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Tractor-Trailer and Truck Accident Attorney

What Do I Need To Know About Large Truck Accidents?

Big Trucks: Tractor Trailer, Semi-Truck, and 18 Wheeler Accident

Bilingual Spanish Attorney

I am the Bay Area's serious personal injury and wrongful death attorney Renée Yvonne Gardner. I am the founder, owner, and attorney at Gardner Law.

When it comes to a crash with a big truck, regular cars (and their occupants) will receive most of the damage. We see big trucks all the time, on the freeways and the regular roads. Did you know that  you sometimes share the road with big truck drivers who have not slept well and have worked too many hours much?

It's never a good idea to represent yourself in a big truck case. From day one, the insurance company will prepare to fight the case and hold on to their money. The trucking company's insurance is only looking out for the trucking company. Let me look out for you, so you can focus on healing from your injuries. Here's some information that I hope will be helpful.

Are Semi-Trucks Important To Our Way Of Life?

A whopping 70% of all goods in the U.S. are delivered by semi-truck 1 drivers. When these trucks are in an accident, serious personal injury and death can result. 

What Is A Large Truck?

The NTSA defines a large truck as any medium or heavy truck (but not buses and motor homes) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds, including commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Seventy-nine percent of the large trucks involved in 2017 fatal traffic crashes were heavy large trucks - - GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds. http://2

What are some types of large trucks?

  • 18-wheelers (big rigs)
  • Box trucks
  • Cargo trucks
  • Concrete trucks
  • Dump trucks
  • Fuel trucks
  • Garbage trucks
  • Moving trucks
  • Sweeper trucks
  • Tow trucks

Are Big Rig Accidents On The Rise?

In January 2019, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its 2017 Traffic Safety Facts, reporting that fatalities involving large trucks had increased for the fourth consecutive year. 3

What Kinds Of Injuries Do 18 Wheelers Cause?

Are Large Truck Accidents More Deadly Than Car Accidents?

Yes! Large trucks were more likely to be involved in fatal multiple-vehicle crashes, as opposed to fatal single-vehicle crashes than were passenger vehicles. 4 82% of fatal crashes involving large trucks are multiple-vehicle crashes, compared with 62% for fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles. 5

How Do Big Rigs Cause Pile-Ups?

Accidents with big rigs can cause violent and deadly pile-ups. All it takes is for one of them to slam into the back of one car. That will set off a chain reaction involving two or more vehicles. Sometimes, the big rig driver will continue barreling down the freeway, leaving death and destruction in their path.

What Happens When An 18 Wheeler Tips Over?

When big rigs tip over, they become a virtual roadblock. This can cause all lanes of travel to be blocked, like what happens on Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz. These jack-knifed big rigs can initiate the domino effect of multiple cars crashing into each other, because the entire roadway is blocked, there's nowhere to pull over, or avoid the crash, and the cars can't stop in time.

Does The Weather Impact Big Rig Accidents?

Yes, very negatively. Several deaths occurred when ten vehicles collided on Highway 99, when it was shrouded in thick fog on an early Saturday morning. The Highway 99 wrongful death pileup involved at least five big rigs and several other vehicles, shutting down a stretch of highway in Butte County.

What Are The Human Error Causes Of Big Rig Accidents?

The number one cause of 18 wheel truck accidents is driver fatigue. Here are some other human error reasons for big rig accidents:

  • Debris in the road
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs (amphetamines, cocaine)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol
  • Excessive speed
  • Failure to account for blind spots
  • Improper cargo loading (raises the risk of a tip-over)
  • Inadequate safety inspections
  • Pressure by the company for whom they work to get to their destination quickly
  • Speeding
  • Tire failure
  • Unfamiliarity with the road
  • Unsecured cargo
  • Violations of hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.

What Are The Mechanical Reasons For 18 Wheeler Accidents?

Some mechanical reasons for big rig accidents include failing to maintain the truck or failing to properly maintain brakes, mechanical parts, and tires.

What Do I Need To Do After A Big Truck Accident?

