Commercial trucks in California transport tons of vital goods. But the enormous trucks must share the roads with smaller vehicles that should not be taken for granted. In 2020, 398 people died in a crash involving a large truck in California. That is a 31 percent increase over the last decade. Trucking accidents continue to lead to substantial injuries and liability is not always obvious. But it is important to hold truck drivers and transportation companies accountable for negligent driving. Here we will take a closer look at the various parties that may be held liable for injuries sustained in a truck accident.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers in California receive extensive training and must have a commercial driver’s license. However, most truck accidents are caused by driver error. Negligent behaviors can also include driving under the influence of drugs or speeding. These actions can lead a truck driver to be held liable for someone’s injuries.

Trucking Companies

Commercial truck companies also must make sure their drivers are qualified and competent. Drivers need a commercial driving license and they must agree to drug and alcohol screenings by the employer. If a trucking company does not meet legal standards, it will share in the liability.

Accidents involving 18-wheelers are simply more dangerous given their size and weight. Other drivers who share the road are often the ones who sustain the greatest injuries. What is unfortunate is that these truck accidents can be avoided. Truck accidents are commonly a result of driver fatigue. At Maineri Law Firm, we work with clients to prove negligence and hold at-fault drivers and transportation companies accountable for injuries they cause.

Truck Driver Fatigue

In the United States, drivers should not operate a commercial motor vehicle if they are too tired or sick to drive safely. Operating a truck however is at the driver's discretion and sometimes drivers are pressured to make as many deliveries as possible in a specific period. After long hours on the road, it is understandable that a driver would be tired or sleepy. But it is the decision to drive despite being fatigued that is simply irresponsible.

Tired drivers pose a threat not only to other people on the road but to pedestrians. An accident involving a large truck can be disastrous. When a driver is tired their judgment and reaction time may suffer, making it more difficult to make last-minute decisions.

Every year, thousands of people die in truck accidents. Many tens of thousands more are seriously injured. After losing a loved one or suffering personal injury in a serious California truck accident, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of where to seek help. This might be especially true if you are unable to return to work because of your injuries, or if you are suffering from the grief of losing a parent, child, or spouse. If this sounds familiar to you, you have options. A California personal injury attorney can examine your case and work to get you the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering. 

Meet with a Personal Injury Lawyer

Truck accidents are often complex events that have more than one cause. Determining which driver or condition was responsible for an accident can require extensive investigation by someone who is experienced in truck accidents, California personal injury law, insurance company negotiations, and courtroom litigation. A personal injury attorney is just the person who can help with all of these areas. Amassing evidence, reconstructing a crash scene with the help of accident professionals, and managing negotiations to make sure you get a fair payout are just some of the ways that personal injury attorneys can help after a truck crash. 

What Kind of Damages Can I Recover? 

The kind of damages (money) you can recover will depend on the seriousness of the accident, the losses you experienced, and the percentage of the accident for which each involved party was at fault. The answer is different in every case. However, many cases involve damages for physical pain and suffering, the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and even other, harder to quantify categories, like loss of consortium (the loss of the benefits of a close relationship). Except for medical malpractice cases, California does not place maximum limits on personal injury damages.