A large commercial big rig, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, might be 20 times the size of a standard passenger vehicle when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme disparity between the weight and mass of commercial big rigs and normal passenger cars, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a regular car when they get in a collision with a big rig-- not to mention the effects on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Commercial Driver and Big Rig Regulations
Large big rig accident cases are quite a bit different from other automobile accident cases. Specifically, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more stringently than standard cars and drivers.
Due to the inherent danger that these big vehicles present to other drivers, there are several laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to ensure that big rig drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial big rig regulations consist of:
There are added regulations concerning the transport of hazardous materials. All of these rules and regulations are constantly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Bakersfield Big Rig Accidents
Big rig accidents are serious business. Due to the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger car, it is crucial that big rig drivers are safe. Nevertheless, much like any other motor vehicle crash cause, there are some things that have a tendency to increase the chances of a big rig crash.
Common reasons for big rig accidents include:
Common Injuries from Bakersfield Big Rig Accidents
Big rig collisions have a tendency to cause more severe injuries than an accident involving two regular-sized cars. This is because the force behind a big rig is a lot greater. Big rig collisions 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.
Sometimes people leave big rig accidents unscathed or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer serious injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have massive medical expenses also.
What Compensation Can I Receive from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're probably going to have medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. You might be worried concerning how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where an experienced big rig accident lawyer can help. He or she can handle your injury claim carefully, and make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a big rig accident causes injuries, you might be eligible to recuperate both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This consists of:
Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have a precise monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These types of damages include:
The amount one can recuperate for non-economic damages varies. It depends on the severity of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed due to the crash. The amount is negotiated by your attorney and the insurance provider, or a judge and jury in court. Your attorney will utilize his or her previous experience, and previous settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Injured in a Big Rig Accident, the Big Rig Accident Lawyers at Tim D. Wright Can Help
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies need to be held accountable when they are responsible for causing accidents and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to adhere to the rules and regulations that are there to keep the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar offenses. And generally, the outcome of these bad decisions is a crash.
A qualified big rig accident lawyer in the Bakersfield area knows all of the unique factors that may be relevant in big rig accident claims. At Tim D. Wright, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations regarding vehicles and drivers, and we are diligent in investigating the potential causes and issues that may affect issues of liability for commercial big rigs.
Even if the trucking company involved is based out of state, or the case might involve independent drivers, leased vehicles, maintenance contracts, and so on, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and knowledge to get results. The sad reality is that large big rig accidents frequently involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, or even death. If you are hurt in a crash involving a large big rig, it is vital for you to partner with a law firm that has the ability 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 aspects that apply in commercial trucking claims.
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