1. STAY AT THE SCENE

Stay at the accident scene, even if the other party fled. Most car insurance policies require a police report in order to file an uninsured motorist claim, which is the type of claim likely filed if the other person fled.

2. CALL 911

Call 911 and wait for the police to arrive so they can prepare a police report. Unless an ambulance arrives to bring you to the ER, do not leave the scene until the police get there and make a report.

3. REMEMBER, SAFETY FIRST

After calling 911, do all of the below that you can safely, and reasonably, do. Move to a safe place, out of the way of traffic, if it is safe to do so. Do not interfere with the police investigation nor do anything that puts the safety of you and/or others at risk.

4. EXCHANGE INFORMATION

Exchange your “information” with the other party, unless you are rendered unable to do so. [1]  “Information” means your name, current home address, driver's license number, VIN, the current home address of the registered owner, and proof of insurance.

5. WITNESS INFORMATION

Get the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and driver's license numbers from all witnesses, but remember to not interfere with the police investigation.

Someone from the trucking company or their insurance company may show up at the accident scene - but you should NOT talk to them! Anyone who represents the trucking company is not looking out for you. They are looking after number one - the trucking company.

6. PHOTOS: LICENSE AND REGISTRATION

Ask to see the other party's driver's license(s) and vehicle registration(s) and ask them if you can take cell phone photos of these items. 

7. PHOTOS: OTHER PARTY

Take the pictures of the other party/parties if it's safe to do so. When it comes to big truck accident scenes, things can get chaotic, so only take pictures if it's safe to do so.

8. PHOTOS: ACCIDENT SCENE

Take pictures of the accident scene. Capture the nearby street signs if they are visible to you, as well as the traffic controls and visual obstacles, if any.

9. PHOTOS: THE BIG TRUCK AND ANY OTHER INVOLVED CAR(S)

Take pictures of the big truck, the other cars, including their license plates. When it comes to the big truck, try to also take a picture of the back of the truck, and a picture of the driver's side door. 

10. PHOTOS: WITNESSES

Take pictures of the witnesses, including passengers (if any) in the big truck and the other involved cars. 

11. PHOTOS: YOUR INJURIES

If your injuries are visible right now, photograph them carefully and take a head-to-toe photo, not just your injured area(s).

12. SAVE BY EMAIL

Send all the above to yourself through regular email (not by saving them to social media).

 13. SAY ONLY WHAT YOU REALLY KNOW

When the police arrive, tell them what you know happened. But, do not guess! Only tell them what you really do know. If you hit your head, or lost consciousness, be sure to tell the police. If the police don't offer it to you, get the police report number from the officer by having them write it on his or her card.

14. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Seek immediate medical attention at your local emergency room. Some injuries may not be apparent to you, but a doctor can detect them.

Do I Need An Attorney For My Big Truck Accident Case?

You always need an attorney for a big truck case. These are not cases where you can represent yourself. My name is Renée Yvonne Gardner, the attorney at Gardner Law. I speak Spanish - hablo español. I will hold these people and companies accountable for your big truck accident losses:

  • big rig driver
  • the owner of the big truck
  • the company for whom the load was being transported
  • the insurance company
  • all other responsible parties.

Please call me at  (408) 214-5555 or contact me before you speak to any trucking company representatives, investigators, or their insurance company. Remember: They want to defeat your claim. I want to maximize your claim.

Please visit our "Consultations" page to learn if a consultation fee is required. If it is, please pay it now, to receive a response to your contact. Thank you.
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Where does Gardner Law handle big truck accidents?

I handle big rig accidents throughout California in these 12 California Counties. I will work on your behalf and fight for maximum payment on your big truck case. Talk to me before you do anything besides: calling 911 and seek medical care. I'm experienced with personal injury and wrongful death accident.  Here's my message me here for a free consultation. If your loved one passed away after an accident with a big truck, please reach out for your wrongful death case.

Contact Renée Today

For one-on-one and personalized representation in serious personal injury or death cases, or streamlined and efficient small claims court assistance for your consumer issue, I'm here to serve you.

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