Accidents involving large trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, and semi-trailer trucks can be extremely dangerous, often causing severe injuries or wrongful death. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck crash, contact the Orange County truck accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase now to fight for you against the trucking company.
A Southern California semi-truck accident is likely to leave victims dealing with substantial vehicle damage and continuing medical costs. A truck’s size and weight make it deadly in an accident.
The personal injury lawyers of Bisnar Chase believe that truck accident injury victims should not have to suffer physically and financially after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Why Trust Bisnar Chase?
- Over $900M won
- We focus directly on personal injury law
- No win, no fee guarantee
- Written opinions that change laws
- 99% success rate
- Seasoned trial lawyers
- Familiar with all California courts
Our top-rated truck accident attorneys have a 99% success rate and have won over $900 million for crash victims. Contact us now to win compensation for your damages and injuries. Call (949) 203-3814 or contact us through our website.
Free consultation: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay if we don’t win.
Orange County Truck Accident Resources
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck wrecks can occur due to various situations. In many cases, crashes involving tractor-trailers are caused by negligence, which means that a lack of care and attention is the root cause of the accident.
The most common causes of truck accidents include:
Speeding
Semi-trucks driving on freeways in California have a speed limit of 55 mph. A truck traveling at high speeds can become a deadly weapon.
Drowsy Driving
Truck drivers often stay on the road for long hours to meet their deadlines. Although strict laws restrict the time you can spend behind the wheel, truck driver fatigue can develop over long periods, creating serious dangers.
Poor Maintenance
If a truck is not properly maintained, it can create extreme risks on Orange County roads. Vital maintenance includes regular checks of tires and brakes.
Truck Defects
Auto defects include design and manufacturing flaws that can make trucks dangerous to drivers and other road users.
Driving Under the Influence
Drugs and alcohol can impact reaction times and decision-making. When truck drivers are operating a big rig while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will be liable for any accidents caused.
Improper Loading
When trucks are overloaded or carry unbalanced loads, it can impact steering and braking, making it more difficult for drivers to operate a truck safely.
Poor Training or Inexperience
Driving a truck is not the same as driving a car. Without proper training, a truck operator can easily cause serious road wrecks.
Road Defects
Confusing road designs or poorly maintained roads can cause drivers to lose control of their trucks, leading to accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major danger for long-haul truckers. Being on the road for long hours and driving long distances can lead to fatigue, inattention, inefficiency, and distraction.
Distractions can range from talking on a cell phone to texting, eating, drinking, or even reviewing truck logs. Any distraction can significantly increase the risk of an accident, making it essential for truckers to remain vigilant and alert on the road.
Other
There are plenty of other potential causes of truck accidents, such as truck drivers failing to disclose a medical condition and suffering an issue while behind the wheel, such as a seizure.
You should seek advice from our Orange County truck accident lawyers if you have suffered injuries in any of the aforementioned negligent accidents.
Types of Semi-Truck Accidents and Big Rig Crashes
The truck accident causes listed show why these crashes happen. However, it is also important to understand how these wrecks occur.
Forms of truck collisions seen in Orange County include:
Crush accidents
Lane change accidents
Truck jackknife accident
Wide-turn accident
Road blockage crash
Cargo spillage
Truck trailer incident
Intersection crash
Underride accidents
Most of these types of truck crashes are self-explanatory. Big rigs and semi-trucks are large, cumbersome, and difficult to control. They also have massive blind spots and cannot brake quickly, giving them large stopping distances.
It’s common to see large trucks involved in accidents with cars or other types of passenger vehicles. This is because smaller vehicles can easily become lost in truck blind spots. Motorcycles are also at risk for the same reason.
Trucks are also frequently involved in accidents with other large vehicles, such as other semis and RVs. Cumbersome vehicles like trucks and motorhomes often crash due to their slow braking and lack of maneuverability.
A Rise in Underride Accidents
Underride truck accidents are hazardous crashes involving passenger vehicles, and they have been on the rise in recent years. This is when a passenger vehicle slides partially or fully underneath a truck and is crushed.
Documenting the circumstances of your truck accident is vital. This will allow you to file a truck accident claim against an insurance policy or a truck accident lawsuit against the liable party.
Hiring an Orange County truck accident attorney at Bisnar Chase with decades of experience winning this type of accident case will maximize your chances of success.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Orange County truck accidents can cause extreme injuries and may prove to be fatal. This is mainly due to the size and weight of a commercial big rig. A semi-trailer truck colliding with a smaller vehicle can cause catastrophic injuries to the occupants.
Common injuries can include:
Broken bones.
Severe lacerations and bleeding.
Emotional trauma.
Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage.
Traumatic brain injuries.
Spinal cord injuries.
Burn injuries.
Back and neck injuries.
Amputation.
Fatal injuries resulting in wrongful death.
