Truck Accident Attorney Orange County CA

If you are wondering how a truck accident lawyer in Orange County can help you after a car accident with a commercial truck, the Orange County Irvine truck accident lawyers at Kubota & Craig have prepared the following information to answer the questions most commonly asked by accident victims in Southern California.

Anyone who has ever been in an accident with a semi-truck or commercial truck (“Big Rigs”) knows just how debilitating it can be. And while fatigue, alcohol, and speeding are the biggest causes of truck crashes overall, there are many reasons why an accident might happen.

Technically, a commercial truck is a vehicle that is used for transporting products or operating a business. You often see these vehicles on the roadways. They can be tanker trucks, semi trucks, delivery vehicles, and freight trucks. Because of the sheer size and complexity of these vehicles, commercial truck drivers in the State of California (and under federal laws) must obtain a commercial driver’s license in order to operate them. This is done to ensure highway safety within the trucking industry and to reduce the likelihood of a trucking accident.

Statistics show that truck drivers are generally safer than drivers of smaller vehicles. However, even when truck drivers are extremely careful, an accident can happen and cause significant damage.

Since commercial trucks can easily weigh 25 times more than standard passenger vehicles, collisions with a large commercial truck can cause serious injuries (if not catastrophic injuries) to those riding in passenger cars. As a consequence, truck accident victims are often left facing high medical expenses and medical bills to treat severe injuries, as well as to recover from their injuries. This puts them in the position where they need to file a personal injury claim to get fair compensation from the insurance companies representing the truck driver.

In addition, large truck accidents also account for a huge portion of fatalities and fatal injuries on roadways because of their size. In such cases, family members may file a different type of truck accident claim against the insurance company of the trucker. If someone is killed and it is due to the truck driver’s negligence (such as distracted driving, drowsy driving, high speeds, etc.), it is considered a “wrongful death” case under California law.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a crash, an Orange County truck accident lawyer can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. In the case of a fatal auto accident, a personal injury attorney can help make sure your family recovers financially through a wrongful death claim.

But there is a very important point to be made here: Do not try to take on the trucking company or their insurance alone. As all experienced Orange County truck accident attorneys can tell you, this type of insurance claim and personal injury case is highly complicated. That is because the trucking companies and their insurers have become very clever in finding ways to hide the liable parties and to avoid paying money after they have caused a serious truck accident. They are not looking out for your best interest. It’s unfortunate, but true.

That’s why you need legal representation in the form of an experienced California truck accident lawyer who can cut through all of their tricks, conduct a thorough investigation, and make sure that victims of truck accidents get the maximum compensation they deserve and need.

Commercial Vehicle Types

Your truck accident attorney will want to know important details about your crash and will want to see a copy of the police reports from the accident.

Because the following vehicle types are used commercially, there might be multiple parties responsible for causing your injuries. Other than the truck driver, the truck’s owner or the driver’s employer may also be liable. The truck’s manufacturer, a maintenance company, or the parent company of the driver’s employer could also be responsible.

From taxis to tractors, a variety of vehicles are used for commercial purposes. In general, larger vehicles will cause more severe damage. If the commercial vehicle is carrying something flammable or hazardous, victims may suffer from burns and significant injuries. The following are some of the most common types of commercial vehicles.

• Dump trucks: Dump trucks are used to transport loose material like gravel or soil. The box on the back of the dump truck can be tilted upward to pour out the box’s contents. Because of how large these trucks are, they can cause serious injury and property damage in an accident.
• Semi-trailer trucks: Semi-trailers consist of a towing engine and a trailer. There state and federal regulations and training programs for semi-trailer trucks. Semi-trailer trucks are responsible for many fatalities because of their size, their significant blind spots, and also because of the long hours worked by drivers. Rear-end collisions involving semi-trucks can easily be fatal.
• Buses: Buses transport members of the public to work or school. While bus drivers must undergo special training programs, accidents can still happen.
• Tanker trucks: Tanker trucks carry liquids like gasoline. Because these liquids are often flammable or hazardous, a truck crash with a tanker truck can be incredibly dangerous.
• Delivery trucks: Courier services like UPS, FedEx, Amazon, and the United States Postal Service use delivery trucks to deliver letters and packages. A serious accident may be more likely to happen with these vehicles because delivery drivers often have delivery quotas and deadlines.
• Taxis: While taxis are commercial vehicles, they are often the size of a normal car. In 2018, 207,920 people worked as taxi drivers in the United States.
• Flatbed trucks: Flatbed trucks have a cab in front. In the back, the cargo area is flat without any walls or top. Because of this, they are popular for moving construction equipment and bulky cargo. In motor vehicle accident, injuries frequently occur when the cargo falls from the bed.
• Garbage trucks: Garbage trucks are used to collect waste materials and recycling items. In addition to typical accidents, garbage trucks may also cause harm by backing up over pedestrians, vehicles, or buildings.
• Cement mixers: Cement mixers are a kind of truck that is used to mix cement at construction sites. Unfortunately, workers can become injured if the cement mixer backs up at the wrong time. Because of how the weight is distributed, cement mixers have a problem with rolling over as well.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents – Statistics, Causes, and Facts

