Commercial truck accidents devastate lives in an instant, often leaving victims with catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertain futures. When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the physics alone create a catastrophic result in most cases.
Callahan & Blaine, PC represents truck accident victims throughout Garden Grove and Orange County. Our Garden Grove personal injury attorneys have secured multi-million dollar settlements for clients who suffered serious injuries in truck accidents, including the largest jury verdict in Orange County history. We understand how trucking companies and their insurance carriers operate, and we fight to ensure our clients receive the maximum compensation they deserve.
Why Do Truck Accidents Cause Severe Injuries?
Truck accidents differ significantly from typical car accidents due to the sheer size and weight disparity between commercial vehicles and passenger cars. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. This massive weight difference means that even relatively low-speed collisions can result in catastrophic injuries.
The height of truck trailers creates additional dangers. Passenger vehicles may slide underneath trailers in underride accidents, often causing severe injuries to occupants. The stopping distance required for large trucks also contributes to accident severity, as truck drivers need much more time and distance to bring their vehicles to a complete stop.
Federal regulations govern many aspects of commercial trucking, including hours of service, vehicle inspections, and driver qualifications, but violations of these regulations frequently contribute to serious accidents. If the cause of your truck accident stems from the failure to comply with these regulations, your Garden Grove attorney can collect the key evidence necessary to help you build a strong claim and recover the fair compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Garden Grove
Understanding the root causes of truck accidents helps victims and their families recognize when negligence may have contributed to their injuries. Federal and state regulations govern commercial trucking operations, and violations of these rules often play a significant role in serious accidents. Some common causes of truck accidents include the following:
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents throughout California. Despite federal hours-of-service regulations that limit how long truck drivers can operate their vehicles, some drivers and trucking companies push these limits to meet tight delivery schedules. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more likely to cause accidents.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
Improper vehicle maintenance also contributes to many truck accidents. Commercial vehicles require regular inspections and maintenance to operate safely, but some trucking companies cut corners to reduce costs. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical problems can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, often with devastating consequences.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving affects truck drivers just as it does other motorists, but the consequences are far more severe when an 80,000-pound vehicle is involved. Cell phone use, eating, adjusting GPS systems, and other distractions can cause truck drivers to drift into other lanes or fail to notice stopped traffic ahead.
How Callahan & Blaine, PC Helps You Build a Strong Truck Accident Case
Our approach to truck accident cases involves immediate action to preserve crucial evidence and protect our clients’ rights. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and industry specialists to build comprehensive cases that demonstrate the full extent of our clients’ damages.
Investigating the Accident Scene
Our truck accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations that may include analyzing the truck’s electronic logging device data, reviewing the driver’s logbooks, and examining maintenance records. Our team also reviews surveillance footage, interviews witnesses, and works with accident reconstruction specialists to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties beyond just the truck driver. These may include:
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- The company that loaded the cargo
- The manufacturer of defective truck parts
- Third-party maintenance companies
- Government entities responsible for road maintenance
This comprehensive approach ensures we pursue compensation from all available sources, maximizing our clients’ recovery potential. Each responsible party may have different insurance policies and liability limits, which our attorneys carefully analyze to develop the most effective legal strategy.
Calculating the Damages You May Be Owed
Our Garden Grove truck accident lawyers work with medical specialists, economists, and vocational rehabilitation specialists to calculate the full extent of our clients’ damages. This includes the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Our detailed damage calculations help ensure our clients receive compensation that reflects the actual impact of their injuries. Many truck accident victims face long-term or permanent disabilities that require ongoing medical care, home modifications, and adaptive equipment. We account for these future needs when negotiating settlements or presenting cases to juries, ensuring our clients have the financial resources they need for their recovery.
Contact Our Garden Grove Truck Accident Attorneys
Callahan & Blaine, PC has represented truck accident victims throughout Orange County for over 40 years. Our 29 experienced trial attorneys have secured remarkable jury verdicts and settlements, including the largest jury verdict in Orange County history. We understand the complexities of truck accident cases and have the resources to take on large trucking companies and their insurance carriers.
Time is critical in truck accident cases, as evidence can disappear quickly, and trucking companies often conduct their own investigations immediately after accidents. Our attorneys are available to begin working on your case right away, protecting your rights while you focus on your recovery. Call us today at (714) 241-4444 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.
