Truck Accidents

Alhambra Truck Accident Attorney

Protecting You & Your Rights to Compensation

Commercial trucking is an integral part of California’s economy, and it’s not uncommon to be driving past trucks on the freeway that are carrying tons of good over long distances. Unfortunately, accidents do occur, and when they involve trucks, they tend to be serious and sometimes fatal. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), California is one of the top 10 states in the nation for truck accidents, with fatal accidents involving commercial vehicles on the rise. Most of these large truck accidents occur in Los Angeles County.

If you were recently injured in a truck accident, you may be dealing with painful injuries and thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages. This could very well be the darkest time of your life. Lara Law Firm is here to let you know that you don’t have to go through this alone. Our Alhambra truck accident attorney can file a claim on your behalf, collect evidence to strengthen your claim, and hold negligent truckers and their companies responsible for the damage they’ve caused.

Call (626) 790-5758 for a free consultation with our attorney to discuss your potential case, or fill out our online form. We can walk you through the steps of your case and inform you of your options.

Why Do Truck Accidents Result in Serious Injuries?

Semi-trucks are bigger and heavier than anything else on the road. While the typical passenger vehicle weighs 3,000 pounds, a commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, especially if they’re transporting tons of cargo. As a result, when accidents happen truck injuries tend to be more severe than those suffered in car wrecks. According to the National Institute of Traffic and Highway Safety, nearly three-quarters of all truck crash injuries and deaths are suffered by those in the vehicle hit by the truck.

This means that while many victims of car crashes are able to emerge with scrapes and bruises and return to work after a few days or weeks, victims of truck accidents may never be able to work again. Catastrophic injuries are often permanent and life-changing; injured drivers and passengers may not be able to perform their work duties or even do daily tasks such as bathe or get dressed.

Common injuries people suffer in truck crashes include:

  • Spinal cord and neck injuries, including paralysis
  • Head and brain injuries, which can result in a coma or vegetative state, or cause severe cognitive dysfunction
  • Burns, which can penetrate the skin, tissue, and even bone, and require skin grafts and cosmetic surgery
  • Amputations

What Are the Hours of Service Regulations?

Truck drivers are required to follow more regulations than other motor vehicles while on the road because of how much damage a truck can cause in the event of an accident. One of these rules is called the hours of service regulation which dictates how long a trucker can be on the road and when they must take breaks. Additionally, this rule protects truck drivers from being too overworked by the company they work for. According to these rules:

  • Truck drivers can work up to 14 hours in a day but can only drive for 11 hours
  • Drivers must rest for at least 10 hours before starting a new day at work
  • Truck drivers must take days off at regular intervals

Why Do I Need A Truck Accident Lawyer?

Recovering proper compensation after a truck accident can be very difficult without an experienced truck accident attorney by your side. This is because trucking companies are usually backed by top-tier attorneys who are hired to protect their company, and in turn, keep you from recovering the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Lara Law Firm are experienced in handling truck accident claims and know what to expect during the entire claims process. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be caused by the same factors that cause any auto accident, including speeding. One of the leading causes of all car accidents in the United States, speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and also increases the likelihood of a driver losing control of their vehicle when changing lanes or making sharp turns.

Other common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Fatigued driving: Truck drivers transport cargo over long distances as their job and usually drive through the night. Though they are required by law to take breaks like any other employee, drivers will sometimes forego their breaks in order to complete their jobs quickly or on time. Fatigued driving can prevent drivers from reacting to road hazards or noticing important traffic signals.
  • Driving under the influence: Intoxicated driving isn’t limited to car drivers; truck drivers are known to be drunk or on drugs while driving, too. Some drivers use stimulants to keep themselves awake, but being under the influence of any drug can result in risky behaviors on the road.
  • Improperly loaded cargo: Sometimes a truck can roll over while making a turn if its cargo isn’t balanced properly, or cargo can fly off a truck and hit other vehicles if it’s unsecured. Even if the cargo fails to hit a vehicle when it falls out, it can still create a serious road hazard.
  • Truck defect: Dangerous or defective truck parts, like faulty airbags or brakes, can contribute to accidents and serious injuries.
  • Improper driver training: Drivers must undergo serious training in order to be able to drive a massive truck properly, as driving a truck is not the same as driving a small car. Untrained drivers can cause accidents when they don’t know how to operate their vehicles.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Damages?

