.
Our experienced trial lawyers can assess the full extent of your losses and negotiate a settlement on your behalf. We can also fight for your rights in court if the settlement offer is insufficient. Call us today at (949) 752-7474 to find out how we can help after a serious truck accident.
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