When commercial trucks are involved in accidents, they often cause considerable harm to the occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Truck companies and truck drivers are subject to strict state and federal safety regulations. If you suffered injuries in a collision with a large truck in Stockton, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your expenses and personal losses. An experienced truck accident attorney can recommend a legal strategy to pursue the money you deserve.
Demas Law Group is a top-rated California law firm representing accident victims in Stockton and other Sacramento-area communities. Contact us now to arrange a free initial consultation with a Stockton truck accident lawyer from our firm.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Stockton
Truck accidents often occur due to preventable issues tied to the truck’s operation, condition, handling, or loading. A skilled lawyer can conduct a detailed investigation into the causes of the crash to determine who is legally responsible.
Common causes of collisions involving large trucks include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
- Inadequate truck maintenance
- Faulty brakes, tires, or steering systems
- Failure to perform required inspections
- Truck driver inexperience
In addition to these truck-related issues, outside factors like poor road conditions, severe weather, or actions by other motorists also contribute to tractor-trailer accidents.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen in many ways, each presenting unique risks to victims:
- Jackknife accidents – The truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, often blocking multiple lanes and potentially pinning neighboring cars.
- Rollover accidents – The truck tips or flips, usually due to speeding, sharp turns, loss of control, or uneven cargo loads.
- Rear-end collisions – A semi-truck crashes into a slower or stopped vehicle, often due to speeding, following too closely, or inattention.
- Underride accidents – A smaller vehicle slides under the truck’s trailer, often leading to catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents.
- Blind-spot accidents – Large commercial trucks have giant blind spots compared to other motorists. Failure to check blind spots can lead to sideswipes and other crashes when the trucker attempts to change lanes, merge, or turn.
- Wide-turn accidents – Trucks need more space to turn, but swinging too far wide increases the risk of collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
Serious Injuries from Truck Accidents
The size and weight of commercial trucks, coupled with the high levels of force they release upon impact, often result in severe or life-altering injuries. Truck accident victims often endure lengthy recovery periods, require ongoing medical treatment, face permanent disabilities, and experience long-term financial and emotional challenges from injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and back injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Crush injuries
- Burns
- Amputation
- Psychological trauma
Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Building a strong truck accident claim hinges on identifying who is at fault for the wreck. Unlike many car accident cases, liability in truck accident claims may fall on multiple parties. The results of the investigation may show that more than one member of the trucking industry acted negligently.
Truck Driver
Critical driving errors on the trucker’s part often play a role in these collisions. Driving while fatigued, distracted, or impaired, as well as ignoring traffic laws or failing to perform pre- and post-trip inspections as required by federal trucking regulations, are examples of truck driver negligence.
Truck Companies
Trucking companies can share some of the responsibility for a tractor-trailer crash if their business operations contribute to unsafe practices. Poor maintenance schedules, unrealistic delivery deadlines, negligent hiring or training, or failure to monitor its employees may point to truck company liability.
Cargo Loaders
Cargo loading companies must ensure that freight is stowed, secured, and inspected before a truck departs. Many commercial motor vehicle crashes are due to improperly secured cargo, overloading, uneven weight distribution, or negligence in handling hazardous materials.
Maintenance Companies
Third-party maintenance contractors can be held liable if their failure to inspect, report, or repair mechanical issues creates unsafe conditions that contribute to a truck accident in Stockton.
Truck Manufacturers
If a design or manufacturing flaw causes a truck part to fail and cause a collision, an experienced truck accident attorney can file a product liability claim on your behalf.
Government Agencies
State and local governments have duties to ensure roads are safe for travel. If poor maintenance, debris, or other defects contribute to a truck crash, you could be entitled to file a claim against the responsible government entity.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
The burdens you face after a truck accident can be immense. A Stockton truck accident lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
The available compensation after a truck accident depends on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, the long-term impact of the accident on your life, the at-fault party’s insurance coverage, and applicable liability laws. A Stockton truck accident attorney from Demas Law Group will evaluate these elements and pursue the maximum financial recovery allowed under California law.
Why Choose Demas Law Group for Truck Accident Cases?
For over 30 years, Demas Law Group has fought for the well-being of the wrongfully injured in Stockton. We understand the devastation that truck accidents cause and want to advocate for the justice and accountability you deserve.
Three core values define our legal representation:
- Commitment – No truck accident case is the same. We take the time to get to know you, your life, and how much your injury has changed it.
- Compassion – You’ve been through enough. You deserve a sympathetic ear while your personal injury case proceeds. Our legal team stands by you every step of the way.
- Communication – We know your case is important. We provide frequent updates on your case throughout the legal process and provide timely answers to any questions you may have.
Over the years, our experienced attorneys have secured over $200 million for our clients, helping them heal and move forward with their lives. Contact our Stockton injury law firm today for a free consultation.
