Traffic collisions involving trucks have been on the rise in Los Angeles, as well as all over the United States, lately. Earlier in September 2017, a bizarre truck accident in LA vacuumed up headlines when a driver suspected of hitting a pedestrian sped through a red light while fleeing the scene and crashed into a blue SUV. There are about 500,000 truck accidents annually in the U.S., nearly 5,000 of which result in fatalities. Almost 99% of the time, the truck’s driver is to blame for accidents involving trucks. Driving an 18-wheeler carrying huge loads is no easy task. Not to mention that truck drivers spend long hours or even days on the road, fatigued, easily distracted and oftentimes drunk. If you are involved in a truck accident it is imperative to contact a Los Angeles truck accident attorney.
What are the main causes of truck accidents in Los Angeles
The cause of truck accidents varies from one case to another, but usually the main causes are:
- Truck drivers speeding to get from point A to point B;
- Trucks carrying heavy loads, which makes it more difficult to control and stop the vehicle;
- A lot of trucks in LA are not properly maintained;
- Drivers deprived of sleep literally falling asleep on the road;
- Road and/or weather conditions may make it difficult to control the truck (a commercial truck weighs about 20,000-25,000 pounds on average without any additional load).
In fact, even the most attentive truck driver driving a properly-maintained truck that carries lightweight can cause traffic accidents, as the driver can’t see every inch of such a massive vehicle in truck mirrors.
What to do if you get into a truck accident
Although both federal and state laws impose quite a few regulations on truck drivers restricting the number of hours they’re allowed to spend on the road, as well as the maximum weight trucks are allowed to carry, plenty of truck companies and drivers don’t follow these regulations. If you want to maximize damage compensation in an accident involving trucks, it’s essential to hire a well-versed Los Angeles truck accident attorney. Assessing whether or not the truck driver was in compliance with the federal and state regulations can help determine his liability.
Why you should NEVER negotiate with a truck company
Hiring a Los Angeles truck accident attorney who has experience with the complexities of trucking company policies is important when handling a truck accident. It’s not advised to negotiate with a truck company without an attorney’s assistance, as these companies care more about their reputation and less about victims involved in truck accidents. It often happens that truck companies offer inadequate compensation or attempt to wriggle out of liability by altering the facts or making up evidence to blame the other party involved in a truck accident. That’s why it’s vital to find an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney and let them negotiate the terms on your behalf. Call JML Law at 818-610-8800 to schedule an initial consultation with one of our attorneys.
