Catastrophic truck accidents sadly affect the lives of thousands of individuals every year. In California, nearly 3000 truck accidents per year result in injuries, 113 of which are fatal. Truck accidents can have catastrophic effects on those involved, causing serious trauma, injury, and sometimes even death. Often, those involved in these accidents are unaware of the rights they may have to seek compensation for any losses.
Due to the significant difference in the size of a truck compared with the average road-going vehicle, truck accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries, as well as injure numerous people in a single accident. Often, injuries associated with a catastrophic truck accident take a long time to recover from and also require medical attention and treatment that can be exorbitantly expensive. If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a catastrophic truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for any losses.
California truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates have a thorough understanding of both the legal and medical issues surrounding serious truck accidents. If you or someone you care for is a victim of a catastrophic truck accident, it is paramount that you speak to a riverside truck accident lawyer who is experienced in helping clients with California truck accident litigation.
With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our truck accident attorneys represent victims of catastrophic injuries across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call 949-727-9300.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The majority of the time, truck accidents are caused by driver error, whether it’s the truck driver or the other involved parties. Sadly, many truck accidents that result in catastrophic loss, injury, or death, are preventable. The most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver Fatigue: Driving a truck is stressful and comes with a lot of pressure. Drivers are often required by trucking companies to deliver goods to a particular destination in a short time frame. As a result, they drive long distances without stopping and with very little rest. Due to this, it’s not uncommon for drivers to lose concentration and coordination.
Lack of sleep can also cause drivers to have much slower reactions, as well as potentially falling asleep at the wheel. Even though the number of hours truckers are allowed to drive in a shift, the amount of sleep required, and when rest breaks must be taken are all regulated by law, driver fatigue remains a huge problem and one that causes multiple catastrophic truck accidents annually. - Drugs and Alcohol: Sadly, there is an alarmingly high rate of drug and alcohol abuse in the trucking industry. In order to stay awake while driving, some truckers use stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine. Alcohol abuse is also common and leads to many truck drivers who are under the influence of alcohol while driving.
- Distracted Driving: A distracted driver is one who is actively engaged in something other than driving, causing them to fail to pay close attention to the road and driving conditions. Truckers often struggle with distracted driving, particularly because driving long distances can be very boring. Thus, truckers may be tempted to text, use their phone to listen to a podcast, eat, or do something else while driving. This leads to numerous accidents caused directly by distracted driving.
- Improper Cargo Loading: If a truck’s cargo is loaded poorly it can cause an accident. For example, a truck that is too heavy is at greater risk of tipping or having issues stopping. Cargo that is loaded incorrectly may also fall off the truck and onto the road, causing a serious accident. There have been many truck accidents in California caused by cargo coming loose during transit and falling on the road. In many cases, cargo-related accidents have multiple victims.
- Poor Driving Skills: With so much time on the road, it can become easy for truck drivers to let their driving skills slip. What’s more, when deadlines are tight, many truck drivers may speed or drive recklessly. Lapses in driving skills, speeding, and failure to follow the rules of the road are another big cause of catastrophic truck accidents.
- Bad Weather Conditions: Snow, rain, wind, and other bad weather conditions are other leading causes of catastrophic truck accidents. Trucks can be notoriously difficult to control in unfavorable conditions, leading them to skid, slide, rollover, or fail to stop. It’s all too easy for other cars and vehicles to be caught up in an accident with a truck if bad weather conditions are present.
Common Injuries from Serious Truck Accidents
There are many fatalities and debilitating injuries caused by catastrophic trucking accidents every year. The disparity between the weight of a truck, which is around 80,000 lbs, and the considerably lighter weight of the average vehicle means that injuries can be very serious.
Furthermore, truck accidents frequently have numerous victims due to the sheer size and weight of the truck. Some of the most common injuries caused by trucking accidents include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Traumatic brain inuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- An injury that leads to limb amputation
- Burns caused by fires
- Crush injuries
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Psychological trauma including PTSD
- Wrongful death
As a result of a truck accident, victims can be left with severe injuries that require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, as well as requiring accommodations in their home and vehicle, leading to the loss of their career, and sometimes requiring them to depend on others for everyday activities. An accident of this type must be considered in any settlement or jury award. Victims who have suffered loss of income, emotional or psychological trauma, undue stress, or any other form of loss because of a catastrophic truck accident are entitled to compensation.
What To Do Following a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, getting medical attention should be your first priority. If your injuries are serious, the road to recovery may be long. You may face time off work due to your accident, as well as expensive medical bills for the treatment of any injuries sustained.
Medical bills associated with catastrophic truck accidents can be exorbitant. Often, injuries associated with trucking accidents take the victim many months, if not years, to heal fully from. In a number of cases, the victim is unable to work and earn an income during the recovery period.
To help cover the cost of medical bills, loss of income, and any other monetary issues associated with your accident, you may need to hire a truck accident attorney in Irvine CA. Truck accident attorneys specialize in helping victims get the compensation they deserve after being involved in a truck accident. In many cases, an attorney who is specialized specifically in truck accidents may be required in order for you to receive compensation. This is largely due to the fact that large, wealthy trucking companies will have the resources to protect themselves well in court.
Contact an Experienced California Truck Accident Catastrophic Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one is a victim of a big rig accident in California, you should discuss your legal options with an attorney as you may be entitled to compensation. The California truck accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates can then help determine if you have a personal injury claim.
With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our truck accident attorneys represent victims of catastrophic injuries across California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.
