Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyers

Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyers

Because of the long hours on the road, the risk of getting in a truck accident is high for other motorists and truckers themselves. According to the National Safety Council, 4,842 trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2020. Truck accidents are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries or death than accidents involving smaller vehicles because of their large size and weight.

Despite the numerous federal and state laws associated with interstate trucking and the operation of commercial vehicles, negligence on the part of the company or the driver may result in heavy economic losses for people traveling in a vehicle that crashes against a truck.

Studies have shown that those injured or killed in truck or other tractor-trailer vehicle accidents were occupants of other passenger vehicles, not of the truck itself. That’s why our Bakersfield truck accident lawyers can help truck accident victims hold trucking companies, drivers, and vehicle manufacturers accountable for their reckless actions on the road.

Truck and car accidents can be devastating and often cause serious injuries, pain, and suffering to accident victims. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Bakersfield truck accident or were the victim of a wrongful death, Farahi Law Firm’s skilled Bakersfield truck accident lawyers will help you get the medical treatment you need and win you the maximum compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

As a truck accident law firm in Bakersfield, we have seen and handled multiple truck accident claims. Although most of the experienced big rig drivers are conscientious and operate their rigs safely, there are still many causes of truck accident cases. Among the most common causes of major truck crashes are:

• Driver Fatigue –Sleep deprivation and tiredness due to long drives often cause truckers to make mistakes leading to a crash. The law restricts truck drivers to a certain number of work hours. Still, truckers can push their body limits to earn a better paycheck.
• Speeding and Aggressive Driving –Speeding can easily cause truck drivers to lose control over their vehicles, especially in curves or steep hills. The heavier the commercial vehicle, the more difficult it will be for the driver to control. And due to its massive size, it is more difficult to come to a complete stop when required.
• Distracted Driving –Apart from lack of sleep or driver fatigue, mobile phone usage, food, and boredom are some other factors that can easily distract big rig drivers. Even a slight distraction for a couple of seconds can result in a major truck accident and in punitive damages.
• Drug and Alcohol Use – Drug and alcohol usage while driving is a common problem in the trucking industry. According to a study by the University of Central Arkansas, out of 310 truckers, 250 would fail a urine and hair test for drugs 99% of the time.
• Improperly Loaded Trailers –Improperly loaded cargo may trigger several issues such as tire blowouts, cargo flying off and hitting other vehicles, to the driver losing control. Rollovers and Jackknifing are common accidents because of improperly or overloaded trucks.
• Tailgating – Driving too close to the back of a truck can be extremely dangerous. Usually, tractor-trailers will take more time to stop when hitting the brakes compared to a normal passenger vehicle. The same happens if you see a truck driving too close to the back of your car. Because of this, it is better to let a truck pass you so you don’t get accidentally back-ended.
• Poor maintenance and equipment failures –Mechanical failure is another common cause of truck accidents. Truckers are required to take regular and proper maintenance of their rigs, as it only takes one mechanical failure such as brakes or suspension to cause a fatal accident. Vehicular failure is one of the most reported causes of accidents by truckers all over the nation.
• Natural disasters– Snow, rain, or bad weather conditions can often cause a bad driving atmosphere, and might make roads more slippery or block the view of the truck driver, which may result in a catastrophic accident involving multiple vehicles.

It should be noted that even though a negligent trucker will be held liable for an accident, you can also hold trucking companies directly responsible in an accident if they were negligent in their hiring process they failed to ensure proper trucking licenses, negligently entrusted the diver with the truck, and for the lack of maintenance or properly equipping of the truck.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Defensive driving and being vigilant around commercial trucks will help you minimize the risk of being involved in a truck accident. But when talking about big-rig accidents, the injuries you may sustain in a truck collision can be severe and life-changing. The most common injuries in truck accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Back injuries
• Neck and whiplash injuries
• Partial or total body paralysis
• Internal injuries
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Amputations
• Wrongful death

Because of the severity and life-changing nature of truck accident injuries, the treatment for your injuries can be very expensive. This can be extremely hard on personal injury victims who need extensive therapy, especially if an insurance adjuster will try to offer you a low-ball settlement.

If your loved one suffers fatal injuries due to a trucking accident, you may file a wrongful death claim on their behalf for the injuries and damages sustained.

It is in your best interest to contact Bakersfield truck accident lawyers to help guide you through your claim for compensation and ensure that you recover fair compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Our experienced Bakersfield personal injury attorneys know the trucking industry’s rules and regulations and can identify any possible violations or misconduct that led to the accident. Even if one might think only the truck driver can be liable for the accident, it is possible to make multiple parties take responsibility for a truck accident.

Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. Those who may be held liable include:

1. Truck Driver
2. Trucking Company
3. Truck Owner
4. Truck Manufacturer
5. Cargo Loaders
6. Vehicle Parts Manufacturer
7. Other Drivers
8. City or County Government

Our experienced Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyers will fight tooth and nail to win you a fair settlement offer. If required, our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation and collect evidence to hold the liable party accountable for the damages they caused you in a court of law.

Steps to Take After Being Involved in a Bakersfield Truck Accident

You already know by now how serious truck accidents can be. If you or a loved one are ever involved in a truck or a semi-truck accident, we urge you to take the following steps:

1. Get Medical Attention – If you are seriously injured call for an ambulance from the scene. Even if injuries seem minor, you must still seek the evaluation of a doctor to ensure you are safe. Some injuries, such as brain damage and internal injuries, aren’t always readily noticeable.
2. Call the Police –A police report is the easiest way to get the incident reported promptly, and the police should keep clear records of all the motor vehicles involved.
3. Take Photographs –If you aren’t critically hurt after the accident, it is pertinent to take some time to get photos of the accident scene. Take pictures of whatever might be appropriate, such as skid marks, and take pictures of your injuries.
4. Note Down Truck Details –Note down essential details of the truck and trucker, like name, phone number, address, insurance, truck license plate, and trucking company.
5. Write Down Witnesses Information –Write down information about any witness at the scene. If possible, collect their name and phone numbers, as they can be crucial in any investigation.
6. Contact A Bakersfield trucking accident attorney –The key to a strong legal case is getting a truck crash lawyer involved as soon as possible.

Expert Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyers

Most insurance providers do not wish to spend as much on compensation and property damage as the victim of a truck crash deserves. It is therefore important to have an accurate estimate of the extent of your injuries as well as an experienced Bakersfield Truck Accident Lawyer by your side if you wish to get the maximum compensation you fairly deserve.

The Bakersfield truck accident lawyers at Farahi Law Firm, APC are experts in dealing with difficult trucking or insurance companies. We understand the hardships you may be facing, and our goal is to help our clients return to daily life with the compensation they require to restore their quality of life. 

Contact us or call us at (661) 669-7239 to schedule a free consultation. We are available 24/7, and the best part is that you don’t need to pay us a cent. No Fees Until We Win Your Case!