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Have You Been Injured in a Woodland Hills 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 normal passenger cars, it is not hard to imagine how risky it is for the occupants of a normal vehicle when they get in an accident with an eighteen-wheeler-- not to mention the impacts 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. Particularly, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more rigorously than regular vehicles and drivers.
Because of the inherent threat that these big vehicles pose to other drivers, there are numerous laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that big rig drivers are safe.
These laws consist of:
California commercial big rig regulations consist of:
There are additional regulations regarding the transport of dangerous materials. All of these policies and regulations are constantly being updated and revised to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Woodland Hills Big Rig Accidents
Big rig crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger car, it is crucial that big rig drivers are safe. However, much like any other motor vehicle crash cause, there are some factors that tend to increase the odds of a big rig accident.
Common reasons for big rig accidents include:
Common Injuries from a Woodland Hills Big Rig Accident
Big rig accidents have a tendency to result in more serious injuries than a collision involving two regular-sized cars. This is because the force behind a big rig is much greater. Big rig crashes have been known to result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and more.
Sometimes individuals leave big rig accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer severe injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They commonly have massive medical bills as well.
What Compensation Can I Get from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're likely going to have medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You might be stressed about how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable big rig accident attorney can help. He or she can handle your injury case carefully, and make sure you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a big rig accident results in injuries, you may be qualified to recuperate both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This consists of:
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 include:
The amount one can recover for non-economic damages differs. It depends on the extent of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed because of the accident. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will utilize their previous experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Injured in a Big Rig Accident, the Woodland Hills 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 accidents and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to abide by the rules and regulations that exist to maintain the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make bad decisions that impact the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar offenses. And generally, the result of these bad choices is a crash.
An experienced big rig accident lawyer in the Woodland Hills location understands all of the unique considerations that might be relevant in big rig accident cases. At Drake Law Firm, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations concerning vehicles and drivers, and we are diligent in investigating the possible causes and concerns that might affect 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 often involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a collision involving a large big rig, it is important for you to partner 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 comprehensive and timely inquiries into the facts and aspects that apply in commercial trucking claims.
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