Car accident attorney in Sacramento helps victims of commercial motor vehicle accidents.

As our economy continues to grow, so does our consumption of consumer goods, meaning more commercial truck on the road transporting such goods. In fact, large trucks, also known as semi trucks, semi trailers or tractor trailers, are responsible for delivering around 70% of all goods in the U.S. According to the Department of Transportation, about 4.3% of all highway vehicles are commercial trucks. That amounts to about 93.5 billion big rigs on the roads. Society’s need for commercial trucking comes at a serious cost. These trucks were involved in over 3,000 fatal crashes and about 60,000 injury crashes nationwide in 2011.

California, has the third most tractor trailer registrations in the country and the second most fatal large truck crashes. These trucks, weighing in from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds can cause severe injuries if striking a normal vehicle. If you’ve been injured from one of these big rig trucks, contact an attorney immediately to get legal representation. Deciding who is at fault when a big rig accident occurs is a challenge best suited for an experienced car accident attorney in Sacramento.

Who’s at fault?

Commercial vehicle accidents can result from a variety of factors, including negligence. Drivers, vehicle manufacturers, distributors, retailers and government entities are all parties that could be held liable for accidents. Some causes include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving (texting, eating, etc)
• Alcohol or drug impairment
• Fatigue
• Obscured vision
• Mechanical defects (defective electrical systems, wheels, tires, brakes, etc)
• Environmental issues (road maintenance and upkeep)

Proving fault is very important in order to get compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustain. When investigating your truck accident, there are a number of different things your attorney should look into, including trucking compliance with state traffic laws. If a trucker violates one of the following:

• Lack of insufficient training
• Overloaded trucks
• Unsecured or improperly balanced loads
• Skipping mandated sleep breaks or driving over the daily amount of permitted hours
• Improperly maintaining vehicles

The truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the truck owner, the truck leasing company owner, the manufacturer or a combination of the above could be found at fault. Contact a professional and licensed car accident attorney in Sacramento who can evaluate your specific case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Shocking Statistics

California is home to a very large and complex market for freight movement. Southern California alone has the second largest metropolitan area in the country, home to roughly 16.5 million people, and very complex and rigorous cargo and distribution centers. Southern California, especially San Diego, shares a border with Mexico, making it a very important gateway for international trade. This makes accidents between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles extremely dangerous. Some statistics prove just that:

• In 2011, commercial motor vehicle crashes cost Americans $87 billion
• The most dangerous semi truck accidents are rollovers – which is when a truck tires go onto a loose surface and the driver loses control
• In 2009, one out of every 10 traffic fatalities in the U.S. was a result from collisions involving large trucks
• In 2011, 88,000 people were injured in large truck crashes
• Nearly ⅔ of fatal truck crashes occur on rural roads and ¼ occur on Interstate highways
• Most crashes occur on weekdays

Many injuries such as brain, neck and back injury; spinal cord injury; internal organ damage; broken bones; paralysis; amputation and even death could occur if you’re struck by a big rig on a California road. Don’t wait a second after an accident. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death, seek legal representation immediately. You may be eligible to recover your damages to pay for medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering and much more.

Commercial truck accidents are very different than other motor vehicle accidents. It requires an experienced and compassionate car accident attorney in Sacramento to help you.

Speak With One Of Our Attorneys About Your Car Accident Injuries

Contact our car accident attorney in Sacramento to discuss your injuries. We offer a free initial consultation to all new clients. You can reach us by phone at (916) 357-6767 or send us an email to schedule an appointment.

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