Sacramento Delivery Truck Accident Lawyer
Never face a legal battle alone. We’re here to join forces with you. Hear what attorney Jeremy has to say about trucking accidents.
If you’ve been in a delivery truck accident, seeking a professional lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights and securing rightful compensation. With our Sacramento delivery truck accident lawyer, focus on recovery while we champion your legal rights.
Table of Contents
Benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer
- Medical expenses
- Long-term care
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of wages
- Loss of earning power
- Pain and suffering
We stand behind the principle that financial cost should not hinder your ability to attain experienced legal advocacy. It is our promise that you will not pay anything unless we win your case for you.
Understanding delivery trucks
California trucking laws and regulations
- Truck Travel Guidelines: Caltrans outlines designated routes that trucks should use, along with the restrictions on their dimensions and weight.
- Weight Limitations for Trucks: Trucks come with weight caps. A single axle is allowed up to 20,000 pounds, whereas dual axles are permitted a weight of 34,000 pounds.
- Permits for Large Loads: If you are moving bigger or heavier items in Sacramento, you’ll need a special permit. These permits can range in price from $16 for one journey to $90 for a yearly pass.
- Air Quality Rules for Trucks: In California, bigger diesel trucks are mandated to adhere to certain environmental guidelines.
- Automated Trucks’ Future: There’s ongoing talk about potentially banning automated trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds, impacting firms like UPS and FedEx.
- Age Criteria for Truck Operators: The age criteria for truck drivers fluctuate, generally between 18 to 21, based on the truck type and the nature of the job.
- Driver’s Hours Regulation: There are stipulated norms regarding the duration a truck driver can operate and the mandatory rest intervals to ensure safety.
- Prerequisites for Truck Operators: Drivers must have a distinct commercial driver’s license and regularly undergo health
- Maintaining Truck Safety: Regular inspections are conducted on trucks. Immediate repairs are essential if any issues are detected.
Statistics on delivery truck accidents involving Amazon, FedEx, and UPS Trucks
Delivery trucks, especially those from renowned companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS, often traverse California’s roads, making timely deliveries to numerous destinations. However, with this frequent presence comes an unfortunate susceptibility to accidents. The following statistics shed light on the incidents involving these prominent delivery services, emphasizing the need for a vigilant delivery truck accident lawyer in Sacramento, California.
- California ranks among the top 10 states for truck accidents. Over the past decade, deadly commercial vehicle accidents surged by 42%.
- Each year, truck accidents in California result in between 200 to 360 fatalities, not including the countless non-lethal injuries from such incidents.
- From April 2018 to April 2021, Amazon trucks were part of at least 53 severe crashes, resulting in 14 deaths and 60 grave injuries.
- In 2020, Amazon reported 60 crashes per million miles driven by its delivery drivers.
- According to ProPublica, there have been more than 60 accidents involving Amazon delivery trucks since June 2015 – they resulted in severe injuries, including 10 deaths.
- From 2017 to 2019, there were 442 FedEx delivery truck accidents, of which 13 were fatal.
- On average, there are about four UPS truck accidents every day in California.
Causes resulting in delivery truck accidents
Delivery truck accidents can be catastrophic, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities. The causes of these accidents are multifaceted, stemming from various factors. Understanding the common causes behind delivery truck accidents can help in implementing preventive measures and promoting safer driving habits. Below are listed the 10 common reasons behind delivery truck accidents.
Driver fatigue
Overworked and tired truck drivers are a significant risk factor for accidents. Working long hours without sufficient rest periods makes drivers prone to mistakes. Fatigue impairs cognitive functions, slows reaction times, and can cause microsleep episodes, where the driver unintentionally dozes off for a few seconds. Industry pressures and tight delivery schedules can sometimes push drivers to forego necessary rest, putting everyone on the road at risk.
Distracted driving
With the rise of technology and mobile devices, distracted driving has become a pervasive problem. Even a few seconds spent looking away from the road, checking a navigation system, or responding to a message can lead to severe collisions. Truck drivers need undivided attention, especially given the vehicle’s size and the complexities of maneuvering it.
Mechanical failures
Regular maintenance is paramount for delivery trucks. However, check lapses or poor vehicle upkeep can result in mechanical failures. Issues like brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or steering problems can cause accidents, especially at high speeds. Ensuring that trucks are routinely serviced can prevent many of these incidents.
Inadequate training
Driving a delivery truck requires specific skills that differ from operating regular vehicles. Inexperienced or inadequately trained drivers may struggle with truck handling, particularly in challenging situations like inclement weather or heavy traffic. Proper training, which includes understanding vehicle dimensions and learning about blind spots, is essential to minimize accidents.
Speeding
The size and weight of delivery trucks mean they require more time and distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Speeding reduces the available reaction time and intensifies the impact of collisions. Drivers under pressure to meet delivery deadlines might be tempted to speed, but it’s a practice that significantly elevates the risk of accidents.
