California is reliably one of the top 10 states in the nation for truck accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Fatal accidents involving commercial vehicles increased 42% in a state over a recent 10-years period.
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Most California crashes occur on I-5, I-10 and I-715.
Most large truck crashes occur in Los Angeles County.
ARE LARGE TRUCKS USUALLY AT FAULT?
One study of truck accidents only involving a single passenger car found that
The car’s driver was responsible for the crash in more than half of all cases.
Trucks were listed at fault in 44% of those cases.
However, in evaluating the critical reason for all large truck crashes, the fault switched.
Truck drivers were listed at fault in 55% of all collisions
WHAT PERCENT OF BACKING ACCIDENTS
INVOLVE LARGE TRUCKS?
Backing accidents occur when a car or truck backs into another vehicle or person. Most of the time, these accidents occur due to entirely avoidable factors, such as distraction.
Backing accidents can be very serious and are more common than one might think.
The National Safety Council reports that approximately 25% of all accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques.
Backing up a large truck safely is much more difficult compared to a smaller passenger vehicle.
Large trucks have bigger blind spots and are generally more difficult to maneuver.
It’s essential for truck drivers to be properly trained to avoid these often-fatal accidents.
HOW MANY DEATHS ARE CAUSED BY
TRUCK ACCIDENTS EACH YEAR?
200 TO 360
DEATHS
In California, anywhere from 200 to 360 deaths have been attributed to truck accidents in recent years. That’s not counting the thousands of non-fatal injuries that result from tractor-trailer crashes, many of which are catastrophic.
4,500+
PEOPLE DIED
Nationally, the statistics are equally as grim. More than 4,500 people died in crashes involving trucks, according to the latest FMCSA data. Most of the time, those killed were the occupants of the other vehicles, not the truck driver
CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA
Driver Fatigue
Inattention
Poor driver decisions
(e.g., speeding or driving
aggressively)
Loose cargo
Poor performance
(e.g., overcompensating
for driving errors)
Vehicle-related
problems (e.g., brake
or light failures)
Environmental factors
(e.g., damaged roadways
or poor weather)
Untrained or
undertrained drivers
Unsafe hiring practices
How Can Pius Joseph Help Me?
An attorney can be an essential ally to fight for the compensation that you need and deserve after a large truck crash. At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney, our truck wreck lawyers can help you by:
- Sending spoliation of evidence letters to ensure that evidence relevant to your accident and claim is preserved
- Investigating your accident and hiring experts, if necessary, to help determine cause and liability
- Representing you in all interactions with insurance companies and the trucking company
- Determining the available sources of insurance and potential avenues for compensation
- Calculating your damages, including both economic and noneconomic losses
- Negotiating your settlement
- Filing a truck accident lawsuit and going to trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Call Our Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Being involved in a truck accident can change your life in an instant. If you’ve been seriously injured in a semi truck accident in California, our law firm wants to help you in any way possible.
Attorney Pius Joseph doesn’t believe that cost should prevent you from getting the advice you need. That’s why he offers free, no-obligation consultations to every potential client. In addition, all cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means that you only pay for legal services if a settlement or verdict is reached in your case.
You have nothing to lose. Call or contact us today to schedule your free consultation.