Have You Been Injured in a Big Rig Accident in Burbank, California?
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 car when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial big rigs and regular passenger vehicles, it is not difficult to imagine how dangerous it is for the occupants of a normal vehicle when they get in a crash with an eighteen-wheeler-- 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 much more stringently than standard automobiles and drivers. Because of the inherent risk that these big vehicles present to other drivers, there are numerous laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that big rig drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial big rig regulations consist of:
There are added regulations regarding the transportation 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.
Reasons For Burbank Big Rig Accidents
Semi-big rig crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger vehicle, it is essential that big rig drivers are safe. However, similar to any other motor vehicle accident reason, there are some things that tend to increase the possibilities of a semi-big rig accident.
Common causes of big rig accidents involve:
Prevalent Injuries from a Burbank Big Rig Accident
Semi-big rig accidents tend to cause more serious injuries than a crash involving two regular-sized cars. This is because the force behind a semi-big rig is much greater. Semi-big rig collisions have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and more.
Sometimes individuals walk away from big rig accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will sustain major injuries and may have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have enormous medical costs also.
What Compensation Can I Get from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're probably going to have medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You might be stressed concerning how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where an experienced big rig accident attorney can help. He or she can handle your injury claim thoroughly, and guarantee you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a big rig accident results in 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 kinds of damages consist of:
The amount one can recuperate for non-economic damages varies. It depends on the extent of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed as a result of the crash. The amount is negotiated by your attorney and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your attorney will utilize his or her prior experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Hurt in a Big Rig Accident, the Burbank Big Rig Accident Attorneys at Tim D. Wright Can Help
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and big rig companies must be held accountable when they are responsible for causing collisions and injuries. The unfortunate fact is that some big rig companies and drivers fail to adhere to the rules and regulations that are there to keep the roads safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make bad decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar infractions. And more often than not, the result of these poor choices is an accident.
A knowledgeable big rig accident attorney in the Burbank area knows all of the unique factors that may be relevant in big rig accident cases. At Tim D. Wright, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations regarding vehicles and drivers, and we are thorough in assessing the potential causes and issues that may affect issues of liability for commercial big rigs.
Even if the big rig company involved is based out of state, or the case may involve independent drivers, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and knowledge to get results. The unfortunate fact 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 injured in a crash involving a large big rig, it is important 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 thorough and timely inquiries into the facts and factors that apply in commercial big rig cases.
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