California Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuits
California motor vehicle accidents involving tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles are the most deadly type of motor vehicle collisions. The sheer magnitude and design of these vehicles make them more prone to causing wide-reaching destruction. After a California tractor-trailer accident injury, victims may suffer from long-term physical and psychological medical conditions. Insurance companies’ initial offers rarely cover the full extent of an accident victim’s losses and expenses, and a personal injury lawsuit is often the best way to recover damages.
Accident victims may recover damages from the negligent truck driver, their employer, or any other party responsible for the accident and resulting injuries. California plaintiffs may pursue damages for losses such as medical expenses related to the accident, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some rare cases, victims or their families may pursue punitive damages against the culpable party. Under California’s comparative fault framework, injury victims who bear some responsibility for their injuries may still be able to recover against the defendant.
Despite the state’s comparative negligence laws, tractor-trailer accident victims often face challenges determining fault after these accidents. Plaintiffs must establish negligence on the part of each potential defendant. For instance, in claims against a truck driver, plaintiffs may be able to prove negligence by establishing that the driver was distracted, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or they were engaged in other unsafe behavior. In cases against the trucking company, the plaintiff may be able to point to negligence by showing that the tractor-trailer was over or improperly loaded, the vehicle was not maintained, or the employer engaged in negligent hiring or training. Moreover, plaintiffs may be able to file a claim against a truck’s manufacturer if the vehicle or any of its parts was defective. In each of these cases, the plaintiff must prove that the other party’s negligence caused the victim’s injuries.
Injuries in these cases may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, electrocution, burns, disfigurement, and even death. For example, recently, a national news report described a tragic California tractor-trailer accident. In that case, an SUV carrying around 25 people collided with a tractor-trailer. When police arrived, they discovered that several people were trapped inside the SUV, and over a dozen people died. Authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the accident; however, they did note that the SUV was not designed to carry that many passengers.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a California Accident?
If you or someone you love suffered injuries or died in a California trucking accident, the attorneys at the Neumann Law Group can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at our law firm remain committed to providing California injury victims with dedicated and effective representation. Our office handles California accident claims stemming from car, truck, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, defective products, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Our experienced attorneys have recovered significant amounts of compensation on behalf of injury victims and their families. Contact the Neumann Law Group at 800-525-6386 to discuss your rights and remedies.
