Riverside Truck Accident Attorney

Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers in Riverside, CA

Truck accidents are a common occurrence on Riverside’s roads, often resulting in serious injuries or even fatalities. These incidents stem from factors like driver fatigue, speeding, distractions, or mechanical problems. Our Riverside truck accident attorney is well-prepared to assist you at every step of your case. Recognizing the root causes of these accidents reveals a complex blend of issues that extend beyond simple driver errors. It involves gaining a thorough understanding of the intricate challenges involved in safely maneuvering these large vehicles, rather than solely attributing blame.

Riverside Truck Accident Attorneys Helping Truck Accident Victims

In the United States, approximately 70% of goods are transported by trucks and commercial vehicles, highlighting their crucial role in our economy. However, with this heavy reliance comes inherent risks. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records hundreds of thousands of truck-related accidents. For those affected by these accidents, pursuing fair compensation is essential. That’s why having experienced legal experts, such as our proficient Riverside truck accident attorneys, is vital. They can assist in navigating the legal intricacies and ensure that victims receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Statistics on Truck Accidents

California, boasting the nation’s second-largest road network and the highest number of registered vehicles, places its residents at a heightened risk of serious injury in accidents compared to those in numerous other states. A report from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed some concerning statistics regarding truck accidents:

• In 2016 across the country, there were approximately 475,000 crashes involving sem-trucks that were reported by the police, leading to 3,864 fatal crashes.
• About 22 percent of these crashes resulted in injuries.
• A majority, around 62 percent, of fatal truck crashes involved more than one vehicle.
• Rural roads seem to be the most common setting for truck accidents.
• Most injury and fatal crashes involving large trucks happened on weekdays, from Monday to Friday.
• A significant portion, about 27 percent, of workplace accidents in Riverside involve a commercial truck.
• Surprisingly, in 83 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks, the person who died wasn’t the truck driver.
• Speeding was identified as the primary cause of large truck crashes in 2016, followed closely by distraction as the second most common reason for accidents caused by truck drivers.

Common Reasons for Truck Accidents

According to GTG Technology Group, a report says the main reasons behind truck accidents are:

• Driver mistakes, like driving when tired, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Commercial truck drivers often deal with demanding schedules, pushing them to speed even when it’s unsafe.
• Neglected vehicle maintenance, such as worn-out brake pads or a damaged windshield
• Equipment malfunctions and product liability
• Bad weather conditions, especially for drivers who aren’t ready or trained to handle them
• Incorrect loading methods

Potential Injuries from a Truck Accident

Since big semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, the injuries from a truck collision can be very serious. Trucking accidents can result in a variety of injuries for victims, such as:

• Back and neck injuries, like dislocated or damaged discs, or spinal cord damage that could lead to permanent effects like paralysis
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries that can significantly change someone’s life permanently
• Loss of limbs
• Burns, especially if the truck was transporting hazardous materials
• Torso and rib injuries
• Injuries from seatbelts and airbags
• Cuts and deep wounds that might cause disfigurement
• Fractured bones
• Internal organ injuries, like to the kidney, liver, or spleen

Also, if someone died directly from a truck crash, please reach out to our specialized Riverside wrongful death attorneys to review your situation.

Truck Accident Cases Making Headlines

In October 2018, CBS reported that authorities were searching for a big rig driver who displayed road rage on a highway in southern California. A motorist’s dashcam captured the incident, showing the truck driver hitting and pushing an SUV into another lane on Interstate 405. The SUV then hit another vehicle, though fortunately, the accident wasn’t severe, the report mentioned.

In April 2018, 23ABC news from Bakersfield reported that the family members of a couple, who tragically died just days before their wedding in an accident involving a commercial truck, filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The couple, who were supposed to tie the knot on July 27, 2017, lost their lives in a collision on Highway 58 near Highway 395, close to Kramer Junction, on July 7. The accident occurred when the truck driver failed to slow down and rear-ended their vehicle while traveling at around 55 miles per hour. The couple was seated in the back of the car at the time of the collision. The lawsuit named both the company and the driver as defendants. The truck driver was ticketed for speeding, and the case was referred to the District Attorney’s Office to consider potential vehicular manslaughter charges.

