A large commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, may be 20 times the size of a standard passenger car when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme disparity between the weight and mass of commercial trucks and regular passenger cars, it is not difficult to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a regular vehicle when they get in a crash with a big rig-- not to mention the impacts on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Commercial Driver and Truck Regulations
Large truck accident cases are quite a bit different from other car accident cases. Particularly, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more strictly than regular vehicles and drivers.
Because of the inherent threat that these huge vehicles pose to other drivers, there are multiple laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that truck drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial truck regulations consist of:
There are additional regulations regarding the transport of dangerous materials. All of these rules and regulations are constantly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Burbank Truck Accidents
Semi-truck collisions are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger car, it is crucial that truck drivers are safe. However, just like any other car accident reason, there are some factors that tend to increase the odds of a semi-truck accident.
Common reasons for truck accidents involve:
Common Injuries from Burbank Truck Accidents
Semi-truck crashes tend to result in more severe injuries than a collision involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a semi-truck is much greater. Semi-truck accidents have been known to result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and much more.
Sometimes individuals leave truck accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will sustain severe injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have massive medical expenses as well.
What Compensation Can I Get from a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, you're probably going to have medical costs, lost income, as well as pain and suffering. You might be stressed concerning how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable truck accident attorney can help. He or she can handle your injury claim thoroughly, and guarantee you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a truck accident causes injuries, you might be qualified 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 an exact monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These kinds of damages consist of:
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 crash. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your attorney will utilize his or her previous experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Hurt in a Truck Accident, the Burbank Truck Accident Lawyers 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 wrecks and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to comply with the rules and regulations that are there to keep the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor choices 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 decisions is an accident.
An expert truck accident attorney in the Burbank location knows all of the unique considerations that may be relevant in truck accident claims. At Drake Law Firm, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations concerning vehicles and drivers, and we are thorough in examining the possible causes and concerns that might impact issues of liability for commercial trucks.
Even if the trucking company involved is based out of state, or the case may involve independent drivers, leased vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Drake Law Firm, we have the resources and knowledge to get results. The sad reality is that large truck accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a crash involving a large truck, it is vital 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 thorough and timely inquiries into the facts and variables that apply in commercial trucking cases.