Experienced Truck Collision Lawyers In Southern California
When cars are involved in truck accidents, the results are often disastrous. Commercial trucks, particularly tractor-trailers, can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Collisions with these massive vehicles often cause serious injuries and fatalities. Personal injury cases involving trucks can be very complicated as multiple parties may have liability. The San Diego truck accident attorneys at the law firm of Martinez & Schill LLP are skilled in handling these complex cases. We begin immediately protecting our clients’ rights and will aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your damages.
Causes Of Truck Accidents On California Highways
Whether they’re handling interstate or intrastate commerce, commercial trucks are common on California roads and highways. With a significant weight advantage over other motor vehicles, trucks often dominate the roadways. Unfortunately, when they are not driven safely, serious accidents can occur. According to the California Highway Patrol, over 5,000 people were injured in collisions involving trucks in 2012, and over 200 were killed.
There are numerous causes of truck accidents, including:
- Driver fatigue: When drivers exceed federal regulations for work hours and are too tired to drive safely
- Driver negligence: Reckless driving, speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driver error: Due to improper training or lack of training
- Mechanical failure: For example, loss of brake control
- Excessive weight: When the truck is overloaded, which can cause it to be more difficult to control and can affect the stopping distance
- Improper loading of cargo: When cargo is not loaded or secured properly, which can cause the truck to be off balance or cargo to fall from the truck into the roadway
Why Hire An Experienced San Diego Semi-Truck Accident Attorney?
Trucking companies can have significant exposure if one of their trucks are involved in a tractor-trailer accident because the injuries from commercial trucking accidents often turn out to be very severe. A truck company is likely to call out an experienced team of experts to the scene of the accident right away, since the liability from a serious truck accident could cost them millions of dollars. These investigators are supposed to collect evidence that favors the truck company to diminish evidence that may be harmful to the trucking company and try to obtain victim or witness statements.
Because of this, it is crucial that a victim involved in a truck accident talk with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so that the lawyer can perform their own investigation into the cause and scene of the accident from the victim’s vantage point in order to preserve evidence. A lawyer will promptly collect evidence prior to it being compromised or lost and examine the circumstances in order to locate any occurrences of truck driver negligence or fault, truck company carelessness and other potential causes of the accident, including:
- Equipment failure (as a result of a defect)
- Negligent maintenance
- Speeding (often the result of demanding delivery schedules)
- Failure to comply with federal regulations
- Consistent negligent hiring methods
Large semi trucks often weigh more than 10,000 pounds and can weigh up to 75,000 pounds. An accident with a truck, tractor-trailer, semi truck,18-wheeler, delivery truck or any other massive commercial truck often results in significant and sometimes fatal personal injuries. Therefore, other motorists on the roadway, such as those driving or riding cars, bicycles and motorcycles, and especially pedestrians are at a major disadvantage when they are involved in collisions with big-rig trucks.
It is imperative that you contact a San Diego truck accident attorney before you even talk to a truck company representative. Trucking companies will often bring a representative to the scene of the trucking accident right away to try to reduce their liability and persuade the injured victim to prematurely sign a settlement agreement and give up their ability to make a claim for their truck accident injuries.
Greater San Diego Big-Rig Accident Lawyers At Martinez & Schill LLP
At the San Diego Law Firm of Martinez & Schill LLP, our attorneys understand the difficulties faced by victims of truck accidents and their families. Our lawyers will be by your side every step of the way and will explain all your legal rights and options during every stage of the process. Our personal injury attorneys are familiar with and experienced in the law as it relates to truck accidents, including state and federal regulations that govern trucking companies, and they are well-versed in proving truck driver negligence through truck accident lawsuits in San Diego and Southern California.
We commonly work with experts specifically trained to evaluate truck accidents who can examine the evidence to conclude whether the accident occurred as a result of an engine malfunction, cargo overload or improper blind spot mirrors. Our team will interview all witnesses to the accident, including the truck driver if possible, to ascertain the cause of the accident, such as speeding, distracted truck driving involving a cellphone or other device, driver fatigue or driving under the influence.
One of our firm partners will personally oversee every phase of your case. Should the trucking company, truck driver, its insurance company or any other responsible parties refuse to offer a full settlement for your personal injuries and losses, our truck accident lawyers will file a San Diego truck accident lawsuit in order to obtain full compensation for your injuries in a court of law.
Our attorneys are experienced in handling truck accident cases and know how to investigate who is at fault and who is liable for your damages. Hiring an attorney immediately following the accident is essential so that the investigation can start right away and you are not pressured into settling your case for less than you are owed.
Get Help Today
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a truck, contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We are experienced in handling all types of motor vehicle accidents and will provide you with a thorough assessment of your legal options. We offer flexible appointment hours for consultations. If you are unable to travel because of your injuries, we will come to you. All of our fees are handled on a contingency basis, so there is no financial risk in pursuing the compensation you are due. Call our San Diego office at 619-512-5995 or our Riverside office at 951-290-3367.