Truck Accident Injury Attorneys in California
Because of their weight and size, commercial trucks are much more dangerous in accidents than standard passenger vehicles. During collisions, big trucks can cause serious damage to other automobiles on the road and severe or even fatal injuries to both passengers and drivers.
If you were injured in a big truck accident, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. We know you’re facing expensive medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future, and we want to help you get compensation for your pain and suffering. Call our truck accident attorneys by filling out our online form to get in touch with our law firm today.
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Rules & Regulations for California Truck Drivers
The commercial trucking industry is subject to many rules and regulations from both the states they operate in and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to keep truck drivers and other motorists safe on the road.
For example, drivers must maintain strict schedules depending on the type of truck they operate:
Passenger-Carrying Commercial Vehicles
- 10-hour limit: Drivers cannot drive more than 10 hours per day after eight consecutive hours of rest.
- 15-hour limit: Drivers cannot drive after 15 hours on-duty (including both driving hours and non-driving work tasks) in a day after eight consecutive hours of rest.
- 60/70-hour on-duty limit: Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on-duty over seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty over eight consecutive days.
Property-Carrying Commercial Trucks
- 11-hour limit: Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit: Drivers cannot drive after 14 hours on-duty (including both driving hours and non-driving work tasks) after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 60/70-hour on-duty limit: Drivers cannot drive after 60 hours on-duty over seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty over eight consecutive days.
However, those rules are often broken to keep deliveries ahead of schedule and maximize profits. If you suspect illegal and negligent behavior on behalf of the trucking company caused your crash, contact our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Common Examples of Truck Accidents?
Common examples of commercial truck accidents include:
- Rear-End Collisions: This crash involves a truck hitting the vehicle in front of it.
- Head-On Collisions: This crash involves a truck colliding with another vehicle from the opposite direction.
- Jackknife Accidents: This accident occurs when a semi-truck folds at the point of articulation between the cab and the trailer, forming a V-shape.
- Rollovers: Rollovers occur when a semi-truck tips over onto its side or roof.
- T-Bone Accidents: T-bones happen when a truck hits the side of another vehicle.
- Underride Accidents: Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a semi-truck.
- Blind Spot Accidents: These types of crashes occur when a vehicle is in a semi-truck’s blind spot and the truck driver fails to see it while maneuvering.
- Lost Load Accidents: Lost load accidents occur when cargo falls off a truck and it causes hazards or collisions.
- Wide Turn Accidents: These happen when a semi-truck swings wide and collides with other vehicles while making a turn.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in California?
Truck accident lawyers in California typically operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer’s fees are contingent upon winning the case or securing a settlement for the client. Here’s how it works:
- Percentage of Settlement or Award: Instead of charging hourly rates or upfront fees, we receive a previously agreed on percentage of the final settlement or court award.
- No Upfront Costs: Clients don’t pay any upfront costs. We cover all the expenses related to the case, such as filing fees, investigation costs, and expert witness fees.
- Payment Upon Success: We only get paid if we successfully secure compensation for you.
- Case Evaluation: We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case and discuss our contingency fee agreement.
What Types of Compensation Are Available for Truck Accident Victims?
In truck accident cases, the types of compensation available typically include:
- Medical Expenses: This compensation covers current and future medical bills related to the injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: This is compensation for income lost due to the inability to work—both present and future earnings, if the injuries affect long-term earning capacity.
- Property Damage: This is reimbursement for vehicle repair or replacement and other damaged personal property.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation is for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident, including long-term suffering and mental anguish.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Each case varies, and the specific types of compensation will depend on the circumstances and severity of the accident and injuries.
What Are Common Injuries in Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents can result in severe and life-threatening injuries due to the size and weight of trucks compared to passenger vehicles. Common injuries include:
- Head and Brain Injuries: These can range from concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), often caused by the head striking an object—such as a steering wheel or car window—or sudden jolts to the head and neck from the force of impact.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the area and severity of the spinal cord damage.
