San Francisco Truck Accident Attorneys
Our Law Firm Can Take on the Big Trucking Companies!
When loaded to capacity, big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and reach more than 70 feet in length. These types of commercial vehicles can cause major destruction when a collision occurs. Additionally, due to the size of a big rig compared to a smaller vehicle, any crash involving an 18-wheeler can be potentially fatal.
If you were involved in a truck accident, do not simply settle for any amount that an insurance company may try to offer you. An accident victim who has been injured because of the negligence of another may be entitled to recover damages. This can include property damage, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other accident-related losses. Oftentimes, an insurance company will try to force you to settle for an amount that is far less than what you are actually entitled to receive.
With our San Francisco accident lawyers at your side, we can actively pursue the maximum amount of damages for your case. Contact our firm today for assistance!
What are the common causes of truck accidents?
Commercial truck drivers are held to extremely high standards. Every truck driver is required to adhere to traffic laws established by the state of California, as well as federal regulations to ensure that all commercial drivers contribute to the safety of people on the roads and highways.
Unfortunately, many commercial drivers are motivated by wage increases or bonuses to travel for excessive hours on the road without stopping or taking the mandatory rest periods. As a result, accidents can occur.
Most truck accidents result from the following causes:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while tired / exhausted
- Texting while behind the wheel
- Reckless driving (ex: speeding and tailgating)
- Failure to adhere to traffic laws and road signs
- Failure to look before changing lanes
- Auto part failure or equipment defect
- Tire blowout
Determining liability can be tricky, but knowing what caused the accident is a pivotal step in successfully resolving an accident claim.
What You Need To Know About Truck Accident Claims
Every year across the United States hundreds of thousands of truck-related accidents occur, causing injury and death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck-related accident that resulted in injury or death, then you know only too well that it is a difficult and overwhelming experience. At The Matiasic Firm, our team is experienced in all areas of trucking accident law. Get the help you need to move past this painful time by putting your legal concerns in the knowledgeable and caring hands of our San Francisco truck accident lawyers.
Trucking Accident Claims We Represent
There are many different causes of trucking accidents in cases of driver negligence, which result in varying types of damage and circumstance. Some of the claims we have represented in the past have included:
- Delivery Truck Accidents
- Driver Disqualification
- Drunk Driving Truck Accidents
- Employer Negligence
- Freeway Accidents
- Jackknife Accidents
- Truck Rollovers
- Truck Driver Negligence
- Underride Accidents
- Violations of Trucking Regulations
When a trucking company fails to comply with all of the regulations governing commercial trucking by not properly hiring, training, and supervising their drivers, properly maintaining their trucks or by demanding too many hours in a workday they can be held liable in the event of an accident.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in charge of overseeing all regulations governing commercial trucking. When it has been determined that a truck-related accident resulting in injuries has occurred because of a violation of one of the regulations set forth by the (FMCSA), the driver and/or trucking company may be held liable to compensate any victims for their injuries. Our firm has the necessary resources to complete a thorough investigation into all of the details surrounding your accident and determining whether FMCSA regulations were violated.
If you or a loved one have suffered in a trucking accident, do not hesitate to contact The Matiasic Firm for assistance with your injury claim.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Trucking Accidents
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to a trucking-related accident, you probably have a lot of unanswered questions about your legal rights and options. At The Matiasic Firm, our knowledgeable and proven San Francisco truck accident lawyers can assist you in determining what your best course of action will be and how to proceed in negotiating a favorable outcome for your case.
Question: How long do I have to file a claim?
In California, you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If the vehicle was a government-owned vehicle, then the time limit is reduced to only 6 months
Question: After an accident, when should I contact an attorney?
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible in order to protect your rights. Immediately following the accident, the insurance adjustor for the trucking company may be attempting to contact you and to get a statement. It's important to safeguard your rights by having an attorney available to represent you during any such discussions.
Question: How do car and trucking accidents differ?
Due to the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck, a car will generally sustain greater damage in a truck vs. car accident than in a car vs. car accident. For this reason, the injuries sustained by the occupants of the car will generally be more serious.
Question: Is it important to get a copy of the driver's log?
It's vitally important to get a copy of the driver's log after the accident in an effort to establish if any violations of law contributed to the accident. Some of the most important information contained in the driver's log is the sleep record since drivers may only drive a predetermined number of hours before they are required by law to sleep to prevent a tired driver accident.
Question: If I have been injured in a trucking-related accident is the employer or the employee responsible?
Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident of your accident the blame can rest on the employer and/or the employee. Generally speaking, the employer has the ultimate responsibility for the actions of the employee and there are many factors that can be investigated in determining if there has been employer negligence.
Hire a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® Member
As a testament to our extensive litigation skills, we have helped our past clients receive significant settlements after a serious accident. One of our lead attorneys is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, an accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of practicing trial attorneys. Simply put, our firm has secured superior results on behalf of clients who have been seriously injured.
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Contact The Matiasic Firm today for the high-quality representation that you need and deserve!