Stockton, California, can experience truck accidents due to its road infrastructure and the presence of a significant transportation industry. The frequency of Stockton truck accidents can vary over time and depends on traffic conditions, weather, and the volume of commercial trucks on the roads.
Semi-truck accidents can be quite complex compared to accidents involving other types of vehicles. The time it takes to settle a semi-truck accident may depend on its severity, how many people it injured, and how much evidence you need to collect and analyze.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, contact the Stockton Truck Accident Lawyers at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers as soon as possible. You may recover compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related damages.
Why Choose Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers?
When you or a family member suffers injuries in a truck accident, you need the strength of an established personal injury law firm. The legal team at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers has a well-deserved reputation of excellence and provides smart, sensible, and cost-effective legal and business solutions for our clients.
Our truck accident lawyers understand this is a difficult time for you and your family. We have the resources and experience to fight for full compensation on your behalf.
Our lawyers can start working on your behalf immediately. Contact a Stockton truck accident attorney from Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in California?
Truck accidents in California are not uncommon due to its extensive road network, high population, and significant commercial activity. California’s highways are among the busiest in the United States, and its role as a major transportation and trade hub contributes to the frequency of truck accidents.
According to the California Department of Transportation, between 2008 and 2017, 31,919 people lost their lives and 115,539 were seriously injured in collisions on California roadways. Crashes involving commercial vehicles account for 10 percent of fatalities statewide. Over about 10 years, 3,253 people lost their lives and 6,620 people were seriously injured in Commercial Vehicle collisions on California roadways.
These accidents can have devastating consequences for both the victims and their families. Long-term medical, lifestyle, and financial challenges can arise, making it difficult to cope with. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, the injured party deserves compensation for all their losses.
What Compensation is Available to Truck Accident Victims?
In a truck accident case, compensation is typically based on economic and non-economic damages. Here’s an explanation of the key differences between them:
Economic Damages:
- Tangible costs: Economic damages, also known as special damages, refer to the quantifiable financial losses and expenses incurred as a direct result of the truck accident.
- Examples: These damages can include medical bills, hospital expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages (current and future income), property damage (vehicle repair or replacement), and any out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the accident.
- Economic damages are usually objective and readily documented with bills, receipts, and financial records.
Non-Economic Damages:
- Intangible costs: Non-economic or general damages pertain to the less tangible and non-monetary losses that a truck accident victim may suffer.
- Examples: These damages can encompass pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (loss of companionship or spousal support), and other non-financial hardships.
- Non-economic damages are subjective and require a lawyer to calculate precisely since they involve assessing the personal and emotional impact of the accident.
- The availability and calculation of non-economic damages can vary by state. Some states cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases, while others do not impose such limitations. An experienced Stockton truck accident lawyer will know California’s laws for truck accident lawsuits.
In a truck accident case, economic and non-economic damages are considered when determining the total compensation owed to the victim. An experienced personal injury attorney from our firm can help you evaluate and present your damages effectively to seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses. And with our no fee guarantee, you don’t pay us unless you win.
Who May Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
In a truck accident case, you may hold multiple parties liable, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident. Identifying liability is a crucial step in seeking compensation for victims.
Here are some parties you may hold liable for a truck accident:
- Truck driver: The truck driver is often the first party to be examined for liability. If their negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, contributed to the accident, they may be held responsible.
- Trucking company: You can hold the trucking company that employs the driver liable. This may occur if the company failed to properly maintain the truck, pushed the driver to violate regulations (such as hours of service), driving without insurance, or if the driver was inadequately trained.
- Truck manufacturer: If a mechanical failure or defect in the truck played a role in the accident, you can hold the manufacturer of the truck or its components liable.
- Cargo loading company: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can lead to accidents. You can hold the company liable for loading and securing the cargo if it contributed to the crash.
- Maintenance and repair companies: You can hold entities responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck liable if their negligence or substandard work contributed to the accident.
- Government entities: In some cases, the condition of the road or inadequate signage may contribute to an accident. If this is the case, you can hold the government agency responsible for road maintenance liable.
- Other drivers: Sometimes, the negligence of other drivers can contribute to a truck accident. In such cases, multiple parties may share liability.
Determining liability in a truck accident often involves a detailed investigation, gathering evidence, and analysis. Consult an experienced truck accident attorney to help assess the specific circumstances of your case and identify all potentially liable parties. Our Stockton truck accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
How Can a Truck Driver’s Negligence Contribute to a Trucking Accident?
A truck driver’s negligence can contribute to a trucking accident in various ways due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, which makes them potentially more dangerous in collisions.
Here are some examples of how a truck driver’s negligence can lead to accidents:
- Distracted driving: Engaging in activities such as texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting controls while driving can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, leading to accidents.
- Fatigue and hours of service violations: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can result in driver fatigue, impairing reaction times and decision-making. Violating hours of service regulations that limit driving time can lead to drowsy driving.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a truck driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic or road conditions and increases the severity of collisions.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, weaving between lanes, and ignoring traffic signals or signs increase the risk of accidents.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications can impair a driver’s ability to operate the truck safely.
