An experienced truck accident attorney in Fresno, California
Quality legal representation for victims of trucking accidents
Due to the size and weight of the trucks that transport goods all over the state of California, accidents that involve those trucks are very dangerous and potentially deadly.
Truckers are supposed to exercise extreme caution at all times, but occasionally they will be driving in a careless manner and serious accidents can occur.
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Truck Accident Statistics
In 2013 alone, there were nearly 4,000 people killed in motor vehicle accidents that involved large trucks.
An additional 95,000 people were injured in truck collisions that same year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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Truck drivers have a much lower chance of being injured or killed in a truck crash, simply because the size and weight of their vehicle protects them to a certain degree.
Of the nearly 4,000 people who were killed in truck accidents in 2013:
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17% of them were in the truck at the time of the crash
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71% of fatalities were occupants of other vehicles
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11% were people who were not present in either vehicle
Of the 95,000 people who were injured:
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25% were in the truck at the time of the crash
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72% were occupants of another vehicle
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2% were people who were not present in either vehicle
If you have been involved in a truck related accident and feel that you are entitled to compensation beyond what you are being offered by an insurance settlement, call our offices immediately.
Common Injuries Found In Truck Accidents
Truck accidents have the potential to result in much more serious injuries than typical motor vehicle crashes.
The most commonly seen injuries in truck accidents include, but are not limited to:
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Open and closed head injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Whiplash and other neck injuries
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Limb amputation
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Back injuries
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Spinal cord injuries that result in paraplegia or quadriplegia
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Internal organ damage
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Serious soft tissue injuries
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Severe burns
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Broken bones
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Wrongful death
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Often, injuries that result from a trucking accident will be life-changing and may even result in temporary or permanent disability.
Getting medical care as soon as possible after a truck accident should be your number one priority. Once your condition is stable, immediately contact an experienced truck accident lawyer in California.
How Injuries Can Permanently Affect Your Life
Truck accident injuries are much more likely to be long-lasting than injuries sustained in traditional motor vehicle accidents.
Victims of truck accidents often need significant medical care and may even need home care later on. They are more likely to be faced with temporary or permanent disability.
Often, the victim of a truck accident and their families will face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses and lost wages related to the accident.
Bringing Forward a Truck Accident Claim
Under California law, if you or someone you love have been injured in a truck accident that was caused by the negligence or carelessness of the truck driver or the trucking company, you may have the right to bring forward a claim for financial compensation.
However, pursuing a claim for damages can be a complex and lengthy process.
Since trucks are typically insured commercially, settling a claim is much more involved than with a traditional personal auto policy claim.
Preserving Evidence After a Truck Accident:
One of the most important things to do after a truck accident is work toward preserving evidence.
Since California law allows trucking companies to destroy potentially critical evidence in driving logs, inspection logs, and on electronic control modules (ECM’s or the “black box”) in some cases, it is critical to act quickly.
Once a lawyer requests this documentation from the truck driving company as part of a lawsuit, the company can no longer destroy it.
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An electronic control module (ECM) can record significant data that could go a long way in proving your case, such as:
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The speed of the vehicle approximately five seconds before the collision
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The brake use approximately five seconds before the collision
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Any change in velocity up to three seconds before the collision
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The engine throttle approximately five seconds before the collision
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Whether the truck driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash
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How many collisions the truck has been involved in
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The length of time in between collisions that the truck has been involved in
Generally speaking, ECM data is admissible in court.
If you or a loved one have been harmed in a truck accident, contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to ensure that the data that could be important to your case is preserved.
What Types of Damages Will a Truck Accident Claim Pay For?
A truck accident claim is designed to provide a victim and/or their family with the financial compensation needed after sustaining damages in an accident.
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The most commonly paid damages in a truck accident claim include but are not limited to:
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Hospitalization
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Surgical procedures
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Doctors appointments
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Medication
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Physical therapy
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Lost time from work
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Property and/or vehicle damage
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Physical suffering
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Emotional suffering
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Permanent disability
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Permanent disfigurement
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Funeral expenses in the case of wrongful death
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Loss of consortium
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Loss of future income
A seasoned personal injury lawyer in your area can help you determine what your truck accident claim is worth and what your next step should be in order to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Causes of Truck Accidents
In order to bring forward a claim for financial restitution, it is necessary to identify one or more causes of the accident.
The most commonly seen causes of truck accidents in California are:
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Driving while intoxicated
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Driving while under the influence of illegal drugs
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Distracted driving, including using a cell phone for texting or talking while driving
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Failure to follow all safety regulations
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Failure to properly secure the truck’s load
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Failure to properly maintain the truck’s safety mechanisms
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Poor driver training
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Poor hiring practices
In many cases, there may be more than one cause or contributing factor to a truck accident.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you identify the reasons for the accident and can help you bring forward a case for compensation for those injuries.