Orange County Truck Accident Attorneys

Federal law regulates the trucking industry. Although all motorists have a responsibility to drive with care while behind the wheel, federal law holds truck drivers to an even higher standard of care and responsibility to other drivers. Unfortunately, due to the massive size difference between a truck and a passenger vehicle, there is no such thing as a “minor” truck accident. Truck accidents almost always result in serious or even fatal injuries to parties involved in the crash.  

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a truck accident through no fault of your own, you need to hire an experienced Orange County truck accident attorney to handle your claim. The Irvine attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas are dedicated to protecting your legal rights and will work hard to get you the full compensation that you deserve. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our lawyers represent victims of truck accidents across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please call 949-727-9300.

Truck Accidents are Different from Car Accidents

Commercial freight trucks (commonly called “big rigs”) generally weigh more than 80,000 pounds, twenty times the weight of passenger cars. Despite federal regulations enacted to regulate the industry, there are many differences between crashes involving only passenger vehicles and those involving trucks. Some common differences include:

• Larger insurance policies. Truck drivers generally carry insurance policies that are up to fifty times larger than passenger vehicle policies, putting the total value of insurance in the millions. As such, attorneys defending the insurance companies will do everything in their power to deny liability or employ intricate tactics to reduce payouts on claims. Having an experienced truck accident attorney by your side can help make the process considerably less stressful and ensure that you get the fair compensation that you deserve.
• Increased property damage. As noted above, the weight and overall size of a big rig are much larger than that of a typical vehicle. That means that property damage in truck accidents are typically much more than a crash involving two cars.
• More serious injuries to truck accident victims. Similarly, injuries involved in truck accidents are also far more severe and can include intensive medical care and bills.
• Greater chance of death. An accident with an 18-wheeler commercial freight truck is far more likely to result in death than a collision between two passenger cars. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are approximately 4,000 fatal truck accidents every year in the United States.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Most truck accidents are caused by the negligent or reckless actions of the truck driver or trucking company. The experienced Irvine truck accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas will work hard to ensure that all parties who caused the accident are held liable for your injuries.

Below are some common causes of truck accidents:

• Driver fatigue
• Drunk driving
• Improper maintenance of the truck
• Hazardous road conditions
• Inclement weather
• Overloaded trucks or trailers
• Aggressive driving

Regardless of what caused your truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your resulting injuries and other damages. To get the maximum compensation that you deserve, it is important to immediately consult with an attorney who specifically handles these types of cases.

Holding All Parties Responsible for Your Truck Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured or died in a truck accident, there are a number of parties who may be legally responsible for your losses. It is common for these parties to deny liability for a truck accident. The liable parties may include the following:

• Truck driver
• Truck company
• Owner of the truck
• Company leasing the truck
• Company leasing the trailer
• The shipper who wanted the load transported
• Truck, trailer, or parts manufacturer

Injuries suffered in truck accidents are generally severe, including: 

• Serious head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Broken bones
• Disfigurement
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Lacerations
• Death 

What To Do After a Truck Accident

The immediate steps you take after a truck accident may significantly affect the outcome of your personal injury claim against the liable parties. Our Orange County truck accident attorneys understand that it may be difficult to know what to do and who to contact after a truck accident. Our legal team advises truck accident victims to consider the following important steps after a crash:

• Get pertinent information for any party to the accident, including name, telephone, address, driver’s license information, and insurance information.
• Get information of any witnesses to the scene of the accident.
• Call the police to the scene of the accident and request them to prepare a report.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, if possible.
• Avoid talking to the insurance agent or providing a recorded statement.
• Seek immediate medical attention and if necessary call 911 to the scene of the accident.
• Contact an experienced truck accident attorney.

Frequently Asked Truck Accident Questions

• Where are a truck’s blind spots? — It is difficult to know for sure if you are in a truck’s blind spot, but it is best to know where the possible spots are to better avoid those areas when driving near or passing a truck on the road. The main areas to avoid being are behind the truck, in front of the truck, and the truck’s right door. (Read more.)
• How do I determine who is at-fault in a truck accident? — Deciding who is at-fault in a truck accident is a bit more complex than a typical auto accident case. That is why it is important to hire an experienced trucking accident lawyer in Orange County to examine the specific facts of the accident and determine who should be held liable, the driver or the trucking company. (Read more.)
• What are California trucking laws? — Truck drivers are under a more strict set of driving regulations under California and federal laws. These trucking laws regulate how much a commercial truck should weigh, who may drive these trucks on the road, how many hours the truck driver can operate before having to pull over to rest, and the type of training a driver must have prior to operating a truck. (Read more.)

Contact an Experienced Orange County Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact the Irvine lawyers at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates. We can help you get legal recourse for your medical expenses, lost wages, and any other costs associated with your accident. 

The Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates is dedicated to helping victims receive the best compensation for their injustice. With multiple offices located in Irvine, Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and Riverside, our attorneys represent victims of truck accidents across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, please call 949-727-9300.