In August 2017, NBC San Diego reported that the mother of a 6-year-old child, severely injured in a collision with a semi-truck, filed a personal injury lawsuit against both the trucking company and the driver. The incident happened on State Route 125 in La Mesa when the truck veered across two lanes, ending up in a jack-knifed position and trapping a vehicle. Alongside the child, who faces potential permanent paralysis, five others sustained injuries, while a mother and child tragically lost their lives. Though the complaint didn’t specify damages, it did mention the emotional distress experienced by the injured child’s two-year-old sister, who witnessed the severity of her sibling’s injuries.

In February 2018, as reported by CVN, a California jury granted a settlement exceeding $52 million to two brothers who sustained traumatic brain injuries in 2014. The injuries occurred when a semi-truck veered across the road’s center line and collided with them head-on. Alongside the brain injuries, the brothers also suffered from PTSD and severe injuries to their backs and arms. Notably, the settlement greatly exceeded the trucking company’s highest offer of $11.5 million.

In November 2018, a big rig’s brakes malfunctioned on northbound Highway 1, resulting in a 21-car pileup. Witnesses, as per the Santa Cruz Sentinel, observed smoke emanating from the truck’s brakes prior to the incident. The tractor-trailer rear-ended a vehicle, igniting both vehicles. Subsequently, the other vehicles, halted by traffic, became involved in the afternoon collision. The truck driver, injured in the crash, possessed a valid license but had a history of multiple violations, as highlighted in the report. Loaded with a clay or dirt mixture, the truck collided with the vehicles at a speed of approximately 30-40 miles per hour, having hit the center median before plowing through the 20 vehicles, covering about 1,000 feet.

The accident left eleven people injured, but thankfully, none of the elementary school-aged children on a field trip in the car were harmed. It’s suspected that the truck was overloaded during the accident and spilled approximately 20 gallons of diesel fuel on the road. The particular stretch of road where the accident happened is frequently congested, according to the report. This incident was noted as one of the most severe in Santa Cruz County’s history.

Submitting a Truck Accident Claim with a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer

In California, individuals have the right to file personal injury claims after commercial truck accidents. Here are some key points from the laws regarding these claims:

• The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims in California is generally two years from the date of the injury. Claims submitted after this period usually won’t be considered by the court, resulting in the loss of the claimant’s right to compensation.
• Claims against city, county, state agencies must be filed within six months after the the injury date, following specific procedural rules for consideration.
• To pursue a claim, you need to demonstrate negligence by another individual or entity, which may not only be the other driver involved. Possible defendants could include the trucking company, maintenance entities, parts manufacturers, other motorists, or even the government agency responsible for road maintenance.
• Negligence, according to state law, is defined as actions a reasonably careful person wouldn’t do in the same situation, or failing to do something a reasonably careful person would do.
• Damages sought in personal injury suits encompass economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages involve medical expenses, lost wages, future medical treatments, and loss of future earning potential. Non-economic damages cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, and in wrongful death suits, loss of consortium or companionship.
• Truck accident claims must be filed by the injured party or, if under 21, on their behalf. Wrongful death claims can be filed by various family members of the deceased victim.
• California follows the pure comparative negligence rule, meaning that if you’re partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
• If you lacked insurance at the time of the accident, state law prohibits seeking non-economic damages unless the accident was caused by an impaired driver.
• In cases involving multiple defendants, each is responsible for economic damages in proportion to their fault, but non-economic damages are based on their individual percentage of fault.
• Several factors affect the amount recoverable from a personal injury suit, including the nature and extent of injuries, medical prognosis, objective findings supporting claims, past medical history, and age-related considerations.

Contact An Skilled Riverside Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been hurt in a Riverside truck accident, you might be dealing with serious injuries and worrying about covering bills while you recover. Initiating legal proceedings is essential because it grants access to discovery and subpoena powers, uncovering crucial operational records of the trucking companies. Dealing with the insurance company of the responsible party or filing a lawsuit regarding your truck accident can be complicated, so it’s best to seek help from experienced professionals. A truck accident attorney from Aitken * Aitken * Cohn can help.

We’re known for our dedicated and aggressive representation of clients and our top-notch courtroom expertise. With vast experience in collecting evidence to prove fault and presenting cases effectively, we aim to secure the highest possible compensation for your injuries through negotiations or trial. Reach out to schedule a free consultation with one of our Riverside, Santa Ana, or Orange County injury attorneys.