According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there has been a 52% increase in truck accidents since 2009, and nearly 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle cases included a large truck.

First, make sure that you and your loved ones are safe. Once you’re safe, reach out to a reliable, local truck accident lawyer who understands your rights and can guide you on the next steps to take.

Keep in mind that you could be compensated for your accident, and you might be able to help prevent other similar truck accidents from happening in the future by working with an attorney.

Just because the accident involves a truck doesn’t mean it’s the truck driver’s fault. Each case is different, with a variety of circumstances.

You should consult with a PTAL Truck Accident Lawyer as soon as possible to review your case’s facts and make sure everyone with any possibility of fault is named in the lawsuit.

Here are a few causes of truck accidents to consider:

Distracted Driving
According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 400,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2018. They have noted that nearly eight (8) people lose their lives every day due to a distracted driver. This is a common cause for truck accidents and other passenger accidents, too.

Negligent Hiring and Training
Trucking and transportation companies might be liable for a truck crash if they are found responsible for negligent hiring and training of their drivers. Various agencies and laws require these companies to maintain strict hiring and training rules every time they put more trucks on the road.

Violating Federal Regulations and Industry Practices
To help ensure the safety of others on the road, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has set various federal regulations for truck drivers. If a truck driver involved in an accident is found guilty of flouting these federal regulations and practices, the victims are likely eligible for compensation.

Weather Conditions
Inclement weather conditions are a common cause of many truck accidents. All drivers should take the necessary precautions when driving in rain, fog, snow, and other hazardous weather conditions.

Manufacturing Defects
In some cases, defects in equipment might also be to blame for a truck accident. If faulty ropes are used to secure cargo, the rope manufacturer could be to blame; if subpar glass was installed and the windshield shatters without reason, glass manufacturers could be under fire. This is not as common as the aforementioned causes, but it is sometimes a reason for crashes involving trucks.

Yes, the size of a truck can certainly can make a difference in the severity of an accident.

There are a lot of different kinds of trucks that are considered “large trucks”. These are the main types commonly noted in truck crashes:

Tractor-Trailers (or Big Rigs)
When discussing large trucks, most people consider big rigs, also known as 18-wheelers or tractor-trailers, to be the most common. Because of their massive size, an accident involving a big rig can be serious and potentially deadly.

Tanker Trucks
Tanker trucks transport a wide variety of both hazardous and non-hazardous items, usually in liquid form, including fuel, chemicals, water and petroleum. A tanker truck accident can be rather destructive, leading to injuries, fatalities and long-lasting damages for multiple drivers on the road.

Tractor Trucks
These trucks are designed to haul other vehicles and are seen regularly on the road with or without cargo. In the event of a crash, tractor trucks can cause significant damage, even when they aren’t carrying any load, because of their great size and weight.

Delivery Trucks
These trucks are owned by companies like FedEx, Amazon, DHL, UPS and other delivery entities. Delivery trucks drivers might be in a hurry, and might be tempted to break the speed limits to meet an impending deadline.

Utility Trucks
Utility trucks come in many shapes and sizes. The most common utility trucks are ambulances, garbage trucks and postal service trucks. Utility trucks are usually owned by city, state or federal agencies. There are special rules governing the filing times of cases against utility trucks; if you’re involved in an accident with a utility truck, contact a local truck accident expert for help.

First, get medical attention right away. Even if you’re feeling okay overall, a visit to a doctor for an evaluation should be your foremost priority.

If you haven’t sustained any injuries, gather as much information about the accident as possible at the site: talk to any available witnesses, and take photographs of the accident site and any vehicles involved in the crash. Photos could help a lawyer prepare a better truck injury case, especially if the other party refused to pay damages.

No, do not contact the other party’s insurance. The insurance adjuster might want to convince you to settle your claim quickly and cheaply, especially if the party they’re representing is at fault. Additionally, injuries can sometimes take weeks or months to appear.

If you’re not in immediate danger, reach out to a PTAL Truck Accident Lawyer right away – we can help by guiding you on the best actions to take after an accident to ensure your rights are protected.

In short, yes. You can sue them and recover the damages their negligence caused you, but only if the truck driver was at fault for the accident.  The State of California has a Comparative Negligence statute that further protects your rights.

Every truck accident is different. Only a knowledgeable truck accident attorney who has assessed all the elements and circumstances related to your situation can give you an accurate depiction of what you may receive in damages.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The best truck accident law firms can provide you with an accurate answer, as cases vary greatly depending on circumstances. Speak with an experienced accident attorney today to find out more.