Torrance Truck Accident Attorney
Although eighteen-wheeler trucks are the lifeblood of the United States economy, inexperienced operators are often at the controls of these massive vehicles. Truck collisions are unfortunately rather common, especially at certain times of day or night — and because of their size and speed, even a minor collision can spell disaster for motorists on the road.
If you were injured in a large truck accident, a dedicated Torrance truck accident lawyer from Soofer Law Group starts working quickly for you. We evaluate your claim to determine what liability theories apply. Then, we collect evidence which supports your claim for damages. Finally, we never stop fighting for you, both at trial and during pretrial settlement negotiations.
If you were hurt in an accident, rest assured that the shipping company has a posse of lawyers working for it. You need an equally aggressive Torrance truck accident attorney working for you. Contact us at (310) 478-5090 for a free consultation.
Why Choose A Torrance Truck Accident Lawyer from Soofer Law Group?
- Ramin Soofer, our principal attorney, has been practicing personal injury law since 1993. He’s dedicated his career to helping his clients win and recover from their severe accidents.
- We have over 3 decades of experience in personal injury law dealing with insurance companies and corporations to get the best possible outcomes.
- We provide the most intense, yet compassionate legal representation for every client who is an injured victim.
- Our Torrance truck accident attorneys don’t stop until our injured victim clients receive the compensation they deserve.
What is the Commercial Truck Driver Duty in California?
Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care. They must drive defensively and obey the rules of the road. But in the Golden State, truck drivers normally have a higher duty of care.
In practical terms, truck operators must drive even more defensively than noncommercial operators. That’s why many highways have different speed limits for large trucks.
Vehicle speed is not the only difference. For example, when a noncommercial driver has a green light, that driver may proceed through the intersection. But a commercial truck driver arguably must pause and make sure the intersection is clear before moving forward.
What is First Party Liability in A Truck Accident Case?
Truck driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of Torrance truck accidents, and drowsiness illustrates negligence per se and ordinary negligence, which are the two key legal doctrines in injury claims.
California has some of the strictest laws in the country regarding truck driver HOS (Hours of Service). Title 13, Part 1212.5(a) of the California Code of Regulations contains the 80/8 rule. In most cases, drivers cannot be behind the wheel for more than eighty hours in an eight-day period. Moreover, they must take at least thirty-four hours off between these eight-day periods.
If truck drivers violate this law or its federal equivalent, they may be liable for damages as a matter of law if they were drowsy behind the wheel and caused a crash.
Ordinary negligence is more general than negligence per se. Drivers may be negligent if they drive when drowsy, even if they have not violated HOS requirements.
Signs of Truck Driver Fatigue
- Time of Day: No matter how much rest they had the previous night, most people are always drowsy early in the morning or late at night. To avoid traffic, many truck drivers are on the road at these times.
- Tortfeasor’s (Negligent Driver’s) Statements: Many people admit that they were drowsy when the crash happened. These statements are usually admissible in court, especially if they are in a police accident report.
- Erratic Driving: Drowsy drivers often cannot remember the last few miles driven. Additionally, drowsy drivers sometimes weave slightly before a crash or fail to properly negotiate a turn.
- Medical Background: Since they sit for long periods, many truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea. People with this condition essentially nap all night. Since they never fall into a deep, restorative sleep, they are often tired during the day.
Evidence is important in ordinary negligence claims because victims/plaintiffs must establish a lack of ordinary care by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not).
Common Types of Injuries from Truck Accidents
Truck collisions can be catastrophic. If the victims involved in the crash don’t get killed, they face en0rmous injuries that may or may not ever recover. Some common injuries sustained from truck accidents are as follows:
- Broken bones
- Head injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back and neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
Third-Party Liability for Truck Accidents in Torrance Southern California
Because of the size of these vehicles, large truck collisions often cause other car accidents, motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, and sometimes wrongful death. The medical expenses in these cases could exceed $1 million.
Generally, the employer is liable for these damages in truck accident claims. Employer liability attaches under the respondeat superior doctrine if the tortfeasor was an employee who was acting in the scope of employment at the time of the crash. California law defines these key terms in broad, victim-friendly ways.
Where Can You Turn to For Help? Soofer Law Group
Large truck accidents cases in Torrance are extremely complex. For a free case evaluation with an experienced commercial truck collision attorney, contact the Torrance personal injury lawyers from Soofer Law Group. We do not charge upfront legal fees in injury cases! Call us at (310) 478-5090.