Are Big Rig Truck Drivers Always at Fault?
No. Truck drivers are not always to blame for every collision they are involved in. However, when truck drivers are at fault, their insurance companies and the insurance coverage provided by their employers should be held liable.
Big Rig Accident Dangers in California
California roads serve as prime routes for all sizes of transport trucks. These bigger, heavier vehicles can be harder to steer, brake, and maintain a lane with. This degree of difficulty can lead to elevated accident numbers and those collisions often involve more serious injuries.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that 4,119 people tragically lost their lives in large truck accidents across the nation in 2019. 74% of those accidents involved a big rig with a tractor-trailer.
Most truck drivers are well-trained and drug-tested by their trucking companies. They remain as safe as possible while traveling California interstates, freeways, and highways. They aren’t responsible for every California truck accident that occurs. Plenty of car and SUV drivers ram the backs of tractor-trailers while not paying attention to brake lights on big trucks.
A California Big Rig Accident Lawyer works to make sure truck drivers and their employers are held accountable when their mistakes cause injuries. You should never have to pay for enormous medical bills over an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Truck Driver Distracted Driving Dangers
Truck drivers do face temptations that can lead to accidents during their long runs. They can be looking at texts or even watching videos on cellphones instead of monitoring the lanes. A big rig can easily veer into your lane without warning while a truck driver is eating or paying attention to a radio dial.
A distracted big rig driver can miss slowing cars ahead of them. They can miss a green light flipping to yellow and red. Once they notice their mistake they have less time to hit the brakes because loaded-down trucks take much longer to bring to a full stop.
Reckless driving is also a reason so many California big rig accidents can be pinned on the truck driver. California is one of the few states that sets a different speed limit for large trucks. Truck drivers are only allowed a top speed of 55 mph throughout the state. This lowered speed regulation is supposed to reduce big rig collisions and their severity. Of course, you don’t have to drive very long to see a driver exceeding safe speeds.
Who Can I Sue If a California Truck Driver Causes My Accident?
After a California big rig crash, you may be in shock over such a frightening experience. You may also have to be rushed to the emergency room with a major injury.
But if you are physically strong enough after a collision, you should immediately begin collecting evidence on the scene. This proof will be important when you file an injury claim against the many parties who may be responsible for what happened to you.
Call 911 and make sure police have enough accurate information to write up a collision report. Have paramedics check over your injuries. Take photos of the damaged semi-truck and your vehicle. If you were a pedestrian, take photos of damaged clothing. Show any signage that identifies who the driver works for. If you were on a bicycle, keep your damaged bike. Don’t throw out evidence.
This evidence and details your California Truck Accident Lawyer collects will be compiled into a strong case. The next step is identifying everyone who may bear the blame for the accident.
These are just a few of the parties that may have to provide you with a big rig accident settlement check:
- Independent Driver – Drivers may work for themselves and contract their services out. They’ll have commercial truck insurance to help the victims of the impacts they cause.
- Trucking Companies – Whether local or national, trucking businesses usually provide insurance for their drivers. This coverage might offer much more to victims, but corporations will have lawyers at the ready. They are ready to question the fault in an accident and try to reduce the compensation you take home.
- Truck Manufacturer – If a defect with the truck has something to do with an accident, then big rig makers must be held accountable. Your personal injury lawyer checks for recalls and checks to see if there should have been recalls over a known issue.
Contact a California Big Rig Accident Lawyer
Truck drivers and trucking companies who are found at fault in California big rig accidents are responsible for providing financial support to victims. This support should include help with all medical bills and lost wages at work. They can also be asked to support the families of victims after a semi-truck accident has tragically claimed a loved one’s life.
Attorney Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, offers a free and confidential case evaluation to all truck accident victims. Mr. Gasparian works hard to make sure clients have everything they need to recover after a serious big rig accident.
