Cargo Truck Accident info

Cargo trucks accident attorneys in California

As the name implies, a cargo truck is a vehicle used to transport some kind of freight, usually goods from a manufacturer to be delivered to a retailer. Cargo trucks can encompass a wide variety of vehicles, and the simple size of the freight being carried often means that crashes involving cargo trucks can result in severe injuries.

Some cargo trucks are pickup trucks carrying cargo in their beds but other cargo trucks are vans with enclosed cargo that may have four or six wheels. A commercial truck is also considered a cargo truck if it has a trailer with three or more axles.

Code of Federal Regulations § §392.9 establishes that a truck driver cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle unless their cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured, the vehicle’s tailgate, tailboard, doors, tarpaulins, spare tire and other equipment used in its operation, and the means of fastening the commercial motor vehicle’s cargo, are secured, and the cargo or any other object does not obscure the driver’s view or interfere with their movement, access to accessories required for emergencies, or ability to exit. The California Department of Motor Vehicles states that proper tie-down equipment must be used, including ropes, straps, chains, and tensioning devices with at least one tie-down for each 10 feet of cargo.

California Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer

Did you suffer catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a cargo truck accident in California? It will be important for you to retain legal counsel so you can have the best chance of recovering the compensation you need and deserve.

The May Firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to pay any legal fees until you receive a monetary award. Call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

Causes of Cargo Truck Accidents

No two cargo truck accidents are the same. A cargo truck could be involved in a T-bone collision in an intersection, cause a head-on crash on another roadway, or be involved in a rear-end accident.

Some cargo trucks could also be susceptible to rollover accidents or crashes caused by unsecured loads that can involve other vehicles. Drivers of these vehicles can cause accidents because of wide turns, and blocking accidents can also involve cargo trucks.

When it comes to determining the cause of a cargo truck accident, the May Firm will immediately commence an independent investigation of your crash to determine the specific cause. We will also preserve important evidence needed to prove another party’s negligence and identify every liable party.

Common causes of cargo truck accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to maintain vehicle
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol
• Overloaded trailers
• Inclement weather
• Driver fatigue
• Unsecured loads
• Brake failure
• Mechanical defects
• Inadequate driver training

Cargo truck accidents can be more complicated than traditional car accident claims because there may be multiple liable parties. Drivers themselves may have been negligent, but responsibility for a victim’s injuries could also apply to the cargo truck owner, the cargo loading company, or possible a maintenance company.

Types of Cargo Truck Accident Injuries

Cargo truck crashes can be much more likely to result in serious injuries, and some injuries may be fatal. The family members of people killed in cargo truck accidents may be able to file wrongful death lawsuits against the negligent party or parties.

People who do survive their injuries can still face entire lifetimes of challenges because of their injuries. Some people will require several weeks, months, or even years of medical care, and they may be unable to return to work for extended periods of time or possibly even permanently in some cases.

Some of the kinds of injuries people sustain in cargo truck accidents in California include, but are not limited to:

• Sprains
• Lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Paralysis
• Muscle strains
• Internal organ injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Fractures

You could be contacted by an insurance company representing the cargo truck soon after your accident, and you should avoid saying anything until you have legal representation. Some insurers will offer lump sum settlements to resolve cases, but these offers are typically nowhere near what victims are actually entitled to.

Contact a Cargo Truck Accident Attorney in California

If you sustained serious injuries or your loved one was killed in a cargo truck accident in California, the negligent party should be responsible for paying your bills. The May Firm will fight to make sure you get justice.

Our firm has seven locations that include Fresno, Long Beach, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Santa Maria, and Chula Vista. We can provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.