Collisions between commercial trucks and cars or passenger trucks almost always result in life-changing injuries or tragic deaths. Because of the seriousness of these accidents, it’s important to work with an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney who will protect your rights.
Large commercial trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, semis, and tractor-trailers, account for more than their share of serious injuries and traffic deaths on America’s highways. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), large trucks are responsible for 12 percent of all traffic fatalities, even though only 3 percent of all registered vehicles are trucks and they account for only 7 percent of vehicle miles traveled.
The massive weight of an 18-wheeler, particularly at highway speed, creates tremendous force in a collision with another vehicle. The devastating impact results in death or incapacitating injury more than 50 percent of the time – usually to those in the passenger vehicle.
After a truck accident occurs, it is extremely important to hire experienced truck accident attorneys to initiate an investigation into the cause. Also, evidence must be preserved and examined by experts if necessary. Truck accidents can be caused by many factors including:
- driver inattention
- speeding
- failure to use brakes
- failure to control the truck
- unqualified drivers
- defective equipment
- passing or changing lanes in an unsafe manner
- leaving a truck on the road
- drug or alcohol use
- following too closely
Accidents can be caused by the employer trucking company such as failing to properly train, violation of statutes or regulations, encouraging drivers to speed, hiring of poor drivers, improper supervision of drivers, failure to screen for drug or alcohol abuses and improper maintenance of the vehicles. They can also be caused when somebody negligently entrusts a truck to an unsafe driver.
Sacramento 18-Wheeler Crash Lawyers
Large commercial vehicles come in many shapes and sizes; some of them even have more than one familiar name. Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, dump trucks, flatbeds, or lowboys. The bigger they are, the more potential for serious damage in an accident, especially on the highway at high speeds. Between the transportation companies, insurance companies, hospital bills, and other damages, chances are you will need an attorney who has the resources and experience dealing with commercial vehicle lawsuits.
We will investigate to find the responsible parties. The trucking company may be headquartered in another state. The company may have multiple names and entities under which it operates. What entity owned the 18-wheeler? What company employed the driver? Our law firm will find out.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a traffic accident involving a semi-truck, contact an experienced Sacramento 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney today for a free consultation.
