Redding Truck Accident Lawyer

Advocating for the Rights of Truck Accident Victims in Northern California

Truck accidents have the potential to cause severe injuries and even death. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident, you need a lawyer who can help you recover the full, fair compensation you are owed. At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, our Redding truck accident attorney has more than two decades of legal experience. We understand the many ways that truck accidents differ from other types of motor vehicle accidents, and we know how to build strong cases on behalf of our clients.

If you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident, call our firm at (530) 491-4727 or contact us online today.

How Do Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents?

Truck accident cases are different from car accident cases for a number of reasons. For one, truck accidents are often much more severe, causing catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage. Additionally, truck accident cases are typically much more complex due to the various parties that may be involved and the many state and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry.

Some of the key differences between truck and car accident cases include:

• Greater likelihood of severe injuries: Due to their size and weight, trucks can cause severe damage to other vehicles and occupants in a crash. As a result, truck accidents are often much more severe than car accidents, causing catastrophic injuries and death. This means that truck accident victims often require more extensive medical treatment and are typically unable to work for a longer period of time. These factors will affect the value of their claim.
• More extensive property damage: Because of the severe impact of a truck accident, the property damage is often much more extensive than in a car accident. In many cases, the victim’s vehicle is completely totaled and unable to be repaired. This means that the victim will be entitled to the full value of their vehicle in a truck accident claim. Additionally, there may be other types of property damage that are unique to truck accident cases, such as damage to cargo.
• More complex liability: In a car accident case, the at-fault driver is typically the only liable party. However, in a truck accident case, there may be several parties that are at least partially liable for the accident and the victim’s damages. This is because the trucking industry is heavily regulated by both state and federal laws, and there are many rules and regulations that truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties must follow. When these parties fail to meet these obligations, they can be held responsible for the victim’s damages.
• More extensive evidence: In a car accident case, the evidence is often limited to the police report, the victim’s medical records, and any photos or videos of the accident scene. In a truck accident case, however, there is often much more extensive evidence that must be collected and analyzed. For example, we may need to collect the truck driver’s hours of service logs, the truck’s black box data, the truck driver’s drug and alcohol testing results, the truck driver’s employment records, and much more. We may also need to work with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists, to help us understand how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Truck accident cases are often much more complex than car accident cases due to the various parties that may be involved. In a car accident, the only party that is typically liable for the accident and the victim’s damages is the at-fault driver. However, in a truck accident case, there may be several parties that are at least partially liable for the accident and the victim’s damages.

Some of the parties that may be liable for a truck accident include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The truck manufacturer
• The company that loaded the truck’s cargo
• The truck’s mechanic
• The truck owner
• The truck’s employer
• The government entity responsible for maintaining the road where the accident occurred
• The government entity responsible for maintaining the traffic lights or signs near the accident

When you choose our firm, we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is liable for your injuries and other damages. We will also work to gather all available evidence and use this information to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents are often caused by the negligence of the truck driver or trucking company. However, there are many factors that can contribute to a truck accident. For example, if a truck driver is not properly trained or does not have the required experience, they are more likely to cause an accident. Additionally, if a trucking company fails to properly maintain its fleet or does not follow the many state and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry, it can also contribute to an accident.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours on the road. Unfortunately, many trucking companies incentivize their drivers to work more hours than they are legally allowed to drive in a day or a week. This can lead to driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. When a truck driver is fatigued, they may fall asleep behind the wheel or have a slower reaction time, which can cause an accident.
• Speeding: Truck drivers are often under a lot of pressure to deliver their cargo as quickly as possible. This can lead to speeding, which is a common cause of truck accidents. When a truck is speeding, it is more difficult for the driver to control the vehicle and stop in time to avoid a collision.
• Driving under the influence: Truck drivers are prohibited from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, some truck drivers may use drugs or consume alcohol to stay awake during long shifts. This can impair their ability to drive safely and cause an accident.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers are often on the road for long periods of time and may become bored. Unfortunately, some truck drivers may turn to their phones or other electronic devices to pass the time. This is illegal and can lead to distracted driving, which is a leading cause of truck accidents.
• Improper loading: When a truck is not loaded properly, it can cause the truck to become unbalanced or the cargo to fall off the truck. This can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
• Improper truck maintenance: Trucking companies are required to properly maintain their vehicles. This includes regularly inspecting the truck, conducting maintenance when necessary, and keeping records of all maintenance and inspections. If a trucking company fails to properly maintain its fleet, it can cause a truck accident.
• Defective truck parts: In some cases, a truck accident may be caused by a defective truck part. If the truck manufacturer, parts manufacturer, or another party in the supply chain is aware of the defect but fails to take action to correct the problem, they can be held liable for the accident and the victim’s injuries and damages.

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Truck Accident Case?

If you were involved in a truck accident, you may be wondering whether you really need to hire a lawyer. After all, truck accident cases are typically much more complex than car accident cases, and you may be tempted to try to handle your claim on your own. However, this is not a good idea.

When you are recovering from serious injuries, the last thing you need is to try to navigate the complex legal system on your own. Additionally, the trucking company and its insurance company will likely have a team of lawyers on their side, and you need a lawyer who can help you fight for your rights.

When you choose our firm, we will help with your truck accident case in the following ways:

• Conducting a thorough investigation: We will work to gather all available evidence, including the truck driver’s hours of service logs, the truck’s black box data, the truck driver’s drug and alcohol testing results, and more. We will also work with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists, to help us understand how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
• Determining liability: We will work to determine who is liable for your injuries and other damages. We know how to handle even the most complex truck accident cases and will help you fight for the full, fair compensation you are owed.
• Negotiating with the insurance company: If you were involved in a truck accident, the trucking company’s insurance company will likely reach out to you soon after the accident. They may offer to settle your claim for a small amount of money, which may seem like a good deal. However, it is important to remember that the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. They are trying to get you to settle your claim for as little money as possible. When you choose our firm, we will handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf. We will negotiate aggressively to help you recover the full, fair compensation you are owed.
• Filing a lawsuit, if necessary: In some cases, the insurance company may refuse to make a fair settlement offer. If this happens, we will not hesitate to take your case to court. Our Redding truck accident lawyer has extensive litigation experience and knows how to build strong cases for our clients in the courtroom. We will be by your side throughout the entire process and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Our Redding truck accident lawyer knows how to handle even the most complex truck accident cases. When you choose our firm, you can trust that we will put our experience to work for you.

To schedule a free consultation with our Redding truck accident lawyer, call the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley at (530) 491-4727 or contact us online today.