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When you are hit by a large tractor-trailer, you are at a serious disadvantage If you are driving a smaller vehicle such as a car or motorcycle. The sheer size, height, and weight of an 18-wheeler put you at risk for catastrophic injury, great expense, and even death when accidents occur. The Hartunian Law Firm has expertise in the specialized litigation that victims of truck accidents require. We employ nationally recognized experts to provide the highest quality representation for those injured by a commercial vehicle.
Truck Accidents in California
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2019 alone, 162,467 crashes involved big rigs — including 13,565 crashes involving 14,551 vehicles in California. These accidents were responsible for 477 fatalities and 6,238 injuries. Since semi-trucks are 20 times heavier than most cars on the road, occupants of lighter vehicles do not make it out alive. Based on 2018 figures,67% of people in California who died in accidents with truckers were occupants of other cars and passenger vehicles. Nearly 5,000 or about 7% of large trucks in California were involved in fatal crashes.
Semi-truck drivers have a reputation for being courteous, competent, and well-trained, but they are under tremendous pressure to drive long hours at speeds above what federal safety standards mandate, haul oversize loads, and cut corners to stay on schedule and make money as they are paid by the mile. They may fall into the same traps as car drivers of being distracted, speeding, having faulty brakes or other equipment, and even being impaired with drugs or alcohol. When accidents occur, the consequences may be even worse than when two cars collide.
Nationwide, large trucks cause a disproportionate number of fatal accidents, which include:
- Rollover accident
- Jackknife accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Underride accidents
- Runaway truck accidents
- Blindspot or no zone sideswipe accidents
- Pileups
- Multi-vehicle accidents
Fortunately, these trucks are equipped with black boxes that electronically record data, logbooks, shipping records, and training records which law enforcement and your attorney at Hartunian Law Firm can use to examine the facts and determine the cause of these accidents.
Trucking Accident Specialists ay the Hartunian Law Firm Can Help You
If you are involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you may be entitled to compensation. The insurance company for the trucking firm may be quick to offer you a settlement for the case, but their offer is likely much less than you deserve. To protect your rights, you need the Hartunian Law Firm on your side, to consult on your case, provide legal services, and protect your interests.
We offer a free consultation about your case in English or Spanish, assist with costs along the way, and don't get paid until we win your case.
If you can't come to our Palm Springs or Los Angeles office, we'll even come to your home, office, or hospital room to discuss your case. Our staff will provide you with the reliable and compassionate personal service you need throughout the process of winning your case.
If you've had a truck accident, access to justice awaits at the other end of the phone. Call us today Toll-Free at 844-404-0007 or at our Palm Springs office at 760-575-5555 or our Los Angeles Location at 310-552-0007.
