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Do I Need to Hire a California Truck Accident Injury Lawyer?

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When traveling through California or across the United States, motor vehicle drivers commonly share the roads and highways with 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer commercial trucks (also known as big rigs). According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 12.5 million commercial trucks and buses were registered in 2016.

With so many commercial trucks on the roadways, accidents are bound to happen. When a truck accident leading to an injury occurs as a result of negligence, who is responsible for ensuing losses such as medical bills or lost wages? Below we will review everything you need to know about California truck accident injury lawsuits, including whether you need to hire a lawyer, how much your case may be worth, and how much time you have to file a claim.

National Commercial Truck Accident Statistics

The FMCSA confirms the following statistics on U.S. commercial trucks accidents:

  • In 2017, of the 37,133 fatal crashes on the nation’s roadways, 4,889 (13.2%) involved at least one large truck or bus, an increase of more than 2% from 2016.
  • Of the approximately 450,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2017, there were 4,237 (1%) fatal crashes and 344,000 (23%) injury crashes.
  • In 2017, 4,889 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes, a 9% increase from 2016.
  • 72% of people killed in large truck crashes in 2017 were occupants of other vehicles.
  • In 2017, 30% of work zone fatal crashes and 12% of work zone injury crashes involved at least one large truck.
  • With 12.5 million commercial large trucks and buses on the roadways in 2016, more than 300 billion vehicle miles were logged across the U.S.

Common Causes of Large Truck or Big Rig Accidents

18-wheeler commercial truck accidents can be caused by any number of factors. Some of the more common causes of large truck accidents in California and throughout the U.S. include:

  • Lack of training (or inadequate training)
  • Distracted driving
  • Exhaustion or fatigue from logging too many hours
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Improperly maintained vehicles
  • Mechanical failure
  • Negligent hiring practices on the part of trucking companies
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Improperly loaded cargo

Who is At Fault in a Commercial Truck Accident?

When any of the above factors cause a commercial truck accident, who is responsible for the resulting damages? Depending on the circumstances of your truck accident injury, one or more at-fault parties may be held liable through a civil lawsuit. For example:

  • If the driver was negligent by driving recklessly or using drugs or alcohol, he or she may be held directly liable.
  • If the accident was due to a mechanical malfunction, the company that manufactured the vehicle may be held liable.
  • If the cargo company responsible for safely loading the truck failed to do so according to standards or best practices, it may be held liable.
  • If the trucking company employing the driver failed to allow him or her to take breaks/rest or encouraged laws to be ignored, it may be held liable for your injury.


At Dordulian Law Group (DLG), our Glendale, California, truck accident lawyers will review the facts of your case and determine which party or parties are liable for your injuries.

Author

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Sam Dordulian, founder

Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years’ experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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A former Deputy District Attorney, Sam Dordulian is a highly-experienced lawyer in Los Angeles, CA, who has assisted in the prosecution of countless criminals. He is now using his experience and passion to advocate for sexual abuse victims and those involved in personal injury disputes.
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