Have You Been Hurt in a Fresno Big Rig Accident?
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 conventional passenger vehicle when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial big rigs and regular passenger cars, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a normal vehicle when they get in a crash 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 car accident cases. Particularly, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more stringently than regular vehicles and drivers.
Because of the inherent risk that these big vehicles pose to other drivers, there are numerous 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 include:
There are added regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these guidelines and regulations are regularly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Fresno Big Rig Accidents
Semi-truck crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger car, it is essential that big rig drivers are safe. However, just like any other car accident reason, there are some things that tend to increase the chances of a semi-truck collision.
Common reasons for big rig accidents include:
Common Injuries from a Fresno big rig Accident
Semi-truck accidents have a tendency to cause 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 collisions have been known to cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and much more.
In some cases people walk away from big rig accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer severe injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have enormous medical bills also.
What Compensation Can I Receive from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're probably going to have medical costs, lost wages, and also pain and suffering. You may be stressed regarding how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where a qualified big rig accident lawyer can help. He or she can handle your injury case thoroughly, and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a big rig accident results in injuries, you may be eligible to recover 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 consist of:
The amount one can recover for non-economic damages differs. It depends on the extent of the injury (or injuries) and how much your life has changed due to the crash. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will use 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 Fresno Big Rig Accident Attorneys at Tim D. Wright Can Help
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trucking companies must be held accountable when they are responsible for causing wrecks and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some trucking companies and drivers fail to comply with the guidelines 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 poor decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar offenses. And more often than not, the result of these bad choices is an accident.
A knowledgeable big rig accident attorney in the Fresno 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 concerning vehicles and motorists, and we are thorough in examining the possible causes and concerns that might 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, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and expertise to get results. The sad fact is that large big rig accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a wreck involving a large big rig, it is vital for you to work 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 comprehensive and timely inquiries into the facts and variables that apply in commercial trucking claims.
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