Have You Been Injured In a Woodland Hills Semi-truck Accident?

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A large commercial semi-truck, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, might be 20 times the size of a traditional passenger car when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial semi-trucks and normal passenger cars, it is not difficult to imagine how risky it is for the occupants of a regular car when they get in a crash with a big rig-- not to mention the effects on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.

Commercial Driver and Semi-truck Regulations

Large semi-truck accident cases are quite a bit different from other car accident cases. In particular, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more stringently than standard vehicles and drivers.

Due to the inherent danger that these huge vehicles present to other drivers, there are numerous laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that semi-truck drivers are safe.

These laws consist of:

• Making sure that semi-truck drivers have sufficient training,
• That their vehicles meet defined safety requirements,
• That drivers abide by regulations.

California commercial semi-truck regulations consist of:

• Restricting the amount of hours a semi-trucker may drive per day
• How often they need to be tested for alcohol or drug use
• How often their vehicles have to be inspected
• The regularity of vehicle systems for maintenance and service
• How loads need to be secured

There are additional regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these policies and regulations are constantly being updated and revised to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.

Causes of Woodland Hills Semi-truck Accidents

Semi-truck collisions are serious business. Due to the size difference between a commercial semi-truck and a passenger car, it is important that semi-truck drivers are safe. Nevertheless, similar to any other motor vehicle crash cause, there are some things that have a tendency to increase the chances of a semi-truck collision.

Common reasons for semi-truck accidents involve:

• Driver Fatigue
• Lack of Training
• Overweight semi-trucks
• Driving while intoxicated
• Distracted Driving
• Roadway Hazards
• Speeding

Common Injuries from a Woodland Hills Semi-truck Accident

Semi-truck collisions have a tendency to result in more serious injuries than an accident involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a semi-truck is a lot greater. semi-truck accidents have been known to result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and much more.

In some cases individuals walk away from semi-truck accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer major injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They commonly have enormous medical expenses as well.

• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Internal injuries

What Compensation Can I Obtain from a Semi-truck Accident?

After a semi-truck accident, you're likely going to have medical costs, lost wages, and also pain and suffering. You may be worried about how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where a qualified semi-truck accident attorney can help. They can handle your injury claim carefully, and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

If a semi-truck accident causes injuries, you may be qualified to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This consists of:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Property damage
• Household services
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have an exact monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These kinds of damages consist of:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of pleasure of activities
• Loss of companionship
• Worsening of prior injuries

The amount one can recuperate for non-economic damages differs. It depends on the extent of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed because of the crash. The amount is negotiated by your attorney and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will use his or her prior experience, and previous settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.

If You Have Been Hurt in a Semi-truck Accident, the Woodland Hills Semi-truck Accident Attorneys at Drake Law Firm Can Help

At Drake Law Firm, we believe commercial drivers and semi-trucking companies should be held accountable when they are responsible for causing accidents and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some semi-trucking companies and drivers fail to abide by the rules and regulations that exist to keep the roads safe.

When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make bad choices that impact the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar offenses. And generally, the result of these bad choices is an accident.

An expert semi-truck accident attorney in the Woodland Hills location knows all of the unique factors that may be relevant in semi-truck accident claims. At Drake Law Firm, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations concerning vehicles and drivers, and we are diligent in examining the potential causes and issues that might affect issues of liability for commercial semi-trucks.

Even if the semi-trucking company involved is based out of state, or the case might involve independent drivers, leased vehicles, maintenance contracts, and so on, at Drake Law Firm, we have the resources and experience to get results. The sad fact is that large semi-truck accidents frequently involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disablement, or even death. If you are hurt in a wreck involving a large semi-truck, it is essential for you to partner with a law firm that has the capability to fight large companies, large insurance providers, and the law firms that defend them, and that has the resources to make detailed and timely inquiries into the facts and elements that apply in commercial semi-trucking cases.