Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California (2024)

Commercial trucks are vital to the economy and the US supply chain. Most drivers encounter these large vehicles regularly without issue, but truck accidents do happen in various ways. The most common causes of truck accidents in California include various forms of negligence and illegal misconduct behind the wheel. If you recently experienced this kind of accident, proving the cause will be essential to your recovery.

Common Forms of Negligence That Can Cause Truck Accidents

Your first challenge after any vehicle accident is proving fault. An experienced truck accident attorney in Beverly Hills, CA, can help you gather the evidence you may need to successfully establish liability for your accident and hold the at-fault party accountable for your damages.

A few of the most commonly cited forms of negligence that result in truck accidents throughout the state each year are:

• Distracted driving, which is one of the top-reported causes of all vehicle accidents throughout the United States each year.
• Speeding, which is especially dangerous for large trucks as they need more time and distance to slow down or stop to avoid a crash.
• Moving violations, such as failing to yield the right-of-way, running a stop sign or red light, or performing illegal turns.
• Truck driver error, which may result if a trucking company does not ensure proper training and experience for their drivers before assigning them delivery routes.
• Improperly loaded truck cargo, which can leave the vehicle imbalanced and vulnerable to a tip-over or rollover around sharp turns. The party responsible for loading the truck would be liable for this type of accident.
• Improper truck maintenance. Large commercial trucks have more demanding maintenance requirements than standard passenger vehicles. The party responsible for the truck’s maintenance could face liability for an accident if they failed to perform maintenance correctly or overlooked serious safety issues.

Proving negligence in any civil claim for damages requires proof that the defendant held a duty of care they breached in some way and then proving the full extent of the damages resulting from their negligence.

It is also possible for a truck accident to happen due to illegal misconduct behind the wheel. Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol and reckless driving are the most common examples of this. When a driver has caused an accident through illegal misconduct, they face criminal charges along with their civil liability for the damages they have caused.

How to Prove Fault for a Truck Accident

Your attorney can be a valuable asset when it comes to gathering the evidence you may need to firmly establish liability for the damages you sustained in your recent accident. Physical evidence from the scene of the accident, drivers’ cell phone records, vehicle computer data, traffic camera footage, and testimony from witnesses and others involved in the accident are all likely to be crucial to making your case.

If you do not recall the exact manner in which your accident happened or if liability is contested, your attorney may reach out to various professionals who can act as expert witnesses. Accident reconstruction professionals and engineers may be able to explain the technical details of the crash and assist you in firmly proving fault for your damages.

Once you have proven fault for your truck accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your damages. Under California law, every driver must have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements, but the at-fault driver in your case may not have enough coverage to fully compensate you for your damages. If this applies to your situation, you will need to file a personal injury claim against them to recover the remainder of the damages they caused.

FAQs About Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in California (2024)

What Is the Most Common Type of Truck Accident?

The most common type of truck accident is also the most common type of all other vehicle accidents in the state: rear-end collisions. This type of accident occurs when one vehicle slams into the rear of another vehicle. Any type of rear-end collision involving a commercial vehicle is extremely dangerous and has a high chance of resulting in catastrophic injury or death.

What Are Commonly Reported Injuries From Truck Accidents?

Many vehicle accidents cause injuries such as broken bones, facial injuries, internal organ injuries, and soft tissue damage like whiplash. However, the risk of catastrophic injuries is much higher in a commercial vehicle accident, and it is possible for this type of crash to result in traumatic brain injuries, amputation injuries, spinal cord damage, and crushing injuries.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Truck Accident?

If you can successfully prove that another party is directly responsible for causing your recent commercial vehicle accident, you have the right to seek full repayment of all the financial losses you suffered from the incident. The total value of your case may include compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, and your pain and suffering.

What Happens When Multiple Drivers Share Fault for an Accident?

California upholds the pure comparative fault rule, which will apply to any vehicle accident case in which more than one party bears fault. The judge overseeing the case will assign fault percentages to each liable party that reflects their degree of responsibility for causing the accident. If a plaintiff shares fault, their fault percentage is deducted from their case award.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer After a Truck Accident?

While it is technically possible to pursue compensation for your damages without hiring legal counsel, this is extremely difficult and risky in several ways. Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney to represent you will make handling your case proceedings easier, and you will be more likely to maximize your total compensation with their assistance.

Contact The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP

The right attorney is an invaluable asset after any serious vehicle accident in California. The attorneys at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP, can answer your questions and provide the counsel you need in this situation, so contact us today if you believe you need legal representation to resolve your recent accident and help you recover your losses.