How to Avoid Trucking Accidents in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. Large commercial trucks are a significant portion of California’s economy as freight is hauled back and forth throughout the state. According to the California Department of Transportation, 78 percent of the communities in California depend on large trucks to transport goods. With such a high demand to meet this, unfortunately, increases the chances of a car accident with a big rig, which may result in life-changing consequences to those involved. Continue reading below to learn how to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones when driving in close proximity to big trucks.
Truck Accident Statistics
- From 2015 to 2016, the number of fatal accidents involving large trucks increased from 4,074 to 4,213, accounting for an overall increase of three percent (according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration);
- Nearly 50 percent of truck accident deaths in 2016 happened during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in comparison to 30 percent of accident fatalities not involving large trucks (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety);
- Of the 3,903 truck accidents fatalities reported in 2014, approximately ten percent were pedestrians or bicyclists, 17 percent were large truck occupants, and 73 percent were occupants of other vehicles (according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration);
- Thousands of truckers are injured in accidents each year. Many of them not using a safety restraint on every trip, further increasing their risk of serious injuries or even death. About two-thirds of on-the-job fatalities among truckers were the result of motor vehicle accidents (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Reasons Why Truck Accidents Happen
Some common reasons for accidents caused by large trucks include:
- Defective truck equipment;
- Driving while distracted;
- Inadequate truck maintenance;
- Improperly loaded cargo;
- Issues with the roadway like maintenance or construction;
- Fatigue;
- Poor training;
- Prescription or over-the-counter drug use;
- Traveling at speeds too fast for weather or traffic conditions.
Injuries in Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large trucks in Stockton are often responsible for serious injuries due to the enormous momentum and overwhelming size of the vehicles involved, particularly fully-loaded big rigs. Following are some of the common injuries sustained in such accidents:
- Abdominal injuries can cause trauma to organs in the body;
- Back and spinal cord injuries may range from vertebrae moving out of place to compression fractures. Some spinal fractures may result in loss of sensation and even paralysis;
- Bone fractures are common following a motor vehicle accident;
- Brain and head injuries can be devastating since they often result in a traumatic brain injury, causing problems with memory, changes in personality, loss of cognitive function and more.
- Chest trauma can cause damage to the blood vessels, heart or lungs and may be caused by physical contact with the dash or steering wheel;
- Death (in some cases).
How to Protect Yourself from a Truck Accident
One of the main reasons why an accident between a large truck and passenger vehicle occur is due in part to lack of driver knowledge. Below are some safety tips on how to protect yourself from a truck accident:
- Avoid cutting off a large truck as these vehicles require much more time to stop. Always use your indicators to signal your intention to switch lanes and allow sufficient space when moving in front of a big truck. If the truck is unable to stop in time, this could lead to an underride accident, which often proves fatal;
- Driving within the blind spots of a big rig is never a good idea, particularly along the left and right sides of these massive vehicles. If a motorist abruptly changes lanes or stops, a collision can happen if the truck driver is not aware that there is another car in one of the blind spots;
- Keep a safe distance from a large truck when it is turning as these vehicles turn wide.
Watch YouTube Video – By Attorney Edward Smith – What Damages Could I claim in a Trucking Accident Lawsuit?
By watching the following video, you can learn the types of damages that may be recovered in this type of injury claim and what type of financial compensation is available for those who have lost a loved one.
How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help
Severe injury and, in some cases, death may occur following a collision with a large truck. If a truck accident has left you or someone you love with injuries, you need the assistance that an experienced truck accident attorney in Stockton can provide. A skilled attorney may enlist the use of forensic experts to accurately determine fault and make sure you receive a favorable recovery for your medical costs, lost time from work and pain and suffering.
Stockton Personal Injury & Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton personal injury lawyer. Suffering injuries in an accident caused by a large truck can result in devastating injuries to you or your loved one. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a trucking accident, I am here to provide compassionate, free and friendly legal advice. You may contact me any time at (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
To see how I have assisted others in the past as an injury lawyer, go to:
I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates as a member of California. We are a nationwide group of trial lawyers who have won settlements or verdicts of one million dollars or more for a client.
You can see some of my prior cases and their results on my Verdicts and Settlements page.
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