Northern California Truck Accidents
Truck Accident Lawyers - Chico, Roseville, Sacramento
At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley, we place special emphasis on trucking accidents. Our truck accident lawyers, working from offices in Chico, Roseville, Sacramento, and greater Northern California, handle truck accident cases in both State and Federal Court, state-wide. We do so because we appreciate that such an event can cause significant harm and leave a lasting impact on not just the victim, but his or her family as well.
This focus has allowed us to recover numerous successful outcomes on behalf of our clients, and provides us with invaluable experience in the field of truck accident litigation. If you have been injured as a result of a trucker’s negligence, or someone you love has been killed and you require help filing a wrongful death claim, please allow us to help. We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional representation and honest, informative counsel and would be honored to work on your behalf. You can arrange a complimentary consultation with a member of our legal team via telephone or our contact form.
Damages and Eligibility
If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, or someone you love has been injured or killed by the actions of a trucker, you may be eligible to recover damages from the liable party. At our law firm, we are committed to obtaining the best recovery possible on behalf of our clients and work tirelessly to protect their rights. Though each case is different, the plaintiff in a personal injury case may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, loss of wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
In rare cases, it may also be possible to recover punitive damages, which are monies rewarded to punish the defendant. In wrongful death cases, damages will vary and depend on multiple factors. For example, if the plaintiff was a dependent of the decedent, he or she may be able to recover damages for loss of future wages, as well as other economic losses directly resulting from the loss of income in a household. To determine your eligibility for recovery of damages, we will first have to establish liability, however.
Contact our law firm to get started on your truck accident case today!
Establishing Liability
Truck drivers have a legal and professional duty to abide by State and Federal traffic laws, commercial regulations, and a standard of reasonable behavior. In the event of a truck accident, the attorneys at our Chico, Roseville, and Sacramento offices can determine not only which party was at fault in the accident, but if the truck driver failed in his or her professional duties as well. This will prove crucial in obtaining the best possible recovery for you and your family. To establish liability, we work with only the top experts in the fields of biomechanical engineering, physics, accident investigation, forensic science, and psychology.
By analyzing the factual circumstances of the case, we can definitely determine liability and file suit against the negligent party or parties to hold them accountable for their actions. Trucking accidents are unique not only because of the pain and trauma they can cause, but also because of the peculiarities inherent in truck accident claims. Trucking companies are large entities who will bring all of their resources to bear to defend their interests; if you have any hope of protecting your rights in a truck accident case, you’ll want to ensure that you have the tools and resources that you need as well.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
- Distracted driving
- Fatigue
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Lack of experiences
Many truck accidents result from truck drivers purposefully violating State and Federal law in an effort to arrive to a destination early or increase their payload. Such actions can result in a motor vehicle that is unsafe for the road or a driver that is fatigued and unable to drive safely. Regardless, either circumstance can have potentially deadly consequences. There are Federal laws governing how many hours a truck driver can operate his or her vehicle and how many hours he or she must rest in a 24-hour period.
If a driver violates any of these laws, there can be severe civil and criminal penalties. Driver fatigue can significantly impair a driver’s judgment and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Because of a commercial truck’s potential to cause damage in the event of an accident – commercial trucks weigh significantly more than standard motor vehicles and their kinetic energy is greater by a factor of magnitudes – truck drivers have a higher standard of duty than everyday motorists. The truck accident lawyers at our Chico, Roseville, and Sacramento-area offices will make sure that they are held to this standard.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Seat belt injuries
Contact Our Sacramento Truck Accident Attorneys
A consultation with our office is always free and we advance all legal costs in our clients’ cases. We accept no fee for our services unless we are able to recover on your behalf. Our Sacramento truck accident lawyers can help you. Home-based in the Chico, Roseville, and Sacramento area, we have offices located throughout Northern California for our clients’ convenience.
If you have questions regarding personal injury litigation, we invite you to review our FAQ and contact our law firm to arrange a meeting.
Truck Accident FAQ
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Who is liable for a truck accident?
Liability in a truck accident case can take surprising turns. The truck driver who hit you might not be the only person liable for your damages. Due to the legal rule of respondeat superior, the trucking company that employed that truck driver could be liable as well. Furthermore, if the crash was caused in part by a cargo issue or a part defect, then a third-party cargo load crew or a truck part manufacturer could be liable, respectively. -
What should you do after a truck accident?
After a truck accident, you should call 911 and get emergency responders to the scene as soon as possible. Next, exchange contact and insurance information with everyone involved. Be sure to mark the trucking company that was paying the truck driver when the crash happened. Also, take photographs of the scene using your smartphone. Lastly, go to the doctor for a check-up the same day as the crash if you aren’t taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Many people make the mistake of thinking they are fine, only for their injuries to worsen shortly after. -
Do different laws apply to truck accidents?
Yes, truck accidents can be regulated and handled through a different set of laws than a typical car accident. This is because the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a specific set of rules that apply to commercial trucks and trucking companies. When these rules are violated by a truck driver or employer, determining liability can be different than normal, too.