TRUCK ACCIDENTS

California Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences. There are thousands of accidents each year involving large trucks and motor vehicles with the majority of those killed and injured being drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles. A 4,000 pound automobile is little match for a 25,000 to 80,000 pound tractor-trailer.

In any accident involving a truck, you will need the experience of the truck accident lawyers at Tovarian Law.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often are more complex than those that only involve passenger vehicles. As interstate carriers, drivers and their companies are heavily regulated by state and federal laws. The following are some of the more common causes of truck accidents:

  • Speeding

  • Improper cargo

  • Failure to properly secure a load

  • Inadequate maintenance (tires, brakes, fluids)

  • Intoxication and drug use

  • Driver inexperience and lack of training

  • Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the major factors in large truck accidents according to the Federal Motor Carrie Safety Administration (FMCSA). Federal regulations mandate that drivers must have a minimum of 10 hours rest between shifts and may not log more than 60 hours in one week, or drive more than 11 hours in one day.

Driver and Company Liability

There are more issues involved in a truck accident. Commercial drivers are held to higher standards of care than motor vehicle drivers. They are required to keep detailed records, or logs, of each trip including mileage, nature of the cargo, destination and hours driven. On-board computers and “black boxes” record the truck’s speed and other information that can be instrumental in determining the driver’s conduct in the moments before an accident. These devices can also eliminate falsification of data.

Drivers are required to undergo drug testing. A company that has a limited drug testing program, or none at all, is subject to serious penalties. Training and driver safety is also an issue since many unsafe drivers are used to cut costs. Because of time constraints and long distance hauling, drugs are sometimes used to keep drivers awake.

Regarding safe driving, trucks can take as much as 10 seconds longer to stop than passenger vehicles. Trucks are also prohibited from traveling more than 55 miles per hour on interstate highways though this law is routinely violated.

Experience and Knowledge of California Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucks are required to carry commercial liability insurance, which is often several million dollars. Consequently, truck drivers are typically represented by major insurance defense firms. As are result, injured victims need to have attorneys not only with the experience in truck accident cases, but to have the resources and perseverance to handle complex litigation against well-trained legal professionals.

The attorneys at Tovarian Law have successfully represented many truck accident victims. Knowing where to find liability and how to prove it in these cases is just one of the tasks our attorneys have successfully met.

Many truck accidents result in catastrophic injuries or death to our clients. The lawyers at Tovarian Law will provide the necessary accident reconstruction experts, financial and medical experts to quantify your losses from income and other benefits, to demonstrate the extent of you or your loved one’s pain and suffering and to sufficiently prove all other compensable damages so that you receive the highest appropriate settlement or verdict.

Contact Tovarian Law

At Tovarian Law, we are sensitive to the needs and concerns of personal injury victims. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, we can help you. Contact us today to speak to an experienced and knowledgeable truck accident lawyer about your case and learn how you can receive financial compensation for your truck accident injuries.