West Sacramento Truck Accident Lawyer

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Over a century ago, there was a place called Washington, California, which was mainly an industrial and agricultural center that fed and supplied Sacramento and its surrounding counties. In 1900, Washington broke down into three communities called Bryte, Broderick, and West Sacramento, cumulatively referred to as "East Yolo." The area's population multiplied back then, and the city of West Sacramento was officially incorporated in 1987.

What was once mainly agricultural and industrial land is now booming with retail establishments like IKEA, Home Depot, Target, television stations, newspapers, and sports, and the corporate headquarters of Raley's, a grocery store chain in Northern California, also located in West Sacramento. Things have progressed so much in West Sacramento that the U.S. Conference of Mayors named it one of America's "Most Livable" Cities in 2014.

Sharing the Road with Large Commercial Trucks
With the ever-increasing population and the business establishments that require deliveries via commercial trucks, the roadways such as Interstate 5, Interstate 80, and Route 50 become increasingly congested as the years go by. Of course, wherever there is an increase in population and traffic, there will likely be an increase in accidents.
 
Commercial trucks, tractor-trailer trucks, and semi-trucks are constantly using the interstates and highways of West Sacramento to transport their loads, even if their delivery point is not in West Sacramento or elsewhere in Yolo County. Driving can be stressful when there is a ton of traffic on the roads, such as during rush hour, especially when maneuvering around numerous trucks.
Accidents Involving Trucks

Large commercial truck accidents are horrifying, mainly because you rarely hear about a semi-truck collision everyone walked away from without a scratch. In most big rig crashes, you hear about multiple cars involved, fatalities, and numerous serious injuries. 18-wheeler wrecks tend to cause much bigger catastrophes than passenger vehicle crashes.

Worse yet, when we hear about truck accidents, they are often the truck driver's fault. Either the driver fell asleep at the wheel or was driving under the influence, or the truck driver did not slow down fast enough in a time-sensitive circumstance.

Truck Driver Negligence in Accident Cases

Regardless of how the truck driver was negligent, all the injuries and deaths in one truck accident are usually unnecessary. Someone should be held accountable for the pain, suffering, and grief that each truck accident leaves in its wake. Truck driver negligence is preventable and avoidable.

Nearly 500,000 tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other large commercial trucks will be involved in truck accidents yearly. While most of these accidents leave injured parties behind, approximately one-third of the 500,000 truck accidents yearly will result in serious injuries or deaths.

About Our Law Firm

The attorneys at our law office have won multiple million-dollar settlements and verdicts for injured parties and surviving family members of commercial truck accidents. We have thoroughly studied the laws and regulations for the trucking industry. The rules regarding commercial trucks and truck drivers are much more rigorous than the laws for motorists of passenger vehicles. Truck drivers, the companies they work for, and their big rigs are held to high expectations under state laws and federal regulations.

Duty of Care Owed to Others on the Road

When a truck driver pulls a truck onto the road, there is a duty of care owed to other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians to exercise caution and reasonable care. This duty of care is to ensure that other drivers on the road are as safe as possible. If a truck driver is careless, reckless, or negligent, that means they violated the duty of care, regardless of how minute the mistake may seem. Some examples of violating a truck driver's duty of care include disobeying traffic laws or drinking and driving. If a truck driver is found negligent, the driver and the company they work for can be held liable for any damages, injuries, or death.

Watch the video below to learn more about contacting a West Sacramento trucking accident attorney after your crash.

West Sacramento Truck Accident FAQ

Why do I need a lawyer for my truck accident claim?

If you have been injured in a truck accident in West Sacramento, California, you must contact an experienced and knowledgeable attorney as soon as you can following the incident. Most people are unaware that trucking companies and their insurance companies start working the moment they know an accident occurred; they send out rapid response teams to the scene of the accident and collect statements from witnesses to build a defense against you. You need an attorney working for your side of the case immediately to ensure that all evidence is preserved.

Are there regulations for the trucking industry?

Yes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) both oversee and set regulations for truck drivers, truck driving companies, and the trucks themselves. These regulations include how many hours a truck driver can work within a certain amount of time, special licensing requirements, and how trucks are supposed to be inspected and loaded.


Call Our West Sacramento Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or someone that you love has been seriously injured in a big rig crash in West Sacramento or somewhere else in Yolo County, CA, we can help you seek full compensation for your losses. Call our experienced West Sacramento truck accident lawyers at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice. See our case history of verdicts and settlements.

Editor’s Note: updated [cha 11.29.23] Photo by Rhys Moult on Unsplash [cs 921]

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