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Every type of traffic collision could have devastating consequences, but especially those that involve large trucks and tractor trailers. Because there is such a huge difference between the size of a truck and a vehicle, motorists who are hit by a large truck often suffer serious injuries, including bone fractures, spinal cord damage, and head trauma.

If you have been injured in a truck collision caused by negligence, legal help is available. Contact Goodrow Law Office as soon as possible following the accident to discuss your legal options during a free case evaluation. You can get in touch with our office today by calling 415-655-9478or by sending an email to russ@goodrowlaw.com.

Commercial truck collisions happen for various reasons. Some of the most common causes of truck collisions include reckless driving, distracted driving, fatigue, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A truck wreck can also occur when a part of the truck begins to malfunction due to a defect or irregular maintenance. Collisions also happen when cargo is improperly loaded.

An experienced attorney will immediately begin to investigate the truck accident. First, the attorney will need to review the driver qualification file, or DQF, of the driver who caused the accident. This file will include information on the driver’s driving records, drug and alcohol tests, training certifications, annual reviews, and any other personnel records. This will help the attorney determine if the driver had a history of negligent driving that the trucking company should have known about.

An attorney will also need to track down the information that was recorded by the truck’s black box. This will show whether the driver was speeding or driving erratically at the time of the accident.

The truck that was involved in the accident should also be examined closely to determine if it was properly maintained by the trucking company and if a defective part played a role in the accident.

Finally, an attorney will also need to investigate the trucking company to see if they have complied with all federal trucking regulations. Companies are required to train their employees before letting them operate large trucks. They are also required to inspect and maintain their trucks to ensure they can safely operate. A trucking company is also responsible for ensuring that they do not over schedule their drivers and force them to drive while fatigued. If records indicate that the trucking company failed to do any of these tasks, an attorney will be able to uncover this information and hold it against them.

Some things are out of your control, but there are ways to prevent many truck collisions. Be mindful of any truck that is near you on the road. Try to avoid driving on the side of large trucks in case the driver cannot see your vehicle in his rear view or side mirrors. Remember, if you can’t see the truck driver inside his cabin or the truck’s side mirrors, it is very likely that you are in his blind spot.

If you have to pass a truck, make sure you leave plenty of space between the truck and your vehicle. If a truck driver has his turning signal on, give him a significant amount of space. Trucks have to swing slightly to the left before they can turn right, so it’s best to stay away from them as they make turns to avoid getting hit.

Your vehicle may be severely damaged after colliding with a large truck. As a result, the insurance company may determine that your car is totaled, which means that the cost of repairing the damage is greater than the actual cash value of the vehicle. If this happens to you, the insurance company will offer you a settlement for the fair market value of the vehicle. The insurance company will also take your totaled car so it can sell some of its parts to recoup a small portion of its losses.

Many people run into issues when they still owe money on the car that has been totaled. For example, let’s say you owe $10,000 on your vehicle, but the fair market value of the car is only $9,000. The insurance company does not care how much you still owe on the vehicle, so this will not affect how much they offer you in a settlement. You may end up owing money on your car even if you no longer have it.

If you have been involved in a truck collision, it’s best that you are represented by an experienced truck accident lawyer. How can a lawyer help? Truck crashes are much more complicated than car crashes because there are a number of different parties that could be at fault, including the driver, trucking company, and parts manufacturer. An attorney can thoroughly investigate the collision to determine what caused it and who is to blame. Then, a trucking collision attorney can handle the negotiations to ensure you receive a fair settlement for your injuries. Because many truck collisions lead to serious, long-term injuries, it’s important that you have an attorney on your side who knows how to place a value on current and future medical expenses and lost wages.

If you have been injured in a truck collision, it’s strongly recommended that you contact an experienced trucking collision lawyer right away for help recovering the compensation you deserve. Our truck crash attorneys have experience in various personal injury practice areas, including motorcycle wrecks, truck collisions, wrongful death, and car crashes. You won’t have to pay attorneys’ fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your injuries.

To learn more about what it’s like working with our team, take a look at the quotes and reviews left by some of our former clients. For more information regarding truck collisions, please call us. To set up a free consultation with our team, please contact us by phone at 415-655-9478 or by email at russ@goodrowlaw.com. Our team is willing to schedule consultations whenever it is most convenient for you. We are even able to travel to you if you are located in a zip code within the greater California area.