Hurt in a Truck Accident?

Reputable Personal Injury Lawyers in Murrieta

Truck accidents can be incredibly scary, because the resulting injuries can be much more severe than those caused by a normal passenger vehicle accident. At Singleton Smith Law Offices, our Murrieta personal injury attorneys are dedicated to representing truck accident victims, and other innocently injured individuals throughout the area. Our team recognizes that our clients are going through overwhelming times in their lives, and we ensure each and every one is provided with the compassionate service they deserve.

Schedule your free consultation today! Give our firm a call at (951) 779-1610.

Driver Error & Other Causes of Truck Accidents

Over the past 25 years, the number of truck accidents has increased by 20%. Typically, a commercial truck weighs at least 25 times as much as a regular automobile. Not only do trucks weigh more than normal cars, they are also much taller and wider. Due to their large size, it is common for truck accidents to result in serious injuries, and even death.

Common causes of truck accidents include:

• Road design
• Driver error
• Weather conditions
• Mechanical failures
• Traffic signal failures
• Failure to maintain equipment

The most common cause of truck accidents is driver error. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, truck drivers are 10 times more likely to cause an accident than any other vehicle. Fatigue, distractions, recklessness, driving under the influence of drugs and / or alcohol, and unfamiliarity with the road can all lead to serious accidents. Of these, the most common causes of trucking accidents are driver fatigue and sleep deprivation, due to long hours spent on the road, late in the night and early into the morning.

Proving Liability in a Truck Accident

The trucking industry is regulated by federal laws which set a specific set of standards by which trucking companies, owners, and drivers must abide. Due to these laws, determining liability in a truck accident can be difficult, since there are multiple parties that may be found responsible.

In a truck accident, liability may fall upon the:

• Truck driver
• Owner of the truck
• The person or company that leased the truck from the owner
• The manufacturer of the truck or other parts that may have contributed to the accident
• The shipper or loader of the truck's cargo

Because it can be difficult to pinpoint a liable party in a trucking accident, it is essential to ensure that the team you are working with is experienced and well versed in the field. Our team always puts the needs of our clients first, and we work to come up with the most efficient and stress-free solutions possible. If you retain our representation, we will investigate every detail of your accident and preserve all the evidence in order to establish liability.

Are Truck Drivers Responsible for Damages?

Any auto accident can be stressful, however truck accidents come with their own unique sets of laws that make obtaining compensation more difficult. A common confusion is who is ultimately responsible. It could be the driver, the driver's employer, or perhaps the other cars involved. It's important to retain a qualified attorney because filing a claim against the wrong party could take away your right to obtain compensation.

As long as the truck driver is acting within the scope of his or her work responsibilities, they cannot be held liable. It would be the truck company that is liable for paying any damages. The driver will be responsible if the following has occurred:

• If the driver is an independent contractor and owns their own truck. Be aware that plenty of trucking companies that hire drivers call them independent contractors to protect themselves from future liability.
• If there are any deliberate actions that have taken place, such as intentionally crashing the car out of anger or lack of sleep.
• If the employee has acted outside the scope of their job description.

Focus on your recovery—call us today!

Through the use of legal professionalism and integrity within the community, we have become recognized for the honest and ethical service we provide. We are always attentive and responsive to our clients' needs, and put our best foot forth in helping them obtain the compensation they deserve.

If you would like to find out if you have grounds to file a truck accident claim, do not wait to contact our firm today. We stand ready to take the legal matters off of your hands, so that you can focus on your recovery!