Truck Accident Lawyer
Your Recovery, Our Drive
If you reside, work, or otherwise commute in and around Hollister and San Benito, California, you have likely been inconvenienced—at the very least—by the increased traffic caused by area construction. There is no easy way in or out of Hollister, and the recent construction has only made it worse. Large commercial trucks are forced onto the small area highways, leading to an influx in truck accidents on Highway 156, 152, and 25. Recently, a multi-vehicle accident on Highway 152 involving a semi-truck and at least two other vehicles led to significant injuries and vehicle damage.
If you or someone you love was recently injured in an incident involving a big rig, you should consult a California truck accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. If you live in Hollister, or anywhere in California, you have rights available to you. Read on to learn more.
Common Types of Big Rig Accidents
Commercial tractor-trailer trucks have a unique size, design, and moveability. Because of this, in addition to traditional types of accidents (e.g., rear end, front impact, etc.), several types of accidents are common and unique to these trucks.
Jackknife Accidents
You have probably heard the term, “jackknifed tractor-trailer” before, and that is because it is a common type of big rig accident. A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab. The truck ends up in an “L” shape with the trailer at a 90-degree angle to the cab. Jackknife accidents can be catastrophic for several reasons. As the truck is jackknifing, it can wipe out other cars sharing the roadway. It can also very quickly block lanes of traffic, causing accidents when other cars are attempting to stop suddenly. Jackknife accidents have the potential to cause massive pile-ups.
Rollover Accidents
Trucks have a high center of gravity and a tall stature, making them at a greater risk of rolling over. The risk increases when the trailer’s cargo load is unevenly distributed.
Override Accidents
Override accidents can be devastating to the passengers in the car in front of the truck. Override accidents are as they sound and happen when the truck drives over the top of the car in front of it. Because the truck is so much larger, it can crush the car it rides over.
Underride Accidents
As you may have guessed, underride accidents are the exact opposite of override crashes and happen when a car rear-ends a tractor-trailer, causing it to go underneath it. These types of truck accidents usually occur when the truck is stopped or driving slowly and a car collides into the back at a high rate of speed. Unfortunately, the consequences of underride accidents can be immediate, catastrophic, and deadly.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are infinite causes for truck accidents, and many are similar to those of any motor vehicle. However, there are some causes for truck accidents that we routinely see in Hollister, California.
Inadequate Rest and Sleep
Commercial truck drivers spend countless hours on the road, often for long periods without a break or rest. While certain regulations mandate the amount of rest per time spent driving, drivers often rush to meet delivery deadlines and ignore those guidelines.
Unqualified Drivers
All big rig drivers are required to have, at minimum, a valid commercial driver’s license, and there are often additional qualifications that drivers of certain trucks must meet. However, it is sadly all too often that unqualified drivers end up behind the wheel. This may happen when the trucking company fails to perform thorough background and driving record checks. The company itself can be held liable for its negligent hiring practices should one of its drivers cause an accident and injuries.
Dangerous Cargo Load
Improper or unsafe cargo loads can lead directly to accidents, especially rollover accidents. If the weight in the trailer is not evenly distributed, it can be catastrophic.
Mechanical and Manufacturer Defects
Commercial trucks spend an exorbitant amount of time on the road, much more so than the average private passenger vehicle. They must be well maintained and inspected for mechanical or manufacturing defects. Inadequate maintenance, a manufacturing defect, or failure to properly maintain a big rig can cause an accident.
Other common causes of truck accidents include driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and distracted driving (e.g., texting, eating, or talking on the phone while behind the wheel). No matter the cause, the consequences of a truck collision can be horrific. After seeking necessary medical treatment, you should speak with a seasoned California truck accident lawyer.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?
In a truck accident, there may be several parties that are potentially liable for your injuries. It is not always as simple as the truck driver being liable. The trucking company, manufacturer, mechanic, warehouse, shipping company, and more may be partially responsible for causing the accident. Identifying and proving party liability to ensure maximum compensation is more difficult than it sounds.
In California, an employer can be held vicariously liable for its employee’s negligence when the employee is acting within the ordinary scope of his or her employment and, as a result of the employee’s actions, someone is injured. This is often the case in truck accidents. In other words, the trucking company may be liable for the negligence of its driver-employee.
Gonzalez & Jones, APC, has the experience, skill, and resources necessary to assist you in identifying all possibly liable parties.
Do I Need a California Truck Accident Lawyer?
There is no legal requirement that you hire a lawyer to pursue a truck accident claim or lawsuit. However, these wrecks often cause severe injury and damage, and a claim can quickly become complex. Investigating and determining liability can be challenging and time-consuming. It is best to have an experienced truck accident lawyer advocating on your behalf, negotiating with the insurance companies, and arguing at trial if necessary. Our team can handle your case from inception through finish while you focus on your recovery.
Truck Accident Attorney, California
At Gonzalez & Jones, APC, we are a boutique law firm providing a small, family-friendly approach with big firm results to our clients for the last 40 years. Truck accidents can have long-lasting consequences on your life. Let us help you get the recognition, justice, and compensation you and your family deserve! Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Call us at 408-848-2208 or use our online contact form to set up your consultation.
