Inland Empire’s Premier Truck Accident Attorneys
Commercial vehicle accidents are some of the most dangerous traffic accidents in California. After an accident, you may be eligible for monetary compensation.
Large commercial vehicles, also known as tractor-trailers, big rigs, or semi trucks, have an all-too-common presence on the network of highways and roads in the Inland Empire. These vehicles are essential to the country’s economy, as they transport goods throughout the nation.
While vital to the economy, the sheer size and weight of these vehicles pose a threat to the hundreds of thousands of regular passenger vehicles they routinely share the road with. When a regular passenger vehicle collides with a large commercial vehicle, the consequences can be devastating.
Obtain the Compensation You Need to Recover – Speak to a Knowledgeable Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a big rig, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. As a victim, there may be an opportunity to seek financial compensation from the truck driver or the company that employs him or her; however, fighting for fair compensation will not be easy. Truckers and trucking companies will usually be covered by insurance companies that will fight aggressively against all claims. Speak to a well-versed truck accident attorney who has the right experience in navigating these cases and will help you obtain the maximum amount of restitution available.
The attorneys at Castillo & Associates have committed their careers to the pursuit of helping victims obtain the compensation they deserve following a negligent accident.
With over 30 years of qualified experience and having successfully helped over 10,000 accident victims, the firm is exceptionally versed in the most challenging truck accident claims.
Attorney Domingo Castillo, as a prior insurance claims adjuster and senior claims examiner, has been in the insurance claims industry for over 30 years and handled thousands of cases for insurance carriers such as Allstate, Cigna and more. If you were injured in a truck accident, consider contacting the attorneys for a free, no-risk consultation.
Accidents Specific to Large Commercial Vehicles
As previously mentioned, one of the main reasons why a truck-related accident can be very dangerous is its grand size and weight when compared to regular passenger vehicles. These two factors, however, can also contribute to truck-specific accidents, which involve:
Jackknifing Accidents
These accidents occur when the truck’s trailer moves independently from the tractor pulling it, which often causes the trailer to swing from side to side. A jackknife accident is usually caused by an inadequate braking technique, wet or slippery road conditions, an equipment failure, making a quick turn, or driving too fast given current road conditions.
Car Underride Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car underride crashes totaled a number of 2,019 fatalities from 2008 to 2017. Underride accidents can occur when a regular passenger vehicle runs under the trailer of a large commercial vehicle. When this happens, the passenger compartment of the vehicle can be completely crushed, ultimately killing or severely injuring those inside. Currently, the Department of Transportation requires large commercial vehicles to have a safety bar, also known as an underride guard to prevent these types of crashes. Unfortunately, the department does not require these to be inspected.
Runaway Trailer Accidents
When there is a hitch failure, reckless driving, inadequately attached trailer, or slippery road conditions, it is possible for a trailer to become detached from the truck. Leaving the trailer to continue traveling down the road can place anyone on that road in serious danger.
Accidents Caused By Careless Turning
When a large commercial vehicle needs to make a turn, it will usually occupy two lanes to make the turn. Depending on the street, this can create a hazard for any vehicles nearby. Truck drivers have a duty to make turns as carefully as possible, but they do have blidspots other drivers may not be aware of.
Establishing Liability Following a Truck Accident
In the aftermath of a trucking accident, there may be an opportunity to recover compensation. As a victim, you should know that there may be multiple parties you may be able to hold accountable for your injuries, including:
- The owner of the large commercial vehicle,
- The company that has hired the truck driver,
- The truck driver,
- The manufacturer of the defective truck part,
- The company that has made repairs to the truck,
- The company in charge of maintaining the truck,
- The party responsible for maintaining the road, and
- The party responsible for designing the road
The aforementioned parties can all be held liable for their contribution in causing the accident by virtue of California’s pure comparative negligence rule. Although this can mean a better likelihood of attaining maximum compensation in a claim, it will also lead to a complex case that may demand the support of an experienced personal injury attorney.
Following a Trucking Accident, Speak to a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney
Undoubtedly, large commercial vehicles can cause serious harm to those they share the road with. When this occurs, the victims have the legal right to seek monetary compensation from those responsible.
If you or someone you love was injured as a result of a truck accident, speak to a skilled attorney who will defend the right to a fair compensation.
The attorneys at Castillo & Associates are highly skilled in the most complex truck accident cases in the Inland Empire. Among their many accolades, the law firm has successfully helped well over 10,000 accidents victims recover financial compensation for their grievances. Following an accident, get the compensation you deserve; consider contacting the support of the talented attorneys at Castillo & Associates today.
