Oakland Truck Accident Lawyer
Collisions involving semi-trucks can cause catastrophic and sometimes fatal accidents. The size and force of semi tractor-trailers are much greater than smaller passenger vehicles, and therefore, can cause severe injuries to anyone on the road. If you suffered bodily harm in a trucking accident, our personal injury attorneys can advocate on your behalf and seek compensation for your losses.
Although various federal and state regulations govern the conduct of commercial trucks, the resulting penalties for violating safety regulations are minor. As a result, some trucking companies may be willing to pay a fine to maximize their profits, which can result in skirting safety rules. If a negligent company puts profits before the safety of others, our Oakland truck accident lawyers could help you hold the company accountable.
Duty of Care in Trucking Accidents
Negligence is the careless or reckless disregard for the safety of others to whom individuals and companies owe a duty of care. Most parties within the trucking industry owe a duty of care to others on the roadway.
For instance, truckers have a legal obligation to drive in a reasonably safe manner, based on the circumstances. Additionally, trucking companies have a duty to ensure that their employees obey traffic regulations and keep their vehicles in working order.
When any party fails to meet these standards, they could be liable for any damages that result from their recklessness. Our Oakland lawyers have experience with truck accident claims and can help you determine if a defendant violated their duty of care in your situation.
Potentially Liable Parties
Truck accidents can occur for many of the same reasons as other motor vehicle collisions. However, the unique pressures that the truck industry often places on its drivers can cause accidents as well. When truckers violate safety regulations, their employer may be liable for any injuries that the truckers caused.
For example, federal safety regulations place limits on the number of consecutive hours that truck operators can drive and the hours of rest that they must take. Although drivers must keep logs of their hours, some companies may encourage their employees to falsify their records to deliver loads faster and cover more miles in shorter periods of time. This practice may lead to overly fatigued truck drivers, whose inattention and reduced reaction time can contribute to significant wrecks.
These pressures also may lead to truckers speeding and driving recklessly to reduce the amount of time between picking up and dropping off loads Our truck accident attorneys in Oakland can help an injured party hold either of these parties accountable for their reckless actions.
Truck Maintenance and Manufacturing Companies
Trucking companies also must adequately maintain and service their vehicles as needed. Manufacturing companies that produce trucks and parts also have a duty to create and distribute products that are safe for consumer use. If a manufacturing company fails to do so, and a crash occurs due to a mechanical problem, the manufacturing company can face liability.
Statute of Limitations
All personal injury claims, including those arising from truck wrecks, are subject to a statute of limitations. In some cases, a potential claimant only has two years from the date of the accident to seek compensation. However, in other situations, the statute of limitations may be shorter. For example, if government entities are involved, then injured parties may have as short as six months from the date of the accident by which to act. Because these legal deadlines vary, people injured in a truck accident should promptly seek legal guidance about any claims they may have.
Retain an Oakland Truck Accident Attorney
Individuals who are involved in truck collisions may be entitled to pursue compensation. However, it may be difficult to do so without a legal professional. Fortunately, our Oakland truck accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal complexities of these cases and work to ensure that you recover for your losses. Schedule an initial case consultation at Mary Alexander & Associates today for help on your claim.