Blind spots
Every vehicle has blind spots, but these areas are much larger for delivery trucks. Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or turning can result in the truck colliding with vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles. Properly adjusted mirrors and, in some cases, blind-spot cameras can help, but drivers must always be aware of these areas when moving.
Improper loading
Uneven or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, throwing off the truck’s balance. It can make it harder to steer, increase the risk of rollovers, and can result in cargo falling onto the roadway, presenting hazards for other road users.
Reckless driving behaviors
Apart from speeding, reckless behaviors like tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and not using turn signals can contribute to accidents. Such behaviors endanger the truck driver and all road users around them.
Weather conditions
Heavy rain, snow, fog, or icy roads can make driving treacherous. Due to their weight and size, delivery trucks can struggle more than regular vehicles in these conditions. Reduced visibility and slippery surfaces demand slower speeds and increased caution.
Lack of road knowledge
Unfamiliarity with specific routes or roads can be problematic. A driver might be caught off guard by sharp turns, narrow lanes, or low bridges if unfamiliar with the route. Proper route planning and using reliable navigation aids can reduce such risks.
Injuries that are inflicted due to delivery truck accidents
Delivery truck accidents often lead to significant injuries. Recognizing the possible injuries can help victims understand the importance of seeking medical attention and legal assistance from a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
TBIs can range from mild concussions to more severe brain damage. These injuries might result from the head striking an object during a crash or sudden, jarring movements. Symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory issues. In more severe cases, TBI can lead to long-term cognitive impairments.
Spinal cord injuries
The force from a collision can lead to injuries to the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis. The severity often depends on the area of the spine affected, with higher injuries sometimes leading to quadriplegia, where both arms and legs are paralyzed.
Broken bones
The impact of a crash can break or fracture bones, such as limbs, ribs, and facial bones. Recovery can require surgeries, extended hospital stays, and lengthy physical therapy.
Lacerations and abrasions
Shattered glass, broken metal, and other debris can cause deep cuts or abrasions during a collision. These injuries can lead to significant blood loss and, in some cases, if not treated promptly, can result in infection.
Internal injuries
The force of a delivery truck accident can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs. These injuries might not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
Neck and back injuries
Whiplash is a common injury in vehicle accidents, resulting from the head snapping forward and backward. It can cause pain, limited neck movement, and other symptoms. Other back injuries can include slipped or herniated discs.
Burn injuries
In the event of a fire or explosion resulting from a truck accident, victims might sustain burn injuries. Depending on the severity, burns can lead to scarring, infections, and the need for skin grafts.
Psychological trauma
Beyond the physical injuries, the trauma from a truck accident can lead to psychological challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. It’s essential to recognize these and seek professional help if needed.
Amputations
In particularly severe accidents, victims might suffer injuries so extreme that a limb may need to be amputated. Such life-altering injuries can have profound implications for one’s quality of life.
Crush injuries
When parts of the body get caught between objects during a collision, it can result in crush injuries. These can damage muscles, bones, and other tissues, often requiring extensive surgeries and rehabilitation. Call Us Today for a Free Consultation!
How is fault determined in delivery truck accidents?
Determining fault in delivery truck accidents involves legal principles, evidence collection, and expert testimonies. Liability can sometimes be clear-cut, but in many cases, it requires meticulous investigation and analysis. A Sacramento truck accident attorney typically follows the steps below to determine liability.
- Police Reports: Review official reports for any noted violations or observations pointing to a specific party’s negligence.
- Witness Testimonies: Collect statements from witnesses or other drivers.
- Traffic Camera Footage: Retrieve video recordings from nearby traffic cameras to analyze the accident’s dynamics.
- Vehicle Damage Assessment: Examine the damage on all involved vehicles to deduce the point of impact and potential fault.
- Driver’s Log and Records: Check for any signs of fatigue or hours-of-service violations for truck drivers.
- Expert Testimonies: Engage accident reconstruction specialists to replicate the event and identify the causative factors.
- Vehicle Maintenance Records: Investigate if poor vehicle maintenance or malfunction played a role in the accident.
- Road Conditions and Design: Assess if the design or state of the road contributed to the incident.
- Toxicology Reports: Confirm if alcohol or drugs influenced the driver’s capability.
- Company’s Hiring Practices: Investigate if the trucking company adhered to proper hiring and training procedures.
What compensations are available in a delivery truck accident in Sacramento?
Victims of delivery truck accidents in Sacramento may be entitled to various compensations, depending on their situation and the degree of their injuries or damages. The type of compensation one may receive largely depends on whether they are at fault or not. Each scenario can open up different avenues of potential recovery.
For At-Fault Party
If you’re the at-fault party in a delivery truck accident, your insurance may cover certain damages, including repairing your vehicle or property. However, you’ll be less likely receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Your insurance rates may also increase post-accident.
For Not At Fault Party
For those not at fault, compensations can be more extensive. It can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. Additionally, if the accident results in permanent disabilities or life-altering injuries, further compensation may be awarded to cater to long-term needs or changes in lifestyle.
Contact JG Winter Law for your trucking accident case
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Shyra Aranda
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