What are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in California

California’s extensive transport system makes it a hub for commercial truck activities. While the number of trucks on California’s roads indicates the state of the economy, it also brings many truck accidents yearly. It follows from this that it is vital to understand the various types of road accidents in California to increase safety on the road and significantly reduce the number of truck accidents that have brought about untold misery to their victims. For those affected, seeking assistance from the top truck accident lawyers is crucial to ensure they receive the support and compensation they deserve.[1]

What are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in California

To understand the various factors that bring about the different types of accidents, we shall look into the causes of the accidents, including the drivers’ behaviors, the environmental conditions that bring about the accidents, and any other causes of these common truck accidents.

The various types of accidents in California include[2]:

  • Rear-end collisions;
  • Jackknife accidents;
  • Rollover Accidents;
  • Blind Spot Accidents;
  • Underride accidents; and
  • Cargo spill accidents

Rear-end collisions

This type of accident involves a situation where a vehicle crashes into the rear end of another car. Due to the colossal hit, there could be severe property damage and significant injuries to those who are involved in a truck accident, and in certain instances, such rear-end collisions may result in numerous fatalities or permanent damage. The repercussions of rear-end collisions can be significant when they involve a tiny vehicle and a truck. Due to the vast number of trucks in California, rear-end collisions involving trucks are many.

Jackknife accidents

This is a unique type of truck accident that is common in California. When jackknife accidents happen, the truck involved in a collision folds itself at an angle akin to the angle commonly seen when folding a pocket knife. This folding of the large truck is often dangerous and would, in many instances, result in massive consequences to the vehicles around the car and the people around the accident scene. In most instances, the jackknife accident happens when the wheels of the truck lose traction with the surface of the road, resulting in the truck skidding.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents are prevalent in California. These accidents happen when a truck rolls over and turns on its side or roof. Due to the massive size of these trucks, the accidents shall likely have severe consequences, including massive injuries, extensive property damage, and, in certain instances, fatalities.

The following are the principal causes of rollover accidents:

Speeding- In most instances, driving a truck at a very high speed would result in a lack of truck control. It follows that in cases where the car is being conducted at a high speed, it is likely that the driver shall lose control, and the car will roll and turn to its side or its roof.

Driving at high speeds in sharp turns can bring about imbalance in a loaded truck. Truck drivers must, therefore, control the truck when taking sharp corners. Failing to maintain the truck at sharp corners may likely result in the truck rolling over. A truck driver loses control in instances where they are driving at a high speed. Accidents that result from these high speeds lead to tire blowouts and would most likely result in severe injuries.

Blind Spot Accidents

Blind spot accidents involving trucks occur when a vehicle, typically smaller in size, is outside the truck driver’s field of vision, commonly known as a blind spot. These accidents often result from the truck driver being unaware of the presence of another vehicle in these blind spots, leading to collisions. Various factors contribute to blind spot accidents, and they include the following:

Poor weather conditions- in extreme weather conditions, it is very likely that the truck driver may need to be made aware of their surroundings. In such a situation, it is very reasonable that there will be an accident.

Changing lanes without notice- the process of changing lanes can bring about accidents in instances where they are sudden and spontaneous. If there is a sudden lane change, there shall likely be a blind spot accident, and this may result in massive losses and even deaths if it involves passenger vehicles.

Turning off a truck- when a truck is turning, the driver may likely be unable to look at the cars behind them. When this happens, a blind spot accident will likely occur.

Merging on the road- When merging on the highway with small vehicles, it is very likely that the car will go into a truck’s blind spot and result in a collision.

Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are common in California when a small vehicle runs into the rear side or side of a truck and ends up under the car because of the extent of the collision. It should be noted that underride accidents can result in massive injuries because of the crash’s impact. Underride accidents can involve rear underride, where the smaller car rams into the rear of a truck, and side underride, where a smaller car rams into the side of a truck and goes under the truck.

The common factors bringing about underride accidents include poor weather conditions, which makes it challenging to drive the car; sudden stops by the trucks, which results in the vehicles ramming into the rear or the side of the truck; inadequate lighting of the environment where the accident happens and the driver failing to be alert while on the road.

