Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Santa Barbara
No one starts their day expecting to suffer injuries in a severe truck accident. Unfortunately, truck accidents happen every day. But unlike a crash between two passenger vehicles, a truck colliding with a passenger vehicle often results in a one-sided accident insofar as injury and damage are concerned.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reported that approximately 107,000 large trucks were involved in accidents that resulted in an injury. The NSC estimated these accidents caused an estimated 147,000 injuries, with most injuries happening to occupants of the other vehicle.
Sometimes, the truck driver does not own the truck they are driving. Instead, a large shipping company owns the truck and hires the driver to operate it. Therefore, multiple parties may be liable for your losses after the truck accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck collision, contact a Santa Barbara truck accident attorney right away. An attorney at Frederick Law Firm can review the facts of your case and determine if you qualify to file a claim. Contact us today.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Santa Barbara?
In a typical car accident, the injured party can recover their losses from a party whose negligence caused the collision. In a truck accident, several parties may bear responsibility for the collision in different ways.
Many trucks are owned by a third party that hires truck drivers. Therefore, the company that owns the truck may be liable for accidents caused by improper practices, such as:
- Poor truck maintenance,
- Allowing drivers to operate trucks with worn tires, or
- Negligent hiring.
Additionally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes driving regulations intended to limit fatigued driving. Unfortunately, some companies may encourage their employees to disobey the regulations or disregard them entirely. In fact, many shipping companies encourage long hours and offer bonuses to drivers who meet high mileage quotas. Proof that a driver’s employer influenced them to violate FMCSA regulations can lead to their liability.
In some cases, the truck driver may still face liability for your losses. For example, if a truck driver is violating the terms of their employment by driving drunk, they may face individual liability for your losses.
In other cases, there may be other parties involved that bear responsibility for the accident. For example, many trucking companies contract out services, such as maintenance or loading trailers, so these parties might need to be considered in your claim.
A truck accident attorney in Santa Barbara can review the details of your truck accident and help you determine who is responsible for your damages. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck collision, contact Frederick Law Firm today to discuss your case with an attorney.
Factors that Cause Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur for almost any reason, like other car accidents. The size and mass of trucks make basic maneuvers more complex and dangerous. Factors that may lead to a truck accident include:
- Improper truck maintenance,
- Poor road conditions,
- Driving too fast for the conditions,
- Making wide right turns,
- Distracted driving,
- Truck loads shifting while in motion, and
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
When a truck accident happens due to another person’s negligence, they should be held responsible. The nature of the product shipping industry increases the risk of negligence occurring due to the emphasis on fast turnaround times and long hours. After all, trucking companies incentivize quick delivery times. Therefore, truck drivers aim to beat deadlines and arrive ahead of schedule, sometimes prioritizing speed over safety.
If another person’s negligence caused a truck accident, contact a lawyer at Frederick Law Firm as soon as possible.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
The size and speed of a large truck often result in catastrophic injuries after a collision. Common injuries suffered in a truck accident include:
- Loss of limbs,
- Back injuries,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Disfigurement,
- Paralysis,
- Concussions, and
- Burns.
The responsible party may be liable for any medical bills you incur as a result of your accident. Remember, the responsible party could be the owner of the truck, the truck driver, the maintenance provider, or other contracted provider. If you have questions about who is liable for your damages, contact Frederick Law Firm as soon as possible.
What Evidence Can Help Prove Liability After a Truck Accident?
A Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer can help gather evidence to prove the responsible party’s negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries. Our team will obtain information and evidence that bolsters your claim, such as:
- Names, contact information, and statements of any witnesses to the accident;
- Photographs of the accident scene;
- A copy of the accident report created by police; and
- Identifying information for the truck driver involved in the crash and the trucking company they work for.
A truck accident lawyer in Santa Barbara, CA, can use this to negotiate with the opposing party’s insurance company and secure a settlement offer that fully compensates you for your losses. If we do not receive a settlement offer that covers all of the damages you suffered, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial.
Looking For a Truck Accident Attorney in Santa Barbara, CA? Contact Frederick Law Firm Today
A truck accident can inflict devastating, even life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident, your primary concern should be your recovery, not navigating the complex process of filing a lawsuit. Let our team of attorneys at Frederick Law Firm handle the details of your case while you focus on healing from your injuries.
Our founding attorney, Jacqueline Vitti Frederick, has been representing injury victims in California since 1980. Her extensive background in personal injury law gives her unique insight into handling complex claims like truck accidents. You do not want to trust your truck accident settlement in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer. Otherwise, you may end up with a settlement far below what you really deserve.
Contact an attorney at Frederick Law Firm today so we can start reviewing your case.