Truck Accident
What Compensation Is Available for Truck Accident Victims?
| August 13th, 2018
All auto accidents have the potential to cause disabling and even life-threatening injuries, but truck accidents are often in a league of their own. That’s because fully-loaded big trucks can weigh 10 times the amount that even the biggest SUVs and pickup trucks weigh. The weight and sheer size difference mean that collisions between tractor-trailers and ordinary passenger vehicles frequently result in serious injuries and even fatalities. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California truck accident lawyers have spent many years fighting for the rights of people who were hurt in truck crashes that weren’t their fault. Although the trucking industry is tightly regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the drivers, companies, and owners in the industry want to maximize their profits. That means regulations are sometimes violated at the expense of safety. When people are hurt in truck accidents, they face long roads to recovery and many expenses that they might not be able to afford. It’s our legal team’s job to help victims get the money they deserve for things like:- Medical bills—Truck accident victims often require immediate medical attention. Some need surgery just to survive, while others may need prolonged physical rehabilitation to regain coordination and fine motor skills.
- Lost wages—The injuries associated with truck accidents are often disabling, and that means victims may be unable to work for long periods of time. And when they’re not working, they’re not earning the wages they and their loved ones depend on.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for Truck Accidents?
| May 28th, 2018
The injuries that victims suffer during truck accidents have the potential to be more severe than those caused during crashes involving cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. That’s because big trucks weigh significantly more than passenger vehicles—up to 80,000 pounds—and because they can reach lengths of nearly 70 feet. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know how devastating truck accidents are for victims and their families. A single accident can change multiple lives forever, especially when it causes lifelong disability. Our California truck accident attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of innocent victims and their abilities to pursue compensation for medical bills and lost wages. To accomplish that, we must first identify who was at fault for crashes. Unlike passenger vehicle accidents, truck accidents can have multiple liable parties, including:- Truck drivers—Truck drivers must follow not only the “standard” rules of the road, such as not speeding and not driving while intoxicated, but they also must follow rules concerning rest and time off periods.
- Truck companies—Companies that use trucks to transport goods must abide by strict regulations concerning weight limits and loading practices, including making sure loads are evenly distributed.
- Truck owners—Sometimes trucks aren’t owned by either drivers or the companies that use them. Truck owners must maintain their vehicles as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
3 Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
| April 2nd, 2018
When big trucks—which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—are involved in accidents with cars, trucks, and SUVs, the occupants of those vehicles face significant risks of suffering devastating injuries. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California truck accident attorneys know that semi truck and tractor trailer accidents are among the most devastating crashes that can happen on highways and interstates throughout the Golden State. Truck accident victims often deal with debilitating pain and disability, while others may face life-threatening complications. Three common injuries that result from truck accidents include:- Back and neck injuries – Truck accidents involve tremendous amounts of force—much of which is absorbed by victims’ backs and necks. Victims may develop whiplash, a chronic and disabling neck injury, or they may suffer from torn ligaments and nerve damage in their backs. They may even incur spinal cord damage, which can put them at risk of suffering paralysis.
- Head injuries – Seat belts and air bags are designed to protect drivers’ and passengers’ heads during crashes, but they’re not always 100-percent effective, especially when vehicles collide with trucks. Head injuries are common during collisions with tractor-trailers, and victims can suffer from traumatic brain injuries.
- Internal injuries – Sometimes the most serious injuries victims suffer aren’t visible or obvious. Victims’ internal organs can be damaged during accidents due to blunt force trauma or even due to being forcefully moved around inside their bodies at impact.
3 Numbers to Call After a Truck Accident
| January 22nd, 2018
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that truck accidents can be distressing and traumatic. Victims often suffer debilitating injuries that require immediate medical attention, and their main concern after an accident is getting the medical care they need. Our California truck accident attorneys have helped many victims who were able to be proactive after their accidents and take steps to protect their rights, but we’ve also helped countless other victims who were too hurt, traumatized, or disabled to take all of the recommended steps after a serious crash. We know that not at all victims are able to follow detailed checklists after accidents, and we’re here to help. However, we know that victims who make the following three phone calls after a truck accident can maximize their chances of getting compensation:- 911 – Calling 911 should be your first move after any type of accident that involves property damage or injuries. In addition to being required by California law, it also creates a police record of the crash and dispatches emergency medical personnel to the scene.
- Your insurance company – You have a short timeframe—often around 48 hours—to report the accident to your insurer. Call them as soon as you’re able to do so, but consider speaking with a lawyer before volunteering information or admitting fault for the accident.
- A truck accident law firm – Proving fault in truck accident cases can be complex, as multiple parties may be involved. But an experienced legal team knows how to collect evidence and determine who was at fault for the accident.
Why Do You Need an Attorney After a Truck Accident?
| November 27th, 2017
There are three calls you should make after being involved in a truck accident: 911, your insurance company to report the accident, and the office of an experienced California truck accident lawyer. Calling 911 means you’ll get prompt medical treatment and a police report of the accident. Calling your insurance company is required by almost all policies. Calling a law firm can help you protect your rights, and the sooner you call, the better. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our legal team acts quickly when we hear from truck accident victims. We know how complex truck accident claims can be, as multiple parties can be held liable. We’re ready to fight for the rights of injured victims by:- Collecting evidence – Evidence can quickly disappear at truck accident scenes. Our legal team can collect evidence such as traffic or surveillance camera footage, crash scene debris, and witness statements to piece together what happened.
