If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a truck accident in Alameda, you are likely facing serious challenges. Between dealing with your injuries, the potential loss of income, and negotiating with insurance companies, your plate is more than full. That’s why you need the experienced Alameda truck accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers.
By choosing our firm, you can expect individualized attention, empathetic support, and aggressive representation. We will fight for your rights and guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. At Berg Injury Lawyers, if you don’t win, you pay nothing. There’s also no cost or obligation to hire, simply to speak to one of our lawyers. We call that our No Fee Guarantee®.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Alameda
Most crashes are caused by driver error or, in other words, negligence. In truck accident cases, there are even more potentially liable parties, including trucking companies, truck part manufacturers, and the parties responsible for truck maintenance.
Here are just a few examples of how truck accidents happen:
Distracted Driving: With the rise in smartphone usage, many truck drivers are tempted to use their devices while driving. Activities such as texting, making phone calls, or using GPS can divert drivers’ attention from the road and lead to accidents.
Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours to meet strict deadlines, leading to fatigue that impairs their ability to focus and react quickly. In some cases, drivers may violate hours-of-service regulations, pushing themselves beyond legal limits and increasing the risk of accidents.
Improperly Loaded Vehicles: When a truck is not loaded in a balanced way or exceeds its weight limits, it can become unstable and difficult to control, leading to potentially dangerous situations on the road.
Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions reduces a driver’s reaction time to unexpected obstacles and increases the severity of crashes. The higher momentum of a speeding commercial vehicle makes stopping in emergencies more challenging, leading to a higher risk of accidents.
Reckless Driving: Reckless driving behaviors, such as aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and disregarding traffic signals, pose significant risks on the road. Truck drivers engaging in reckless driving not only endanger themselves but also other road users. This type of driving can lead to catastrophic outcomes, especially when large trucks are involved, due to their size and weight.
Trucking Company Error: Negligence by trucking companies often contributes to accidents. This may include failing to conduct proper background checks on drivers, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules that lead to hours-of-service violations.
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their operations comply with safety regulations, and their failure to do so can result in preventable accidents.
Improperly Maintained Vehicles: The lack of proper maintenance on commercial vehicles can lead to mechanical failures on the road, such as brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering issues. Regular maintenance is not only a legal requirement but also crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of big rigs.
Through personal injury claims, you can hold the negligent parties accountable for the damages you’ve experienced. As you can see, truck accident cases can be more complex than other types of vehicle accident claims. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced attorney handle your case.
Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents
Because the size and weight of large commercial vehicles are so much greater than passenger vehicles, accidents involving large trucks in Alameda often result in severe and life-altering injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: The forceful impact of a collision can cause the brain to collide with the skull, leading to bruising, bleeding, or even permanent damage. TBIs can have lasting effects on a person’s cognitive abilities, motor skills, and overall quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injuries: The sudden jolt or impact can damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Individuals who suffer from spinal cord injuries may experience a loss of sensation, muscle weakness, or even complete loss of motor function below the site of the injury.
Broken Bones: The impact of a crash with a large truck can cause bones to break or shatter, leading to significant pain, limited mobility, and the need for extensive medical treatment. Fractures can occur in various parts of the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
Internal Injuries: These types of injuries are some of the most dangerous. They’re not as easily detectable as other injury types but can quickly become life-threatening if not treated.
Truck accidents are also some of the most fatal of all crash types. That’s why so many vehicle-related wrongful death claims involve collisions with large trucks.
Steps to Take Following a Truck Accident in Alameda
Being involved in a commercial vehicle accident can be a harrowing experience. Knowing what steps to take immediately after the incident can protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s what to do following a truck accident in Alameda:
- Call 911. Always alert the authorities after a crash, whether it’s serious or just a fender bender. This establishes a record of the accident. It also allows officers to create a police report, which will be an important part of any ensuing insurance claims or legal proceedings.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Your health should be your top priority. Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s vital to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a medical check can document any injuries you might have sustained.
- Document the accident scene and gather evidence. If you are physically able, gather as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the vehicles involved, the damage sustained, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. This evidence can be crucial in building a strong case.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney. Navigating the aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve suffered injuries or property damage. It’s essential to seek legal representation from an experienced truck accident attorney who specializes in personal injury law. They can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Establishing Liability in Truck Accident Cases
In truck accidents, establishing liability is crucial for seeking compensation for injuries and damages. Several parties can be held accountable in these cases, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and third parties involved. Let’s examine each situation:
Truck Driver Negligence: In many commercial vehicle accident cases, the driver’s negligence is a primary factor. Actions such as distracted driving, speeding, reckless behavior, or driving under the influence can contribute to accidents. Our team can thoroughly investigate the accident to gather evidence of the driver’s negligence.
Trucking Company Liability: The trucking company may also be held liable if they failed to properly maintain their vehicles, hire qualified drivers, or enforce safety regulations. Our attorneys will examine the company’s records, maintenance logs, and hiring practices to determine if they played a role in the accident.
Third-Party Liability: In some cases, a third party may be partially or fully responsible for the commercial vehicle accident. This could include manufacturers of defective truck parts, cargo loaders who improperly secured the load, or other drivers who contributed to the accident. Our legal team will investigate all potential third-party liabilities to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Compensation for Alameda Truck Accident Victims
Victims of commercial vehicle accidents in Alameda often face devastating physical and financial consequences. If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, it’s important to understand the compensation available to you.
Key areas of compensation include medical expenses and future medical care. Truck accidents often result in severe injuries that require immediate and ongoing treatment. Compensation can cover the cost of hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and other necessary medical expenses. Future medical care may be required for long-term injuries or disabilities resulting from the accident.
Lost wages and future earning capacity are other crucial aspect of compensation. Commercial vehicle accidents can leave victims unable to work, resulting in a loss of income. Compensation can help offset this financial burden by covering lost wages during the recovery period. In cases where the accident has caused permanent disabilities or reduced future earning capacity, compensation may also include future income loss.
Pain and suffering damages are also considered in compensation for truck accident victims. These damages compensate for the physical pain and mental anguish caused by the accident. They consider factors such as the severity of injuries, the impact on daily life, and the emotional distress experienced by the victim.
Contact Our Alameda Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been involved in a crash with a large truck or other commercial vehicle, seek legal representation from experienced Alameda truck accident attorneys. They can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our team has a proven track record of successfully representing truck accident victims and securing fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you navigate the complexities of your case.
