There are over 10,000 truck accidents in California yearly that cause about 400 fatalities and thousands of injuries each year.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that about 55% of these accidents can be directly attributed to the driver or the truck. There are numerous causes of truck accidents in the state, ranging from speeding and distracted driving to intoxication and mechanical failures.
This guide explores truck accidents in California, the most common types of accidents in the state, and how a truck accident injury lawyer can help you if you are ever involved in one.
Meeting the Definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration lists different types of vehicles as commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). These include buses that transport at least 14 people including the driver, and buses that transport at least eight people and charge a fare. CMVs also include delivery trucks with a total weight of over 10,000 pounds and semi-trucks with trailers and semi-trucks that weigh less.
Even though all these vehicles are typically involved in the same types of accidents, the focus of this exploration will be trucks.
The Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in California
There are numerous types of truck accidents in California. Their nature and severity vary and determine who is at fault and how much the driver, trucking company, or other party would have to pay as compensation if they are liable for the accident.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident happens when the truck’s cab and trailer come close to form an angle that resembles a closing picket or jackknife. The most dangerous aspect of these accidents is that they can happen across multiple highway lanes, thereby putting a lot of cars and drivers in danger.
They also happen on steep slopes where a driver cannot control their vehicle, resulting in them “jackknifing it” to stop it. Slowing down a vehicle like this is possible because the wheels are turned sideways and provide a lot of friction that slows the vehicle. In some cases, drivers intentionally cause jackknife accidents to protect other road users if their truck is out of control.
The driver is always liable when this happens, especially if these types of accidents occur due to speeding, driving under the influence, not paying to road conditions, or reckless driving. However, other events and road users can cause jackknife accidents, and the parties that did this are then held liable.
For example, a vehicle might suddenly stop in the middle of the highway. A truck’s driver would then have to swerve to avoid them, which can cause a jackknife accident.
Rollover Accidents
As per their name, rollover accidents happen when a truck rolls over. These accidents can be fatal if the truck rolls onto a vehicle beside it. In such cases, the victim’s family can talk to a wrongful death attorney to get compensated for their loss and damages and to hold the negligent party responsible.
There are several causes of rollover accidents. One is the physical characteristics of trucks. Most trucks are much taller than other vehicles, meaning their center of gravity is also much higher. Related to this is the truck’s width. Some trucks are so narrow that a small change in angle would result in a significant shift in the vehicle’s center of gravity, causing the vehicle to roll over.
The second is speeding. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them incredibly difficult to stop. They require a much longer stopping distance than a typical vehicle. Truck drivers who speed might find they do not have much time before noticing a hazard and avoiding it. The only recourse would be to swerve, leading to a rollover accident.
Speeding around corners can also cause these types of accidents. Remember, roads bank or tilt to one side around corners. As the truck leans over due to the banking, its center of gravity can fall outside the wheelbase, causing a rollover accident.
The third is improper loading. Loading a truck too high means the center of gravity will be much higher than it already is. This leads to a vehicle that is much harder to control and much easier to topple over. The issue worsens if the truck travels along windy highways. The trailer can catch the wind due to its high surface area and cause the vehicle to topple over.
Mechanical Failure Accidents
Trucking companies and the businesses that hire them must ensure every truck is serviced and maintained regularly so it is safe while on the road. A truck is more likely to get into an accident due to mechanical failure if the parties responsible overlooked any part of its servicing or maintenance.
The most common type of mechanical failure in California is brake failure. This type of failure can be incredibly dangerous due to how difficult the truck will be to stop, depending on its weight and speed. Many jackknife and rollover accidents happen due to brake failure as drivers try to avoid other road users.
Accidents due to mechanical failure increase the complexity of finding the party responsible. In such cases, you should hire an experienced truck accident injury lawyer because they will have the resources to help you find out who is at fault and who you should sue for the injuries and damages resulting from such accidents.
Accidents Due to Factors Beyond a Driver’s Control
There are many cases where the accident is due to factors the driver cannot control. For example, they may be traveling through an area with traffic congestion. If another driver is impatient, tries to overtake, and hits the truck, the truck driver would not be liable.
Weather phenomena that lead to loss of visibility or make driving harder are also beyond the driver’s control.
Truck accidents can lead to devastating damages and catastrophic injuries. There are different kinds of accidents in the state, and knowing which one you were involved in can help you know who is liable. You have the right to seek compensation for different types of damages following a truck accident, and our attorneys are standing by to help you start this process.
Contact us at Karns & Karns Truck Accident Attorneys to discuss your case through the information provided on our website. We also have offices in Texas, California, and Nevada that you can visit to speak with our attorneys about your accident.
