Escondido Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck Accident Attorneys in Escondido, California
Getting into an accident with a truck can be a life-changing and traumatic event that leaves victims with severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Large trucks like semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, garbage trucks, etc., are often necessary but extremely dangerous. When these trucks collide with smaller passenger vehicles, the passengers in the smaller vehicle are at a disadvantage. They collide with a heavier and larger force that can cause severe damage to their vehicle and, in turn, severe damage to those in the vehicle.
The catastrophic effects of a truck accident aren’t the only thing that makes them more complicated than a typical accident. Most large trucks are usually commercially or government-owned vehicles, which means that establishing liability can be more challenging than in a typical car accident. Dealing with commercial insurance policy and governmental entities differ from a regular auto insurance company. Victims benefit from contacting an attorney as soon as possible because of the various elements of truck accidents. With an attorney at their side, they ensure they have the legal knowledge and experience to get the best possible outcome for their claim.
7 Most Common Type of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents aren’t one-size-fits-all; there are many reasons that truck accidents occur and various types of truck accidents. Seven of the most common truck accidents are:
Truck Rollover Accidents
Truck rollover accidents are one of the most catastrophic and terrifying wrecks that can occur. 18-wheelers and other large commercial trucks have a much higher center of gravity than standard passenger cars, and when they roll over, it can have devastating consequences. If a truck turns too sharply or drives too fast for the road and weather conditions, the truck may slip and roll the entire truck over onto one side, creating a deadly hazard for everyone on the road.
Rear-End Collisions
In rear-end truck accidents, the enormous difference in weight and size between a commercial truck and a car can lead to the passenger vehicle being crushed upon impact. Trucks are heavy and slow to maneuver, so truck drivers need much more time and distance to slow down, avoid road hazards, or come to a safe stop behind a car.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions can occur when a driver is reckless or loses control of their vehicle and drifts out of their lane and straight into the flow of oncoming traffic. These kinds of accidents also tend to happen at red lights, stop signs, or other intersections if the truck driver isn’t paying attention or not observing the proper right of way.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when trucks with articulated joints between the tractor and its attached trailer make an improper turn or braking maneuvers. The resulting force causes the trailer to swing wide around its pivot point to create a shape like a folding jackknife. A jackknife accident is especially dangerous because of the unpredictability of a skidding trailer, which may strike nearby vehicles and carry them along as the truck bulldozes through traffic.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents or side-impact accidents occur most often at intersections. Trucks and tractor-trailers traveling through intersections at perpendicular angles may ignore traffic laws that cause an accident. A truck driver may run red lights, roll stop signs, or otherwise violate right-of-way regulations and collide with the sides of other cars, creating the “T” shape that gives these accidents their name.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents are similar to T-bone collisions, except cars that collide in sideslip accidents generally travel side by side and in the same direction when the accident occurs. These kinds of accidents tend to occur because commercial drivers fail to properly check their blind spots before merging into traffic or changing lanes.
Wide Turn Accidents
Right-hand turns are usually tighter than left-hand turns and require careful attention. A truck driver trying to make a right-hand turn may swing their cabs wide to the left and then circle through to avoid the right turn squeeze when they do not have enough space to make a proper turn. However, this maneuver creates a dangerous situation for vehicles in neighboring lanes. The car may crash into the trailer or even get caught underneath the truck as it swings left.
Who Is to Blame After a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are often catastrophic and complex from the start. Immediately after the accident, injured passengers may be rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and their cars are towed quickly to clear the road for oncoming traffic. The events after a truck accident can make it difficult to determine who is at fault for the accident. Various parties may be responsible for a trucking accident, including:
- Trucking companies: Truck companies may hire untrained drivers, fail to maintain their trucks, and violate FMCSA rules and regulations.
- Truck drivers: Truck drivers may drive tired, under the influence, or be distracted in some way.
- Shipping companies: The company may be negligent in packaging the truck shipment or in loading the cargo into the truck. Unsecured or improperly packaged cargo can cause the truck driver to lose control.
- Maintenance companies: Companies may cut corners to save money, such as not changing tires or brakes.
- Trucking part manufacturers: If a truck part is manufactured with a defect, it can have dire consequences.
- Passenger vehicle drivers: A driver may stop suddenly in front of a large truck, serve into their lane, or move in front of the truck without warning, maneuvering too quickly to give the driver time to respond to prevent an accident properly.
- The city or county that is responsible for maintaining the road: A roadway that is improperly maintained or contains road defects can cause severe accidents.
It’s essential to clearly establish fault after a truck accident because one or more parties may be liable.
Speak With an Experienced Escondido Truck Accident Lawyer Today
When smaller motor vehicles collide with a truck, passengers often suffer serious and life-altering injuries. When someone suffers such a significant loss at the hands of someone else’s negligence, they deserve compensation to help them cover and cope with those losses. At Setareh Law, we have diligently helped injured truck accident victims recover the monetary compensation they need to help them get back on their feet after surviving such a devastating accident.
Schedule a consultation with our firm today, so we can help you get the compensation you are owed. You can call (310) 659-1826 or fill out our contact form so that we can get back to you. We also speak Spanish.