- Broken Bones: The force of a truck collision can easily break bones, sometimes leading to compound fractures requiring surgical intervention.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding are common, particularly in high-impact collisions.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Shattered glass and metal debris can cause severe cuts, sometimes leading to significant blood loss or permanent and disfiguring scarring.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck in the moment of impact in a collision can cause whiplash, leading to long-term neck pain and mobility issues.
- Back Injuries: Lower back injuries, including herniated discs, are common and can result in chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Burns: In cases where a truck accident leads to a fire or explosion, victims may suffer from burn injuries, which can be extremely painful and require extensive treatment.
- Amputations: In severe cases, limbs may be crushed or severely damaged, requiring surgical amputation.
- Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, victims often suffer from psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
These injuries can range from mild to life-altering, and they often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
FMCSA regulations are designed to prevent many common causes of truck accidents. The causes of trucking accidents in California can be different for every accident, but some of the most common reasons why truck accidents happen include:
- Sleep Deprivation and Drowsy Driving: When truck drivers exceed federal hours-of-service limits or fail to get adequate rest, their reaction times slow dramatically, and they may even fall asleep behind the wheel.
- Over-Loaded Trailers: Trucks carrying improperly loaded or overweight cargo can become unstable, making them difficult to control.
- Irregular Truck Maintenance: Neglected brake systems, worn tires, or faulty steering components can lead to catastrophic mechanical failures on the road.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Trucks require much longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, making excessive speed and sudden maneuvers extremely dangerous.
- Distracted Driving: Truck drivers who use cell phones, eat, or engage in other distracting activities while driving pose a serious threat to everyone on the road.
No matter what conditions caused your truck accident, you can count on the California truck accident lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers to give your claim the attention and resources it deserves.
Why Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer Is So Important
Because of the complex nature of crashes involving semi-trucks, hiring a truck accident lawyer is crucial following an accident that wasn’t your fault. These incidents often involve difficult legal issues due to multiple potentially liable parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and commercial truck manufacturers.
An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate these complexities as well as the specific federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry that may point to negligence. They can also bring investigative resources to the table, which are crucial for reconstructing the accident scene and establishing liability.
In addition, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they work hard to protect their profits and minimize payouts. An experienced lawyer can negotiate effectively on your behalf to maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation for your damages and injuries. In one auto accident case, Berg Injury Lawyers obtained a recovery worth SIXTY TIMES the insurance company’s original settlement offer.
Should your case go to trial, having a lawyer experienced in truck accident cases on your side is invaluable to protect your rights. Your lawyer can help ensure that all legal actions are timely and adhere to the statutes of limitations, as well as provide peace of mind by handling the legal aspects, which allows you to focus on your recovery stress-free.
Get a Lawyer When You’ve Been Injured in a Truck Accident
Trucking companies have legal teams dedicated to protecting their business. If you’re involved in a truck accident, the trucking company’s lawyer or insurance provider may contact you and try to get you to accept a lowball settlement offer. Having a lawyer on your side can help ensure you aren’t victimized twice—first by the accident and a second time by the insurance company. But it’s important to make sure you hire the right lawyer for you and your family.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we have more than 45 years of experience advocating for injury victims in California. We offer the No Fee Guarantee®— our promise that if you don’t win, you pay nothing. So contact us today and get the peace of mind you deserve after your accident.
Serving Truck Accident Victims Across Northern and Central California
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand that devastating truck accidents can happen anywhere throughout our state’s extensive highway system. Our legal team is proud to serve truck accident victims and their families across multiple key locations in Northern and Central California.
Whether your collision occurred in the busy commercial corridors of Alameda, the transportation hub of Sacramento, the agricultural regions around Fresno, or the Central Valley community of Modesto, our attorneys have the local knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to build a strong case on your behalf. No matter where your truck accident occurred, Berg Injury Lawyers is committed to fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
