Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer

When you are injured in a truck accident, it is important to have an experienced and knowledgeable truck accident attorney on your side. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can help build a strong case for you by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and researching applicable laws. They will also be able to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. With their extensive knowledge of the law and their experience handling similar cases, they can provide invaluable legal advice throughout the process.

A skilled truck accident lawyer near you will be able to:

• Investigate the truck accident to determine who was responsible
• Collect evidence such as police reports, eyewitness testimony and photographs of the scene
• Negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of clients to ensure they receive fair compensation
• Assist in filing claims against any liable parties for personal damages and losses
• Represent clients in court proceedings related to their case
• Advise on legal matters pertaining to truck accidents and provide guidance throughout the process
• Review medical bills and obtain statements from doctors regarding injuries or disabilities sustained during a collision
• Gather documentation needed for claiming compensation
• Pursue punitive damages if negligence is found

If you or someone you love was involved in a California motor vehicle accident involving a tractor-trailer, semi-truck, or any other commercial truck, you may be wondering what to do next. Having a Los Angeles truck accident attorney who will demand justice is of the utmost importance.

After a trucking accident you should:

• Have a doctor highly experienced in truck accident injuries examine you
• Write down the license number for both the cab and the trailer of the truck involved
• Write down the truck driver’s license number, insurance information, name, and contact information
• Get the contact information from any witnesses to the accident
• Photograph the scene of the accident, including vehicle damage, physical injuries, skid marks on the road, and any other visible evidence
• Request a copy of the police report
• Talk to our Los Angeles commercial truck accident lawyer, Scott J. Corwin, as soon as possible. He can help you preserve other types of evidence — such as truck driver logs and data — before it disappears.

Fatigue

Truck drivers work long hours and have to meet rigorous and often unrealistic deadlines. As a result, truck driver fatigue is one of the main reasons for truck accidents.

Fatigue can severely impair the judgment of the driver. In a CDC survey, 24 percent of drivers said they “often continued to drive despite fatigue…”

Federal regulations prohibit a big-rig driver from driving more than 11 hours per day, and the regulations require eight hours off for every 10 hours of driving. Regulations for a truck driver’s maximum workweek dropped from 82 to 70 hours in a week, and also call for a mandatory 34-hour break after a driver attains their weekly maximum.

Unfortunately, many drivers violate these regulations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that driver fatigue is responsible for more than 30 percent of all truck accidents.

Speeding

Speeding is another major cause of commercial trucking accidents. A large tractor-trailer combination that can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds requires a much greater distance to stop than a 3,000- or 4,000-pound passenger vehicle.

Approximately 5% of all truck accidents are caused by aggressive driving, as per truck accident statistics. However, this number could be higher if truck drivers are more likely to falsely report how fast they were traveling to preserve their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).

Inadequate Training

Truck drivers with inadequate training may lack the necessary skills to effectively handle the complexities of large commercial vehicles. This can lead to difficulties in maneuvering, parking, and navigating challenging road conditions. Proper training is essential to ensure drivers can operate these massive vehicles safely and confidently.

Additionally, accidents or unexpected situations on the road require quick and effective decision-making. Truck drivers need to be trained in emergency response procedures, including how to handle brake failures, tire blowouts, or other critical incidents. Without proper training, drivers may struggle to respond appropriately, escalating the severity of accidents.

Defensive driving is crucial for avoiding accidents and mitigating risks on the road. Truck drivers with insufficient training may not be equipped with defensive driving skills, such as maintaining a safe following distance, anticipating potential hazards, and responding proactively to the actions of other motorists.

Lastly, commercial trucks are equipped with complex systems, including braking, transmission, and suspension. Inadequately trained drivers may lack a comprehensive understanding of these systems, leading to difficulties in identifying and addressing mechanical issues. This lack of knowledge can contribute to accidents caused by vehicle malfunctions.

Driving Under the Influence

Drug or alcohol use can impair a truck driver's cognitive functions, including attention, memory, and decision-making. Impaired cognitive abilities make it challenging for drivers to process information quickly and accurately, increasing the risk of poor judgments on the road.

