Count on us after your truck accident
Truck accidents involving commercial trucks can be devastating. In an instant, you or a loved one can sustain a serious injury or worse in a crash caused by a tractor-trailer, delivery truck, 18-wheeler or another large commercial vehicle.
Knowing what to do after a commercial truck accident can be confusing. Even figuring out how to contact the trucking company or who’s ultimately responsible for your crash can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle your truck accident on your own. We can help.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a truck driver in Southern California, attorney Brian Brandt can fight for the compensation you need. The Law Offices of Brian Brandt has handled all kinds of truck accidents and has the case results to prove it. We obtained the largest wrongful death verdict in California history – $150 million – in connection with a truck accident.
Brian will handle the trucking companies and insurance carriers for you.
Brian knows Southern California. He was born and raised in Upland. As a result, he thoroughly understands California’s laws. He’s also familiar with all the unique federal regulations governing trucking accidents nationwide.
When you have our law firm on your side, we will make sure your case receives the attention it rightfully deserves. We know how to investigate truck accidents, how to track down trucking companies. This includes demanding repair records, truck driver logs and other important documents to verify if the company followed the appropriate state and federal regulations. We can also obtain a copy of your California collision report for free for you. We’re here to help you get your life back on track.
We can also negotiate with the trucking company’s insurance provider on your behalf. We know how insurance investigators think. We know the games they often play. And if we believe they’re not playing fair, we’re prepared to take them to court. Nothing will stand in our way when it comes to your accident.
You can also learn more about truck accidents by clicking on the two links below:
For a free initial consultation, contact us today. We serve Orange County, the San Gabriel Valley and all of Southern California. Call 949.481.1468 or 909.932.1162 to learn how we can help you.
Factors in truck crashes that may prove negligence
- Speeding trucks – Tractor-trailers and delivery trucks may exceed the speed limit or travel too fast for conditions to deliver products quicker for companies. Unfortunately, fast-moving trucks often cause accidents. That’s mainly because speeding trucks have less time to stop and are often harder to control at high speeds, especially on highways. While the truck driver might be liable, the driver’s company may have put pressure on him to drive too fast. The company also may have hired a driver with a record of traffic citations. In such cases, the trucking company may be named as a defendant in a truck accident lawsuit.
- Overloaded trailers – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry. Strict federal laws exist governing how much weight each truck can legally carry. In the case of tractor-trailers, such vehicles normally cannot weigh more than 80,000 pounds. Some trucking companies and truck drivers ignore these rules, though. Instead, they overload the truck’s trailer, making the truck unstable and difficult to stop or turn. In such cases, the overloaded trucks may cause rollover crashes or rear-end accidents on freeways in Southern California.
- Tired truck drivers – Under FMCSA rules, commercial truck drivers must take mandatory breaks and rest periods. These same laws limit the number of hours truck drivers can work in a single 24-hour period. These laws were created to prevent truck drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. Some truck drivers ignore these rules or are forced by trucking companies to work longer hours. As a result, many tired truck drivers cause serious or even fatal truck accidents.
- Inexperienced truck drivers – Commercial truck drivers must undergo rigorous training before they can operate a truck. In addition, trucking companies have an obligation to hire experienced truck drivers. Unfortunately, some truck drivers don’t get the training they need and some trucking companies don’t hire experienced drivers. The result – inexperienced truck drivers who cause accidents involving other vehicles.
- Distracted truck drivers – Using a handheld cell phone for any reason – including texting while driving or talking on the phone – is against the law nationwide for all commercial truck drivers. Even so, some truck drivers ignore these laws and cause serious truck accidents. Other causes of distracted driving truck accidents include truck drivers operating a GPS device, eating while driving or adjusting the radio.
- Unlicensed truck drivers – All commercial truck drivers must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to legally operate a truck. If an unlicensed driver causes your accident, we can work with you to take strong legal action against the driver and, if applicable, the trucking company that employs the driver.
- Poorly maintained trucks – Truck accidents often occur because truck drivers or trucking companies fail to properly maintain a truck. Flat tires, bald ties, worn brakes and engine problems are just some of the reasons why poorly maintained trucks are factors in accidents.
- Defective truck parts – Companies sometimes negligently produce and market defective truck parts. From truck brakes that don’t work properly to design flaws with the vehicle, such defects can have catastrophic results.
How are truck accidents different from car accidents?
In a commercial trucking accident, investigators for the insurance company and the trucking company often visit the scene within hours of the crash. They’re there to find evidence to limit liability. Meanwhile, accident victims may be recovering in a hospital while the trucking company builds a strong defense.
This is a big reason why it’s important to contact Brian right away if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. He can begin working on your case right away and help you collect strong evidence to support your claim against the trucking company.
There are other reasons these accidents are different, too. When you’re involved in an accident with another car, you often only need to deal with the other driver and that driver’s insurance company. Commercial trucking accidents are a different story. Along with the truck driver, you will likely need to contact the trucking company that employs the driver, the company that loaded the truck and perhaps even the company that manufactured the products inside the truck or the truck itself.
And in each case, each company has its own insurance company and attorneys. Add it all up, and you’re suddenly faced with the possibility of legal battle involving dozens of people, including experienced attorneys and insurance companies. And in every case, they’re all focused on one goal – paying you as little as possible.
In addition, the laws governing truck accidents are very different than the ones used for car accidents. Many truck accidents involve violations of federal rules and regulations that fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When truck drivers violate FMCSA regulations, these drivers and the trucking companies they work for can be subjected to serious penalties, including significant fines and having the truck driver’s license revoked or suspended.
