Common Causes of Truck Accidents

With long hours on the road powering extremely large vehicles, truck accidents seem inevitable. 

The need for trucks to transport goods from one location to the next is a crucial part of our economy.  As of April 2022, there were over 1.5 Million truck drivers employed in the United States.  Other drivers often have no problem sharing the road with trucks.  However, serious truck accidents are very common.

There are many factors that can contribute to a truck accident.  Some of the top causes include: 

• Fatigue – Drowsy driving is slowly becoming a leading source for car accidents in the US, and truck drivers are falling victim to sleepiness, too. Truck drivers often work long hours, possibly driving all night to get to their destination. If the driver is not taking adequate breaks or rest periods, they run the risk of driving drowsy.
• Driving under the influence – It is illegal for a commercial vehicle driver to drive a vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content level of 0.04 percent or higher. This is half the level of a regular driver.
• Distracted driving – Actions such as texting, playing games on a phone, changing clothes, and eating can all contribute to distracted driving.
• Reckless driving – Factors like speeding or ignoring stop signs and traffic lights can increase the risk of an accident.
• Improper truck loading  – A poorly loaded truck can lead to debris on the road, creating a danger for drivers around the area.
• Inclement weather – Rain, snow, fog and more all affect non-truck drivers.  Now imagine driving an even bigger vehicle.  Truck drivers visibility can be impaired, and slick roads can make it hard to control the vehicle.
• Lack of training – New drivers on the road may lack the experience necessary to make proper turns or drive with heavy cargo.
• Improper inspection – If a truck is not inspected properly, it could lead to complications such as break or tire failure.
• Missing a spotter – Oftentimes, a truck driver needs someone to help them back out onto the road. Not having a spotter direct them where to go, they could back into another vehicle.

Getting hit by a large truck can be horrifying.  Some trucks can weigh anywhere from 20-40 tons.

If you get in an accident with a truck, some valuable tips to follow include:

• Get medical attention.  Call 911 and make sure you and any passengers are safe post-accident.
• Call the police. Even if it doesn’t seem like a major accident, having a police officer on the scene can provide an outside, third-party report of the incident.
• Document the scene.  You should gather valuable information such as:  the truck driver’s name, phone number, and email address, their insurance information, driver’s license number (CDL information), the trucking company name and their supervisor contact, as well as the truck’s license plate number.
• You can also document the scene by taking photos and videos of the incident. These don’t have to be professional quality. Using your phone is fine.
• Get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. This may aid your potential claim.
• Contact a Los Angeles truck accident attorney for help with your case.

There are numerous reasons that could lead to truck accidents.  Whether you were hit by a garbage truck or a big rig, our LA truck accident attorneys are on your side. 

Our experienced truck accident attorneys have years of experience getting clients properly compensated.  Our Los Angeles lawyers have practice helping clientele with injuries from truck accidents such as:

• Wrongful death
• Whiplash
• Back injury
• Neck injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Our attorneys are committed to your utmost fulfillment.  We are prepared to assist you with getting the proper payment you merit for any truck accidents.  We’ve recovered millions of dollars over the years for our clients. A recent example is a truck accident case where our client received a 1,000,000 dollar settlement after getting hit by a Ford pickup in Los Angeles.

You won’t pay until we win your case.  Call us today for a free consultation.