Have You Been Hurt in a Fresno 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 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 Trailer Regulations
Large trailer 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 trailer drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial trailer 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 Trailer Accidents
Semi-truck crashes are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial trailer and a passenger car, it is essential that trailer 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 trailer accidents include:
Common Injuries from a Fresno Trailer 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 trailer 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 Trailer Accident?
After a trailer 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 trailer accident lawyer can help. He or she can handle your injury case thoroughly, and ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a trailer 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 Trailer Accident, the Fresno Trailer 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 trailer accident attorney in the Fresno area knows all of the unique factors that may be relevant in trailer 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 trailers.
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 trailer accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and long-term disability, and even death. If you are injured in a wreck involving a large trailer, 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.
Get a free consultation with our legal experts
