The Anaheim truck accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase provide relief to lessen the pain and suffering of those who have experienced a semi-truck collision. Over 45 years in business, the law firm of Bisnar Chase has won more than $750 million in recovery for accident victims. We have handled hundreds of commercial truck accident injury cases and are familiar with all California courts, with an impressive 99% success rate.
Property damage, medical bills and other accident related expenses can take a toll. Let our personal injury attorneys do the work for you. There is no fee if we do not win your injury case.
If you or a family member have been involved in a trucking accident, call our Anaheim truck accident attorneys at 949-203-3814. Free consultation.
Anaheim Truck Accident Resources
Commercial Truck Accidents in the US
In the U.S., there were over half a million truck-related crashes in 2019, and more than 13,000 people died as a result of them. California and Texas top the list of fatal truck accidents. The trucking industry is an important part of the economy, but it is also one of the most dangerous industries to work in.
A commercial vehicle is a type of vehicle that has been designed to transport goods and materials from one place to another. Commercial vehicles are typically used in large-scale business operations such as freight distribution and long-distance shipping. The term “commercial” distinguishes these types of vehicles from other types of passenger transportation, like buses or trains. The word “big rig” is an informal American English term for a tractor trailer or semi-trailer truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) in excess of 26,000 pounds (11 metric tons).
Because of the sheer size and weight of semi trucks, the victims are typically the other party. The drivers of commercial trucks have a lot more protection when a crash occurs and typically suffer minor injuries.
The stats and complete report below of the people killed in large trucking accidents can be found here.
Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that in just one year. there were 4,311 truck accidents that resulted in fatalities. Semi collisions have an increased risk of killing multiple drivers due to their weight and size. The average weight of a big rig is 19,000 pounds as opposed to a four-door automobile that weighs only 2,800 pounds. Truckers are to operate this type of vehicle with great care and caution, if not they can be responsible for causing an accident.
Causes of 18-wheeler crashes include:
- Driver Fatigue
- Intoxicated Drivers
- Texting/Distracted Drivers
- Defective Equipment
- Substandard Inspections
- Weather Conditions
- Hazardous Materials
- Blind Spots
- Wide Turns
5 Steps to Take After a truck Accident in Anaheim
Being involved in a vehicle wreck can be devastating, not only to your physical health but mentally as well. Dealing with the aftermath can also be complicated. Many collision victims do not know where to begin and are not too sure about the legal options open to them.
There are certain measures you can take when involved in a truck accident:
- Contact law enforcement immediately: It is crucial that you fill out an accident report. Whether you perceive the accident to be big or small, this document will serve to be useful in the long run. Most importantly it is typically required by the law that you do this as well.
- Seek medical attention quickly: Even though you might not see a scrape or experience any physical pain after, it is strongly suggested that you be examined by a professional just in case you are suffering from pain down the line or if you have internal bleeding. If you are not admitted or seen by a medical professional after the incident it can be used against you in your claim.
- Reach out to the insurance company to file a report: This step is critical. It cannot be overlooked and if skipped it could affect your case greatly.
- Say as little as possible when speaking to the other insurance company: In other words, just state the facts when speaking to the counter’s insurance company, or your own for that matter. Insurance companies want to save money so your best interest isn’t always theirs.
- Call a local truck accident attorney: The law offices of Bisnar Chase have been specializing in big rig crashes for many years and have a 99% success rate. Contact 949-203-3814 and receive a free consultation with one of our expert 18-wheeler accident lawyers.
Semi-Truck Regulations and Laws
According to the FMSCA, truckers are required to take rest breaks. One of the most prominent reasons for big rig collisions is having fatigued drivers on the road. The Interstate Truck Driver’s Guide to Hours of Service states that: “You are allowed a period of 14 consecutive hours in which to drive up to 11 hours after being off duty for 10 or more consecutive hours. The 14-consecutive-hour driving window begins when you start any kind of work. Once you have reached the end of this 14-consecutive-hour period, you cannot drive again until you have been off duty for another 10 consecutive hours or the equivalent of at least 10 consecutive hours off duty.”
Who's at Fault in an Anaheim Big Rig Accident Case?
In semi accident cases, it can be challenging to resolve who is truly at fault. Perhaps a negligent tractor-trailer driver caused a collision because he was drowsy after spending too many hours driving the road. Perhaps the driver of a car caused the incident because she was speeding or cutting the trucker off.