- Negotiating with the insurance company – If we determine that you weren’t at fault for the crash, we’ll find out how much the insurance company owes you. After we calculate your medical bills and lost wages, it’s our goal to make sure the insurance company pays you a fair settlement for your accident-related expenses.
What We Look for in Truck Accident Cases
| October 30th, 2017
Tractor trailers can be 50-feet long and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When they’re involved in accidents with cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, the drivers and passengers in those vehicles are at high risk of suffering debilitating injuries that can put them out of work for weeks, months, or even years. At Berg Injury Lawyers, it’s our goal to help innocent victims get the compensation they deserve after serious tractor trailer accidents. Our California truck accident lawyers have experience handling semi truck crash cases, and we know what to look for to build strong claims, including evidence such as:- Hours of service logs – Truck drivers are limited in the number of hours they can work within specific time frames without having days off or taking breaks. We check service logs after accidents to verify that truck drivers didn’t violate industry regulations.
- Truck weight limit violations – Trucks are rated for specific maximum cargo weights. Truck drivers and truck companies may exceed those limits to increase profits, but overloaded trucks can be difficult to drive and control. We can determine if the truck involved in an accident was overloaded.
- Driver licensure and training – Driving a big rig is difficult. It requires extensive training along with good vision, quick reflexes, and sound judgment. But some truck companies hire drivers who are inexperienced or unlicensed. We can determine if the driver involved in an accident met the proper training and licensure standards needed to get behind the wheel.
2 Common Causes of Truck Accidents
| September 11th, 2017
Semi trucks and tractor trailers are vital to the nation’s economy. They’re responsible for transporting goods from one end of the country to the other, making it possible for people to buy the things they need regardless of where they live in the U.S. But big trucks’ ubiquity and the increasing demand for consumer goods also mean that there are more trucks than ever on the nation’s roadways, including the streets, highways, and interstates in California. And the more trucks there are, the greater the risk all drivers face when they share the road with those 80,000-pound behemoths. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know that truck accidents can and do occur under a wide variety of circumstances. However, we also know that two highly common causes often lead to truck crashes:- Driver fatigue – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created driver service hour restrictions to help keep fatigued, sleepy, and exhausted truck drivers off the road. Unfortunately, some drivers and trucking companies exceed the FMCSA’s restrictions to increase profits and shorten trips, putting themselves and others at risk.
- Improper loading – While trucks are designed to carry up to 80,000 pounds, the weight of their loads must be secured and evenly distributed. Even larger, more powerful trucks can struggle or become difficult to drive if their loads shift or become loose during transit. In some cases, trucks with uneven loads can even flip, blocking roadways and causing serious accidents.
Know the Truck “No Zones”
| July 24th, 2017
Driving near a semi-truck or tractor trailer can be a nerve-wracking experience. Not only do big trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and have much longer stopping distances than cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, but they also have huge blind spots that can put other drivers at risk. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that truck drivers have limited visibility on all four sides of their vehicles—which are areas called “No Zones.” These areas include:- 20 feet in front of the truck’s cabin
- One lane width directly underneath and behind the driver side of the truck
- Two lane widths directly underneath and behind the passenger side of the truck
- 30 feet behind the truck’s trailer
Big Rigs Barreling Down California Roads
| July 17th, 2017
The weight of a tractor trailer is the equivalent of twenty normal cars. That’s up to 80,000 lbs. of pure muscle barreling down the highway toward its destination. Most of the time, these behemoths make their deliveries without incident due to the skill and experience of the operator. Unfortunately, accidents involving big trucks happen more than you might think, and the results are often devastating. The focus needed to safely operate a big rig is substantial. Drivers must be attentive at all times to ensure their own safety, the safety of their load, and the safety of every other driver on the road. When a fatigued driver gets behind the wheel, they put California lives at risk. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand the destruction a big truck can cause a family and its community. That’s why we fight so hard to defend the rights of injury victims who’ve been hit by a truck driver. They deserve maximum compensation for what they’ve been through, are going through, and have yet to endure. If you’ve been injured in a big truck accident, give us a call today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case at no cost or obligation to you, and if we feel we can help, we’ll do everything within our power to get you maximum compensation in the least amount of time. Don’t try to fight the big trucking company alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.The Difficulties of a Trucking Accident Claim
| May 29th, 2017
Big trucks are the lions of the road. Considering the damage they can inflict, no other vehicle on the road even comes close. Tractor-trailer rigs can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. In comparison, the average car is only 4,000 lbs. Given that discrepancy, it’s pretty easy to figure out who would win in a crash. Many times, the driver of the tractor-trailer comes out unharmed while the folks in the car aren’t so lucky. If you or someone you love has been injured in a big truck accident, the first thing you need to focus on is getting better. You can’t do that without extensive medical treatment. That medical treatment is going to cost money. Unless you have tens of thousands of dollars in savings to pay for it, you need the insurance company to step up to the plate and fulfill their responsibilities. Unfortunately, getting the insurance company to play fair can be difficult, especially in a trucking accident. In a regular car accident claim, you only have to deal with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. But in a trucking accident, you have to deal with the trucking company and their teams of lawyers. Getting what you deserve can be an uphill battle if you don’t have sound legal counsel on your side to even the playing field. That’s why you should give us a call before signing anything from the insurance company. Our experienced San Francisco truck accident attorneys will stand up for your rights by going after the maximum compensation for your injuries. You deserve to be treated fairly, and we’ll do everything within our power to make sure you are.
