Truck Accidents: What's Next for Victims?
California ranks second when it comes to the number of trucking accidents, with Texas leading the pack.
Unfortunately, because of their size, might, and power, collisions involving large commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries. When these accidents involve smaller vehicles or motorcycles, the results are disastrous.
Outcomes of Truck Accidents
Some of the kinds of injuries that truck accident victims often sustain include the following:
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Concussions
• Dislocations
• Crush injuries
• Lost limbs and amputations
• Facial fractures
The above and other injuries that truck accident victims can sustain may result in substantial losses, including significant medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and physical and emotional pain and suffering. Death is also a possible outcome of a trucking accident.
Any of these injuries and outcomes can change life as you know it, whether you are the victim of an accident or your loved one is. As such, seeking compensation for the same can be of great help in the period after the accident.
This is one of the services we offer at the law offices of Adrianos Facchetti. With 15 years of experience, we have become adept at representing our clients aggressively to win the highest settlements possible.
When someone else is culpable for your pain and suffering, we believe it’s only fair that they take actions to ease the new circumstances you find yourself in.
But the question begs, aren’t accidents just that: unintentional accidental occurrences?
Well. Yes and no. Let’s delve deeper into this.
Trucking Accidents Causes
Some road accidents can be out of bad luck and circumstances that no one would have foreseen or prevented. Others are caused by human error and even negligence.
One of the critical things in determining whether you can successfully sue for compensation after a trucking accident is determining what causes the accident in the first place.
Below are some common causes of trucking accidents.
Truck Driver Error
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver errors are ten times more likely to cause an accident than other reasons.
This can occur in four main ways:
Non-performance: where the driver fell asleep at the wheel or was impaired by a seizure, heart attack, or other reasons. There are several reasons why a driver can fall asleep at the wheel, including exhaustion and alcohol, and drug use.
Recognition: a driver was distracted by something inside or outside their vehicle, impairing their attention. Or their failure to observe an impending road disaster for other reasons.
Decision: the driver was overspeeding, driving too close to the motorist ahead of them, or misjudged the speed of other vehicles.
Performance: a driver panicked, overcompensated, or exhibited poor vehicle directional control.
Equipment Failure
Companies and drivers must inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly throughout the year. When drivers or companies fail to do this or take shortcuts, mechanical failures can occur, with catastrophic results. Examples of such negligence include:
• Faulty or poorly maintained brakes or lights, more so turning signals
• Worn tires or improperly inflated tires
• Unbalanced cargo
• Overall poor maintenance and vehicle servicing
• Transition failures
• Part manufacturing defects
Negligent Hiring
There are strict hiring practices to be employed when hiring commercial truck drivers. These include background checks, contacting referees, and so on. If an inexperienced driver is hired negligently and causes an accident, the company he works for can be held liable.
Aside from hiring diligently, companies are also expected to conduct occasional training to ensure their drivers meet industry standards, are safe, and know how to recognize and manage road hazards and those related to their vehicles.
HR Policies
As business gets more competitive, some companies overlook some basic requirements by surpassing driving hours and imposing unreasonable deadlines.
Lack of sleep and work pressure doesn’t create the best environment for commercial truck drivers. If a company is guilty of this, it can be liable for an accident.
So Who Is Held Liable?
Trucking accidents can get rather complex, which is why it helps to have a reputable Burbank truck accident attorney on board. One of the things that need to be determined is liability.
After an accident, one or more parties can be held liable for it. These include:
• The driver
• The owner of the truck or trailer
• The cargo loader
• The truck’s manufacturer or truck parts manufacturer
• The contractor or local authority charged with designing or maintaining a highway
Once you make a compensation claim, the insurer for the liable party also comes into play. Insurers will quickly be out of business if they pay all claims or hand out large amounts of cash in compensation. So the insurance company, through its investigators and assessors, will try and give you a lowball offer or find cause to dismiss your claim.
Truck accident attorney Adrianos Facchetti has years of experience with compensation claims, settlement negotiation, and litigation. Once on board, his job is to investigate, find all reasonable defenses for your claim and work towards getting you the highest settlement possible.
What Can You Get Compensation for After a Trucking Accident?
If your Burbank truck accident attorney can fight your case successfully, you could be entitled to compensation for the damages incurred. These include:
• Medical expense
• Loss of income or wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Loss of enjoyment
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral or burial expenses (for the loss of a loved one)
Don’t Go It Alone
If you have lost a loved one to a trucking accident or have gotten injured in one, time is of the essence. Every day that goes by without you taking action weakens your case.
And while you can demand compensation without a lawyer, it’s never advisable. The value of an experienced, qualified legal mind that can navigate through the complexities of negotiating such a claim cannot be understated.
Whether you want an initial consultation or a second opinion, super attorney Adrianos Facchetti is happy to listen to the particulars of your case and suggest a way forward. So contact us today, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
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If you have been in an accident and require trustworthy representation, consider working with the Law Offices of Adrianos Facchetti. Our team will work aggressively to make sure that the guilty party pays for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
For added convenience, we are fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. To receive the personal attention that you deserve, call us today.
Let’s talk about your case.