What Happens if You’re in a Big-Rig Accident?

Last month, there was a tragic accident in Alhambra when a car crashed into and became trapped underneath a big-rig truck. Authorities said the truck was backing into a fast food restaurant for a delivery when the car collided with it. The driver of the smaller vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital and his or her condition is not known.

Big rig accidents can be extremely serious because of the enormous weight and size of commercial trucks. They often cause severe injuries and damage to those involved, leaving victims in physical and financial uncertainty.

Blessedly, most people never have to experience a trauma like this but if the unexpected and unfortunate happens to you or someone close to you, it is essential that victims get prepared so that they can get the compensation and treatment they need without having to worry about the financial costs.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a commercial truck accident that caused serious injury, there are some important steps that you should definitely follow, and a list of evidence that you can gather to help fight for your rights and win your case.

Evidence You Need After a Truck Accident

The first thing you should do is call the police so they can document the scene of the crash and write the negligent truck driver a ticket.

In addition to getting a police report while at the scene of the commercial truck accident, additional pieces of evidence that could prove valuable to your case should be obtained:

• Driving Logs
• Recent Equipment Inspections
• Witness Statements
• Photos of the Damage and Visible Injuries

Even if the driver admits fault and the damage from the wreck is clear, there will be no proof or guarantee that the commercial trucking company will stick to their story unless a police officer files proper documentation.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Why do commercial truck accidents occur?  There can be many reasons; some are caused external factors that the driver has no control over, some are caused by carelessness on part of the company, and some are due to the reckless actions of truck drivers themselves. The main causes of truck crashes are:

• Lack of Rest for the Driver
• Impossible Deadlines Requiring Unsafe Driving Speeds
• Weather Conditions
• Unbalanced Cargo Loads
• Mechanical Issues
• Distracted Driving

Commercial trucking companies are powerful and have money and means to fight any case that is thrown their way, so drivers must do everything they can to protect themselves and their rights after an accident.

It is important for victims to know that they have the right to collect remuneration for any expenses and losses incurred as a direct result of the big-rig crash.

There are four major expense categories that victims typically collect compensation for after a commercial tractor-trailer accident.

• Medical Expenses
• Property Damages
• Pain and Suffering
• Miscellaneous Expenses

At Los Angeles Injury Group, our experienced attorneys have helped clients win cases against those who have suffered injuries in big-rig accidents. We understand how life-altering these injuries can be, which is why we fight for our clients until they receive proper compensation. If you, or someone you love, received injuries as a result of a commercial truck accident, call (310) 954-7248.