The most destructive collisions on our roads include truck accidents. The impact of a massive commercial truck hitting a passenger vehicle usually results in catastrophic consequences.
Protecting your rights and seeking compensation after a truck accident demands knowledge of common causes and legal implications. Many victims find themselves seeking a truck accident lawyer in San Diego to navigate the complex legal landscape that follows these serious crashes.
The number of deaths from large truck crashes decreased by 11% YoY in 2023 with 4,807 fatalities compared to 5,417 in 2022 according to FreightWaves analysis from July 2024. Truck accidents continue to pose a major safety threat to road users despite positive trends.
What You’ll Uncover
- Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Physical Factors Contributing to Truck Accident Severity
- Legal Implications Following a Truck Accident
- Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
- How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The initial step toward preventing truck accidents and determining liability is recognizing the root causes of these collisions. Here are the most common factors:
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers must handle tough schedules and meet strict delivery deadlines. This can lead to:
- Driving beyond the legally permitted hours
- Inadequate rest between shifts
- Long stretches of monotonous highway driving
The FMCSA sets service hour regulations for commercial drivers yet violations of these rules happen often.
Distracted Driving
Approximately 3,308 people died on U.S. roads due to distracted driving in 2022 with full statistics for 2023 yet to be published. Truck drivers face increased danger from distractions because they require extended stopping distances and experience diminished maneuverability.
- Longer stopping distances needed
- Reduced maneuverability
- Greater potential for catastrophic outcomes
Common distractions include:
- Cell phone use
- GPS programming
- Eating while driving
- Paperwork completion
Inadequate Training
The operation of commercial trucks demands specific skills and knowledge. Inadequate training can lead to:
- Poor decision-making in hazardous conditions
- Improper braking techniques
- Inability to safely navigate tight spaces
- Lack of knowledge about blind spots
Improper Maintenance
Commercial trucks operate over thousands of miles monthly which makes regular maintenance essential. Improper maintenance of these vehicles leads to dangerous malfunctions like brake failures and tire blowouts.
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Steering malfunctions
- Lighting problems
Impaired Driving
Despite strict substance use regulations for commercial drivers existing there is still impairment-related driving. This includes:
- Alcohol consumption
- Illegal drug use
- Misuse of prescription medications
- Use of over-the-counter medicines that cause drowsiness
Physical Factors Contributing to Truck Accident Severity
The significant weight difference between trucks and passenger vehicles leads to more severe accidents because trucks are 20-30 times heavier than cars.
Size and Weight Disparities
Fully loaded commercial trucks reach a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds but passenger vehicles average around 4,000 pounds. This enormous weight difference means:
- Greater force in collisions
- Increased stopping distances
- More severe damage to smaller vehicles
- Higher likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities
Underride Collisions
Smaller vehicles sliding under truck trailers during accidents result in some of the most devastating truck collisions. These underride collisions frequently result in fatalities since they can cut through the passenger vehicle’s roof.
Blind Spots
Commercial trucks feature large blind spots known as “no-zones” where smaller cars become invisible to truck drivers. These include:
- Directly behind the trailer
- Along both sides of the trailer
- Immediately in front of the truck
- Directly beside the cab
Legal Implications Following a Truck Accident
In 2023 there were 170,716 large truck crashes across the nation while injury-crash rates showed considerable variation between states because of differences in traffic volume and road conditions. The legal environment becomes much more complicated when truck accidents occur compared to regular car accidents.
Multiple Potentially Liable Parties
Beyond the driver, liability in truck accident cases might involve multiple parties.
- The trucking company
- The truck’s ownership may fall to another party besides the company.
- The maintenance provider
- The cargo loader
- Parts manufacturers
- Government entities responsible for road conditions
Federal Regulations
The federal rules governing commercial truck operations do not apply to passenger vehicles. Breaking these regulations becomes a key factor in determining liability.
- Hours of service regulations
- Maintenance requirements
- Licensing and training standards
- Weight and loading restrictions
Insurance Complexities
Insurance coverage limits for commercial trucks are usually higher than those for passenger vehicles. This means:
- More potential compensation is available
- Insurance companies fight harder to minimize payouts
- Multiple insurance policies may be involved
Evidence Preservation
The preservation of essential evidence falls under the responsibility of trucking companies which includes:
- Driver logs
- Black box data
- Maintenance records
- Driver qualification files
- Drug and alcohol testing results
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
Taking immediate action following a truck accident can greatly affect your chances of receiving damage recovery.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority. Some injuries might not show up right away even though you feel fine after an accident.
Document the Scene
Make an effort to collect evidence from the accident scene if you can.
- Take photos of all vehicles involved
- Photograph the surrounding area
- Record witness contact information
- Note any visible skid marks or debris
Report the Accident
You need to submit an official police report following the accident. The official document serves as a critical record of the incident.
Avoid Making Statements
Exercise caution in your conversations with insurance adjusters and trucking company representatives. Avoid:
- Admitting fault
- Speculating about causes
- Discussing your injuries before being fully evaluated
- Accepting quick settlement offers
Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney
The complex nature of truck accident cases makes it essential to seek the expertise of an experienced truck accident lawyer. They can help:
- Preserve critical evidence
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Navigate complex insurance issues
- Calculate fair compensation
- Handle communications with insurance companies
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Handling truck accident cases requires extensive specialized knowledge and resources. An experienced truck accident lawyer can:
Conduct a Thorough Investigation
This includes:
- Accessing and analyzing black box data
- Reviewing driver logs for hours-of-service violations
- Examining maintenance records
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts
- Interviewing witnesses
Handle Complex Legal Issues
Truck accident cases often involve:
- Multiple liable parties
- Various insurance policies
- Federal and state regulations
- Corporate defense teams
Calculate Comprehensive Damages
A capable attorney ensures thorough damage assessments cover all necessary aspects.
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Property damage
Negotiate Effectively
Insurance firms serving trucking businesses possess extensive experience in reducing financial payouts. Through their negotiation expertise knowledgeable attorneys restore fairness to legal disputes.
Litigate When Necessary
Should negotiations fail to produce a fair settlement your attorney must stand ready to bring your case before a court.
Wrapping Up The Road Ahead
The number of injuries from truck accidents exceeds 86,842 each year which establishes them as a persistent threat on roadways even though fatalities show a downward trend. Preventing truck accidents and protecting your rights in collisions requires knowledge of the accident causes and associated legal consequences.
The size differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles create highly dangerous crash situations and the complicated legal environment requires specialized legal support.
Seeking legal advice from a truck accident lawyer who has substantial experience helps you claim deserved compensation and regain control over your life following a severe truck accident.
The trucking companies and insurance firms employ legal teams to safeguard their interests so you should have your own legal expert working equally hard for your benefit.