Crashes involving large trucks can be catastrophic for the victims in the passenger motor vehicle. These collisions are most often, but not always, caused by truck drivers. Sometimes truck accidents are caused by the drivers of the passenger vehicle. Other times, both truckers and car drivers can be at fault.
One common type of truck accident involving a passenger car is one that occurs during or right after a truck changes lanes. To determine who is liable in a lane-change accident involving a truck, the actions of drivers, as well as the condition of the road, must be properly investigated.
Determining fault is imperative if you or someone you know was involved in a collision with a large truck, and you want to pursue a claim against the truck driver and their trucking company. The first step in successfully doing this is to hire an experienced California truck driver to help protect your legal rights.
Types of California Lane Change Truck Crashes
A lane change truck crash involving a passenger vehicle can be caused when either the truck or car change lanes. This is one important fact that needs to be investigated to determine who caused the collision.
Another key fact is whether the accident occurred when one vehicle rear ends or sideswipes the other vehicle.
Investigating Lane Change Truck Collisions
The first step in successfully proving your case in a lane change truck crash is for you or your California truck accident attorney to gather sufficient evidence that shows what happened during the crash. The evidence you gather will serve as evidence to build a case that show which part was at fault.
Evidence that you will need to prove your case depends on the specific facts surrounding your case. However, some evidence that is common to most lane change truck crashes include:
- Documents and statements from witnesses to the collision
- Traffic Collision Report (or commonly referred to as TCR)
- Photographs of the scene of the accident
- Anything that could depict the road conditions at the time of the accident
- Any other documentation that could show what happened, including the black box recorder in your vehicle or the truck, or a dash cam
An experienced accident attorney will know exactly what type of evidence is needed to prove your case and help you get the maximum compensation that you need.
When Are Truck Drivers at Fault for a Lane Change Crash?
Truck drivers are found to be at least partially to blame in most types of truck accidents, especially those involving improper or reckless lane changes. Truckers need to be especially vigilant during a lane change because they have large blind spots. Their mirrors are simply not large enough to provide them with a clear view of the entire road. Driving with large blind spots is and should be part of their training.
However, many truck drivers either ignore or forget what they learned as part of the training. An important step in proving fault on part of the truck driver is for your California truck accident attorney providing evidence of the trucker’s negligence.
Some common reasons for negligent lane changes on behalf of truck drivers include:
- Falling asleep behind the wheel
- Being distracted by a cell phone or other device
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding to meet a delivery deadline
Common Injuries Suffered by Truck Accident Victims
Truck lane change accidents, just like any other type of truck involved collision, can result in serious injuries to the passengers in a motor vehicle. However, due to the sheer size and weight of a truck that collides in a much smaller passenger vehicle, the resulting injuries can be more severe and often fatal.
Some common injuries suffered by truck accident victims include:
- Traumatic brain injury and other closed head injuries
- Back and neck injuries, including various degrees of paralysis
- Broken or fractured bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Loss of limb
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Chronic pain
Regardless of what type of injury you suffered in a lane change truck accident, an experienced California truck accident lawyer can help you get the full compensation that you deserve.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact the Law Offices of Samer Habbas. Our California truck accident attorneys specialize in handling truck accident cases and have the experience to help you recover your lost wages, medical expenses and any other costs associated with your accident. We will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries.
Please call us at 1-949-727-9300 to discuss your case with an expert truck accident attorney or you can fill out our free consultation form.