- Inadequate training: Trucking companies are responsible for training their drivers to operate commercial vehicles safely. Failure to provide adequate training can lead to accidents caused by driver incompetence.
- Improper lane changes: Failing to signal, not checking blind spots, or improperly merging can lead to collisions with other vehicles.
- Negligent maneuvering: Improper turns, failure to yield the right of way, or failure to adjust driving behavior in adverse conditions can cause accidents.
- Failure to secure cargo: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing loss of control and accidents.
- Ignoring maintenance issues: Failure to conduct regular vehicle inspections and maintenance can lead to mechanical failure accidents.
- Failure to follow regulations: Violating trucking regulations, such as weight limits, can affect a truck’s handling and increase the risk of accidents.
What is involved in investigating a semi-truck accident claim?
Investigating a semi-truck accident claim is a comprehensive process aimed at gathering evidence to determine liability and build a strong case for the victim.
Here are the key steps involved in investigating a semi-truck accident claim:
- Preservation of evidence: Accident investigators should preserve all relevant evidence, including the truck, the accident scene, and any physical evidence like skid marks or debris.
- Photographs and documentation: Document the crash scene by taking photographs of the accident scene, damaged vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Our lawyers can collect documentation such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
- Truck inspection: Our lawyers can inspect the truck to determine if any mechanical failures or maintenance issues may have contributed to the crash.
- Driver’s records: Lawyers will obtain the truck driver’s records, including their driving history, hours of service logs, and any history of violations or accidents.
- Trucking company records: Lawyers will request records from the trucking company, including maintenance and repair logs, training records, and the employment history of the driver.
- Black box data: Many commercial trucks have electronic control modules (ECMs) or black boxes that record important data about the vehicle’s operation. Your lawyer will retrieve and analyze this data for speed, braking, and other relevant information.
- Eyewitness interviews: Investigators should interview witnesses to the accident to gather their statements and perspectives on what happened.
- Driver interviews: Truck accident investigators will interview the truck driver to understand their version of events and gather information about their actions leading up to the accident.
- Analysis: Your team of truck accident lawyers can consult accident reconstruction professionals, medical professionals, and others as needed to analyze the evidence and provide opinions on liability and damages.
- Insurance investigation: Our lawyers can communicate with the trucking company’s insurance adjusters to discuss liability and potential settlements.
- Legal consultation: Work with an experienced Stockton truck accident lawyer who will help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Investigating a semi-truck accident is a complex and thorough process, so gather as much evidence as possible to build a strong case. An experienced truck accident attorney can guide you through this process and advocate for your rights to seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Do I need a copy of the accident report?
In short, yes! But, we can help you obtain these Police Accident Reports (and many more):
- Car accident report for Stockton, CA
- Car Accident Report Modesto
- San Joaquin Sheriff Accident Reports
- Stanislaus County Accident Report
- California Highway Patrol accident reports
Need to file a police report? Consult our guide:
How Might Vicarious Liability Apply to a Stockton Truck Accident Case?
Vicarious liability, respondent superior, is a legal doctrine that can apply to truck accident cases in California and holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees when those actions occur within the scope of their employment.
In the context of a truck accident case in California, vicarious liability might apply in the following ways:
- Trucking company liability: If a truck driver, who is an employee of a trucking company, is involved in an accident while performing their job duties (such as making a delivery or driving a scheduled route), you can hold the trucking company vicariously liable for the driver’s actions. The injured party can seek compensation from the driver and the trucking company.
- Scope of employment: To establish vicarious liability, you must show that the truck driver acted within the scope of their employment when the accident occurred. If the driver was engaged in work-related tasks, even if they made a mistake or were negligent, you can hold the employer responsible.
- Negligence of the employee: Even if vicarious liability applies, the injured party may still need to demonstrate that the driver’s negligence contributed to the accident.
- Liability limits: California law limits the amount of damages you can recover from the employer in vicarious liability cases, depending on the circumstances. An experienced truck accident attorney can explain these limitations.
Vicarious liability allows injured parties to seek compensation from the trucking company, which often has greater financial resources than the individual driver. After a truck accident in Stockton, consulting a personal injury attorney who understands the intricacies of vicarious liability and California law can navigate your case effectively.
Contact a Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer at Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Today
Did you suffer injuries in a truck accident in Stockton? You don’t have to navigate the legal complexities alone.
The experienced Stockton personal injury attorneys from Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers are here to advocate for your rights, assess your case, and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (209) 488-5327 or through our online form for a free consultation and let us help you on the road to recovery. If your crash occurred closer to Modesto please reach out to our Modesto truck accident attorney office there. We are always happy to help!
Our Office in Stockton, California
Roberts Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers
11 S San Joaquin St, Ste 610,
Stockton, CA, 95202
(209) 488-5327
