Alhambra Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi-trucks are bigger and heavier than anything else on the road. While the typical passenger vehicle weighs 3,000 pounds, a commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, especially if they’re transporting tons of cargo. As a result, when accidents happen truck injuries tend to be more severe than those suffered in car wrecks. According to the National Institute of Traffic and Highway Safety, nearly three-quarters of all truck crash injuries and deaths are suffered by those in the vehicle hit by the truck.

This means that while many victims of car crashes are able to emerge with scrapes and bruises and return to work after a few days or weeks, victims of truck accidents may never be able to work again. Catastrophic injuries are often permanent and life-changing; injured drivers and passengers may not be able to perform their work duties or even do daily tasks such as bathe or get dressed.

Common injuries people suffer in truck crashes include:

• Spinal cord and neck injuries, including paralysis
• Head and brain injuries, which can result in a coma or vegetative state, or cause severe cognitive dysfunction
• Burns, which can penetrate the skin, tissue, and even bone, and require skin grafts and cosmetic surgery
• Amputations

Truck drivers are required to follow more regulations than other motor vehicles while on the road because of how much damage a truck can cause in the event of an accident. One of these rules is called the hours of service regulation which dictates how long a trucker can be on the road and when they must take breaks. Additionally, this rule protects truck drivers from being too overworked by the company they work for. According to these rules:

• Truck drivers can work up to 14 hours in a day but can only drive for 11 hours
• Drivers must rest for at least 10 hours before starting a new day at work
• Truck drivers must take days off at regular intervals

Recovering proper compensation after a truck accident can be very difficult without an experienced truck accident attorney by your side. This is because trucking companies are usually backed by top-tier attorneys who are hired to protect their company, and in turn, keep you from recovering the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Lara Law Firm are experienced in handling truck accident claims and know what to expect during the entire claims process. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Truck accidents can be caused by the same factors that cause any auto accident, including speeding. One of the leading causes of all car accidents in the United States, speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and also increases the likelihood of a driver losing control of their vehicle when changing lanes or making sharp turns.

Other common causes of truck accidents include:

• Fatigued driving: Truck drivers transport cargo over long distances as their job and usually drive through the night. Though they are required by law to take breaks like any other employee, drivers will sometimes forego their breaks in order to complete their jobs quickly or on time. Fatigued driving can prevent drivers from reacting to road hazards or noticing important traffic signals.
• Driving under the influence: Intoxicated driving isn’t limited to car drivers; truck drivers are known to be drunk or on drugs while driving, too. Some drivers use stimulants to keep themselves awake, but being under the influence of any drug can result in risky behaviors on the road.
• Improperly loaded cargo: Sometimes a truck can roll over while making a turn if its cargo isn’t balanced properly, or cargo can fly off a truck and hit other vehicles if it’s unsecured. Even if the cargo fails to hit a vehicle when it falls out, it can still create a serious road hazard.
• Truck defect: Dangerous or defective truck parts, like faulty airbags or brakes, can contribute to accidents and serious injuries.
• Improper driver training: Drivers must undergo serious training in order to be able to drive a massive truck properly, as driving a truck is not the same as driving a small car. Untrained drivers can cause accidents when they don’t know how to operate their vehicles.

After a truck accident, a number of parties can be held responsible for your injuries and other damages. Truck drivers can be held personally responsible if they were behaving in a negligent manner, such as if they were drinking and driving, but if they’re employees of a trucking company, it’s possible that the company can be at-fault. Other responsible parties can include:

• The trucking company, which is responsible for conducting background checks on drivers and training drivers
• The truck manufacturer, if a defective or dangerous part contributed to the accident
• The cargo company or loader, if improperly loaded or dangerous cargo caused the injuries

Determining liability in a truck accident can be especially tricky, but with the help of a seasoned attorney, you may be able to navigate your case with ease. Call Lara Law Firm today.