Have You Been Injured in an Inland Empire Big Rig Accident?
A large commercial big rig, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, may 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 regular passenger cars, it is not hard to imagine how risky it is for the passengers of a standard car when they get in an accident 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 car accident cases. Particularly, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated much more rigorously than regular cars and drivers.
Because of the inherent danger that these big vehicles pose to other motorists, there are numerous laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that big rig drivers are safe.
These laws consist of:
There are additional regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these policies and regulations are regularly being updated and revised to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.
Reasons for Inland Empire Big Rig Accidents
Big rig crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial big rig and a passenger vehicle, it is crucial that big rig drivers are safe. However, similar to any other motor vehicle accident cause, there are some things that have a tendency to increase the chances of a big rig crash.
Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents Involve:
Common Injuries from a Inland Empire Big Rig Accident
Big rig collisions have a tendency to result in more serious injuries than a crash involving two regular-sized vehicles. This is because the force behind a big rig is much 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.
In some cases individuals leave big rig accidents uninjured or with only minor injuries. However, others will sustain severe injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have massive medical bills as well.
What Compensation Can I Get from a Big Rig Accident?
After a big rig accident, you're probably going to have medical costs, lost income, as well as pain and suffering. You might be worried concerning how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable big rig accident attorney can help. They can handle your injury case thoroughly, and ensure 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 types of damages include:
The amount one can recover for non-economic damages differs. It depends on the severity 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 provider, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will utilize their previous experience, and previous settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Injured in a Big Rig Accident, the Inland Empire Attorneys at the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright Can Help
At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and big rig companies should be held accountable when they are responsible for causing wrecks and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some big rig companies and drivers fail to adhere to the guidelines and regulations that exist to maintain the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make bad choices 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 outcome of these bad choices is a crash.
An expert big rig accident lawyer in the Inland Empire location knows all of the unique factors that might be relevant in big rig accident cases. At the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we are familiar with both California and federal commercial motor carrier regulations concerning vehicles and drivers, and we are diligent in assessing the possible 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 claim might involve independent drivers, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, and so on, at the Law Offices of Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and knowledge to get results. The sad reality is that large big rig accidents often involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a crash involving a large big rig, it is essential 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 thorough and timely inquiries into the facts and aspects that apply in commercial big rig claims.
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