A trucking accident carries a lot of risk. We have represented truck accident victims who have sustained serious injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis can change everything, from your ability to work to your quality of life.
The impact these injuries can have on a commercial truck accident victim cannot be understated. If you have lost a limb, been paralyzed, or suffered significant emotional or physical scarring in a truck crash, Bisnar Chase can help. We often deal with the more severe injuries that can be life-altering.
Our services are not restricted to victims of catastrophic injuries, though. We can also help victims suffering whiplash, back problems, and minor injuries. Contact our Orange County Lawyers for truck accidents now to find out if you have a case. Call (949) 203-3814 today.
Who is Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?
In truck crash cases, liability will apply to anyone displaying careless or negligent behavior that plays a part in the accident.
Liable parties can include:
➤ The Truck Driver
A negligent truck driver could be liable if their reckless actions behind the wheel caused the accident. This could include driving under the influence, speeding, or attempting unsafe maneuvers.
➤ Trucking Companies
Truck companies might share ultimate liability if a commercial truck is involved in an accident while on the job. The trucking company could be at fault if it did not complete proper maintenance, did not properly screen or train drivers, insisted on cargo overloads, or forced drivers to work beyond legal hours. Strict shipping regulations are in place in California for trucking companies to prevent dangerous cargo and load situations.
➤ Truck Manufacturer
If a design or manufacturing defect with the vehicle caused a truck accident injury, such as a braking or steering issue, the manufacturer might be held liable.
➤ Maintenance Workers
Improper or substandard maintenance can cause an accident. The individuals or companies that worked on the commercial vehicle may be liable.
➤ Other Drivers
In some cases, commercial trucks are involved in crashes due to the careless or reckless driving of other drivers. An auto accident involving a truck is not automatically the fault of the larger vehicle.
➤ City Authority
If a truck accident is due to poor street conditions or design, a government agency might be the target of a truck accident lawsuit.
How Do You Identify the Liable Party?
A truck accident injury claim will not always be straightforward. In many cases, an investigation is required to find the cause of a crash. The best way to identify every responsible party is to contact Bisnar Chase and let our experts conduct a comprehensive review.
In so many cases, the commercial trucking industry is found to have prioritized profits over safety by putting under-qualified drivers in dangerous positions, or cutting corners with their vehicles within the trucking companies.
If you have been involved in a recent truck accident and sustained serious physical injuries, Bisnar Chase can help you win the maximum compensation possible for your injury case.
Truck Accident Statistics
The truck accident facts and stats listed below make for scary reading:
- There are 15.5 million trucks on the roads across the U.S., including more than 400,000 in California
- A big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (when fully loaded) and measure 75 feet in length
- The stopping distance for a loaded tractor-trailer truck is up to 40% greater than the braking distance of a car
- More than 4,100 people died in truck accidents in 2018 in the United States
- Of the thousands of truck crash deaths in 2018, only 16% were truck drivers. The other 84% was made up of occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians
- Statistics from 2000 show that trucking accidents accounted for 98,000 hours of traffic congestion nationwide
- Truck accident fatalities soared by 31% from 2009-2018
Orange County Commercial Truck Accident Statistics
As of 2024, the most recent detailed data available pertains to the period from 2019 to 2021.
- During this time, there were 1,051 commercial truck crashes in Orange County, resulting in 31 fatalities and 1,413 injuries.
- A significant percentage of these accidents, 64.2%, occurred on state highways.
- As of May 2024, the state of California had reported 2,839 total commercial truck accidents, 2,819 non-fatal injuries, and 20 fatalities.
It is important to note that detailed and specific statistics for 2024 might not be available until later due to the time required for data collection and analysis.
Truck accidents are frighteningly common and have left a huge number of victims with severe or fatal injuries. If you or your family have been affected by a big rig crash, contact our Orange County truck accident attorney now. We have expert knowledge of federal trucking laws, helping us recover compensation that our clients deserve.
What to Do After a Commercial Truck Accident in Orange County
As we have shown, filing a truck accident injury claim can be complex. But you can make the process easier by following the right steps after being involved in an accident.
Seek medical treatment. Truck accidents can result in serious injuries and the most important post-crash step is to make sure you are out of danger. Seek immediate medical attention if your injuries warrant it. Even if your injuries are relatively minor, get checked out by a doctor.
Collect evidence. Take pictures of everything, including the vehicles involved, the crash scene, and your injuries. Write a written recollection of the incident, and secure copies of police and medical reports.
Contact a lawyer. It is important that you work with a personal injury attorney specializing in truck accident cases in Orange County. Bisnar Chase has extensive experience providing legal assistance after tractor trailer accidents and crashes involving large commercial trucks.
Do not speak to an insurance company or discuss fault in the accident until you have first consulted with an experienced attorney.
