Sacramento Trucking Accident Attorneys

Over $1 Billion Recovered for the Injured

Often in a vehicle collision, the at-fault party or parties are held liable for injuries or losses occurring as a result of negligent or intentional conduct. When the at-fault party is a commercial truck- big rig, tractor-trailer or semi-trailer truck- the driver and truck company may both be liable. Trucks involved in auto accidents can cause considerable property damage, serious injuries, and death.

• 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

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.

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.

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

Injured victims can seek compensation for damages that include:

• Hospitalization
• Medical treatment and expenses
• Rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

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.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truckers and other large vehicle drivers should exercise the utmost caution when driving over-sized vehicles. 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

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

Get Started with a Free Case Evaluation

The at-fault party’s insurance company will call you after an accident. Before talking to an insurance company, contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights. 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.

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. Now, we are ready to help you.

Contact our Sacramento 18-wheeler accident lawyers at Kershaw, Cook & Talley today for a free evaluation. You can reach us at (916) 520-6639.