California Truck Accident Attorneys

Click Here for Important Information About Large Trucks and Truck Accidents

Every day, thousands of large trucks travel America’s streets and highways, carrying the food and other goods that keep our economy running smoothly. But the numbers show that they’re also involved in a disproportionate number of fatal accidents. According to the federal Department of Transportation, large trucks accounted for just three percent of registered vehicles and 8 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2005, but were involved in 12 percent of traffic fatalities that year. Worse, the majority of those deaths -- 76 percent -- were sustained by occupants of the smaller vehicles.

It’s easy to see why. Compared to passenger vehicles, which usually weigh less than 10,000 pounds, trucks are intimidatingly large. Some weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That weight difference means when a truck crashes head-on into a passenger car, SUV or pickup, it’s much larger weight increases the force of the crash significantly over the force of a crash between two cars. Most passenger vehicles aren’t tested or required to withstand a crash of that force; some could crumple like a soft drink can under the impact of a speeding truck. Furthermore, a truck’s higher bumper is often at the same height as the head of an adult passenger in a car or light truck -- putting that passenger at a high risk for decapitation, a crushed skull or severe head and neck injuries.

Because of their weight, heavy trucks are also more difficult to drive safely. They have high centers of gravity and often carry heavy trailers that require special skills and keen wits to navigate in traffic. Unfortunately, not all truck drivers have the qualifications or alertness necessary to drive safely. A report in early 2007 by the Chicago Tribune said 24 states had found fraudulent truck licenses issued to thousands of unqualified drivers. And despite federal and state laws governing how many hours a trucker can be on the road in a day, many truckers continue to drive without enough rest, under financial and bureaucratic pressure to stick to an unrealistic delivery schedule. The National Transportation Safety Board says as many as 40 percent of all truck accidents can be traced to driver fatigue. A few truck drivers even turn to controlled substances such as methamphetamines to stay awake, with horrific but predictable results.

And irresponsible, negligent cost-cutting measures by some trucking companies add to the danger, both to passenger vehicle occupants and to the truckers themselves. In addition to sending underqualified drivers out onto the road and pressuring truckers to flout safety laws, some companies send out substandard or defective equipment with their drivers -- putting both their employees and the innocent drivers around them at undue risk.

Crashes are part of a trucking company’s business. When a truck accident occurs, companies and their insurers often send representatives to the scene to limit their liability by taking advantage of victims’ shock, injuries and trauma. Don’t be taken in -- protect your right to hold them liable for their actions. A study by Jury Verdict Research found that the average verdict or settlement in a truck accident lawsuit was $90,000 -- $1 million for wrongful deaths. With an attorney experienced in truck accident law on your side, you can recover damages to help compensate you for the loss of a loved one, a permanent disability, daily pain and loss of past and future earnings.

Bisnar Chase are experienced California truck accident lawyers and have represented truck and other auto accident victims since 1978, recovering tens of millions to compensate clients for their injuries. Our truck accident success stories include:

• A significant confidential settlement for the driver of a Freightliner cement truck whose brakes failed in downtown Los Angeles, causing it to careen out of control for a quarter mile and leaving the driver with a permanent disability.
• Another substantial confidential settlement for an accident caused by a U-Haul that caused two Ford Explorers to roll over, killing a child and injuring a driver whose seatbelt failed.
• A $250,000 verdict for a delivery truck driver injured by a forklift driver on a loading dock.
• A verdict of $200,000 for the survivors of a young woman who was killed when her car crashed into an illegally parked semi truck. Her parents refused several significantly higher settlement offers.

With almost 30 years of experience in accident law, we know that truck accident victims are dealing with significant personal and financial stresses -- a death, major medical bills, lost income or a disability that they must rearrange everything in their lives to accommodate. That’s why we offer free consultations to accident victims, and we never take a fee until after we win your case. But because the statute of limitations for truck accident cases can be as short as six months, you must move quickly to protect your right to pursue justice. For a no-obligation evaluation of your unique case and circumstances, call us today at 1-877-854-0004 or click here to contact us through our online case evaluation form.

Please visit our main California Personal Injury Attorney Website.