Substance abuse also affects a driver's coordination and motor skills. Operating a large commercial vehicle requires precise control and coordination. Impaired motor skills can lead to difficulties in maintaining proper lane discipline, making turns, and responding effectively to changing traffic conditions.

Furthermore, drugs and alcohol slow down the central nervous system, leading to delayed reaction times. In the context of truck driving, where split-second decisions can be crucial, delayed responses increase the likelihood of accidents. A driver under the influence may struggle to react promptly to sudden obstacles or emergencies.

Drugs or alcohol can diminish a driver's situational awareness, making it difficult to perceive and respond to the surrounding environment. Lack of awareness can result in failure to recognize potential hazards, increasing vulnerability to accidents.

Defective Equipment & Faulty Maintenance

Sometimes, truck accidents are unavoidable, but in other cases, they are caused by defective equipment and poor maintenance. Truck drivers or companies may ignore problems, skip maintenance checks, or engage in other careless behaviors.

Faulty maintenance is a common cause of truck accidents. If defective equipment isn’t repaired, it can fail while the vehicle is on the road, with serious consequences.

Examples of defective equipment include:

• Faulty brakes
• Tire blowouts
• Defective steering, lights, windshield wipers, hydraulics, etc.
• Transmission failure
• Defective straps or tie downs

If you suspect that defective equipment or negligent maintenance contributed to your truck accident, Scott J. Corwin has the knowledge and experience to represent you effectively.

The Most Common Types of Trucking Accidents

A truck accident refers to a collision involving a truck, which can include various types of commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles used for transportation of goods. These accidents can result in varying degrees of damage, injuries, and sometimes fatalities.

Common types of truck accidents include:

• Rear-End Collisions: When a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it, often due to sudden braking or slowed traffic.
• Jackknife Accidents: This occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out to the side, forming an angle resembling a partially open jackknife.
• Underride Accidents: These accidents happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the trailer of a truck, often due to abrupt braking or a rear-end collision.
• Rollover Accidents: Trucks are prone to tipping over, especially in curves or if the cargo is not properly balanced, leading to rollover accidents.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Trucks have large blind spots, and accidents can occur when a smaller vehicle is in these blind spots and the truck changes lanes.
• Wide Turns: Trucks make wide turns, and accidents can occur when other vehicles are in the turning path.
• Cargo Spills: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can lead to spills, causing accidents and road hazards.
• Head-On Collisions: Accidents where a truck collides with a vehicle coming from the opposite direction.
• Runaway Truck Accidents: In cases where a truck loses control on a steep incline or due to brake failure, it may result in a runaway truck, potentially leading to severe accidents.
• Hazardous Material Spills: Trucks carrying hazardous materials can pose additional risks. Accidents involving spills of dangerous substances can have serious consequences for both the environment and public safety.
• Vehicle Override Accidents: This happens when a truck runs over a smaller vehicle, often resulting in catastrophic damage and fatalities.

At Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation, your case will never be passed off to a less-qualified associate. Our founding attorney, Scott, will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and then fight on your behalf to obtain the highest possible compensation for your injuries. You can count on Scott to give you the one-on-one attention you deserve and need after your accident.

Injured in a truck accident on a freeway or interstate in Los Angeles County? Scott J. Corwin, A Professional Law Corporation can help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident lawyerby calling (310) 683-2300today!

Commercial truck accidents are extremely dangerous for the motorist involved. Commercial tractor and trailer combinations are often 75 feet long and can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds.

So you are always the loser when involved in an accident with a commercial truck. The injuries sustained are often quite severe.

Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:

• Severe head and brain injuries
• Back or spinal cord injuries
• Damage to internal organs
• Lacerations
• Burn injuries
• Broken bones
• Amputation
• Serious scarring or disfigurement

Sadly, wrongful death is also a common result of serious truck accidents in Los Angeles. In cases like this, it's up to the family to pursue compensation and justice on behalf of their lost loved one.