Truck Accidents: Trying Times
by: francis@mesriani.com
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Word Count: 498
There is a saying that if you bought it, a truck brought it.
Trucks are indeed a vital component of the US economy as gas stations, hospitals, banks, construction sites, and malls all depend on the delivery of raw materials and products from the truck’s cargo.
In 2007, there are 9,027,624 large trucks registered across the United States. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) has reported that 4,584 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, 76,000 were involved in injury crashes, and 333,000 were involved in property damage only crashes.
The numbers were high in California in 2007 as 10, 635 large trucks were involved in non-fatal crashes--363 people however, lost their lives in fatal truck crashes.
Los Angeles truck accident attorneys certainly have a lot of work cut out for them as collisions between trucks and other motor vehicles such as cars can be quite common.
Truck accidents can occur but are not limited to the following reasons:
• Driver training and experience
• Vehicle design and manufacture
• Highway condition and traffic signaling
• Weather conditions
• Fatigue
• Alcohol intake
• Speeding
However, there are instances when the fault lies with car drivers. Car drivers may also commit the following errors that contribute to the truck crash.
• Driving in the "No-Zones" - the areas behind and beside a truck where the truck driver has limited or zero visibility
• Driving between large trucks
• Changing lanes abruptly in front of a truck
• Merging improperly into traffic, causing a truck to maneuver or brake quickly.
• Failure to slow down or speed up when a truck begins to change lanes or merge.
Just recently, according to the California Highway Patrol, majority of the fatal accidents involving big-rig trucks were caused by drivers of passenger vehicles. Statewide, of the 7,262 collisions involving big rigs last year, 56 percent of those were caused by the drivers in passenger vehicles.
A typical fully-loaded large commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while an average passenger automobile weighs approximately 3,000 pounds. Because of the sheer size and heft of large trucks, what may be simple vehicular collisions could become catastrophic, especially for passengers of smaller vehicles. Without a doubt, truck accidents can cause light to grave injuries on persons and property and can even result to loss of lives.
Obtaining the services of a Los Angeles truck accident attorney is most likely the best decision one can make following their involvement in a truck accident. There are definitely legal repercussions following a truck crash, from determining the liability of the parties involved, proving negligence or innocence and filing of insurance claims.
Prompt legal action, especially when it comes to personal injury lawsuits are important because California laws have a statute of limitations on filing of damage claims. Thus, Los Angeles truck accident attorneys, with their technical knowledge and expertise in this particular field of law, are the right people to turn to in trying times such as truck accidents.
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To help you deal with issues involved in Los Angeles big rig truck accidents, consult with our skilled personal injury lawyers. Log on to our website and avail of our free case evaluation.
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