Redding Truck Accident Lawyer

Redding, California, is situated along two major trucking routes - Interstate 5 and State Route 299 - in the northern part of the state. Because of the city's proximity to these commercial corridors, Redding motorists share the highways with many big rigs each day. Unfortunately, that means that area residents are involved in their fair share of truck accidents.

Accidents involving huge commercial trucks often result in massive property damage and severe injuries. If you were injured in a serious truck accident, you must call an experienced and skilled Redding truck accident lawyer to protect your legal rights and maximize your financial recovery.

When traveling around the Redding area, it is a good idea to use caution in the regions in which truck accidents often occur. In addition to Interstate 5 and State Route 299, other areas in Redding are at risk for crashes. It probably goes without saying that the streets with the highest risk for traffic collisions are large roads that house several businesses. 

Those streets include:

• Bechelli Lane
• Market Street
• Lake Boulevard
• Cypress Avenue
• Hilltop Drive

Though it may be carelessness on the passenger vehicle driver that causes the collision, in many cases, it is negligent action by the truck driver or trucking company that results in a crash. Here are some factors that are frequently seen when investigating the cause of trucking accidents:

• Improperly Loaded Cargo. Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can fall off a truck, causing another motorist to collide with it. Uneven weight distribution when loading cargo can result in a rollover. If the cargo is hazardous or mislabeled, that could lead to a dangerous spill or even an explosion.
• Driver Fatigue. Accidents caused by truck driver fatigue became such an issue that laws were passed that regulated how long a driver could work without taking a mandated rest break. Because drivers are under time limits to deliver goods and work odd hours that may interfere with sleep patterns, fatigue is still a common cause of truck accidents.
• Lack of Truck Maintenance. If a truck is not regularly inspected and maintained, faulty equipment issues can lead to a crash. Examples include brake failure or tire blowouts.
• Unsafe Speed. Large commercial trucks need more lead time to take evasive actions and to stop. If a driver travels beyond a safe speed, there may not be sufficient time and space to avoid a collision.
• Impaired Driving. It is not just alcohol and illegal drugs that lead to dangerous driving. Even certain over-the-counter medications can affect a person’s ability to react and therefore drive safely.

Given the physics - a huge, heavy vehicle coupled with highway speeds and impact forces - truck crashes can cause severe, even fatal, injuries. Below are some of the most common injuries sustained in such a collision:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries - ranging from strains/sprains to disc protrusions and fractured vertebrae
• Broken teeth or jaw injuries
• Facial contusions, abrasions, and/or lacerations
• Internal injuries - organ damage caused by the force of impact or broken ribs
• Broken bones
• Limb amputation
• PTSD - which can be long-lasting and require extensive therapy

Damages sought in a truck accident case are similar to those common to other types of personal injury matters. However, given the potential for more serious injuries, the amounts may be higher. Some of the categories of damages for which monetary recovery may be sought in a Redding truck accident case include:

• Medical Expenses. This category of damages seeks compensation for accident-related medical treatment. It includes medical bills already incurred, and the projected cost of future care that a physician has reported will be necessary.
• Loss of Income. If injuries sustained in the accident resulted in time lost from work, the lost income is recoverable. If the injuries prevent the claimant from returning to their usual line of employment or from working at all, a loss of earning capacity claim will be included.
• General Damages. Also known as non-economic damages, general damages include payment for the physical pain and emotional suffering the injured party endured.

In addition to the above, if the injured person was married, their spouse may be entitled to loss of consortium damages, which compensate for the accident's negative effect and resulting injuries had on the marital relationship.

If the accident caused fatal injuries, the decedent's heirs may file a wrongful death claim for economic and non-economic damages.

Taking on a large trucking company in a legal case is a complex and complicated endeavor. It is not advised that one goes about it on their own. The insurance company for the trucking company will have high-paid attorneys fighting against your claim. To protect your rights and ensure that you are compensated fairly, it is important to retain an experienced Redding truck accident lawyer. 

Below are some questions to consider when researching whether an attorney is right for you:

• Does this attorney have specific experience in trucking accidents?
• What do former clients have to say about this attorney? Check sites such as Avvo, Google, and Yelp to get an idea. This can be one of the easiest ways to gain valuable insight.
• What kind of results does the firm get? What settlements and verdicts have they reached in other cases?
• Does the attorney have the financial resources to hire the best experts and see my case through a trial?
• Will the attorney care about me as a person?

Watch the YouTube video below, which touches on some differences between truck accidents and ordinary car accidents.

For close to four decades, our Redding truck accident injury lawyers have assisted injured Redding residents in getting the compensation they deserve. Following a serious truck accident, we know that your injury recovery is the primary goal. Having us handle the legal portion of your claim will allow you to focus on your return to good health.

For compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice, call us today at (530) 392-9400 or from outside the Redding area, use our toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.

Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 9.2.21]

Image by fkevin from Pixabay 

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