If you suffered an injury in a commercial truck accident, the truck driver may not be the only party liable for your injuries. If the trucking company’s negligence contributed to your injuries, it could also be liable. However, you’ll need the help of an experienced Santa Ana truck accident lawyer to connect the trucking company’s actions to your injuries.
Call (949) 229-7228 to speak with a lawyer from DJA Injury Lawyers about your case. During your consultation, our Santa Ana trucking company negligence lawyers will review how the trucking company may have contributed to your injuries, explain your options for seeking the compensation you deserve, and answer any questions you have about the process.
Negligent Trucking Company Cases We Handle in Santa Ana
Trucking companies are responsible for making sure their vehicles are in good working order and their employees are properly trained and qualified for the job. Unfortunately, many companies cut corners to save money, putting the lives of pedestrians and other motorists at risk. At DJA Injury Lawyers, we handle various trucking company negligence cases, including those involving:
- Failing to properly maintain vehicles in its fleet
- Failing to properly train drivers
- Hiring unqualified or dangerous drivers
- Encouraging its drivers to violate laws and regulations to cut costs
- Overloading its trucks beyond the legal weight limits
- Falsifying safety records and driver log books
- Violating state and federal trucking regulations
California Truck Accident Statistics
According to data from the California Highway Patrol, there are around 7,000 truck accidents resulting in injury in the state each year and hundreds of truck accidents resulting in fatalities. In a recent year, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 416 fatal truck accidents on California roads, accounting for nearly seven percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the state.
The National Safety Council’s victim breakdown in fatal California truck accidents shows that:
- Truck drivers account for nine percent of deaths
- Pedestrians account for 17 percent of deaths
- Other vehicle occupants account for 73 percent of deaths
This data clearly shows how dangerous large truck accidents are for pedestrians and other motorists. Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, even when victims survive these accidents, they often suffer severe and long-term or permanent injuries.
Examples of Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking company negligence can take many forms, making proving liability challenging. Through an extensive investigation, our lawyers can gather evidence to demonstrate the trucking company’s negligence, such as:
- Improper Maintenance: If the trucking company doesn’t have its vehicles undergo routine inspections or have components repaired and replaced, this can lead to catastrophic failures that result in crashes.
- Hours of Service Violations: Truck drivers must adhere to the federal hours of service regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations limit how long a truck driver can be on the road. Some companies may encourage drivers to extend their driving sessions to make deliveries faster.
- Negligent Hiring Practices: When companies hire drivers with poor driving records or who lack proper training, they put other motorists in danger.
- Cargo Loading Violations: Trucking companies are responsible for making sure their trucks aren’t overloaded and overweight. Improperly loaded cargo can increase the risk of rollover accidents and loss of vehicle control.
- Encouraging Dangerous Driving: In addition to violating hours of service regulations, some trucking companies may encourage drivers to speed to make deliveries faster. Speeding increases the distance trucks need to stop and reduces the time drivers have to react to hazards.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trucking Company Negligence
Some of the most commonly asked questions after a truck accident are:
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit?
Under California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including those arising from truck accidents, victims have two years to file lawsuits against the parties liable for their injuries. You must file your lawsuits within this period or risk the courts barring you from seeking compensation.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers can assist you with gathering evidence to support your case and filing your lawsuit within the deadline.
What compensation is available for truck accident victims?
Victims of trucking company negligence can seek various forms of compensation for their injuries. Compensation you can seek includes:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Wages lost while recovering from your injuries
- Loss of future earning capacity, including work benefits, due to your injury’s impact on your ability to work
- Physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries
- Permanent disability accommodations, including modifying your home or vehicle to be wheelchair accessible
- Wrongful death compensation, including for your loved one’s funeral and burial costs if they died as a result of injuries sustained in the truck accident
How do I prove trucking company negligence after an accident?
Proving trucking company negligence involves gathering different types of evidence, such as:
- Truck driver log books
- Truck driver employment records
- Accident eyewitness statements
- Testimony from trucking industry, medical, and crash reconstruction experts
- Traffic or security camera footage that captured the accident
- Accident scene photographs
Once the evidence is collected, your attorney will use it to build a compelling case to show that the trucking company is liable for the harm they’ve caused you.
Do I need a lawyer to handle my truck accident case?
Yes, you need a lawyer to handle your truck accident case. Truck accidents are complex, usually involving multiple liable parties and requiring knowledge of state and federal laws. An experienced truck accident lawyer will have the knowledge and experience needed to handle your case.
It can also be challenging to handle your case alone while recovering from your injuries. Insurance companies frequently prey upon victims in this vulnerable state and trick them into agreeing to unfavorable settlement agreements. Our lawyers will handle all negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf and seek compensation that covers your past and future expenses.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Serving Santa Ana
Were you injured in a truck accident caused by trucking company negligence? Contact DJA Injury Lawyers at (949) 229-7228 to speak with a skilled Santa Ana truck accident lawyer about your case. During your initial consultation, we’ll review the accident details and explain your options for seeking the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.