Have You Been Injured in a Burbank Trailer Accident?
A large commercial trailer, 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 trailers and standard passenger vehicles, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous it is for the passengers of a normal vehicle when they get in a collision with an eighteen-wheeler-- not to mention the impacts on pedestrians, motorcyclists, or bicyclists.
Commercial Driver and Trailer Regulations
Large trailer accident cases are quite a bit different from other car accident cases. Specifically, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more stringently than standard cars and drivers.
Because of 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 trailer drivers are safe.
These laws consist of:
California commercial trailer regulations include:
There are additional regulations concerning the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these rules and regulations are constantly being updated and revised to reflect the discovery of new risks and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of Burbank Trailer Accidents
Semi-trailer crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial trailer and a passenger vehicle, it is important that trailer drivers are safe. Nevertheless, similar to any other car crash reason, there are some factors that have a tendency to increase the odds of a semi-trailer collision.
Common reasons for trailer accidents include:
Prevalent Injuries from a Burbank Trailer Accident
Semi-trailer crashes have a tendency to result in more severe injuries than an accident involving two regular-sized cars. This is because the force behind a semi-trailer is much greater. Semi-trailer 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 walk away from trailer accidents unscathed or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer major injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have enormous medical expenses also.
What Compensation Can I Receive from a Trailer Accident?
After a trailer accident, you're probably going to have medical bills, lost wages, as well as pain and suffering. You may be worried regarding how you're going to manage these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable trailer accident attorney can help. They can handle your injury claim thoroughly, and make sure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a trailer accident causes 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 kinds of damages consist of:
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 accident. The amount is negotiated by your lawyer and the insurance company, or a judge and jury in court. Your attorney will use his or her prior experience, and previous settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Hurt in a Trailer Accident, the Burbank Trailer Accident Lawyer at Tim D. Wright Can Help
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trailer companies need to be held accountable when they are responsible for causing collisions and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some trailer companies and drivers fail to adhere to the rules and regulations that exist to keep the roadways safe.
When drivers and companies are under economic pressure to meet deadlines or to complete contracts, they can make poor choices that impact the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar infractions. And typically, the result of these poor choices is an accident.
A knowledgeable trailer accident lawyer in the Burbank location knows all of the special considerations that may be relevant in trailer 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 diligent in examining the potential causes and concerns that might impact issues of liability for commercial trailers.
Even if the trailer company involved is based out of state, or the claim may involve independent drivers, rented vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and expertise to get results. The sad reality is that large trailer accidents frequently involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are hurt in a collision involving a large trailer, it is important 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 detailed and timely inquiries into the facts and variables that apply in commercial trailer claims.
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