What happens to truck drivers after an accident?
cartwrightlaw - June 28, 2023 -
The aftermath of truck accidents is often devastating, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries and severe vehicle damage. With California being home to the largest fleet of semi-trucks in the United States, thousands of highway fatalities each year in the state are attributed to large commercial vehicles.
In fact, over 4,000 fatal people died in accidents involving commercial vehicles, a 17% increase from the previous year. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, there are steps you should take after an accident to protect your legal rights. At The Cartwright Law Firm, we are prepared to pursue the maximum compensation available in your case so you can focus on prioritizing your recovery.
What To Do Following a Truck Accident?
When you’re involved in a truck accident, the first thing you may be concerned about is your safety and getting the proper medical attention. Knowing what steps to take in the aftermath of a truck accident is essential to protecting your rights, health, and overall well-being.
Here are some steps you should take after a truck accident:
Move off the road: You should pull over to the side of the road and switch on your hazard lights as soon as possible after a truck accident. Be sure to stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement lets you go.
Seek medical attention: If you were injured after a truck driving accident, seek medical attention immediately and call 911 if possible. Even if you feel fine after a truck collision, you should still be evaluated by your doctor. A doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and help you understand the full extent of your injuries so you can immediately begin any necessary treatment.
Contact 911: Contacting emergency services helps start the investigation and ensure the safety of all involved. Law enforcement officers can help clear traffic, ensure that any wreckage is removed, and manage any emergencies that may arise. While police reports are rarely accepted as evidence in court, you should request a copy. Police reports often contain vital information your attorney can utilize while investigating your case.
Exchange information with all involved parties: Collect the names and phone numbers of all the other drivers involved. You should also take down their license plate number, information about their insurance provider, and policy number.
Gather evidence: Take clear photos and videos of the driver’s license plate and damage on all vehicles involved in the accident. You should also take pictures of all your injuries. Writing down what you remember before, during, and after the accident can make it easier for your attorney to reconstruct the accident and prepare your case.
Collect information from witnesses: Witnesses will often be found at the accident scene, and you should try to obtain their contact information and any other information about the accident they can provide. An experienced personal injury lawyer will do everything possible to locate witnesses in cases involving severe injuries or death.
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer: An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you with everything from preparing your case to dealing with insurance companies. Our team at The Cartwright Law Firm has the knowledge and skills to navigate the complicated process and assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The consequences resulting from a truck accident are often devastating. Due to the size and weight difference between tractor-trailers and standard passenger cars, trucks often wreak havoc in accidents, leaving victims with severe injuries they are unable to recover from.
Here are some common injuries caused by truck accidents:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cuts and bruises
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Paralysis
While no amount of money can bring a family member back, when a person is killed in a truck accident, their family can file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for unpaid medical costs, funeral expenses, and any additional damages.
Insurance companies know that the stakes are high in these cases and tend to fight harder to avoid responsibility. A truck accident lawyer knows what it takes to hold all liable parties responsible and help determine what compensation you need to recover after an accident.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Because trucks tend to be larger, it increases the likelihood of multiple vehicles being involved in an accident. This makes truck accidents highly complex from a legal standpoint, and determining liability tends to become complicated quickly.
In California, liable parties in truck accident cases can include:
The Truck Driver: Truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that their truck is free of maintenance issues and all cargo is secured correctly. When a truck driver’s negligent actions contribute to an accident, they will generally be held liable for the crash. Some examples of driver negligence include speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence.
The Truck Owner: There are instances where trucking companies will lease trucks or hire independent contractors who own the vehicles. When this happens, a truck owner can be held liable if an accident occurs because they failed to service the truck correctly. Truck owners are typically responsible for the maintenance of their trucks, including checking brakes and tires.
The Truck Company: Trucking companies must comply with specific rules and regulations, and when failure to do so leads to an accident, they may be held responsible. Common violations include:
- Allowing for overweight vehicles.
- Failing to maintain their trucks.
- Encouraging drivers to violate hour and sleep restrictions.
When they employ a driver and put them on the road, they can also be held liable for an accident their employee causes while on the job.
The Truck and Parts Manufacturer: When defective components or truck parts fail and cause an accident, the truck or parts manufacturer may be held liable. For example, the truck owner could sue the manufacturer if a steering wheel part comes loose and causes an accident.
Cargo Loaders: Trucking companies may hire another company to handle loading. When a loading company places the cargo dangerously, it can increase the risk of collisions. A cargo loader that fails to inspect or secure cargo correctly might be liable for an accident.
Truck drivers that cause accidents because of negligent actions may be at risk of losing their commercial driving license or CDLs. For many shipping and transportation jobs in the United States, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a requirement making it difficult for truck drivers who lose their license to find work in the future.
Contact an Experienced California Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are often catastrophic, and if you suffer from injuries after an accident, you want to ensure your expenses will be covered. At The Cartwright Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the complicated legal process and pursue the compensation you need to put your life back together. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
The aftermath of truck accidents is often devastating, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries and severe vehicle damage. With California being home to the largest fleet of semi-trucks in the United States, thousands of highway fatalities each year in the state are attributed to large commercial vehicles.
