Sacramento Truck Accident Attorney

Commercial trucks can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Conversely, cars typically weigh less than 3,000. Therefore, truck accidents are often devastating collisions that leave accident victims with severe injuries, costing thousands of dollars in medical bills. Additionally, they may have to pay thousands more to repair or replace their vehicle. As a semi-truck accident victim, it is easy to feel lost. Truck drivers often have extensive resources behind them that will do everything possible to blame you for the accident. However, hiring a Sacramento truck accident lawyer may level the playing field. 

Top Causes of Truck Accidents in Sacramento

Operating a tractor-trailer is not easy, which is why all truck drivers need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, obtaining a CDL is only half the battle. The truck driver must then ensure that they operate their vehicle safely and reasonably. Failing to do so puts everyone on the road at risk. 

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Sacramento include: 

• Drowsy driving 
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• Lost cargo
• Reckless driving 
• Distracted driving 
• Speeding 
• Failing to signal before turning 
• Improper merging 

These driving habits are known to cause accidents, which often result in life-threatening injuries. 

What Are the Most Common Truck Accidents? 

Commercial trucks often cause unique accidents that many drivers do not know. While they can cause a head-on crash or rear-end collision, trucks are more likely to cause one of the following accidents. 

• Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when a commercial vehicle folds in on itself, forming a 90-degree angle. These crashes usually occur when a truck driver brakes suddenly or the brakes lock up, causing the trailer to swing out. Additionally, a jackknifing truck can easily overturn or roll over, causing damage to several vehicles. 

• Wide turn crashes: Truck drivers often swing left to make a right turn, but they may not account for the vehicle’s length nor the traffic behind them. As a result, cars and pedestrians may get hit. 

• Blindspot collisions: Trucks have more prominent blind spots than a vehicle does. If a truck driver cannot see you, it may result in you being hit, crushed, or forced off the road. In general, avoid driving on both sides of the trailer and directly behind and in front of the vehicle. 

• Truck rollovers: When a driver loses control of their truck, it may roll over onto its side and endanger other vehicles and pedestrians. Driver’s may lose control from high speeds, steep inclines, or wet surfaces. 

• Lost load accidents: When truckers or cargo loaders improperly load freight, cargo can fall off the vehicle, endangering other motorists. 
• Tire blowouts: You can see evidence of tire blowouts all over California highways. When a truck’s tire blows out, it can cause the vehicle to lose control and crash into other drivers. 

Truck crashes are more common than you might think because of their size, length, and inability to maneuver as easily as other vehicles. When approaching a truck in Sacramento, always be alert and avoid driving next to one for long distances. 

Injuries that May Result from Truck Accidents 

An accident involving a truck is almost always more hazardous than colliding with another vehicle. Most collisions result in catastrophic injuries that may take years to heal fully. Truck accident victims might suffer from:

• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Broken bones 
• Internal bleeding 
• Organ damage
• Tissue and muscle damage
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis

You must see a doctor after being in an accident with a truck. Remember, not all injuries show symptoms right away, but a doctor may diagnose and begin treatments early. 

Who Is Liable for a Trucking Accident in Sacramento? 

Pinpointing liability in a truck accident is not always straightforward because these crashes do not just involve the truck driver. For example, the driver may work for a larger trucking company. Conversely, there might be instances where the truck driver is an independent contractor. Additionally, more than one party may be responsible. Knowing who may be liable for the crash is vital to your claim’s success. 

Liable parties for a Sacramento truck accident may include: 

The Truck Driver

A truck driver might be at fault for the crash if they were engaging in negligent behavior, such as speeding, driving fatigued, or driving distracted. Truckers are also responsible for ensuring that their vehicle is free of any maintenance issues and that all cargo is secured correctly. If a maintenance issue or cargo contributed to the crash, the driver might share some fault. 

The Trucking Company 

Commercial truck companies are responsible for the trucks and drivers they employ. If a company does not provide adequate training, they might be responsible for a crash a driver causes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates how many hours truck drivers can work before needing a break. If a company forces drivers to work over these hours, they could be liable for a crash. 

Cargo Loaders

In some cases, a cargo loader may be responsible for a truck accident. For example, the loader may not have adequately inspected cargo before loading it onto the truck. Similarly, they may not have properly secured freight to the truck. 

Truck Manufacturers

Some truck accidents may result from a defective part, such as brake failures or steering wheel problems. While this could be a maintenance issue, the manufacturer might be liable if they knew of the defect and did not notify trucking companies and truck drivers.