2022 California Truck Accident Statistics

How Truck Accidents Have Impacted California Roads

Truck accidents are fairly common in California. As large vehicles make wide turns and slow stops, accidents are bound to occur at any given moment. Poor weather conditions, such as rain and snow, have also caused truck accidents. As a truck driver is at a disadvantage of properly directing a large vehicle during such weather conditions, it can ultimately result in the truck driver losing control and directly crashing into one or more vehicles. 

Truck accidents may often result in serious or fatal injuries depending on the level of impact. Many people have gotten away with minor cuts or bruises, but several others have undergone unfortunate outcomes after getting into an accident with such a large and heavy vehicle. Those who have sustained moderate to severe injuries will have to be transported to a hospital to receive further medical assistance. 

Victims of a truck accident may likely experience financial burden as they are stuck having to deal with multiple expenses, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, and repair costs for their damaged vehicle. It is encouraged for victims of personal injury to file a claim against the party at-fault. If successful, recoverable compensation will be awarded to cover for damages relating to the truck accident.

Victims are welcomed to contact our qualified truck accident accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers to get started on the process of filing a personal injury claim. Our legal team has over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling personal injury cases. With our track record of recovering more than $1 billion in settlements for our clients, we are confident that we will get you the compensation you deserve.

To schedule a free consultation, please contact us by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form. We are available 24/7.

Below, we will go over the most recent data collected on truck accidents in California and what types of damages are available to the victims. 

2022 Truck Accident Statistics 

Large trucks and semis are a leading cause of many traffic related deaths in the United States. In 2019, 11 percent of fatal accidents involve large trucks. California, in particular, has seen some of the worst truck accidents in the country. A tractor-trailer or eighteen-wheeler can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a passenger vehicle. Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks are dangerous and virtually guaranteed to crush smaller vehicles in an accident.

Truck accidents are complicated and far more complex than car accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. In 2019, a total of 4,119 people died in large truck crashes. About 16 percent of those involved in these crashes were truck occupants, 67 percent were car occupants and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Truck accidents typically occur on major roads. In 2019, about 52 percent of truck accidents occurred on major roads, 32 percent were on interstates and highways, and 15 percent took place on minor roads. 48 percent of these large truck accidents happened during the morning until the late afternoon, starting from 6AM to 3PM.

A common cause of a truck accident is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Truck drivers typically do this to stay awake and continue driving in order to keep up with their schedules. However, driving while intoxicated could significantly increase the chances of a truck driver from getting into an accident with others nearby. Within the total number of fatal truck accidents that have taken place in 2019, about 3 percent of truck drivers had a BAC at or above 0.08 percent. 28 percent of passenger vehicle drivers had a BAC at or above 0.08 percent.

Available Damages 

If you were injured in a truck or car accident that was caused by another driver, you have the right to obtain compensation for your losses. Victims of said accidents may be entitled to damages for:

• Emotional Distress
• Lost Wages
• Property Loss
• Medical Bills
• Loss of Consortium

California is a comparative negligence state, which means that more than one party may be found liable for causing a car accident. It also means that an at-fault driver may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages, even if they were partially at-fault for causing a truck or car accident.

Determining liability after a truck accident can become a logistical nightmare. Not only are truck accidents catastrophic from an injury perspective, they are also very complex from a legal standpoint because multiple parties can all be held liable.

It is most important to understand that personal injury victims, including truck and car accident victims, will typically have two years to file a claim for damages. After the two-year deadline, the court will almost certainly throw out the case.

Truck accidents are different from car accidents. And given that truck accident cases are complicated and will involve commercial trucking companies and insurance policies, it is crucial for a truck accident victim to take the right steps after a truck accident to ensure they receive fair and full compensation for their losses.

West Coast Trial Lawyers Is Here to Help

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a truck accident, our expert truck accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers will help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.