In many cases, neither driver is at fault. At times, big rig collisions are caused by poorly maintained vehicles, improperly loaded vehicles, or defective parts. We know how to determine who was at fault and how to take action against them.
With that said, if both parties are not at fault, how do you take legal action? The simplified answer is to prove negligence.
Proving Negligence in a 18-Wheeler Crash Case
To receive adequate compensation, you must be able to prove that somewhere in the course of the truck accident, someone’s negligence caused you pain and suffering.
The following can constitute negligence of a third party:
- Speeding Over the Posted Limit
- Failure to Check Blind Spots
- Intoxicated Driving (Drugs/Alcohol)
- Driving While Sleep Deprived
- Road Rage
- Neglect of Vehicle Maintenance
- Overall Reckless Driving
- Distracted Driving (phone)
Filing a Semi-Truck Accident Claim
Before filing your claim, you must be able to prove without a doubt that there was an individual or a group of individuals whose negligence caused you pain and suffering. If you can do that, you may proceed with legal action.
It is also highly recommended that you hire an experienced Anaheim truck accident lawyer who has a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the dangerous areas of Orange County to assist you. The laws concerning truck accidents are very complex and only a skilled attorney can help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
If you lost a loved one in the aftermath of a truck accident, you may be able to additionally list this wrongful death to be taken into account alongside your pain and suffering when you and your lawyer are fighting for compensation.
You can fight for compensation for your own injuries, as well as the fatality of a loved one since the court views wrongful death as a civil action. If the court rules in your favor, you may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and loss of companionship/loss of a loved one.
Ways You Can Prevent 18-Wheeler Accidents
The American Trucking Association stated that over 36 million semi-trucks are registered in the United States and over 3.68 million big rigs are operated daily on highways. Due to a large number of trucks on the freeway, there is a higher risk of semi collisions. There are measures passenger vehicle drivers can take while driving a big rig to stay safe.
Ways of remaining safe while driving next to a semi include staying out of a trucker’s blind spot and preparing for wide turns. There are four possible blind spots for truckers that include the back, sides, and front of the vehicle. In order to stay out of a trucker’s blind spot, you need to not drive too closely. Always remain at a five-second distance from a big rig and if the weather is dangerous, increase the distance from the semi even more.
When truckers need to make a left-hand turn they need to be extra cautious. Due to the length of a big rig, a great amount of time and a large amount of space is needed to make the turn. Even if a light is green, do not proceed if the semi-truck is still turning. You can face being involved in a head-on collision if you do so.
What to Look for When Choosing an Anaheim Truck Accident Lawyer
After being involved in a collision, injury victims are left severely harmed and are confused about who to turn to for help. You should not choose an Anaheim truck accident lawyer impulsively. Eighteen-wheeler crashes can be serious and should be treated with compassion by an expert.
Qualities you should consider when seeking legal representation for a truck collision case:
Comfortability: Being involved in a car accident can leave you traumatized. You will need to seek legal representation from a lawyer you feel at ease with. During the legal process, you may have many questions on what needs to be done on your part and the status of your case. You may also be disclosing personal information with your attorney. Your lawyer should make you feel comfortable enough to voice your opinions and concerns.
Experience: Truck accident cases are very different from four-door vehicle accidents due to their extreme proportions. A truck accident lawyer in California will need to be well-rounded in their knowledge of state and federal laws involving big rigs. Having a lawyer on your side that has years of experience dealing with semi-truck companies and negligent truckers will better your chances of receiving full compensation for your injuries.
Reputation: Your lawyer should have an outstanding reputation of being involved in the community and also being acknowledged by their peers as outstanding. The personal injury attorneys at Bisnar Chase have won multiple awards from associations such as the Million Dollar Club, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. We have been recognized as having the top attorneys in Orange County.
Contact our Anaheim Big Rig Accident Lawyers?
Since 1978, Bisnar Chase’s Anaheim truck accident lawyers have been serving people in Southern California. If you have been injured in or near Anaheim, we can help.
Our injury attorneys know what to look for when analyzing big rig-related accidents. We have helped injury victims earn the compensation they need to heal from their accident and strive to provide the best customer service. Our attorneys handle cases in Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Los Angeles County as well, in addition to taking on cases further afield, throughout California.
Call us for a free consultation at 949-203-3814 and get the best options and legal team for your claim.