Cargo Spill Accidents

This type of accident is common in California. Cargo spill accidents happen when the cargo being transported by the truck is not firmly secured in the truck. Because the load is lost, it is possible that they can unfasten and fall onto the roadway, causing massive damage to the properties, injuries to pedestrians, and many other undesirable consequences.

Due to their devastating nature, the common truck accidents in California must be prevented. Active steps should be taken to ensure that such accidents do not happen. For those looking to understand the scope of the issue, reviewing California truck accident statistics can provide valuable insights into the frequency and causes of these incidents, helping to inform better safety practices and policies.

Related FAQS

Q: How soon should I commence my truck accident claim in California?

A: You must institute your claim within two years of the accident. To ensure that this is done in good time, it is fundamental that you engage a personal injury lawyer in good time so that you can commence the process of seeking compensation.

It is worth noting that the failure to file your personal injury claim in time would, by and large result in your claim being declared stale, a situation in which your claim is declared to have been filed out of time and with which you should not be compensated for. It follows therefore that it is extremely crucial that you begin the process of seeking compensation for your truck accident immediately.

Q: Should I engage the insurance company of the at-fault party if they indicate that they are keen on having an out of court settlement on the matter?

A: While the offer and the easiness with which insurance companies reach out to the injured can be tempting, it is important to note that they are doing the same so as to ensure that they get to pay the least amount of money as is possible. The negotiations are therefore more geared towards protecting their interests than in protecting yours. It follows therefore that you must keenly ensure that you protect your interests throughout the negotiations.

Having an experienced personal injury lawyer shall ensure that you get the best possible outcome of the negotiations than you would have had had you done the same without the lawyer.

Q: What are the considerations when hiring a personal injury lawyer who will help me deal with my truck accident case?

A: You should look at the following things before settling down on a personal injury lawyer[3]:

Experience- You should understand the experience of the personal injury lawyer before you engage them. The more experienced personal injury lawyers should have an edge over the least experienced personal lawyers as they understand and know what needs to be done so as to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. It follows therefore that the principal consideration that you should have is the consideration of the level of experience that one has in a truck accident claims.[4]

The capacity- While a personal injury lawyer can be pretty much experienced in a given field, you must ensure that the personal injury lawyer that you engage has the capacity to take in more matters. The difference between winning and losing a case depends largely on the amount of time and resources that one has invested in a particular case. The least amount of input into a case may result in little or no compensation at all and it follows therefore that you must have a personal injury attorney who can put in sufficient time so as to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.[5]

Ethics- You must choose a lawyer who is ethical so that you cannot become a victim of lawyers who would want to take advantage of your situation and exploit you for their own gain. While it could be difficult to know the ethical from non-ethical personal injury lawyers, it is crucial to look into the complaints that have been filed against the personal injury lawyer. It follows, therefore that one must avoid personal injury lawyers who would exploit the cases for their own selfish ends.

Cost- while most personal injury lawyers would want to ensure that they are only paid once they win the case, others would want to be paid upfront before commencing the case. So, you’ll need to speak to the personal injury attorney so that you may understand how they charge their fees.[6]

Past client review- You must get a personal injury lawyer with an excellent client review. While it is possible that some clients may be difficult and may leave a bad client review on any lawyer, it is worth noting that if there is a consistent pattern in which the lawyer is getting a bad review from various clients, you should not engage that particular personal injury lawyer.[7]

Communication skills- You must have a truck accident lawyer who regularly and conclusively updates you on the developments in your personal injury claim. Timely and proper updates would ensure that you are free to do what has to be done without having to worry about what is happening to your truck accident case. Having a lawyer who does not update you properly and in time would greatly cause you anxiety and may in the long run affect your recovery process. It follows therefore that you must engage a truck accident attorney who shall keep you properly updated.

Q: What will a truck accident lawyer assist me with?

A: A truck accident attorney will assist you in the following manner:

Collecting evidence in support of your case: The process of collecting evidence is complicated, moreso if you have to collect evidence from different places and people. If not carefully done, collected evidence may easily be lost, which shall impact the amount of compensation you deserve. It is vital that you get a personal injury lawyer who shall ensure that you get the best outcome in your case.

