Carmichael Truck Accident Lawyer

In 2014, the world was stunned when comedian Tracy Morgan, known for his regular appearances on Saturday Night Live and his leading role on the TV show “30 Rock”, was severely injured when a tractor-trailer slammed head-on into his limo bus. The truck driver, who was speeding, had been driving his Walmart delivery truck for more than 24 hours without rest when the accident occurred, according to Rolling Stone.

Commercial tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers are large vehicles weighing an average of 80,000 pounds, according to the Federal Highway Administration. This means when a freight truck collides with another car like a sedan, an SUV, or even a limo, the damage is devastating. The accident mentioned above involving Tracy Morgan is a prime example. The collision resulted in the death of a passenger inside Morgan's limo and injuries to several others. Morgan was forced to devote over a year of his life to rehab and recovery since he suffered multiple broken bones and a brain injury.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCA), over 5,000 large trucks and buses were involved in deadly accidents in 2018.On the national level, approximately 1-in-10 fatal traffic accidents involve a large semi truck. Even more startling, of deaths arising out of collisions with large trucks, in almost all of the wrecks, the individual, or individuals, occupying the smaller vehicle died or suffered catastrophic injuries.

These statistics tell us two things: first, large tractor-trailer accidents happen more often than most people may think. Second, accidents with 18-wheelers and semi trucks routinely involve untimely deaths or serious injuries.

The truck accident involving Tracy Morgan is also an instructive example to describe how collisions with these large vehicles often occur. Like most truck drivers, the driver of the commercial truck that injured Tracy Morgan was overworked and held to a strict schedule. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the negligent truck driver was awake for more than 28 hours when the crash occurred and was driving over 20 miles above the posted speed limit, according to ABC News.

You may be surprised to discover that many truck drivers engage in similar behavior and push themselves to be on the road for long hours to make timely deliveries. This causes large trucks especially dangerous to drive near, because the driver of the truck may be less alert than he or she should be.

The nature of a truck driver’s delivery schedule also makes it likely that the truck driver will exceed the recommended speed limit for large trucks. Many trucks drive at or slightly below the speed limit, but for drivers on a schedule, they may believe that speeding is necessary to make timely delivery. Speeding truck drivers in effect turn their vehicles into high-speed missiles, barreling down the highway just waiting for an accident to occur.

The nature of cross-country trucking also results in regular vehicle maintenance problems. Trucks are designed to be sturdy and reliable vehicles, but accidents do happen. Improper truck maintenance can result in tire blowouts, brake failures, and engine trouble. These maintenance defects create a very dangerous roadway hazard.

The YouTube video below provides ten safety tips for sharing the road with truck drivers.

If a freight truck collided with your vehicle due to the truck operator's negligence, you have the right to seek financial restitution for the bodily injuries you suffered as a result of the collision. You can claim financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A truck accident injury claim could be filed against both the truck driver and the trucker's employer, along with other third parties. Because of the large number of potential defendants, including insurance companies, lawsuits involving trucking accidents tend to be complex cases. That is why it makes sense to have an experienced Carmichael truck accident attorney on your side.

There is no benefit to delaying taking legal action against the negligent truck driver and their employer. In fact, waiting only hinders your claim. Why? Because California law requires that a personal injury lawsuit is filed within two years from the date of the accident. If you try to file suit after two years, your case will probably get thrown out of court.

I’m Ed Smith, a Carmichael Truck Accident Lawyer. If you have been injured or someone you love has been injured or killed in a truck accident, please reach out to our injury lawyers for free, friendly and compassionate legal advice. We can be reached at 916.921.6400 or 800.404.5400.

We have been practicing personal injury and wrongful death law since 1982.

Visit our website for more informative topics relating to truck accidents and personal injuries on www.autoaccident.com.

We are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

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Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 2.1.21]

Photos by depositphotos.com and Schwoaze on Pixabay.com

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