Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in Pasadena

Types of Truck Accidents in Pasadena

The Law Offices of Pius Joseph has over 30 years of experience representing truck accident victims in Pasadena and throughout Southern California. Every truck crash comes with unique circumstances. However, they generally result from the same handful of common causes. The way in which a truck accident occurs can affect who may be held accountable for the consequences. That’s why it helps to understand these causes and what they might mean for you.

If you sustained injuries in a commercial truck accident, The Law Offices of Pius Joseph is here for you. Firm founder Pius Joseph is a top-rated lawyer recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Nation’s Top One Percent, and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for his ethics, track record, and commitment to justice.

Call or contact us now for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Pasadena.

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in CA?

Here are some of the most common kinds of truck accidents in California:

  • Jackknife truck accidents – Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer starts to travel in a different direction than the cab before being caught by the coupling unit. The trailer then swings out at an angle and moves toward the cab. The trailer may block multiple traffic lanes, and its movement poses a high risk of pinning a neighboring vehicle or causing a multi-vehicle collision.
  • Rollover truck accidents – Sharp turns or uneven cargo loads can cause a truck to tip over in transit, endangering everyone nearby. Spilled cargo can cause secondary collisions.
  • Underride truck accidents – These collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer, often leading to severe injuries and fatalities.
  • Rear-end truck collisions – When a large commercial truck slams into the back of a smaller vehicle, the crash can cause serious injuries and major damage. Sometimes the force of the impact turns a rear-end collision into an override crash, where the truck’s front end rides up and over the car instead of just hitting the bumper.
  • Head-on collisions – If a truck drifts or swerves out of its lane, it can crash directly into oncoming traffic. Due to the truck’s massive size and weight, these crashes are particularly hazardous and often result in fatalities for occupants of the smaller vehicle.
  • Tire blowout truck accidents – A burst tire can cause a commercial truck driver to lose control and also leave dangerous debris in the road.
  • Sideswipe accidents – When a truck drifts into an adjacent lane, its side might scrape across or crash into a nearby vehicle.
  • Wide-turn accidents – These incidents occur when a truck swings too far into another lane or onto a sidewalk during a turn, putting unsuspecting drivers and pedestrians in danger.

Leading Causes of Truck Accidents

Some of the most common causes of commercial truck accidents include:

Any accident involving a large truck is capable of causing serious injuries and leaving victims facing high medical expenses, lost wages, and tremendous pain and suffering. An experienced lawyer can assess your needs and help you seek compensation for your losses.

What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?

A fully loaded 18-wheeler with a trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, nearly 30 times heavier than the average passenger car. Trucks also sit higher off the road, so they strike smaller cars at more vulnerable spots. These factors partly explain why truck accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) – The force of a collision can cause concussions, brain bleeds, and other trauma that can cause long-term cognitive impairments. A TBI often affects the accident victim’s memories, coordination, speech, and overall brain function.
  • Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spine can result in partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and reduced mobility.
  • Broken bones – The force of a truck collision often leads to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis. These injuries may require surgery and extended recovery periods.
  • Internal injuries – Organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs can suffer damage from blunt force trauma in a truck crash, leading to internal bleeding and life-threatening complications.
  • Whiplash and neck injuries – Sudden impacts can strain muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.
  • Severe lacerations – Cuts from shattered glass and contact with jagged metal edges can cause deep bleeding, nerve damage, and scarring.

In addition, the stress of being involved in a truck accident can lead to emotional distress. Some truck accident survivors experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and need psychotherapy after a crash.

Why You Need a Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer

Tractor-trailer accidents involve complex legal issues and both federal and state laws. If you don’t understand these regulations, you could have a hard time pursuing a truck accident claim, especially against a trucking company with its own knowledgeable legal team. The trucking company and its insurer might try to intimidate you into dropping your claim or accepting less than what you deserve. When you get a lawyer on your side, you get a skilled advocate who knows the rules, understands the stakes are high, and can aggressively fight for full and fair compensation for your insurance claim.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Pius Joseph?

Attorney Pius Joseph and his team have been representing injured Californians for over three decades. With a history of securing millions in personal injury verdicts and settlements, we focus on creating a tailored legal strategy for your case, without ever cutting corners.

We understand that you’re going through a difficult time, so our priority is to alleviate your burdens. We’ll represent you through the entire legal process, from investigating the crash and documenting your injuries to negotiating with the insurance company or taking your truck accident case to court.

Our law firm is grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received from our clients. Here’s what one satisfied client said about our handling of their personal injury claim:

“For anyone that was involved in a work accident/vehicle accident, Mr. Pius Joseph is the person to represent you! When I had my accident, I was recommended by another really good attorney and told me that’d I’d be in good hands. When I first met Mr. Joseph, he assured me that everything will be okay. Mr. Joseph is an honest, hardworking and humble man and he was able to get me rewarded and paid for my pain and suffering. I would highly recommend the Law offices of Pius Joseph!” — Miguel Feregrino

Contact a Pasadena Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a truck accident, reach out to the Law Offices of Pius Joseph to learn your rights and legal options under California law. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a skilled Pasadena truck crash lawyer.