Moreno Valley Truck Accident Attorneys
Moreno Valley Truck Accident Attorneys
Our Moreno Valley truck accident attorneys are proud to offer aggressive legal representation to people who have been injured or lost loved ones in collisions involving commercial vehicles. We have a track record of success in claims against large motor carriers, and we know what it takes to win sizeable settlements and verdicts in these cases. The opposing party or their insurer may offer an unfair settlement early in the proceedings—before you’ve had a chance to speak with a lawyer. Our attorneys won’t let the insurance adjuster take advantage of you; we will use our many decades of experience to fight for the highest possible settlement or verdict. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California
While there are many factors that can cause these wrecks, the vast majority can be traced back to some form of negligence. Speeding, overloading the trailer, and violating the Hours of Service Regulations are just a few examples of negligence that contribute to big rig collisions. Our Moreno Valley truck accident lawyers can perform a thorough investigation to uncover the proximate cause of your crash. We will gather all available evidence of negligence and liability. Even if your case seems likely to settle, we will prepare for the negotiations as if we are going to trial. The approach we take when building your claim will depend largely on how the accident happened. Did the truck driver break a law? Was the cargo improperly secured? Did a defective auto part play a role? The cause of the crash will ultimately determine who was liable and the kinds of evidence needed to prevail. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Hours of Service Violations: Navigating a large vehicle through traffic demands considerable diligence. A moment’s inattention is all it takes to cause a serious crash. When a truck driver is drowsy, their decision-making and response time can be severely impaired. To prevent fatigue-related accidents, the Hours of Service Regulations were introduced, which place restrictions on the number of consecutive hours a commercial trucker can stay behind the wheel. Our Moreno Valley truck accident lawyers can search for evidence that indicates an Hours of Service violation happened. Such evidence may include timestamped bills of lading, toll booth receipts, invoices for lodging, and black box data. If this evidence is withheld, we can try to file a subpoena to obtain it.
- Failing to Check Blind Spots Before Merging: A complacent truck driver might merge into an adjacent lane without checking their blind spot. Needless to say, this can result in a catastrophic accident.
- Distracted Driving: It’s not uncommon for truckers to spend hundreds of hours behind the wheel in a single month. That much time on the road can get monotonous. As truckers gain experience, they might feel more comfortable texting, eating, or engaging in other distracting behaviors. This, of course, greatly increases the risk of crashing. Our Moreno Valley truck accident attorneys can try to uncover evidence that distracted driving contributed to your crash. Examples of such evidence include cellphone records and black box data, which might show that the trucker did not apply the brakes before hitting your vehicle, thus indicating they were not paying attention.
- Other Forms of Driver Negligence: There are countless ways that negligence can lead to a truck crash. Making unsafe turns, operating a vehicle with known mechanical issues, and speeding are just a few examples.
- Negligently Loaded Cargo: Sometimes a trucker can behave responsibly yet still lose control of the vehicle due to improperly loaded cargo. In this scenario, the party that loaded the cargo may be at least partially to blame.
- Defective Auto Parts: A malfunctioning auto part can lead to devastating accidents. The liable party in this scenario might be the part manufacturer, designer, or another party that played a role in its development or distribution. A negligent mechanic could also be at fault if the part was improperly installed.
- Negligent Vehicle Maintenance: Truck drivers and their employers have a duty to keep their vehicles in a reasonably safe condition. Some motor carriers hire contractors to perform maintenance on their fleet. Our legal team can review the available evidence to determine if negligent maintenance might have played a role.
Schedule a Free Case Review with a Truck Accident Lawyer in Moreno Valley
It’s easy to assume that filing an auto accident claim is a straightforward process, but disputes and complications can arise at any stage of the proceedings. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can help you avoid mistakes and make sure you are treated fairly. We accept truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so if we don’t win, you won’t have to pay any attorneys’ fees. Send us an email or call 1-800-GO-HARRIS to schedule a free case review.