Have You Been Hurt in an Encino Big Rig Accident?
A large commercial big rig, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, might be 20 times the size of a conventional passenger vehicle when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme disparity between the weight and mass of commercial big rigs and standard passenger cars, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a regular car when they get in a crash with an eighteen-wheeler-- not to mention the effects on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Commercial Driver and Big Rig Regulations
Large big rig accident cases are quite a bit different from other automobile accident cases. Specifically, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more rigorously than regular automobiles and drivers.
Due to the inherent threat that these huge vehicles pose to other motorists, there are several laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that big rig drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial big rig regulations consist of:
There are added regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these policies and regulations are regularly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.
Reasons for Encino Big Rig Accidents
Big rig crashes are serious business. Due to the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger vehicle, it is essential that big rig drivers are safe. However, similar to any other car crash cause, there are some things that tend to increase the possibilities of a big rig crash.
Common causes of big rig accidents involve:
Common Injuries from an Encino Big Rig Accident
Big rig collisions have a tendency to cause more severe injuries than a collision involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a big rig is much greater. Big rig crashes have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and much more.
Occasionally people leave big rig accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will sustain serious injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have massive medical expenses also.
What Compensation Can I Obtain from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're likely going to have medical bills, lost income, and also pain and suffering. You may be stressed about how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable big rig accident attorney can help. He or she can handle your injury claim thoroughly, and make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a big rig accident causes injuries, you might be eligible to recuperate both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This includes:
Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have a precise monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These kinds of damages consist of:
The amount one can recuperate for non-economic damages differs. It depends on the severity of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed as a result of the accident. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will use his or her previous experience, and previous settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Injured in a Big Rig Accident, the Encino Big Rig Accident Attorneys at Drake Law Firm Can Help
At Drake Law Firm, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies should be held accountable when they are responsible for causing collisions and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to adhere to the rules and regulations that are there to keep the roads safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar offenses. And more often than not, the result of these poor choices is an accident.
A knowledgeable big rig accident lawyer in the Encino area knows all of the special considerations that might be relevant in big rig accident claims. At Drake Law Firm, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations concerning vehicles and motorists, and we are diligent in investigating the possible causes and concerns that may impact issues of liability for commercial big rigs.
Even if the trucking company involved is based out of state, or the claim may involve independent drivers, leased vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Drake Law Firm, we have the resources and knowledge to get results. The unfortunate fact is that large big rig accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disablement, or even death. If you are injured in a wreck involving a large big rig, it is vital for you to work with a law firm that has the capability to fight large companies, large insurers, and the law firms that defend them, and that has the resources to make thorough and timely inquiries into the facts and elements that apply in commercial trucking claims.