Top Rated Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys
Truck accidents are all too common in Orange County. When large commercial trucks are involved in accidents with smaller passenger vehicles, the results can be devastating. Many of these accidents occur on the interstate or on state highways at high speeds, making them even more dangerous.
These types of collisions can lead to devastating results and cause life-long injuries even if they don’t involve an injury directly from impact with the truck itself. If you have been injured as a result of a truck accident, hiring a trusted Orange County personal injury attorney can protect your rights and help ensure that you obtain any compensation you are owed.
In 2022, as reported by truckinfo.net, 99,600 semi-trucks were involved in accidents. Astoundingly, around 1 in 3 long-haul truckers will be involved in a serious truck accident during their careers. These alarming numbers underscore the severe risks associated with semi-truck accidents.
Distinct Characteristics of Semi-Trucks
Semi-trucks are unique in their size, weight, and maneuverability. Their imposing dimensions and substantial weight amplify the force of collisions, leading to more severe damage and injury. Additionally, their extended braking distance and limited maneuverability heighten the risks, making accidents more likely and more dangerous.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents
The statistics from 2022 further illuminate the heightened risk. Approximately 30% of semi-trucks involved in accidents in 2022 led to an injury, and about 3% resulted in a fatality, emphasizing the need for skilled legal representation and a thorough understanding of these accidents’ intricate aspects.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving stands out as a significant contributor to semi-truck accidents. Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, leading to various distractions. Some drivers may use their mobile phones, eat, or engage in other activities that take their attention away from the road. This loss of focus, even for a split second, can result in a catastrophic accident, given the size and momentum of semi-trucks.
Driver Fatigue
Another prevalent issue is driver fatigue. Long hauls and tight schedules can push truck drivers to their limits, leading them to drive while exhausted. Fatigue dramatically impairs a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in road conditions or traffic, heightening the risk of accidents.
Cargo-Related Issues
The load that semi-trucks carry further escalates the risks. Overloaded or imbalanced cargo can make the truck difficult to control, particularly in sudden stops or turns. The extra weight increases the braking distance, and an uneven load may lead to tipping, both scenarios presenting a grave danger to both the truck driver and other road users.
Limited Visibility
Semi-trucks have larger blind spots compared to standard vehicles, and other drivers may not be aware of these limitations. When vehicles are in a truck’s blind spot, the truck driver may not see them, increasing the likelihood of collisions, especially when changing lanes or turning.
Complexity of the Vehicle
The inherent complexity and size of semi-trucks also play a role. Operating such large vehicles requires skill and attention, and any lapse can lead to accidents. Maneuvering a semi-truck is not as straightforward as driving smaller vehicles, and unfamiliarity with the vehicle’s requirements can lead to serious mishaps.
Comprehensive understanding and acknowledgment of these risks underscore the emphasis on stringent safety standards and regulations for truck drivers and the industry. Moreover, it highlights the need for experienced and dedicated legal representation for individuals involved in semi-truck accidents to ensure their rights and welfare are diligently safeguarded.
What Injuries Can Occur From Truck Accidents?
The injuries from commercial truck accidents can be devastating – even if they don’t involve a collision with the truck itself. Many drivers who are involved in accidents involving trucks may experience whiplash, which is often worsened by how much traffic there was at that moment – leading people into the more serious neck and back pain down the line.
Other truck accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Disfigurement
- Burns
If you have suffered an injury as a result of a truck collision, it’s time to get legal help. Contacting a lawyer is your next best step if you are seeking compensation or answers about what happened during the crash that left you injured. A qualified attorney will be able to provide assistance through this difficult process which can seem overwhelming without some guidance and direction – even with insurance coverage on the line.
The Importance of Hiring an Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured by a truck, it’s important to get legal representation from an Orange County accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process of filing for compensation or seeking answers about who was at fault for causing your injuries in Orange County.
Hiring an Attorney Will Help You Collect Your Rightful Compensation
If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you need to retain legal counsel as soon as you can. Trucking accident cases can involve hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, and trucking companies and their insurers are ready to defend against claims at the drop of a hat. Even if they admit liability and agree to pay you for your losses, they will try to settle your case for as little as possible. This is why it’s vital to retain a lawyer, even if you are pretty sure your case is not going to court.
Some of the ways that trucking companies will try and pressure you to accept a lower settlement than you deserve include:
- Making you a laughably low initial offer to make later offers look better
- Pressuring you to provide a recorded statement, where they will ask you questions designed to get you to say something that will hurt your claim
- Telling you that you will be better off without a lawyer
- Trying to settle your case before you have a chance to retain an attorney
- Requesting authorization to go through your medical records to find something that could be used to characterize your injuries as pre-existing
- Misrepresenting your legal rights
Thankfully, an attorney familiar with these and other insurance company tactics can protect your rights and maximize the chances that you will get the compensation you deserve.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Orange County Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve been recently injured in a truck accident, it’s in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as you can. To schedule your free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Orange County, call our office today or contact us online.