Merced Truck Accident Lawyers

Types of Truck Accidents

There are just about as many different kinds of truck accidents as there are kinds of trucks. Following are some of the most common:

• Jackknife accidents: When the trailer of a truck swings perpendicular to the cab, a jackknife accident occurs. These kinds of accidents often cause the trailer to impact a car in the next lane.
• Rollover accidents: A commercial truck typically has a high center of gravity, making rollover accidents common. Rollover accidents are particularly likely when a truck rounds a curve or when the driver overcorrects for a steering error.
• Cargo spills: Cargo spill accidents can be deadly—imagine 2,000 gallons of gasoline on the road, for example. Sometimes these accidents are the fault of the trucking company, not the driver.
• Override and underride accidents: An override accident occurs when a truck drives over the roof of the car ahead of it. Underride accidents occur when a small car drives under the truck, wedging the car under the truck.

Many other types of accidents are possible, many of which are not the driver’s fault.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents typically result from causes such as these:

• Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours.
• DUI: This might include driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, or legal prescription drugs.
• Equipment defects.
• The truck driver fails to check their blind spots before changing lanes, merging, or exiting the highway. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, you are in their blind spot.
• Speeding: Truckers are often under time pressure to meet deadlines.
• Tailgating: Tailgating is arguably worse than mere negligence.
• Distracted driving: Truck drivers use mobile phones too—and sometimes CB radios—among other distractions.

If you can establish that the driver violated a trucking regulation, you might have a very strong case.

Common Injuries

Truck accident injuries tend to be severe because moving trucks carry powerful and deadly momentum. Following are some of the most common injuries:

• Bone fractures: If you suffer a compound fracture, you might spend time in traction and require multiple surgeries.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, can be very painful. You might also suffer a sprain, or you might tear your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
• Burns: Third and fourth-degree burns cause permanent disfigurement.
• Traumatic brain injury: A blow to the head can cause temporary or permanent brain damage.
• Spine injuries: Spine injuries can cause paralysis or lifelong, chronic pain.
• Internal injuries: The human body is soft, and vehicles are made out of metal. Ruptured organs usually require surgery.

In addition to physical injuries, you might also suffer from psychological trauma, such as PTSD. You can recover from psychological trauma if your accident caused a physical injury as well.

Wrongful Death

Under the California wrongful death statute, certain close relatives of someone who died in an accident can file a wrongful death lawsuit, at least if someone else’s wrongful behavior caused the death. Compensation goes to relatives and dependents. You can even claim for psychological damages such as loss of companionship.  

Act Now, Not Later. Contact Our Merced Truck Accident Attorney

Our experienced legal team also handles other types of injury cases, including:

• Motorcycle Accident
• Sexual Harassment
• Slip and Fall
• Car Accident
• Wrongful Death Claim
• Dog Attack
• Pedestrian Accident
• Drunk Driving Accident
• Distracted Driving Accident
• Bicycle Accident
• Nursing Home Abuse

Michael Joe Silva, Cassidy Jensen, and Tanner Combs. We are kind to our clients and tough on the opposing party. In addition, our history of winning cases at trial has a way of convincing opponents to settle out of court

Get in touch with our Merced truck accident attorneys at Silva Injury Law, Inc. today to schedule a free case consultation by calling 209-600-4389 or by contacting us online.