When fully loaded, a large tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds—nearly 20 times heavier than the typical passenger vehicle. Due to the sheer size and weight of these large trucks, passenger vehicle occupants are much more likely to suffer catastrophic and even fatal injuries in truck accident collisions.
Your life may be permanently altered after a serious truck crash. If you’ve been left with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other lasting damage, a California truck accident lawyer from Frost Law Firm, PC is here to help. Contact our law office to learn about our unrivaled legal advocacy.
California Truck Accident Statistics
Data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) shows that California has 386,604 miles of roadway, making the Golden State second only to Texas in terms of total lane miles. With major port cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Long Beach, our state is a major hub of commerce, handling much of the consumer goods that are delivered all across the United States.
While this is a boon to our state’s economy, it also means that the average driver is forced to share the road with commercial trucks on a regular basis. Any time that passenger vehicle drivers and truck drivers share the road, there is the potential for semi-truck accidents to occur.
The California Highway Patrol and the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) both collect data on accidents involving large trucks. Let’s take a closer look at 2019 SWITRS data for California truck crashes:
- 9,888 people were injured in large truck accidents
- Commercial truck accidents killed 392 people
- There were more injuries and deaths caused by truck drivers than in 2017, 2016, and 2015
California counties with the highest number of non-fatal and fatal accidents involving large trucks were Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, San Diego County, Sacramento County, Kern County, San Joaquin County, Fresno County, Contra Costa County, and Santa Clara County.
If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident, you have the power to hold the trucking company responsible for the harm you’ve suffered. Speak with a California truck accident lawyer today to learn how.
Areas We Serve
The personal injury lawyers from Frost Law Firm, PC are pleased to provide our legal services to victims of truck accidents all across the state of California. Anyone who has been involved in a crash with a commercial truck driver in or near the following areas is encouraged to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our California truck accident lawyers.
Causes of California Truck Accidents
In our years helping victims navigate the complexities of filing truck accident cases, we have become familiar with the most common causes of truck accidents in our state. While a small number of crashes are caused by passenger vehicles or other drivers, the majority can be traced back to negligence by a truck driver and trucking company negligence.
Truck Driver Error
Commercial truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and undergo specialized training before they can begin driving. Drivers who haul hazardous materials or who drive trucks with double or triple trailers must also obtain special endorsements on their CDLs.
This is all to say that professional truck drivers are likely more familiar with the hazards of a big rig accident than the average person. Despite this, negligent, reckless, and dangerous behind-the-wheel behavior is a common contributing factor to truck accidents in California, including:
- Drugged or drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to use turn signals
- Making wide turns
- Running red lights and stop signs
Another significant factor in trucking accident cases is hours of service violations. Federal trucking laws set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limit the number of hours a driver can spend behind the wheel, and mandate the number and length of breaks a driver must take while on duty. If a driver chooses to violate HOS regulations or is pressured to do so by their employer, they are at a greater risk of causing a trucking accident.
Truck Company Negligence
Frost Law Firm, PC has a history of successfully holding commercial trucking companies liable for their negligent actions. When we investigate truck accident cases, it is not uncommon to uncover:
- Negligent hiring and training practices
- Insufficient maintenance
- Unrealistic delivery or driving schedules
It can be upsetting for a truck accident victim to learn that their serious injuries could have been prevented had a truck company acted more prudently and within the confines of trucking laws and regulations. With the backing of one of the experienced truck accident attorneys from Frost Law Firm, PC, you can hold negligent trucking companies accountable and seek maximum compensation for your damages.
Types of Trucking Accidents
There are many different types of truck-involved accidents. Some of the most common types of semi-truck accidents that we see are:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end and head-on collisions
- Override and underride accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Squeeze play (wide turn) accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Tire blowout accidents
Common Semi-Truck Accident Injuries
Compared to motor vehicle accidents involving two smaller passenger vehicles, injuries associated with crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large tractor-trailer tend to be much more severe. In particular, catastrophic personal injuries are much more common in these types of accidents.
