Orange County and truck accident victims
Not a day goes by where Orange County residents don’t hear of a truck accident crash on our freeways or surface streets, and unfortunately sometimes innocent people are the victims.
Because of the weight and size of trucks, truck accidents can cause severe damage to property, and sadly people. If you or someone you know has been hurt, injured or killed as a result of a crash caused by a truck – don’t delay, contact the personal injury experts at Pacific Attorney Group to learn about your rights under California law.
Truck accident statistics
In California, nearly 10 percent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents involve large trucks. If you have been injured, or a loved one hurt or killed in a truck accident, contact the Orange County truck accident lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group. You may be entitled to compensation.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of truck accidents on the nation’s roadways has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years. Even though 18-wheelers and other large trucks are responsible for just 3 percent of all injury-causing motor vehicle accidents, the size and weight of the trucks make fatalities more likely.
According to the FMCSA’s California 2008 Preliminary Crash Facts, there were:
- 8,677 large trucks and 1,228 buses involved in non-fatal crashes
- 3,196 large trucks and 733 buses Involved in injury crashes
- 4,594 injuries in crashes involving large trucks and 1,403 injuries in crashes involving buses
- 5,481 large trucks and 495 buses involved in tow-away crashes
- 2 large trucks and 0 buses involved in hazmat (HM) placard crashes
Orange County and causes of truck accidents
Many of our Orange County clients do not realize the many causes of truck accidents on our freeways and highways. Mistakes made by the driver, or driver error, and mechanical failure are the top two causes of truck accidents, much more likely than poor road conditions, heavy traffic and the weather.
Among truck drivers, errors include use or abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs; driving too fast for conditions; inattention or distraction and driving on unfamiliar roads. But far and away, the most common form of driver error is fatigue and sleep deprivation.
As for mechanical error, most truck accidents occur due to failure to properly maintain the equipment. This includes brake failure; worn out tires that cause blowouts; trailers that are improperly attached; transmission failure and defective side or rear lighting.
Truck accident laws
The trucking industry is governed by federal laws, and the truck accident lawyers of California’s Pacific Attorney Group use these laws to determine exactly who is responsible when a truck accident occurs. In addition to the FMCSA, truck driving is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
There are also state-level DOTs with additional trucking regulations. The experienced truck accident attorneys of Pacific Attorney Group will guide you through the maze of regulations and help you understand which ones apply in your case.
Personal injury law and truck accidents
If you or a loved one is ever involved in an accident with a truck in or near Orange County, it is extremely important to consult with personal injury attorneys experienced in truck accident litigation. Here’s why:
There could be as many as six different parties at fault in a truck accident. This includes:
- The driver of the truck
- The person or company that owns the truck
- The person or company that leased the truck or trailer from the owner
- The manufacturer of the truck, or its tires, or whatever truck part is determined to be the root cause of the accident
- The company shipping the cargo, or the company that loaded the truck, if the accident was caused by a shifting load
The personal injury lawyers of Pacific Attorney Group know how to avoid being distracted by insurance companies and find out exactly who is responsible for the accident. By law, trucks and other commercial vehicles are required to carry insurance for bodily injury and property damage.
Contact the Orange County personal injury lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group today
As experienced truck accident personal injury lawyers, the Pacific Attorney Group will be there to defend and protect your rights to ensure you receive all of the help and support that are owed to you. Our team will examine evidence such as skid marks, computer data and driver log books to ensure all the facts about the case are explored and documented.
Our goal is simple, we want to by your personal injury lawyers to help you receive the compensation you need to put your life back toward a more normal situation.
Contact Pacific Attorney Group for a FREE case review.
If you or a family member has been injured in a truck accident in Orange County or anywhere in California, call the personal injury lawyers at Pacific Attorney Group for a free consultation now.
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