Have You Been Injured in a Reseda Truck Accident?
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 vehicle when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial trucks and normal passenger cars, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous it is for the occupants of a normal vehicle when they get in a collision with an eighteen-wheeler-- 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 automobile accident cases. Specifically, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more rigorously than regular automobiles and drivers.
Due to the inherent danger that these huge vehicles present to other drivers, there are numerous laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to ensure that truck drivers are safe.
These laws consist of:
California commercial truck regulations consist of:
There are added regulations concerning the transport of hazardous materials. All of these policies and regulations are regularly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Reseda Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle, it is crucial that truck drivers are safe. However, similar to any other car accident cause, there are some factors that have a tendency to increase the chances of a semi-truck crash.
Common causes of truck accidents involve:
Prevalent Injuries from a Reseda Truck Accident
Semi-truck accidents tend to result in more serious injuries than a collision involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a semi-truck is a lot greater. Semi-truck crashes have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and more.
In some cases people walk away from truck accidents unscathed or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer serious injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have enormous medical expenses also.
What Compensation Can I Get from a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, you're likely going to have medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be stressed about how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where an experienced truck accident lawyer can help. They can handle your injury claim thoroughly, and make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a truck accident causes injuries, you may be eligible 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 an exact monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These types of damages consist of:
The amount one can recover for non-economic damages varies. It depends on the severity of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed due to the accident. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance provider, or a judge and jury in court. Your attorney will use their prior experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident, the Reseda Truck Accident Attorneys at Drake Law Firm Can Help
At Drake Law Firm, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies must be held accountable when they are responsible for causing accidents and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to adhere to 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 bad 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 outcome of these poor choices is an accident.
A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in the Reseda area knows all of the unique factors that might be relevant in truck accident cases. At Drake Law Firm, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations regarding vehicles and motorists, and we are diligent in examining the possible causes and issues that may affect issues of liability for commercial trucks.
Even if the trucking company involved is based out of state, or the case might involve independent drivers, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Drake Law Firm, we have the resources and experience to get results. The unfortunate fact is that large truck 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 truck, it is essential 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 detailed and timely inquiries into the facts and variables that apply in commercial trucking cases.