Large trucks and semis are a leading cause of all traffic related deaths in the United States. Typical tractor trailers, or eighteen-wheelers, weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times more than an average passenger vehicle. Due to their immense weight and size, a large truck is almost guaranteed to crush any passenger vehicle in a collision.

If you or a loved one was injured in the Pasadena area as a result of a trucking accident, you need to speak with an experienced Pasadena truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Recovering from a truck accident can be a long and painful process, and many victims will require a lifetime of medical attention.

The experienced Pasadena truck accident lawyers at West Coast Trial Lawyers are caring and compassionate professionals. We understand how insurance companies work, and we will help to recover the compensation you deserve to deal with your medical bills and other expenses.

Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries

Thousands of people are injured and killed every year in accidents involving large trucks. Anytime a truck accident occurs, the passengers in the other vehicle are more likely to suffer severe injuries or death, while the truck driver will often walk away without a scratch.

Some of the most common truck accident injuries include:

• Brain Injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries.
• Burn Injuries.
• Lost Limbs.
• Head Injuries.
• Facial Injuries.
• Broken Bones and Fractures.
• Injuries to Internal Organs.
• Neck and Back Injuries.

What To Do After a Trucking Accident

As truck accidents are generally very complex, our experienced Pasadena truck accident lawyers have created a step by step list of what you should do after a trucking accident.

1. Make Sure Everyone Involved Is OK. The first thing you must do after a trucking accident is check on all parties involved to make sure they’re okay. If you suspect someone is injured, call 911.
2. Call the Police. It’s crucial to contact police immediately and ask them to make a report of the trucking accident, even if you believe injuries or damages are minimal. An accident report is critical evidence your Pasadena truck accident lawyer will need in order to support your claim.
3. Contact and Insurance Information. Make sure to write down the make, model, and year of all vehicles involved in the collision. Also, please collect the names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers and insurance information from everyone involved in the trucking accident.
4. Document the Accident. We highly recommend taking as many photographs as possible of the crash scene, the vehicles involved, and the location of the accident. Also, make sure to write down everything that happened, as well as road, weather and traffic conditions.
5. Don’t Speak. Watch what you say after a trucking accident. You should not make any admissions or assertions about who may be at fault for the accident.
6. Speak with Any Available Witnesses. If possible, speak to any witnesses to the trucking accident and write down their contact information. Our Pasadena truck accident lawyers may need to speak with them later on, and their testimony may greatly strengthen your claim.
7. Medical Attention. Get checked at the hospital or by your doctor, whether you think you’ve been hurt or not. Often, truck accident victims will suffer serious injuries that aren’t readily apparent or sometimes take days or weeks after the crash to show any adverse effects. A full medical report completed by a doctor is necessary to show that you were hurt as a result of your trucking accident.
8. Call a Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer. You should never speak with any insurance representatives until you consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for tricking accident victims into believing they have their best interests in mind, but you need a qualified Pasadena truck lawyer to protect and assert your rights.

Proving Liability In Truck Accident Lawsuits

Multiple parties can be held liable for a truck accident victims’ injuries and losses. Proving liability will generally involve one (and sometimes both) of two legal theories: negligence and strict liability.

Negligence in Truck Accident Compensation Claims

The first and most common way of establishing liability after a trucking accident is to prove that a person or company’s negligence was the cause of the collision. Truck drivers and trucking companies both have a legal duty to avoid creating dangerous situations on the road. When truck drivers or truck companies make mistakes that lead to accidents, truck accident victims are entitled to seek fair compensation for their injuries and losses.

Common examples of truck driver and trucking company negligence may include:

• Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, etc.)
• Improperly loading truck cargo.
• Logging too many hours behind the wheel.
• Failing to conduct appropriate truck maintenance.
• Hiring unqualified or inexperienced drivers.
• Driving drowsy or while fatigued.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Strict Liability in Truck Accident Compensation Claims

The second theory of liability involved in the majority of truck accident cases is called strict liability. In the state of California, product designers and manufacturers, as well as any other companies involved in the chain of distribution, can all be held strictly liable if a defective product was the cause of a trucking accident.

Negligence is not a factor in these cases, because these companies can be held liable whether or not they made any mistakes that contributed to the trucking accident. Strict liability claims may be based on:

• Defective engine or transmission components.
• Defective brakes.
• Defective brake lights.
• Defective cargo ties or straps.
• Defective accelerator pedals.
• Defective tires.

How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

Trucking Industry Laws: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) has implemented various trucking regulations intended to make roads safer for truck drivers and all drivers. Commercial trucking companies and truck drivers must all abide by the regulations implemented by the FMCSA. Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies can therefore be held liable for a trucking accident if they don’t abide by these regulations.

Insurance Coverage: When dealing with commercial trucking insurance, there is significantly more coverage at stake. If you were involved in a trucking accident, our Pasadena truck accident lawyers will deal with the insurance companies directly to help you obtain maximum compensation for all your injuries and damages.

Truck Accident Investigation: Accident investigations involving commercial trucks are much more extensive and expensive than in most other car accident cases. A skilled Pasadena truck accident lawyer understands the protocol for conducting a complex trucking accident investigation, and will do so in a timely manner to preserve any crucial evidence.

Severity of Injuries or Fatalities: it’s no secret that injuries and fatalities sustained as a result of a trucking accident will be significantly worse than a car accident. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we work with the best doctors to help you with your treatment after suffering a truck accident.

Contact us to find out how we can help

If you have sustained injuries in the city of Pasadena as a result of a trucking accident, an attorney at our firm can help you recover financial compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us today at 213 927 3700 or email info@westcoasttriallawyers.com. to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.