Any motor vehicle accident is scary and has the potential to cause serious harm, but trucking crashes are especially frightening. Commercial trucks like 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, delivery vehicles, tractor-trailers, and tankers are typically much larger than other vehicles on the road, which means they can cause devastating injuries and damages in crashes. In these wrecks, it’s usually the occupants of other vehicles besides the truck who are seriously injured or killed.
When innocent victims are injured in truck accidents, they can seek justice and maximum compensation for the losses they suffer. At Demas Law Group, we’re here to help truck collision victims fight for their rights in Sacramento. We’ve been serving clients across Sacramento and the surrounding areas for more than 25 years, and we have helped recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Our experienced Sacramento truck accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting people who are unjustly injured and holding those who hurt them accountable. We don’t even charge clients unless we help them win their case.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, contact Demas Law Group right away to schedule your free consultation. Call us today or chat with us online. You can also visit our Sacramento office and talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer today!
Who Is Liable for a Commercial Truck Crash?
Many different parties might be liable in truck accidents, and it’s often challenging for victims to figure out who is responsible for compensating them for their injuries. In the majority of accidents, the truck drivers hold at least some responsibility for the wreck.
Truck drivers depend on their ability to drive to make a living and support their families, so they are often some of the safest drivers on the road. However, they also face many pressures beyond those of typical drivers. Drivers of commercial trucks must meet tight delivery timelines, so they might feel like they have to speed, drive on very little sleep, or cut corners while loading or maintaining their vehicle.
Although federal and state laws are supposed to prevent trucking companies from forcing drivers to operate under unsafe conditions and help keep truckers and everyone around them safe, truckers and their employers sometimes act wrongfully or recklessly.
Truck drivers are vulnerable to some of the same risks as everyone else on the road. They might feel tempted to text while driving, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or behave aggressively towards other drivers who cut them off or fail to yield the right-of-way.
The trucker’s employer might also hold some responsibility for accidents caused by their employee’s negligence if the crash happened while the trucker was acting within the regular scope of their employment.
The employer might also be liable if they:
- Encouraged the driver to break the law by driving longer without sleeping or skipping breaks.
- Hired someone without an authorized commercial driver’s license.
- Failed to properly train the driver or perform appropriate background checks.
- Allowed the trucker to continue working despite concerning medical conditions or in spite of concerns with their driving or background record.
Other parties that might be liable in truck crashes include the owner of the truck if it’s different from the driver’s employer, the truck’s manufacturer, the person or company responsible for maintaining the vehicle, and the company that loaded or owns the cargo. Additionally, other drivers on the road or government agencies might hold some responsibility for the crash, depending on the circumstances.
If you were injured in a collision with a commercial truck in the Sacramento area, our experienced truck accident attorneys can help make this process less stressful for you by using their knowledge and resources to help determine all the parties that are liable for your particular crash.
Claiming Compensation for Losses in a Large Truck Accident
It’s typically difficult for victims of truck wrecks to get the full compensation they deserve if they try to handle the case on their own. However, a knowledgeable truck collision attorney can help victims fight for their rights and seek maximum compensation.
Some types of compensation that victims can typically recover in large truck accidents include:
- Medical bills like ambulance transportation, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and doctor visits
- Disability accommodations
- In-home or other full-time care
- Future medical expenses, such as follow-up appointments, therapies, specialist visits, rehabilitation, medical devices, and specialized equipment
- Wages lost while recovering from the accident
- Loss of ability to earn income in the future
- Cost of services to perform household tasks and childcare services if the victim’s injuries prevent them from handling these daily activities
- Loss of ability to participate in enjoyable activities like hobbies and sports
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
If a close family member was killed in a crash involving a large commercial vehicle, then you might also be eligible to receive wrongful death compensation. While this compensation won’t make up for the loss of a loved one, it can help survivors cover some of the damages caused by these tragic accidents, such as funeral costs, loss of the loved one’s income, and compensation for the loss of the loved one’s comfort, care, support, and guidance.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Sacramento
Nearly 5,000 people are killed each year in the U.S. in crashes involving large trucks or buses, and California is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for these types of accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Truck accidents include circumstances like rollovers, jackknifing, underrides, and rear-end and head-on collisions.
Some of the most common causes of these terrifying wrecks include:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue
- Driving under the influence of prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Other reckless drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists on the road
- Poor weather conditions
- Manufacturer defects
- Brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, and other equipment failures
- Unsecured cargo
- Dangerous road hazards
- Unbalanced loads
What to Do If I Am Hit by a Commercial Vehicle
If you are hit by a commercial vehicle, the first priority is your health. These accidents often cause major injuries that aren’t always obvious, so it’s important to have your injuries evaluated by a physician as soon as possible. The doctor can help you get the treatment you need, plus they can provide you with a medical report that could serve as a critical piece of evidence in your truck accident claim.
It’s also essential to gather other pieces of evidence to help prove the cause of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage as soon as possible after the crash.
Additionally, if the police came to the scene of your accident, then you can request a copy of their official accident report. It’s also important to gather the names and contact information of anyone involved in the crash and any eyewitnesses.
It’s vital to contact a trusted truck accident attorney in Sacramento as soon as possible. Insurance companies often try to take advantage of victims by talking them into accepting a low settlement offer or tricking victims into saying something they can use to reject or reduce their claim.
However, a knowledgeable truck collision lawyer can deal with the insurance company for you, so you don’t have to risk making a costly mistake. They can help protect your rights and help fight for the maximum compensation you’re owed.
How Can Demas Law Group Help Me?
Truck accidents are often some of the most devastating collisions on the road. That’s why Demas Law Group is here to support innocent victims of these traumatic accidents and help them pursue the maximum compensation they deserve.
Our experienced truck accident attorneys can help you deal with all of the details of your case, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. They can help you understand your legal options, fully investigate your case, and help you gather the evidence needed to support your claim.
The skilled lawyers at Demas Law Group can also negotiate with insurance companies and the other parties’ representatives on your behalf, fight for the full compensation you’re owed, and help answer any questions you might have along the way. If you were injured in a major collision involving a commercial truck, don’t wait a moment longer to get on the road to recovery.
Contact Demas Law Group today to set up your no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable and compassionate truck accident lawyers. The initial consultation is free, plus we won’t charge you anything unless we help you recover compensation for your accident.
To get started, call us today or chat with us online.
