Were you injured in a motor vehicle accident? Did it involve a commercial truck? Was it because of the truck driver or another party’s negligent actions? If so, contact the Fremont personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw to learn about your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation from the person responsible for the crash.

It’s nearly impossible to drive anywhere in Fremont without passing a commercial truck. You can find many types on the road, from garbage and dump trucks to tractor-trailers and tankers. Unlike most vehicles, they can be up to 65 feet long and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. They also contain cargo, some of which can be extremely hazardous and flammable. These trucks can cause massive destruction in a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.

You have the right to pursue compensation from the truck driver or trucking company if they caused the crash. You should not be forced to pay out of pocket for your medical treatment and other expenses if they were entirely at fault. You can hold them liable and recover the money you’re owed so you can heal your injuries and move forward with your life.

If you want to learn more about the services OnderLaw provides and how we can help you after an accident with a commercial truck, call to speak with one of our Fremont truck accident lawyers.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw ?

Many accident victims try to handle an insurance claim without hiring a lawyer and come to regret that decision. That’s because insurance claims aren’t that simple. You might think you can take on the insurance company yourself and secure the maximum settlement available without having to pay for a lawyer. However, these companies aren’t looking out for your interests. They want to save money whenever possible. If they can find a reason to deny your claim, they will.

OnderLaw knows the tactics insurance companies often use and can create an effective plan to try to achieve your desired outcome. You don’t have to feel the burden of investigating the crash, gathering evidence, and negotiating with the insurance adjuster. We can take on that responsibility for you so you can focus on your treatment.

Our legal team has represented accident victims since 2002 and recovered over $3.5 billion in settlements. We are ready to be your advocate and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Our proven track record shows the level of commitment we give to each client that hires us. You can depend on OnderLaw to stay by your side until the end of your case.

Causes of Truck Accidents

There is an endless number of factors that can lead to a truck accident. Maneuvering a large vehicle around small cars and damaged roads is a challenge for the driver. Laws require a special license and training, so that truck drivers know how to operate a truck safely and know what to do in hazardous conditions.

Even the most experienced truck driver can make an error that places other drivers and passengers in danger. When you’re on a collision course with an out-of-control commercial truck, there isn’t much you can do to avoid to avoid sustaining injuries. Accidents like this often cause severe property damage, debilitating injuries, and even death.

Two significant factors that increase the risk of a truck accident are:

  • High center of gravity – Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity. That means they are top-heavy and more susceptible to tipping or rolling over during a collision. Jumping a curb, braking suddenly, or items shifting in the trailer can throw the vehicle off balance.
  • Poor visibility – Tractor-trailers and other large trucks have more significant blind spots than passenger cars. They’re on all four sides of the vehicle instead of just two. Truck drivers must always check their blind spots and move to another lane carefully to avoid sideswiping a car next to them.

 

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Tailgating
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Driving under the influence
  • Turning too fast
  • Sudden braking
  • Speeding
  • Failure to perform maintenance and repairs on the truck
  • Failure to yield the right of way

 

If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault with a commercial truck, call OnderLaw immediately. We could help you hold the negligent party accountable for the harm they caused and get you on the road to recovery.

Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents

Passenger vehicle occupants tend to suffer more severe injuries than the occupants of large trucks. The force placed on a person’s body during a collision can inflict immediate damage. Subsequent injuries can occur from flying debris, leaking hazardous chemicals, and other factors. Unfortunately, many people die in accidents involving commercial trucks.

Common injuries truck accidents cause include:

  • Paralysis
  • Psychological damage
  • Internal injuries
  • Loss of limb
  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord and back injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring
  • Cuts, burns, and bruises

 

Permanent disability is common after a collision with a commercial truck. The impact between the vehicle and a small car is violent. Anyone who survives can end up with significant bodily harm that causes chronic pain or loss of mobility. Many victims suffer the effects of the accident for the rest of their lives.

Who Is Responsible?

One of the most critical parts of a truck accident case is to determine fault. You need to know who caused the crash, so you know who to go after for compensation. Unfortunately, multiple parties could be involved in a situation like this. Just because the truck driver was at the wheel doesn’t necessarily mean their actions contributed.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration creates and enforces multiple regulations for everyone in the trucking industry. Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow these regulations to ensure others’ safety and prevent deadly accidents. Many people violate them, resulting in injuries to others.

The parties often involved in truck accident cases are:

  • Truck driver
  • Trucking company
  • Truck or parts manufacturer
  • Government entity responsible for maintaining the roads
  • Non-vehicle occupants, such as pedestrians and bicyclists
  • Construction company or worker
  • A third-party contractor performing work on or near roadways

 

If any of these individuals or companies are to blame for the crash, you could hold them liable for the losses you suffered.

Compensation for a Truck Accident Claim

California follows a traditional fault system regarding motor vehicle accidents. That means the at-fault driver becomes financially responsible for the accident victim’s losses. Since federal regulations require trucking companies to purchase insurance coverage for their drivers, you should have an opportunity to file a claim.

The settlement you receive will depend on the amount of available coverage, the severity of your injury, and other relevant factors. You could use the compensation to cover your past and future losses, such as:

  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement

 

You can pursue compensation for these losses in a lawsuit as well. Additionally, you might be entitled to exemplary damages from the at-fault party. This is a way of punishing the defendant for their misconduct instead of compensating you for your losses. However, you must have proof that they acted with fraud, malice, or oppression to recover this financial award.

If you decide you want to file a lawsuit, there is a specific timeframe to follow. California has a two-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the crash date if you want to pursue compensation from the at-fault party in court. If the deadline passes, you could lose your right to hold the negligent truck driver liable.

National and California Accident Statistics

In 2019, a total of 118,000 commercial trucks were involved in motor vehicle accidents that resulted in injuries in the United States. Of the 160,000 injuries that occurred, only 28.7 percent were the occupants of trucks, and 68.8 percent were the occupants of other vehicles.

There were 4,119 fatalities in truck-related crashes in the U.S. in 2019. As many as 67 percent were the occupants of non-commercial vehicles, while 16 percent were truck drivers and passengers. The highest number of deaths happened between noon and three p.m. Most fatalities were from a head-on collision.

In California the same year, 12,150 trucks were involved in accidents, causing 5,480 injuries and 460 deaths.

OnderLaw Will Help You in the Fight for Justice

Our Fremont truck accident lawyers are available 24/7 to talk to you about your case. We believe in providing one-on-one attention to every client. You will be our priority and receive the legal support, advice, and guidance you deserve. We know how much you have struggled since the crash and will be there for you every step of the way.

You are likely already burdened by the expense of treating an injury after a truck accident. We don’t want to add more expenses to your plate, which is why we take cases on contingency. You won’t have to pay us upfront for our legal services. We won’t collect our fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf.

If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a commercial truck in Fremont, do not hesitate to reach out to OnderLaw . Call us for your free consultation right now.