With so many commercial vehicles on the road in Downey, California, the risk of truck accidents is quite prevalent. This is the reality no matter where you go, since trucks are such large vehicles and pose the most risk to other, smaller vehicles on the road.
If you have been in a truck accident, you need to know how to act after the fact to protect yourself. You may qualify for compensation, and it’s why you should hire a truck accident lawyer in Downey to represent you. At The JLF Firm, we can help drivers create a strong truck accident case.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Downey?
Truck drivers spend a lot of time behind the wheel every day, which by effect increases the risk of trucks getting into accidents — especially if the driver isn’t doing their job correctly.
Whether the accident is the fault of the truck driver or something that couldn’t be prevented, these accidents can result in significant personal injury. Here are some examples of the most common causes of truck accidents you should be aware of.
Bad tires
Trucks drive in all conditions and drive hundreds of hours from one place to the next. The wear and tear on the tires can result in bald tires or tires that are not up to safety standards. This can result in blowouts and the drive losing control.
Debris
Depending on the cargo the truck is transporting, debris can fall off the truck, hitting nearby vehicles. This can happen if items are not held down or if the driver has not carefully inspected the cargo.
Blind spots
The biggest danger trucks create on the road is their blind spots. These commercial vehicles have very large blind spots where smaller vehicles can disappear, causing collisions and other vehicle accidents.
Speeding
It is imperative that truckers maintain safe driving speeds since they are in such a large vehicle. Some drivers fail to do this, which can make it hard for them to control the truck or stop the vehicle in time.
Driving at excessive speeds also increases the risk of the truck rolling over, which is a serious risk with such a large vehicle.
Brake malfunction
The time it takes for a truck to stop is longer than a standard vehicle due to its size and weight. This puts a lot of wear and tear on the brakes, which can cause them to malfunction if they aren’t properly taken care of.
Brake maintenance goes hand-in-hand with maintenance regulations that ensure trucks are safe to drive long distances.
How Do Truck Accidents Differ From Car Accident Claims?
If you have been in an accident with a truck, you know how trucking collisions differ from car accidents. This will significantly impact how your claim proceeds since you will need different kinds of evidence.
One of the main differences is that the focus of the claim isn’t just on what the truck driver did to cause the accident. It also needs to focus on whether they follow federally regulated trucking laws. This includes procedures like taking tests, following maintenance requirements, not going over truck driving hours, and having the correct licenses.
In a truck accident case, you have the option of filing a claim against the driver or suing the truck company directly. The option you choose will depend on the situation and the evidence that proves who is liable. Our Downey personal injury attorneys can help you sort through the evidence to figure out who you should target in your truck accident lawsuit.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?
Getting into any kind of vehicle accident is a very overwhelming process that can leave you wondering what to do next. The good news is that the steps to take after an accident don’t differ much between truck and vehicle accidents. Here are a few things you need to do directly after a truck collision:
- Check for injuries: The first thing you need to do is check yourself and other passengers for injuries that may require medical attention.
- Ask for information: If you are not injured, you should exchange information with the truck driver, such as their name, contact information, and the trucking company.
- Gather evidence: If possible, it is a good idea to start documenting evidence on the site of the collision by taking photos of the scene of the crash, vehicle damage, and any bodily injuries.
- Contact an attorney: After dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident, you need to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to represent you as soon as possible.
What Evidence is Important in a Truck Accident Investigation?
Gathering evidence for your truck accident claim is very different from the evidence you need for a car accident claim. Luckily, there is an abundance of evidence that can help prove liability and get you the compensation you deserve. Here are a few examples of the kinds of evidence you can use:
- Truck black box data
- Driving records
- Operation log
- Truck maintenance records
Trucking companies may make the process of gathering evidence more difficult, which is why you need to find a truck accident lawyer in Downey to represent you and collect evidence on your behalf.
Who’s Liable for Compensation?
The most important aspect of your truck accident claim is going to be finding out who is liable for compensation.
The trucking company may be at fault when it comes to certain situations. This includes whether or not the trailer was overloaded, the cargo was unbalanced, or the driver was not qualified. These are just a few examples of when a trucking company may be liable, which would result in you being compensated.
The truck driver themselves may also be held liable if they did something that contributed to the crash. They may not have been following federally regulated driving hours or they may have been driving recklessly.
It is crucial to hire a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Downey who can make sure to advocate for the most reasonable amount of compensation.
Contact a Downey Truck Accident Attorney
As you can see, time is of the essence when it comes to your legal rights because the trucking company will work to start protecting itself immediately. Call the Downey truck accident attorneys at The JLF Firm at 888-341-3071 or use our online contact form to schedule your no-risk initial consultation.