In fact, over 4,000 fatal people died in accidents involving commercial vehicles, a 17% increase from the previous year. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, there are steps you should take after an accident to protect your legal rights. At The Cartwright Law Firm, we are prepared to pursue the maximum compensation available in your case so you can focus on prioritizing your recovery.
What To Do Following a Truck Accident?
When you’re involved in a truck accident, the first thing you may be concerned about is your safety and getting the proper medical attention. Knowing what steps to take in the aftermath of a truck accident is essential to protecting your rights, health, and overall well-being.
Here are some steps you should take after a truck accident:
Move off the road: You should pull over to the side of the road and switch on your hazard lights as soon as possible after a truck accident. Be sure to stay at the scene of the accident until law enforcement lets you go.
Seek medical attention: If you were injured after a truck driving accident, seek medical attention immediately and call 911 if possible. Even if you feel fine after a truck collision, you should still be evaluated by your doctor. A doctor can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and help you understand the full extent of your injuries so you can immediately begin any necessary treatment.
Contact 911: Contacting emergency services helps start the investigation and ensure the safety of all involved. Law enforcement officers can help clear traffic, ensure that any wreckage is removed, and manage any emergencies that may arise. While police reports are rarely accepted as evidence in court, you should request a copy. Police reports often contain vital information your attorney can utilize while investigating your case.
Exchange information with all involved parties: Collect the names and phone numbers of all the other drivers involved. You should also take down their license plate number, information about their insurance provider, and policy number.
Gather evidence: Take clear photos and videos of the driver’s license plate and damage on all vehicles involved in the accident. You should also take pictures of all your injuries. Writing down what you remember before, during, and after the accident can make it easier for your attorney to reconstruct the accident and prepare your case.
Collect information from witnesses: Witnesses will often be found at the accident scene, and you should try to obtain their contact information and any other information about the accident they can provide. An experienced personal injury lawyer will do everything possible to locate witnesses in cases involving severe injuries or death.
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer: An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you with everything from preparing your case to dealing with insurance companies. Our team at The Cartwright Law Firm has the knowledge and skills to navigate the complicated process and assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The consequences resulting from a truck accident are often devastating. Due to the size and weight difference between tractor-trailers and standard passenger cars, trucks often wreak havoc in accidents, leaving victims with severe injuries they are unable to recover from.
Here are some common injuries caused by truck accidents:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Cuts and bruises
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Paralysis
While no amount of money can bring a family member back, when a person is killed in a truck accident, their family can file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for unpaid medical costs, funeral expenses, and any additional damages.
Insurance companies know that the stakes are high in these cases and tend to fight harder to avoid responsibility. A truck accident lawyer knows what it takes to hold all liable parties responsible and help determine what compensation you need to recover after an accident.
Determining Liability After a Truck Accident
Because trucks tend to be larger, it increases the likelihood of multiple vehicles being involved in an accident. This makes truck accidents highly complex from a legal standpoint, and determining liability tends to become complicated quickly.
In California, liable parties in truck accident cases can include:
The Truck Driver: Truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that their truck is free of maintenance issues and all cargo is secured correctly. When a truck driver’s negligent actions contribute to an accident, they will generally be held liable for the crash. Some examples of driver negligence include speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence.
The Truck Owner: There are instances where trucking companies will lease trucks or hire independent contractors who own the vehicles. When this happens, a truck owner can be held liable if an accident occurs because they failed to service the truck correctly. Truck owners are typically responsible for the maintenance of their trucks, including checking brakes and tires.
The Truck Company: Trucking companies must comply with specific rules and regulations, and when failure to do so leads to an accident, they may be held responsible. Common violations include:
- Allowing for overweight vehicles.
- Failing to maintain their trucks.
- Encouraging drivers to violate hour and sleep restrictions.
When they employ a driver and put them on the road, they can also be held liable for an accident their employee causes while on the job.
The Truck and Parts Manufacturer: When defective components or truck parts fail and cause an accident, the truck or parts manufacturer may be held liable. For example, the truck owner could sue the manufacturer if a steering wheel part comes loose and causes an accident.
Cargo Loaders: Trucking companies may hire another company to handle loading. When a loading company places the cargo dangerously, it can increase the risk of collisions. A cargo loader that fails to inspect or secure cargo correctly might be liable for an accident.
Truck drivers that cause accidents because of negligent actions may be at risk of losing their commercial driving license or CDLs. For many shipping and transportation jobs in the United States, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a requirement making it difficult for truck drivers who lose their license to find work in the future.
Contact an Experienced California Truck Accident Attorney
Truck accidents are often catastrophic, and if you suffer from injuries after an accident, you want to ensure your expenses will be covered. At The Cartwright Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys are prepared to help you navigate the complicated legal process and pursue the compensation you need to put your life back together. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner