According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of truck crashes nationwide decreased 20% from 2008 to 2009, following a 12% decline in the number of collisions from 2007 to 2008. While the decline in collisions is encouraging, it is of little consolation for those who suffer a serious injury or death as a result of a large truck accident. There are more than 100,000 truck accidents every year on US roads and highways, many of which are the fault of the driver or the trucking company. Many factors may be relevant in establishing the cause of an accident. In some cases, a truck driver may be partially responsible for an accident, and the driver of a passenger vehicle may be partially responsible. Some of the major causes of truck accidents in California include:

Compensation for Trucking Accident Injuries

If it is determined that a trucking company is responsible for an accident, the trucking company may be liable for the victims’ injuries, including all past and future medical care and treatment expenses, past and future lost income and earnings due to an accident, and compensation for disability and disfigurement, and pain and suffering. In the event that a victim dies in an accident, the trucking company may be liable for the wrongful death of the victim, and surviving family members may be entitled to financial compensation for final medical care bills, funeral and burial costs, lost income, earnings, and financial contributions the victim would have made to his or her family, and loss of love, care, affection and companionship. The amount of compensation a victim or their family may be entitled to can very greatly, but if injuries are serious, compensation can be substantial.

Establishing Liability in Trucking Accident Claims

Trucking companies are willing to spend thousands to hire defense experts to protect their interests, and ultimately pay victims as little as possible. For injured accident victims and their families to be fairly compensated, they should work with an experienced and knowledgeable trucking accident lawyer. At Estey Bomberger, our California truck accident attorneys frequently consult with experts to determine fault and establish liability, including medical professionals, trucking safety experts, investigators, and road design engineers. We advance all costs and expenses for our clients as they are incurred, and are only reimbursed for costs upon a successful settlement or verdict. In the event that we accept a case and do not win, our clients owe us nothing.

When to Contact a Truck Accident Attorney

After a serious accident, it is never too soon to talk to a lawyer. Waiting to contact a lawyer could have a negative impact on the outcome of your case. Contact Estey Bomberger as soon as possible – we are available 24/7 to take your call toll-free at (800)895-6620. If your injuries prevent you from travelling to one of our offices, one of our attorneys can meet you at your home or hospital, or wherever is most convenient for you.