San Francisco Truck Accident Lawyers
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, truck accidents result in approximately 89,000 injuries and 5,000 fatalities annually. Tractor-trailer and semi-truck accidents are complex, often involving multiple parties and causing significant damage due to the trucks’ size and weight. Additionally, accidents involving hazardous cargo can pose further risks.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Improper loading or unsecured loads
- Lack of driver training
- Reckless driving
- Vehicle equipment failures, such as tire blowouts
- Adverse weather or poor road conditions
The Anna Dubrovsky Law Group has specialized knowledge and extensive experience in handling truck accident cases, securing favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Dangers of Overloaded & Overweight Trucks
Federal regulations set the maximum weight limit for commercial trucks in the U.S. at 80,000 pounds (or 20,000 pounds per axle). However, some truckers and trucking companies overload their trucks to save money and increase profits, which puts other motorists at risk.
When trucks are overloaded:
- Steering becomes more difficult: The weight shifts to the rear, removing weight from the front tires.
- Stopping becomes harder: Especially when going downhill.
- Brake failures and tire blowouts: These components may not bear the excessive weight and still function properly.
- Road collapses: Overloaded trucks are more likely to cause roads, bridges, and overpasses to collapse.
- Rollover accidents: The higher center of gravity increases the likelihood of rollovers.
- More severe impacts: Extra weight increases the momentum of the truck, causing more damage to smaller passenger vehicles.
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles comply with weight limits. Compensation for overloaded truck accidents can cover:
- Medical bills and ongoing treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal accidents
Other important information
- Overloaded truck accidents are entirely preventable. Holding trucking companies accountable for these preventable accidents is essential.
- There are strict time limits for filing truck accident claims in California, so waiting could impact the strength of your case.
- Punitive damages may be available in some cases, especially if a trucking company has a history of overloading its trucks or operating negligently.
- Going up against trucking companies and their insurance providers can be challenging, so having an experienced lawyer on your side is crucial.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact the experienced San Francisco truck accident lawyers at the Anna Dubrovsky Law Group for aggressive legal advocacy and effective help pursuing justice and compensation.
To find out more about how we can help you, contact us today by calling (415) 746-1477 or (800) 440-6313 or by emailing us using the contact form.
Our San Francisco truck accident lawyers will guide you through the legal process while defending your rights and interests against insurance companies and defense attorneys. Our goal is to maximize your financial recovery and bring your case to a successful resolution.
