4 Reasons Oakland Truck Accident Cases Are So Complicated
Truck accidents make up a small proportion of the total motor vehicle accidents in California in any given year, at just over three percent of all traffic collisions. However, statistics reveal that they are among the deadliest, comprising more than 10 percent of all vehicle fatalities. According to the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, there were 367 people killed and 6,897 victims injured in truck crashes in 2017.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a collision with a semi, 18-wheeler, or other big rig, California law does provide you with legal options. As compared to a crash involving passenger vehicles, the process can be complicated for a number of reasons. You can trust your Oakland truck accident lawyer to protect your interests, but you should be aware of some of the challenges with these cases.
- The size differential means severe, catastrophic injuries for victims. Commercial vehicles outweigh the average passenger car or light truck by thousands of pounds, and the cargo they are transporting further adds to the weight disparity. Given the massive size and weight of an 18-wheeler, you can guess that the most tragic destruction occurs to the occupants of the other vehicle. It is common for victims to suffer debilitating, catastrophic injuries that can lead to permanent disability.
- Victims’ losses can be astronomical. From this description of the severity of the bodily harm, one aspect of a truck accident claim will be critical: The costs of medical treatment, and the non-economic damages associated with severe injuries. Your life may never be the same due to such losses as:
- Pain and suffering;
- Decreased enjoyment of life;
- Emotional distress; and,
- Implications for your personal relationships.
- There are multiple parties to pursue. In a typical motor vehicle crash, you pursue the responsible driver through his or her insurance company, so there are two parties involved with the legal process. With a truck accident claim, you may need to account for numerous potential parties, such as:
- The truck driver’s employer;
- The owner of the truck;
- A syndicate, partnership, or affiliated truck company;
- An organization that handles inspections, maintenance, or repairs to the truck; and,
- The manufacturer of any defective truck parts.
- Truck drivers must carry high levels of liability insurance. Because of the potential that they can cause catastrophic damage, truck operators are required to purchase liability insurance coverage that is much higher than the average motorist. When the stakes are in the hundreds of thousands – or millions – of dollars, insurance companies assign your claim to their most experienced employees. The claims adjuster will work hard to find reasons to deny your claim.
Our Oakland Truck Accident Attorney Work for You
As you can see from this description, the issues involved with truck collision claims can be complicated and much more challenging than a typical auto crash. Instead of putting your rights at risk, count on our Oakland truck accident lawyers at Venardi Zurada, LLP to assist with the legal process. Please contact our firm today to schedule a complimentary at our offices.
Resource:
chp.ca.gov/programs-services/services-information/switrs-internet-statewide-integrated-traffic-records-system
