Woodland Hills Truck Accident Lawyers Fighting For Justice

Semis, garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large commercial vehicles cause severe injuries

At their best, accidents involving commercial trucks are overwhelming and stressful. At their worst, they are fatal. Trucks are everywhere in Woodland Hills and an essential part of the San Fernando Valley economy. But as they deliver the goods consumers need, they pose a great risk to those who share the road with them.

In California, truck accidents are extremely common, and when they occur, victims suffer catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash, a Woodland Hills truck accident attorney from Oaks Law Firm can help you seek compensation for the losses you sustained. Contact us for a free case evaluation. A member of our trusted team is available 24/7 to answer questions, explain options, and help you decide what to do next. There is no obligation to hire; just honest information.

Common types of truck accidents in Woodland Hills

When people think about commercial trucks, they often think of tractor-trailers. Although these vehicles cause serious injuries due to their weight and size, there are other types of trucks that can be just as dangerous. These include:

• Garbage trucks. Garbage trucks perform an essential service, but their movements are unpredictable. They drive slowly and make stops regularly, which can result in an accident.
• Dump trucks. Dump trucks are very large and heavy, particularly when they are fully loaded, which will add to the severity of an accident. Additionally, cargo and debris may fly off dump trucks, causing a crash.
• Tow trucks. Tow trucks often operate along the side of a road, and tow truck operators do not always act safely when working in these areas. When on the road towing a vehicle, a driver may also fail to properly check their blind spots, or otherwise act negligently.

The above are just a few types of commercial trucks that are often to blame for a crash. Regardless of the type of truck that caused your accident, it is important to know who to hold liable afterward. This can be a very complex and confounding task. However, with an experienced truck accident lawyer’s help, the process can be smooth.

Determining liability after a truck accident in Woodland Hills

In an accident involving two small passenger vehicles, determining fault and, thus, liability is often fairly straightforward. One of the drivers involved is usually at fault and on the scene. After a truck accident though, liability may lie with one or multiple parties, and those individuals are not always apparent right away. This makes it much more difficult to determine which party to file your claim against. The potentially liable parties in a truck accident claim may include:

• The truck driver. Even though they are responsible for ensuring they operate their large vehicle in a safe manner, truck drivers often act negligently. They may become distracted as they navigate the systems within their truck, or they may drive while impaired to help them stay awake. These are just a few types of truck driver negligence that can result in a crash.
• The trucking company. Trucking companies often prioritize their own profits over the safety of other motorists on the road. They may take shortcuts by not complying with federal law, such as the hours-of-service rule, or by not properly inspecting and maintaining their fleet of trucks.
• Maintenance and inspection companies. Trucking companies are expected to perform inspections and maintenance, but they often hire outside companies for these services. If those maintenance and inspection companies do not properly perform their job, defective equipment could cause a crash, for which the company would be liable.
• Loading companies. The cargo on a commercial truck must be properly secured. If it is not, it can shift during transport, throwing off the truck's balance. Truck drivers do not always load and unload their own cargo, and when a third party has done it improperly, they can be held liable.
• Manufacturers. All manufacturers, including companies that manufacture trucks and truck parts, are responsible for ensuring their products are safe for consumers to use. When a truck or part of its equipment is defective and causes a crash, injured parties can hold the manufacturer liable.

Determining liability is one of the most difficult aspects of any crash involving a commercial truck. It is not uncommon for one truck accident claim to involve multiple liable parties, which makes a case more complex but also allows accident victims to claim the full damages they are entitled to. A Woodland Hills truck accident attorney can determine all the parties at fault in your crash, so you recover a full and fair settlement.

Call our Woodland Hills truck accident attorneys today

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash with a large commercial vehicle, the Woodland Hills truck accident attorneys at Oaks Law Firm can provide you with the sound legal advice you need to make the best decision for you and your family. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation today. A member of our team is available 24/7 to hear from you, answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you decide the next steps.