California Freeway Truck Accident Attorney

There are approximately 500,000 trucking accidents every year in the United States, and many of those happen in California. Trucks are heavy, and their sheer size and weight, combined with the fact that drivers travel thousands of miles with little rest, make them very dangerous on freeways. On a fast-moving freeway, trucks and their inherent blindspots may prevent them from seeing a smaller vehicle in the lane next to them. This makes for potentially dangerous situations for all drivers who share the freeway with trucks. Moreover, freeway conditions can often be dangerous in and of themselves. Truck driver error, trucking company incompetence and oversights, maintenance issues, and poor conditions such as bad weather can all too easily lead to disaster. If you have been in an accident on the highway with a semi-truck due to the negligence of another party, contact a California truck accident attorney immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The experienced big rig accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can help recover the damages you sustained in the truck accident. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our truck accident injury lawyers represent victims across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.

Truck Accidents on the Highway

Trucks tend to weigh approximately 30 times more than an average car. This, combined with high speeds on the freeway, can all too easily lead to serious, and sadly often fatal, accidents. Trucks are also hard to drive and maneuver, meaning truck drivers must exercise reasonable care not to injure others while driving on the freeway. Unfortunately, when a truck accident occurs, it tends to be the occupants of any passenger vehicles involved that fare the worst.

Common Causes for Big Rig Crashes in California

Due to the potential for dangerous circumstances, trucks are subject to special laws intended to protect other freeway users and minimize the risk of accidents occurring. State and federal laws require trucks to be routinely inspected and properly maintained. In California, there are also specific regulations related to the size and weight limits of trucks and the freight being carried. Moreover, truckers must also comply with specific rules, they must have special licenses, and abide by hourly driving limits. However, in spite of these rules and regulations, trucks are commonly involved in accidents that result from:

• Negligence on behalf of the truck company
• Truck driver error
• Unsafe or unsecured loads
• Fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Poor maintenance
• Overweight trailers
• Transport of hazardous material
• Bad weather and road conditions

One of the leading causes of truck accidents is the failure to maintain the vehicle properly. If maintenance is not performed sufficiently and leads to an accident, the truck company may be liable. Additionally, although California state law imposes hourly driving limits, truckers often drive many hours over long distances and are faced with strict delivery deadlines. For this reason, truckers often lack adequate sleep, become overly tired, and are easily distracted, which can lead to tragic consequences. Combining these factors makes sharing the road with trucks dangerous in some situations and leaves innocent people the victims of detrimental and sometimes fatal accidents.

Types of Compensation for Freeway Truck Accidents

Injuries are common if you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, and often, those injuries are severe or cause detrimental long-term consequences. Personal injuries arising from truck accidents may lead to different types of compensation. If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:

• Medical bills, including future surgeries, medical care, or rehabilitation
• Lost wages or lost earning ability of a spouse or family member who was involved in a fatal truck accident.
• Pain and suffering, both presently and in the past or future
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Other non-pecuniary damages

What to Do After a Truck Crash on the Freeway

Truck accidents are common, and often, the accident is the fault of the truck driver or the trucking company, but it’s the victims are the ones who fare the worst. The first thing you should do after being involved in a truck accident is alert the necessary authorities and ensure you receive proper medical treatment for your injuries. Upon receiving proper care, the next step is to speak to a professional attorney specializing in truck accidents. An experienced lawyer can gather documents pertaining to the driver, showing:

• Information regarding how long a truck driver may have been driving in a single stretch Reported rest stops
• Whether a truck driver might have been operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
• Driver negligence or inattentiveness
• Help for Big Rig Accident Victims

If you have been involved in a truck accident on a California freeway, you may be entitled to compensation for any injuries or reparations resulting from the incident. Victims should file a claim as soon as possible, since the sooner a claim is recorded, the easier it is to gather accurate information. There are several benefits that personal injury victims are entitled to after truck accidents have occurred. In order to receive the compensation you are entitled to, it’s advised that you seek the assistance of a professional truck accident attorney. Depending on your length of recovery and the extent of your injuries, the pursuit of benefits is critical because medical expenses can increase rapidly. You can also seek legal assistance if had a loved one passes away because they were killed in a truck accident. There may be help available for a victim’s surviving family due to the loss of companionship and income that the victim provided prior to their death. A personal injury attorney can help protect your legal rights or the legal rights of your deceased loved one.

Contact an Experienced California Freeway Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been in a freeway truck accident involving debris in California, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The California freeway truck accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can help you recover damages for your injuries. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our semi-truck accident injury lawyers represent victims across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with an attorney, please call 949-727-9300.