There are many semi-trucks on the Los Angeles freeways, and unfortunately, accidents are fairly common. Collisions involving large semi-trucks are often catastrophic, resulting in severe injury or death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a wreck with a large tractor-trailer, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
The Los Angeles truck accident lawyers at Sepulveda Sanchez Law are highly experienced and know the ins and outs of trucking regulations. Give us a call to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case in English or Español.
Regulations Governing Truck Drivers in Los Angeles
Trucks have the potential to cause devastating accidents, which is why the federal government sets numerous regulations for the trucking industry. For example, the federal government sets the number of hours a truck driver can work and the weight limits for commercial vehicles.
Truckers and their employers must abide by these guidelines in addition to the local traffic laws. A dedicated attorney could examine a case to determine whether a breach in state or federal law led to the tractor-trailer accident.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Driving a semi-truck requires long hours on the road with few breaks. The size of a semi-truck means that the smallest mistake can be fatal, so truck drivers need to be incredibly vigilant at all times. Unfortunately, due to poor training practices and the pressure on drivers to make deadlines, many truck drivers are prone to mistakes.
Some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue: Long hours and deadline pressures mean that a lot of truck drivers are driving while dangerously tired. This can lead to slower reaction times and even falling asleep at the wheel.
- Substance abuse: Drugs and alcohol are unfortunately a major problem among many truck drivers.
- Losing control at high speeds: A vehicle as large as a semi-truck is harder to control than a smaller car. When traveling at high speeds, it can be easy to lose control and cause an accident.
- Poor truck maintenance: It takes time and money to maintain a large truck, so drivers often skip routine maintenance. In addition, some truck maintenance shops cut corners and try to maximize profits on a tight schedule.
- Distracted driving: As with regular car drivers, truck drivers are also prone to distractions such as using their phone, changing the radio station, or eating and drinking while driving.
If your crash was caused by a careless semi-truck driver, don’t wait to call us. The sooner you talk to a skilled local attorney, the easier it is to gather the necessary evidence for your truck accident case.
Potential Injuries Following a Crash with an 18-Wheeler
Semi-trucks are big and heavy, and it’s rare to escape from an accident unscathed. Even the heaviest SUV is no match for a tractor-trailer. Common injuries from a tractor-trailer crash can include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Burns
- Loss of limbs
- Broken bones
These types of injuries can all require extensive hospitalization, surgeries, and loss of quality of life. You may need to undergo extensive rehabilitation, and your life may never be the same. If you develop a disability, you may lose your ability to work and provide for your family.
18-wheeler accidents have a much higher percentage of fatalities than other types of car wrecks. If your loved one died in a truck wreck, contact a dedicated attorney about filing a wrongful death suit.
Our firm understands that it can be difficult to deal with the aftermath of a loved one’s death, but we will treat you with compassion and respect. There are many unexpected expenses involved with funerals and burials, and we want to make sure that your family can stay afloat during this tragic time.
Fighting for Compensation After a Collision
A truck driver who is at fault for an accident that results in an injury is always liable to provide full compensation to all affected parties. However, you will need to demonstrate how the incident has impacted your life. A Los Angeles lawyer could help you fight for compensation for both economic and non-economic damages after a crash with a large commercial vehicle.
You could receive compensation for medical expenses, including hospital bills, the cost of medication, and the cost of rehabilitative therapy. Additionally, you could be compensated for lost income due to time off work or lost earning capacity due to a permanent disability.
In many cases, the impact of the crash extends far beyond physical injuries. You might suffer from significant pain or are experiencing or emotional trauma. In a case such as this, you could demand compensation for your lost quality of life. A hard-working attorney could work with you to gather evidence to show the full impact of the accident on your life.
There is a Limited Time to Pursue a Case
No matter how severe your losses are, you could miss out on recovering compensation if you wait too late to file your claim. There is a legal deadline for filing personal injury cases, known as the statute of limitations.
According to the California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, the statute of limitations for accidental injury cases is two years, meaning you must file within two years of the truck accident. This legal deadline could also impact a settlement outside of court. Not acting within the statute of limitations could lead to an insurance company refusing payment. Reaching out to a local as quickly as possible can help you avoid this unfortunate outcome in your tractor-trailer collision case.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation with a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a truck wreck, you should strongly consider seeking legal help. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer could help you understand your legal options and walk you through the case process. Call Sepulveda Sanchez Law today to schedule your complimentary consultation.