Catastrophic injuries are classified as those that happen suddenly and without any warning, typically leaving the affected party with severe, life-altering health effects. Most of these injuries occur in the brain, head, skull, spine, spinal cord, neck, or back. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and amputations (loss of limb) are all examples of catastrophic injuries that can happen in truck crashes.
Below are additional examples of serious injuries that we frequently help victims seek compensation for in truck accident claims:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Back and neck injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Fatal injuries
A truck accident victim should not be forced to shoulder the financial burden of their injuries on their own. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury or any type of serious physical trauma in an accident involving one or more tractor trailers, we can help.
Filing a personal injury claim is essential to your financial health following a truck or car accident. Contact us today to learn how to recover compensation for your medical bills.
Wrongful Death
The unexpected and untimely loss of a loved one is a devastating experience. When that death is the result of a big rig accident, surviving family members are often unable to properly grieve as they deal with things like lost wages, property damage, and even medical expenses incurred during attempts at life-saving care.
If the truck driver involved in your loved one’s fatal accident was behaving in a way that was negligent or reckless at the time of the crash, you may have options to hold both the driver and their employer liable for any resulting financial and non-economic damages your family has suffered. Ensuring that negligent drivers and truck companies are held liable for actions that contribute to fatal accidents is one of the top priorities among our California truck accident lawyers.
Let us be the voice for your family. Contact our law office today to schedule a confidential, no-obligation meeting with a personal injury attorney. Our first meeting is always free.
Psychological Trauma
The psychological trauma associated with a serious truck collision can last a lifetime. It is not uncommon for someone who has been injured as a result of trucking industry negligence or misbehavior to fear traveling by vehicle or to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Flashbacks of the accident that force victims to relive their trauma over and over can be disabling.
A truck accident claim that does not consider the psychological trauma a person suffered as the result of being involved in a truck accident cannot fully address the totality of a victim’s losses and damages. Do not work with personal injury attorneys who act as if your mental and emotional damages are not a serious matter. Your legal team should always give thoughtful consideration to your psychological injuries and trauma when building your truck accident case.
Why Work With a California Truck Accident Attorney?
Not every collision necessitates the hiring of a personal injury lawyer. A minor collision involving two passenger vehicles for which liability is not in dispute rarely requires the involvement of an attorney. However, accidents involving commercial trucks are typically much more complicated. The trucking company will have the backing of a team of attorneys and its own insurance company, which can make securing the compensation you are owed exceptionally complicated.
We recommend working with a California truck accident lawyer if any of the following apply to your case:
- Other vehicles were involved in the accident
- Liability is in dispute
- You have catastrophic or severe injuries
- You are unable to work or cannot work in the same capacity as you once did
- You have costly medical bills
- You are filing a wrongful death lawsuit
Truck accident claims can be particularly complex, especially when trucking companies do everything in their power to limit their own liability by unfairly placing a larger portion of the blame on accident victims. If you’ve been involved in a serious truck collision, speak with a lawyer about your legal options as soon as possible.
The insurance company will likely contact you soon after the accident, before you’ve even had the chance to schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney. While this is not uncommon, we advise that you stick to the facts when speaking with an insurance adjuster. Do not speculate on what may have happened, comment on the nature of your injuries, or consent to give a recorded statement. Inform the insurer of your intention to hire an attorney and that all future questions or comments should go through them.
Frost Law Firm Is the Personal Injury Law Office That Cares
Our dedication to our clients’ physical, financial, and emotional well-being sets us apart from other truck accident law firms. In all that we do, we prioritize the attorney-client relationship, fostering a deep understanding and respect for every accident victim we work with.
When you work with a truck accident lawyer from Frost Law Firm, PC, you can be assured that you will be treated as a whole person and not just the victim of an accident. This approach allows us to truly understand how your life has been affected by the crash and gives us the ability to create the strongest possible case on your behalf.