Insurance companies will try anything to avoid paying you what is fair. They use high-powered legal teams and are loyal to their bottom line. It is the job of insurance agents to save money for their company, not to help accident victims.
Do not face an insurance company alone. Hire the Orange County lawyers for truck accidents of Bisnar Chase to make sure you are not bullied by insurance agents, and get the compensation you deserve. The consultation is free.
Orange County Truck Accident Lawsuit FAQs
If you are injured in a truck accident in Orange County, you are likely to have many questions. We answer some of the most frequently asked questions below. If your query is not answered, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help, and to advise you on your legal options.
If an insurance agent calls you, do not discuss fault, or the specifics of your accident, even if they try to push you. Contact an Orange County truck accident lawyer to speak to the insurance company on your behalf for the best results.
You must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident occurring, according to California law. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Once a lawsuit is filed, the process will vary by case. Some claims are settled in weeks, others can take months or years. Contact our lawyers, based in Orange County, for more guidance on your case.
Yes, you can still file a lawsuit and win compensation if you were partly at fault for a truck accident. Your compensatory award may be reduced according to your percentage of fault, according to California’s comparative negligence law.
We offer a free initial consultation with no obligations. Once you sign with us, our ‘No Win, No Fee’ promise advances all costs. You pay nothing if we do not win your case, and you are protected from out-of-pocket expenses.
Upon winning your case, personal injury attorneys in California can charge between 33-40% of the settlement or verdict. Our typical fee is 33 1/2%.
Bisnar Chase has been providing superior representation for more than 45 years. Our lawyers have a wealth of experience in handling serious truck accident claims in Orange County. Our firm has a 99% success rate and has won more than $700 million for clients.
Truck Accident Compensation: How Much Is My Case Worth?
Compensation for truck accident injuries will vary by case; there is no set amount a victim will receive. As a general rule, the greater the impact an accident has on the victim’s life, the greater the compensatory award could be.
Factors influencing truck accident compensation include:
Level of injury
Pain and suffering
Medical bills
Emotional suffering
Lost wages
Lost ability to work
Impacted quality of life
Loss of consortium (wrongful death)
We secure quantifiable economic damages, such as compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages that can be more difficult to claim.
Working with a truck accident attorney will help you maximize your personal injury claim. At Bisnar Chase, we excel at maximizing the value of every claim we handle, securing the best possible truck accident settlements and jury verdicts. Contact our truck accident lawyers in Orange County now to find out how we can help you.
Truck Accident Case Results
At Bisnar Chase, our truck accident legal experts are passionate about helping crash victims seek justice. We have extensive experience winning cases involving semi-trucks, big rigs, and tractor-trailer crashes.
Some of our victories include:
$3,476,250: Defective truck case
$2,700,000: Truck vs. motor vehicle
$1,950,000: Truck accident case
$250,000: Awarded to a truck driver who was injured by a loading forklift.
$200,000: Awarded to the driver who crashed into an illegally parked truck.
Undisclosed 7-figure: A significant but confidential settlement for the driver of a cement truck after the vehicle’s brakes failed. The truck careened out of control before crashing.
This is just a snapshot of some of our truck accident case victories. We have won hundreds of millions of dollars for victims. For most people, this is life-changing money.
When a truck collides with another vehicle in a traffic accident, it is extremely dangerous. Most truck accidents cause significant damage, but Bisnar Chase can help make you whole.
2024 Top-Rated Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers
At Bisnar Chase, we are dedicated to helping you get your life back on track after being involved in a traumatic truck accident in Southern California. Our outstanding success rate speaks for itself: we have won significant compensation for our clients in 99% of our cases.
Over the last 46 years, we have helped more than 12,000 clients find justice, winning more than $900 million in that time. You need to work with commercial truck accident lawyers in Orange County who know the area and have extensive experience with cases just like yours.
Bisnar Chase fits the bill. Our offices are based in Newport Beach, and we have helped clients throughout the county, from Anaheim to Santa Ana, and everything in between.
But it’s not all about the money for us. We have made it our mission to offer superior representation, building trusting attorney/client relationships through our compassionate approach.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney
We know that the period after a crash can be extremely challenging. There is a lot to think about, from getting your vehicle fixed and arranging medical appointments to worrying about medical expenses.
We are here to ease those burdens and to handle every aspect of your case while you focus on getting better. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible client experience. Our team knows the federal laws inside out and offers outstanding legal representation.
With our law offices based in Newport Beach, we are proud to serve the community, as well as injury victims throughout Southern California and across the state. Our highly skilled truck accident lawyers are fearless at the negotiating table and in court and will secure the best possible result for you.
Free consultation: Contact our top-rated Orange County truck accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase now. Contact us through our website, either by email or live chat or give us a call at (949) 203-3814. We offer contingency fee-based services where there is no fee if we don’t win.
