In terms of size, trucks are much larger, more powerful, and sturdier than passenger cars are. While on the road, trucks don't always see other motorists, particularly since they are so much more elevated off the ground than smaller vehicles are. In California especially, where goods are shipped and distributed all across the state, it is important to have a Los Angeles based automobile accident attorney on your side to ensure that your rights are protected in the event of a truck vs. car accident.
Truck driver negligence is a prevalent factor in truck vs. car accidents. A truck driver can lose control for a variety of reasons, including faulty/worn brakes, dangerous road conditions that the driver is not taking into account while driving (e.g. driving too quickly on a windy day, when rollover likelihood is at its highest level), extreme fatigue brought on by lack of sleep, and clouded judgment that results from over-the-counter and illicit stimulants, including alcohol and narcotics.
According to regulations, large trucks are supposed to be regularly inspected to ensure that all parts of the truck are in good, working condition. These inspections are often neglected however, in exchange for sooner departure times for a load, which in turn lead to sooner arrival times and increased business for the trucking company.
Truck drivers must exhibit extreme caution when driving in poor weather conditions. Slippery roads can wreak havoc on a large truck's maneuverability, and windy paths and turns can lead to rollover if appropriate speeds are not maintained throughout. Furthermore, truck drivers must practice defensive driving skills when driving at night, and always make sure that side reflectors are effective in warning motorists of a truck's total length. Otherwise, for the driver of a passenger car, under-ride collision may occur, and injury and/or death will almost certainly follow.
Most importantly, truck drivers are negligible for accidents if they are found to be under the influence of an illicit substance. Though federal regulations require that truck drivers are randomly tested for both drugs and alcohol, and are definitely tested after a crash of any kind has occurred, many truck drivers continue to use stimulants to keep themselves alert and awake in order to log more driving hours and deliver goods faster. Though stimulants may keep truck drivers alert for a short period of time, the timeframe immediately after this stimulation, in which extreme fatigue sets in and begins to affect driver performance, is what ultimately leads to crashes.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident with a truck in Los Angeles, please don't hesitate to contact the Ellis Law Corporation. Our skilled attorneys will expose the negligence that resulted in your accident, and get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.
