Orange County Trucking Accident Lawyer
Big Rig/18-Wheeler Accidents in Orange County, CA
Within the past two decades, the frequency of truck accidents has risen as more big rigs take to the roadways across the country. Though large trucks are responsible for a mere 3 percent of motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries, they are frequently more severe than accidents involving commuter vehicles, because of the massive weight and size of the majority of trucks.
Have You Been Involved In an 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in Orange County?
Commercial trucking accidents can be quite a bit more complicated than a simple traffic accident. Both the driver and owner of the truck will generally be involved in any lawsuit filed, and you often need to have some knowledge of the industry to fully understand the potential case. The knowledge of the common reasons for trucking accidents, relationships between those who have to do with the truck, trailer and load are extremely helpful in determining the validity of your claim and presentation of your case.
Laws Pertaining to Truck Accidents in Orange County, CA
The trucking industry is mandated by federal regulations that have established a set of standards and can determine the responsible party in a trucking accident. Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains most applicable regulations. Fortunately, the experienced attorneys at the Duque Law Group have understand these regulations and have successfully fought numerous cases over the years.
Who Is Responsible?
In any truck accident, there is a large number of possible responsible parties. These include: the truck owner, whoever leased the truck from the owner, the driver, the manufacturer of the vehicle or any parts, shippers and loaders, etc.
Avoidance of Liability by Trucking Companies
In an attempt to separate themselves from the drivers, vehicles and other equipment and to avoid liability in case of an accident, trucking companies have employed several measures to protect themselves. While they are the ones with the necessary permits to operate the vehicles, they often do not own the equipment that is used to haul the load. They also hire drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. These practices have enabled them in the past to shift the responsibility over to the owners and drivers of the truck.
However, federal regulations have since made it so that any company who owns a trucking permit is liable for any accident that involves a truck with its name or placard on the vehicle.
Additionally, accident victims historically had to rely on witness statements and police reports to get an account of the accident. Now, data from high-tech devices as well as information from government agencies are also available for greater understanding.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Orange County
The most frequent causes of big rig accidents are driver error, mechanical failures, road design, weather conditions and traffic signal failures.
- Driver Error
- Mechanical Problems
Driver error accounts for 88% of trucking accidents, according to FMCSA. These accidents are caused by a driver’s action or failure to take action. The most common cause of driver error is through driver fatigue and sleep deprivation.
The second most common cause of truck-related accidents is mechanical and equipment issues. These can include design errors in the vehicles, manufacturing mistakes, or some other issue that interferes with the truck running smoothly. The majority of mechanical causes of these accidents are a result of a failure to maintain the equipment properly. These can include the following: jackknifing of a truck which is caused by failure of the brakes as a result of inadequate adjustments, blowouts of the tires because of wear and tear, the depowering or removing of the front brakes, truck rollover because of improper securing of the load distribution, defective steering, transmission failure, incorrect trailer attachment, defective lighting on the rears or sides of vehicles, and many more.
Getting Legal Help in Orange County, California
If you have had the misfortune of being in a truck accident, you will find it can be quite complicated because there are so many individuals involved. It can be quite overwhelming trying to navigate through the events and responsible parties without the guidance of someone who is knowledgeable and skilled with trucking law. If you have been injured in a truck accident in the state of California, the Duque Law Group has the expertise and experience to be able to help you figure out who exactly is responsible so that you can proceed with a strong case and get the reparations that you deserve for your suffering. You will want a personal injury attorney to help you in your case after a truck accident, and the Duque Law Group is here to help you. Call our office today or leave a message for us online.
