Sacramento Trucking Accident Attorneys
Over $1 Billion Recovered for the Injured
Because commercial trucks are large and dangerous they are held to very strict safety standards. However, many truck drivers and shipping companies violate these regulations in order to save time and money, which frequently results in terrible, destructive collisions.
If you were injured in a truck crash, or you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, contact our truck accident lawyers in Sacramento to discuss your case. Our team of highly experienced attorneys is ready to fight for your rights. Kershaw, Cook & Talley has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for accident victims throughout California.
Call us today at (916) 520-6639 to find out how we can help!
- Why Should You Call Kershaw, Cook & Talley?
- Over $1 Billion Recovered
- No Legal Fees Unless We Win
- 100+ Years of Combined Experience
- Free & Confidential Consultations
How a Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
If you've suffered a traumatic injury because of a negligent truck driver, you don't have to go through this time alone.
When you come to Kershaw, Cook & Talley, you will have access to a team of advocates who can:
- Help you receive needed medical treatment
- File all paperwork and ensure you meet any deadlines
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Investigate your accident and determine who was at fault
- Take your case to court in the event a settlement can't be reached
Recovering Compensation for Your Losses
A Sacramento truck accident lawyer from Kershaw, Cook & Talley can help you file a claim against the negligent party to pursue maximum compensation for any losses you have sustained, including:
- Medical treatment and expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent injury
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
Let Us Be Your Advocate with the Insurance Company
The at-fault party’s insurance company will call you after an accident. You do not want to make admissions of fault or liability to the other party. In addition, you should not agree to any recorded statements. In the heat of the moment, things may have unfolded differently than you remember or perceived.
Before talking to an insurance company, contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights.
Identifying Liable Parties in Your Case
Truck accidents are unlike other accidents in that they frequently result in catastrophic injuries and death. To further complicate matters, 18-wheeler accidents often involve multiple vehicles, which means that more than one party may be liable. To improve your chances of securing the level of compensation you deserve, it is crucial to hire an attorney with experience in these cases.
Below are some of the parties who might be held liable:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck’s parts
- Cargo loaders
- The owner of the truck
Depending on the circumstances of your crash, one or more of these parties might be held liable for injuries or death caused by the accident. If you were hurt in a truck accident, your case may require an investigation to obtain all the facts, which can result in a challenging negotiation process.
There are many reasons for truck crashes; the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Sleep-deprived and drowsy driving
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Over-capacity trailers
- Equipment malfunction
- Substandard truck maintenance
- Lack of training or experience
At Kershaw, Cook & Talley, our truck accident attorneys in Sacramento can effectively navigate the complexities of your case to ensure the parties responsible for your injuries are held liable for the suffering they have caused.
Violations of FMCSa Guidelines
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates how long truckers can be on the road and when they must rest. Hours-of-service regulations are designed to prevent accidents caused by fatigued truck drivers.
The FMCSA allows drivers to work up to 14-hour days; however, in this 14-hour window, a driver is only allowed to drive for 11 hours. The remaining three hours in the workday must be spent resting. Once a trucker has reached 14 hours, they are required to take at least 10 consecutive hours off.
The FMCSA also regulates how many days a driver can work before they must take a take off, which is known as the 60/70 rule. If a trucking company is open seven days a week, a driver may only work up to 70 hours in an eight-day period before they must take at least 34 consecutive hours off.
If a trucking company is open five to six days a week, then a driver cannot work more than 60 hours in a seven-day period before taking 34 hours off. If a truck driver violates any of these regulations, and subsequently causes an accident, they can be held liable for the resulting damage.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Big rigs represent a danger on our roadways because of their size. The average big rig, semi-truck, tractor trailer, and 18-wheeler traveling on California roads can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can be as much as 75 feet long, while the average passenger vehicle weighs only 4,000 pounds. Sadly, when these types of accidents occur, catastrophic injuries and fatalities aren’t uncommon.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in truck accidents include:
- Severe burn injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Crushed or fractured bones
- Lacerations
Wrongful Death from a Truck Accident
In California, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is two years from the date of your family member’s passing, so you must act quickly. Do not let time run out on the statute of limitations for your wrongful death lawsuit, or you will miss out on your chance to seek justice.
Damages available for a wrongful death case can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, expenses related to the decedent’s medical care before death, and loss of companionship, among other things. Contact our firm today to learn more about your rights.
Contact our Sacramento 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Kershaw, Cook & Talley today for a free evaluation. You can reach us at (916) 520-6639.
