Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorney

Big trucks dominate the road, and we see them all the time in Huntington Beach. Some trucks deliver packages right to a person’s doorstep, but most large trucks move tons of freight in and out of the city. Without these trucks, we would have fewer goods for sale in our stores, so truckers provide a critical link to the modern economy.

If you were hit by a truck, call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers. We are the right firm to handle your case. Our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys have negotiated hundreds of favorable settlements for injured victims. We aren’t afraid to head into court to sue a gigantic national trucking company, either. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation, (714) 536-9366.

Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?

At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we represent victims of various truck accidents:

• Blown tire accidents. A truck will become unmanageable when a tire blows. Unfortunately, the stress on tires is incredible and many of them explode while a truck is racing at high speeds down the highway.
• Lane change accidents. Larger vehicles have larger blind spots, and it isn’t unusual for a truck to smash into a car which is in one. These accidents happen frequently on California’s highways.
• Overrides. A truck can literally drive over a smaller vehicle caught in its way.
• Underride. Some vehicles get wedged under a trailer, especially at the sides where there isn’t an underride bar.
• Rollovers. Trucks can roll onto their sides due to instability. This happens when trailers are unevenly loaded, or dump trucks have material stuck in the box when lifted.
• Jackknifes. A semi-truck can get into a jackknife when the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, slamming into cars in the way.

These are some of the most common truck accidents in Huntington Beach. Call our law firm for help deciding whether you can seek financial compensation.

What Causes So Many Truck Accidents?

Trucker negligence is a major contributing factor. Truckers often crash because of:

• Fatigue
• Texting and driving
• Inattention
• Drug or alcohol impairment
• Failure to yield
• Blind spot accidents
• Aggressive maneuvers
• Illegal turns
• In other situations, something other than the trucker is to blame:
• Truck defects, like malfunctioning brakes or steering systems
• Road defects, including poorly set-up work zones or missing traffic signals
• Negligent motorists, who might cut off a trucker and force defensive action

Trucking companies send investigators to the accident scene promptly. They begin collecting evidence to use in the case and might even speak to witnesses. You’ll need a lawyer to help gain access to information, including inspection of the truck involved. It is hard for injured victims to perform this investigation from a hospital bed. Call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers.

Suing the Correct Defendant

To obtain compensation, we need to assign blame for the crash. That means figuring out what happened. Many victims aren’t entirely sure. Everything seems a blur and they are in incredible pain.

We can review all evidence in your case. Typically, we end up seeking compensation from:

• Truck drivers. A trucker is often to blame for refusing to drive carefully. Some even take dangerous actions, like refusing to yield or running a red light.
• Employer. A trucker’s employer is usually liable when their employee negligently hurts someone. This is called “vicarious liability” in California. We might also sue them if they were negligent in hiring or supervision.
• Truck owner. The truck might be owned by a different company. The truck’s owner is responsible for ensuring it is safe to drive on the road.
• Mechanics. A mechanic could have performed substandard repairs or overlooked an obvious problem when the truck was in the shop. They are on the hook if the defect leads to an accident.
• Truck manufacturers. A defect in the truck or a component part could lead to a wreck. For example, defective tires might blow, which would make the accident the fault of the tire manufacturer.
• Loading companies. The company that owns the freight might load it into the truck. They need to ensure it is properly secured and balanced. If not, then the truck could jackknife or roll over.

These Accidents Are Not Like Car Wrecks

You might have been involved in a car accident in the past, but truck accidents are a different animal entirely:

1.       Evidence is harder to locate. Truck accident cases usually rely on different pieces of evidence. The truck might have data downloaded continuously by a black box. We can ask the trucking company for access to this information. There might also be employee or drug testing records which could play a critical role.

2.       Trucking companies employ huge teams to defend them. They don’t easily settle cases. Instead, they spend millions on investigators, insurance companies, and lawyers. More money is at stake with a truck accident, which is why they fight harder.

3.       Truck injuries are more serious. Because the truck is so large, it can cause major injuries. Some victims might never fully recover, which makes negotiating a settlement tough.

4.       There are many possible defendants. You need an experienced lawyer who can carefully review each piece of evidence and identify the correct defendant.

Call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers. Our experienced attorneys have handled many truck accident cases. Whether you were hit by a semi or a box truck, you deserve a seasoned advocate.

Laws Relating to Truck Accidents

Some of the critical laws to pay attention to include:

• Statute of limitations. This is the maximum time you have to file a lawsuit. In California, it is two years from the day of your accident.
• Drug testing. Trucking companies follow detailed regulations regarding drug testing. They need to test at random throughout the year and after certain accidents.
• Hours of service. These regulations are set at the federal level and limit the amount of hauling in a day and week. The purpose is to reduce a trucker’s fatigue.
• Weight requirements. Both the state and federal governments set a weight limit for trucks, and truckers can be fined for violating them.

Free Consultations with a Truck Accident Lawyer

Call (714) 536-9366 to schedule a free consultation with a Huntington Beach truck accident attorney. You deserve financial compensation, and we have the know-how to get you a fair settlement.