Have You Been Hurt in a North Hollywood Trailer Accident?
A large commercial trailer, such as a tractor-trailer manufactured by Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, or Peterbilt, may be 20 times the size of a conventional passenger car when pulling a trailer. Given the extreme difference between the weight and mass of commercial trailers and regular passenger vehicles, it is not tough to imagine how dangerous 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 Trailer Regulations
Large trailer accident cases are quite a bit different from other vehicle accident cases. In particular, commercial vehicles and drivers are regulated more stringently than regular vehicles and drivers.
Because of the inherent threat that these huge vehicles pose to other drivers, there are several laws and regulations at both the federal and state level to make sure that trailer drivers are safe.
These laws include:
California commercial trailer regulations consist of:
There are additional regulations regarding the transportation of hazardous materials. All of these policies and regulations are constantly being updated and modified to reflect the discovery of new dangers and the development of new safety equipment.
Causes of North Hollywood Trailer Accidents
Semi-trailer collisions are serious business. Because of the size difference between a commercial trailer and a passenger vehicle, it is essential that trailer drivers are safe. However, similar to any other automobile accident cause, there are some factors that tend to increase the chances of a semi-trailer accident.
Common reasons for trailer accidents include:
Prevalent Injuries from a North Hollywood Trailer Accident
Semi-trailer crashes tend to cause more severe injuries than a crash involving two regular-sized cars. This is because the force behind a semi-trailer is much greater. Semi-trailer accidents have been known to result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations and scars, internal injuries, and more.
In some cases people walk away from trailer accidents unscathed or with only minor injuries. However, others will suffer serious injuries and might have pain, suffering, and disability. They often have massive medical expenses as well.
What Compensation Can I Obtain from a Trailer Accident?
After a trailer accident, you're likely going to have medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. You may be worried concerning how you're going to handle these challenges. This is where a knowledgeable trailer accident attorney can help. They can handle your injury claim carefully, and make sure you get maximum compensation for your injuries.
If a trailer accident results in injuries, you may be eligible to recuperate both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to losses with a monetary value associated with them. This includes:
Non-economic damages refer to losses that do not have an exact monetary value associated with them. They are subjective and negotiable. These kinds 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 company, or a judge and jury in court. Your lawyer will use his or her prior experience, and past settlements and jury verdicts when making settlement demands.
If You Have Been Hurt in a Trailer Accident, the North Hollywood Trailer Accident Attorneys at Tim D. Wright Can Help
At Tim D. Wright, we believe commercial drivers and trailer companies should be held accountable when they are responsible for causing wrecks and injuries. The unfortunate reality is that some trailer companies and drivers fail to follow the guidelines 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 bad decisions that affect the safety of others, such as foregoing inspections, overloading trailers, operating without required safety equipment, or committing similar infractions. And generally, the result of these poor decisions is a wreck.
A qualified trailer accident attorney in the North Hollywood location knows all of the unique factors that might 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 motorists, and we are thorough in examining the possible causes and issues that might affect issues of liability for commercial trailers.
Even if the trailer company involved is based out of state, or the case might involve independent drivers, leased vehicles, maintenance contracts, etc, at Tim D. Wright, we have the resources and experience to get results. The unfortunate reality is that large trailer accidents commonly involve very serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent disablement, and even death. If you are injured in a collision involving a large trailer, it is vital for you to partner with a law firm that has the capability to fight large companies, large insurers, and the law firms that defend them, and that has the resources to make comprehensive and timely inquiries into the facts and factors that apply in commercial trailer claims.
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