Due to its beautiful weather, all-year sunshine, and favorable climate, California has a large population of farmers. But the farming industry is dangerous, and sadly, farming accidents result in approximately 120,000 serious injuries and 1,300 deaths annually. While these injuries and deaths can be the result of numerous different factors, they’re often caused by incidents that involve a tractor or trailer. Furthermore, California freeways have a huge number of trailers traveling on its roads and freeways every day. These big, heavy vehicles have an increased risk of causing serious or fatal accidents due to their sheer size and weight.
If you have been in a tractor-trailer accident in California, you should speak with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The California tractor-trailer accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can help. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our truck accident attorneys represent victims across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with a lawyer, please call 949-727-9300.
The Most Common Types of Tractor-Trailer Incidents
Approximately 74% of fatal truck accidents involve tractor-trailers. Due to the huge size and weight, any incidents involving tractor-trailers can be detrimental and sometimes fatal. Additionally, the chances of an accident are increased by the fact that tractor-trailers can be difficult to maneuver and have decreased braking distance due to their heavy weight. Unfavorable weather conditions, terrain, and driver negligence can also lead to an accident occurring. Tractor-trailer incidents can take many forms, but the following are the most common:- Rollover crashes: Tractors and trailers are more likely to roll over when going around a curve or up or down a steep incline, particularly at high speeds. If a rollover accident begins to occur driver is no longer in control and there may be catastrophic consequences for anyone in the way.
- Tire blowouts: Tire blowouts are dangerous no matter what type of vehicle is involved. But with a tractor-trailer, the chances of a tire blowout becoming catastrophic are higher. Often, blown tires on these vehicles lead to increased chances of a rollover accident occurring.
- Jackknifing: This is when the trailer cab or tractor is facing one direction and the trailer itself facing the other. Poor road conditions, improper braking, and defective equipment are some of the most common reasons why a jackknife accident might occur.
- Underside accidents: This often happens when a tractor or trailer brakes suddenly, causing other vehicles to collide with the rear or sides of the trailer. This type of accident is hazardous, as the size of a passenger car in relation to the tractor-trailer means it can easily become crushed or pushed underneath the trailer.
Causes for Tractor-Trailer Accidents
There are a number of reasons why a tractor-trailer incident might occur. Depending on conditions, vehicle maintenance, driver negligence, or even just one-ff circumstances, accidents involving tractor-trailers can end up being catastrophic and even fatal. But even though there are many potential contributing factors, three primary reasons have been identified as the most common causes of tractor-trailer incidents. These are:- The tractor-trailer was traveling out of its lane and into another lane without warning. This might be due to driver negligence or driving under the influence.
- The driver losing control from driving too fast, a shift in weight or cargo, system failure, a maintenance issue, poor road conditions, or unfavorable weather.
- The tractor-trailer is running into the back of another vehicle, typically due to failure to maintain sufficient braking distance or brake failure.
When is the Trucking Company Responsible for a Trailer Accident?
Trucking companies are responsible for accidents for a variety of reasons. If the incident involves a tractor, the company that owns the tractor may also be liable in some cases. Here are a few reasons why a company might be liable for an accident- Inability to track how many hours drivers are required to drive and how many hours they must rest.
- The background of the driver was not sufficiently checked. Companies are required by law to check each applicant’s driving records and police accident reports.
- Logbooks are not kept up to date with regular inspections and repairs or the truck or tractor is improperly maintained.
- Drivers are pressured to keep up with unrealistic schedules in order to deliver their products to the destination so the driver can collect maximum reparations. This causes drivers to operate the vehicle when tired or can lead to speeding in order to meet deadlines.
Common Injuries Caused by Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Sadly, injuries caused by tractor accidents can be severe and may result in a lifetime of pain, discomfort, inconvenience, and even disability. Unfortunately, any indecent involving a truck, tractor, trailer, or other large vehicle is far more likely to cause severe injuries. Common injuries include:- Paralysis
- Spinal cord and nerve injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Crushing injuries, particularly to the chest and torso
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Bruising and lacerations
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Disfigurement and burns
Contact an Experienced California Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been in a tractor-trailer accident involving debris in California, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The California tractor-trailer accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can then help determine if you have a valid accident claim. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Anaheim, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our truck accident attorneys represent victims across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.faq
What makes tractor-trailer accidents so much more dangerous than regular car accidents?
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh roughly 20 to 30 times more than a passenger car and takes significantly longer to stop, especially at highway speeds. That size and weight differential means that even a relatively low-speed impact can cause catastrophic injuries or death to occupants of the smaller vehicle, which is part of why tractor-trailer crashes account for a disproportionate share of fatal roadway collisions.
What's the difference between a rollover, a jackknife, and an underride accident?
A rollover happens when the truck tips onto its side or roof, usually while cornering too fast or overcorrecting; a jackknife is when the trailer swings out and folds against the cab like a closing pocket knife, typically from sudden braking; and an underride is when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer itself, often in a rear-end collision. Each type points investigators toward different causes, from braking systems to cargo weight distribution to rear guard failures.
Who can be held liable if the crash was caused by a mechanical failure like a tire blowout?
Liability can extend to the trucking company for inadequate maintenance, a third-party maintenance provider if they serviced the vehicle, or the parts manufacturer if a defect caused the failure. Tractor-trailers are required to undergo regular DOT inspections, so maintenance logs and inspection records are usually the first documents we request to see whether the failure was foreseeable.
Can weather conditions shift fault away from the truck driver?
Not automatically. Commercial drivers are held to a higher standard of care than ordinary motorists precisely because of the size and stopping distance of their vehicles, which means they’re expected to slow down and adjust well before conditions become dangerous. A driver who maintains highway speed through fog, rain, or high winds can still be found negligent even though the weather itself wasn’t their fault.
What kind of evidence is used to prove what caused a tractor-trailer crash?
Electronic logging device data, the truck’s black box event recorder, dashcam footage, driver qualification files, and cargo manifests are the core pieces. Federal regulations require carriers to preserve most of this data for a set period after a crash, but it can be overwritten or “lost” if a formal preservation request isn’t sent quickly.
I was told the tractor-trailer's cargo shifted and caused the crash. Whose fault is that?
It depends on who loaded and secured the cargo. If the trucking company’s own personnel loaded it, the carrier is typically liable; if a separate shipping or freight company handled the loading, that company can share or bear the liability under FMCSA cargo securement standards. This is a common area where more than one defendant ends up named in the same case.
Are tractor-trailer accident injuries usually more severe than in other truck crashes?
They tend to be, largely because of the combination of trailer length, cargo weight, and the forces involved when a rollover or jackknife occurs. Spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, crush injuries, and amputations show up more frequently in tractor-trailer cases than in accidents involving smaller commercial vehicles, which is a big part of why these claims typically involve larger damages.
How soon after a tractor-trailer accident should I contact an attorney?
As soon as you’re able to, ideally within days rather than weeks. Trucking companies often send accident investigation teams to the scene within hours, and getting your own attorney involved early allows for a preservation letter to be sent before logs, footage, or maintenance records disappear on the company’s own schedule rather than yours.