Negotiating with insurance companies- The process of negotiating with insurance companies is often times complicated. The principal reason for this is that there is a conflicting objective between the principal parties involved. While on the one hand you would require a huge amount of compensation, the insurance company will on their other hand want to pay as little amount of compensation as is possible. It follows therefore that the negotiations shall be protracted and would require one who is not too much emotionally involved. Because of this, the personal injury attorney would make sure that you are adequately represented in these negotiations with the aim of giving you the compensation that you deserve.

Drafting of court documents- the process of drafting court documents is often times complicated. The drafting of documents requires that certain rules and procedures are followed. Moreover, the prayers must be adequately captured so that the same can be awarded by the court. Moreover, the witness statements of those who witnessed the accident must also be properly drafted so that the same can come out as intended.

Representing you in court- The process of representing you in court requires both tact and experience. This would only be possible if you have a personal injury attorney who has the experience and the capacity necessary to help deal with you case. It follows therefore that the lawyer shall represent you in court with the aim of ensuring that you get the compensation that you deserve.

Q: How long shall my truck accident case take before it is concluded in California?

A: The length of time that a case should take before it is concluded would depend on the issues at hand. While some issues may not be complicated, certain issues raised in court cases can be complicated and ordinarily require a long period of time before the same is documented. It follows, therefore that there is no fixed length of time within which a particular truck accident case can be dealt with. Moreover, the speed at which a case can be determined shall depend on the proactiveness of the litigants. If the truck accident victim files their personal injury case in time, it shall be adequately and speedily dealt with. If, on the other hand, you delay filing your case, the length of time that your case will take will be longer. Moreover, the speed at which the evidence required is collected is instrumental in the case’s progression. It follows, therefore, that you will need to collect all the necessary pieces of evidence in good time and make sure that you file your claim in time if you are intentional in a speedy conclusion of your case.

Q: What should I do to ensure that I get the compensation that I deserve?

A: You must ensure that you collect all the necessary evidence in good time and engage the best available lawyer in your case. Moreover, the claim for compensation must be clearly broken down so as to enable the court to understand the reason why you would be required to get such compensation. Moreover, you’ll need to constantly seek for updates from the personal injury attorney so that you can push for a speedier dealing with the matter if you feel that there has been a lapse.

Q: Will I be compensated if I am partially at fault for the truck accident?

A: You are entitled to compensation for the truck accident, even in instances where you are partially at fault for the accident. Just so you know, the more blameworthy for the accident, the less the amount of compensation. So, it follows, therefore, that the rate of your contribution shall be considered when calculating the amount of damages you are entitled to get following your truck accident.

Q: What do I have to do after filing my truck accident case?

A: You should ensure that you regularly seek updates and directions from your personal injury attorney so that he or she can advise you on what needs to be done following your case filing. It should be remembered that every truck accident case is unique and would ordinarily come with its demands. It follows from this that what happens in a particular case would be, by and large different from what happens in another case.

Q: Which types of compensation do I get for a truck accident case?

A: Various types of compensation are available to truck accident victims. The type of compensation available to a person mainly depends on the extent of the injuries suffered and the particulars of the injuries. It follows that you will have to speak to your personal injury lawyer, who will let you know what you think is the best possible compensation you can get, considering your circumstances.

Big Ben Lawyers

When one has been involved in a truck or car accident in California, one should contact a qualified and experienced truck accident attorney to be advised on the best way forward. Moreover, as common truck accident injuries may turn into serious injuries, the victims of these accidents must seek immediate medical attention. After seeking medical treatment, victims of California truck accidents must ensure that they file personal injury lawsuits so that they can be compensated for the suffering and losses that can be attributed to the truck accident.

Big Ben Lawyers is always available to help you deal with any personal injury claims that you may want to pursue in California. Big Ben Lawyers has the capacity and the experience to ensure that you get compensated. Contact it now so that it can begin the process of helping you.


[1] Justia, Types of Truck Accidents & Legal Implications available at https://www.justia.com/truck-accidents/types-of-truck-accidents/ accessed on 4th July 2024

[2] Ibid

[3] Justia, Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer, available at https://www.justia.com/truck-accidents/truck-accident-lawsuits/hiring-a-truck-accident-lawyer/ accessed on 4th July 2024

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid

[7] Ibid

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