Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer

A truck accident can lead to severe injuries for all parties involved in the crash.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, the Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at C&B Law Group are ready to help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

We have years of combined experience helping personal injury victims recover damages following an accident.

Truck drivers account for hundreds of billions of miles driven across the US each year. Despite being in much larger vehicles, they are still exposed to accidents that can greatly affect not only them, but drivers of other vehicles around them.

Types of Trucks

There are different types of trucks on the road, usually broken down as being light, medium, or heavy.

Light trucks are the smallest, and might include:

• Tow Trucks
• Smaller Delivery Trucks
• Company Van

Medium trucks are heavier, and are usually used for hauling larger items to farther destinations. They may include:

• Box Truck
• Delivery Truck
• Flatbed Truck

Heavy trucks are the largest (over 26,ooo pounds). They may include:

• Garbage Truck
• Dump Truck
• 18-Wheeler Truck

A commercial drivers license is required to operate many of these trucks.

What is a Commercial Drivers License?

A commercial drivers license (CDL) is required for many drivers to operate larger or heavy-duty trucks.

A CDL is required by the California Department of Transportation for those who need to drive:

• Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,000 pounds which is designed, used, or maintained to transport more than 10 passengers (including the driver).
• A combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle that tows another vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• Any vehicle that tows more than 1 vehicle or a trailer bus.
• Any size vehicle which requires hazardous material placards or carries material listed as a select agent or toxin in Code of Federal Regulations.
• Any vehicle that transports hazardous wastes.

There are three types of CDL’s.

• Class A – a driver can operate any legal combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross combination weight rating of the vehicle(s) being towed is more than 10,001 pounds.
• Class B – a driver can operate a vehicle with a gross combination weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, or any vehicle towing a vehicle weighing no more than 10,000 pounds gross combination weight rating, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 pounds.
• Class C – a driver can operate a vehicle with one or more of the following: ha vehicle with hazardous materials, a passenger vehicle, or a tank vehicle.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are multiple factors that can affect a truck driver and lead to an accident, such as:

Fatigue – truck drivers are often on the road for long periods of time.  California law states that truck drivers are required to take a 30-minute  break for every five hours worked and a 10-minute  break after every four-hour period.

Just because this is the law doesn’t mean every truck driver will follow suit. An overnight drive could result in excessive fatigue for the driver.

Additionally, studies estimate that sleep apnea affects 28 percent of all truck drivers. Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes brief interruptions in breathing while one is asleep.

If a truck driver is not managing their sleep apnea properly, the risk of falling asleep at the wheel can increase.

Speeding – truck drivers carrying large loads and rigs need to follow all signals and rules of the road. Driving at excessive speeds with such heavy gear might cause further damage in the event of a crash.

In California, truck speeds on freeways are generally 10-15 miles per hour lower than a standard motor vehicle.

Distracted driving – a truck driver needs to pay attention to their surroundings. If a driver loses focus for even a split second, they run the risk of getting in an accident.

Examples of distracted driving can include texting, eating, or making phone calls.

Alcohol/Drug use – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs of any kind can greatly increase the chances of an accident.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol will slow your reaction time and reduce your coordination. If a truck driver tries operating a large vehicle with a lack any or all of these, they could cause a serious injury-inducing crash.

Blind Spots – sometimes, you might see a truck, by the driver can’t see you. This occurs when you are in the truck’s blind spot.

Blind spots are areas of vision obstructed from complete viewing. Oftentimes, trucks have text on the truck to warn other drivers that they are not within their view.

Vehicle Issues – just like other motor vehicles, trucks can have issues as well. This may include problems with tires, breaks, mirrors, and more.

Weather – while a majority of days in California are sunny, there are still days of rain or high winds across the Golden state. Rain can make roads slick, and strong enough winds can push trucks over, forcing them to collapse.

California Truck Accident Statistics

• 398 people died as a result of truck accidents across the Golden State in 2020
• More than 300 people die each year in California from a crash involving a large truck.
• Most fatal truck accidents occur in Los Angeles County.
• Other areas with a high number of truck fatalities include San Bernardino County, San Diego County, Kern County, and Riverside County.
• Most fatal truck accidents in California occur on highways, notably I-5, I-10, State Route 99, and U.S. Route 101.
• When passenger vehicles are involved in an accident with a large truck, the aftermath is almost always worse for the occupant of the passenger vehicle. Among fatal two-vehicle crashes involving an automobile and a large truck in 2019, automobile occupants accounted for 97% of the deaths while large truck occupants accounted for just 3%.

Injuries

Accidents involving a truck can be especially devastating. These vehicles are much larger, heavier, and difficult to control than surrounding vehicles.

Below is a list of some compensable resulting injuries from a severe truck accident:

• Wrongful Death
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Broken bones/fractures
• Whiplash
• Disfigurement
• Cuts and lacerations
• Scarring
• Nerve injuries and damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Whether it was a big rig, dump truck, or box truck, you deserve proper compensation after a truck accident. Our team of truck accident attorneys are prepared to help.

It’s not unlikely for an insurance company to make a low offer just to settle. It can be tempting to accept to avoid any conflict, but our experienced attorneys at C&B Law Group are here to fight for the financial compensation that you deserve.

Contact us today to learn more about a free consultation.