After a truck accident, a number of parties can be held responsible for your injuries and other damages. Truck drivers can be held personally responsible if they were behaving in a negligent manner, such as if they were drinking and driving, but if they’re employees of a trucking company, it’s possible that the company can be at-fault.Other responsible parties can include:

  • The trucking company, which is responsible for conducting background checks on drivers and training drivers
  • The truck manufacturer, if a defective or dangerous part contributed to the accident
  • The cargo company or loader, if improperly loaded or dangerous cargo caused the injuries

Determining liability in a truck accident can be especially tricky, but with the help of a seasoned attorney, you may be able to navigate your case with ease. Call Lara Law Firm today.

Our team can determine who caused your accident and should be held accountable for their negligent actions when you call us at (626) 790-5758. Our Alhambra truck accident attorney also serves injured clients in Huntington Beach.

Hear It From Our Clients

  • Thank you, Richard! You’re the best!

    “He got me enough money to buy a new car, and he also got me $50,000 for my injury. This was the maximum amount available under the other driver’s insurance policy, the best possible outcome. Thank you, Richard! You’re the best!”

    - Erin, Student of Nursing
  • Highly recommend this law firm!

    “Richard Lara and his team in Alhambra came recommended and we are glad that he and his team represent us for our business.”

    - Randy T.
  • Excellent and personalized service

    “High standards of care, excellent and personalized service. Tries hard to do what is best for the client and always does what is the right thing to do.”

    - Adam W.
  • High standards of care

    “Excellent and personalized service. Tries hard to do what is best for the client and always does what is the right thing to do.”

    - Former Client
  • He went above and beyond

    “Richard sued the restaurant, and he got all of my medical bills paid and he also got me $15,000 for my pain and suffering. After that, the restaurant moved the trashcan away from that door so no one else would get hurt.”

    - Billy, Body Shop Repair Specialist
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Settlements & Verdicts

  • $344,000 Bus Crash

    We have recovered a settlement for a client that suffered from serious injuries due to a tour bus crash.

  • $70,000 Soft Tissue Injury

    We have recovered a settlement for a client who suffered from a soft tissue injury resulting from a rear end collision.

  • $68,000 Asset Seizure Defense

    Recovered client's $67,996 cash, the entire amount that United States Customs and the DEA seized, by persuading the court that law enforcement confiscated the money in violation of state and federal law.

  • $50,000 Unpaid Wages & Hostile Workplace

    Forced a $50,000 settlement for client in his case against his former employer for unpaid wages and hostile workplace.

  • $10,000 Sexual Harassment

    Forced settlement for client for $10,000 for a client in her case against her former employer for sexual harassment and unpaid overtime.

  • Divorce Case Family Law

    Forced a settlement for the client, which gave her ownership and possession of the marital residence and exclusive ownership and possession of vacation home to compensate her for her ex-husband's hiding and squandering of community property assets.

  • Achieved Reduction Serious Crimes

    Achieved reduction of Attempted Murder charge to Misdemeanor Domestic Violence.

  • Hit and Run Criminal Defense

    Negotiated Civil Compromise for client charged with hit and run, which resulted in all charges being dropped - Civil Compromise results in charges being dismissed if defendant agrees to pay victim's damages.

  • Theft Crimes Criminal Defense

    Negotiated Deferred Prosecution for a client charged with larceny and shoplifting - Deferred Prosecution results in dismissal of charges in certain cases provided that defendant agrees to satisfy court-ordered conditions.

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