Overloaded trucks, driver fatigue, speeding, and under-ride accidents are known for causing injuries and fatalities. In just 2016, 4,317 people were killed in crashes that involved big trucks. During 2016, 5,072 large trucks were involved in accidents in California.

Under-ride accidents happen when a truck brakes rapidly and a small vehicle ends up underneath the truck. Because of the size of large trucks, under-ride accidents are extremely deadly. Truck rollovers are deadly for the same reason.

An experienced truck accident attorney will have seen accidents caused by common issues like tire blowouts, wide turns, and jackknifes.

• A tire blowout can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
• Meanwhile, wide turns are a normal part of truck driving. Because trucks are so big, drivers have to swing left before they make a right turn. If the driver is unaware of pedestrians or other vehicles, someone could potentially get hurt.
• Finally, a jackknife is when the truck’s cab and trailer fold into each other. When this happens, any vehicle stuck within the folded space will become crushed.

According to the United States Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), fatigue, alcohol consumption, and speeding are common factors in truck accidents. If a driver is tired, drunk, or speeding, it takes them longer to respond to road hazards. T-bone, rear-end, head-on, and other accidents are more likely to happen if the driver is suffering from a performance-related issue.

Injury Types

An Orange County truck accident attorney can help you seek compensation after a crash. Injuries can lead to thousands of dollars in medical costs and lost wages. Depending on the severity of the crash, you may suffer from the following injury types.

• Whiplash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Lacerations
• Back injuries
• Concussions
• Neck injuries
• Burns
• Internal injuries
• Torso and rib injuries
• Paralysis and spinal cord injuries

Why Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

With the help of a truck accident attorney, you can get help proving the other party’s liability. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable. Our truck accident lawyers in Irvine have years of experience determining liability in truck accident cases. Because of this, they know what it takes to negotiate a settlement and try a case in court.

After undergoing a devastating accident with a big rig, it can take years to recover. The last thing you want to do is worry about compiling evidence or interviewing witnesses. To learn more about how the Orange County truck accident lawyers at Kubota & Craig law firm can help, call us today at 949-218-5676 for a free consultation.

Our legal team will walk you through your legal rights and legal options in a no-pressure consultation. Should you be interested in filing an personal injury accident claim against the driver or their trucking company, our personal injury attorneys always work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until we win your case.

Our case results for truck and car accidents are second to none. Just as important, the same can be true with our client satisfaction.

Discover the Advantages of Partnering with Our Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers

When you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, choosing the right legal representation is crucial for ensuring your rights are protected and your compensation is maximized. Here’s why our Orange County truck accident lawyers at Kubota & Craig are the best choice for your case:

1. Expert Navigation of Complex Claims: Truck accident claims are notoriously complex due to the severe nature of the injuries and the multiple parties that could be liable. Our experienced truck accident attorneys in Orange County are skilled in unraveling these complexities and bringing clarity to your case, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
2. Maximized Compensation: We are committed to securing the full compensation you deserve, not just a quick settlement. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, our truck accident lawyers work tirelessly to cover all your bases. We understand the financial and emotional toll a truck accident can inflict, and we strive to alleviate that burden.
3. Aggressive Representation Against Big Insurance Companies: Our team doesn’t back down when faced with big insurance companies. We know their tactics and how they try to minimize payouts. With our aggressive representation, we ensure they pay what’s fair so you can focus on recovery without financial worry.
4. Personalized Attention: Each client is unique, which is why we provide personalized attention to every case. You are not just another case file to us. Your story matters, and we listen to understand every aspect of your situation to represent you better.
5. No Fees Unless We Win: Our contingency fee basis means you pay nothing upfront. Our fees are contingent upon securing a recovery for you. This aligns our goals with yours and ensures that our services are accessible to everyone who needs them.

If you’re searching for a truck accident lawyer in Orange County, look no further. Our dedicated team is ready to help you navigate through this difficult time with expertise and compassion. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us show you how we can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

We handles cases throughout Orange County, including Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and other local communities. We handle cases throughout the State as well, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.