We are proud of the advocacy and legal guidance we provide to those who have been unfairly injured due to no fault of their own. The following are some of the ways in which we ensure that every individual who has been harmed by trucking industry negligence or misbehavior is able to secure compensation for their damages.
We Investigate the Claim
The trucking company and its insurer will try to create their own narrative about what happened. Your ability to recover financial compensation should be based on truth, not what a big corporation says you are entitled to.
When we take on a truck accident case, we fully investigate the claim by accessing multiple sources of evidence, including dash cam footage, security footage, police reports, eyewitness testimony, and more. We also draw on our extensive knowledge of both state and federal laws and regulations that apply to serious trucking accident cases.
We Work With Experts
Our trucking accident lawyers recognize the importance of drawing on expertise of other professionals. When necessary, we rely on a network of professionals we have created over the years, including accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals who are willing to testify on behalf of clients.
We Deal With the Insurance Company
The truck company’s insurance company will do everything within their power to lowball your settlement or deny your right to compensation altogether. It is our job to make sure that doesn’t happen.
We’re familiar with all of the tricks and tactics big insurers use when they are trying to make sure their clients (the trucking companies) are not held liable for their negligence. Your truck accident attorney will be prepared for this, and won’t allow your claim to be compromised by a profit-hungry business.
We Value the Worth of Your Claim
So how much is your claim actually worth? Determining the value of a truck accident lawsuit is a complex task, but your truck accident attorney from Frost Law Firm, PC has the requisite skill, knowledge, and experience to correctly determine how much you are owed.
Compensation for most truck accidents in California encompass economic damages:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Auto repair bills
And non-economic damages:
- Mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment in life
In a rare number of cases, punitive damages might also be called for. Punitive damages may only be awarded in addition to compensatory damages and never on their own, as they are not intended to compensate victims for any specific damages or losses. Instead, they are meant to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious behavior and to discourage others from engaging in similar behavior.
We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Personal finances should never be a barrier to seeking justice, which is why Frost Law Firm, PC takes on many cases on a contingency fee basis. Instead of taking payment upfront, we only get paid if we win your case. This allows us to provide our unrivaled legal services to those who have been injured by large trucks and might not otherwise be able to afford to hire a lawyer.
Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Frost Law Firm, PC is pleased to offer a free case evaluation to injury victims and their families in California. These no-obligation meetings serve as an opportunity to meet with our attorneys, ask questions, and determine if we are a good fit for your case.
In addition to these consultations, we have also compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked truck accident questions.
How Long Will My Truck Accident Case Take?
Truck accident cases can be exceedingly complex, and they typically take longer to settle than accident claims involving two smaller passenger cars. On average, a personal injury claim involving a truck crash will take anywhere from six months to several years to settle. The exact length of your case will depend on the number of vehicles involved, the extent and severity of your injuries, and whether the truck company is taking responsibility, among other factors.
What Laws Apply to My Case?
Both state and federal laws may play a role in your case. Throughout the investigation and the building of your claim, your truck accident attorney will determine whether any federal trucking regulations (such as HOS regulations) or California state laws (such as AB 5) were violated.
Who Can Be Sued in a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
There may be more than one at-fault party for your accident. During the course of an investigation, an attorney from our law office will determine whether any of the following parties could be held liable for your injuries:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- A truck manufacturer or manufacturer of an auto part
- Another driver
- The owner of the truck (if different than the driver or employer)
Frost Law Firm Stands Up for Truck Accident Victims
Commercial trucks have the potential to cause serious, lasting damage to victims. When truck drivers don’t take the responsibility of driving such a potentially dangerous vehicle seriously and act in ways that put others in harm’s way, Frost Law Firm, PC is here to help.
A California truck accident lawyer is standing by to discuss your case with you. Contact our law office by phone or by filling out our convenient online form, and we’ll schedule you for a free, no-obligation case evaluation in a confidential setting.
