Truck Accidents

Large trucks are defined as having a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds and are often referred to as semi’s, 18-wheelers, over-the-road vehicles or tractor-trailers. The vast weight and size discrepancy between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles creates exceptional dangers on the highway.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 500,000 semis and other large over-the-road trucks are involved in crashes resulting in 5,000 people deaths and 80,000 injuries annually.  One in eight traffic fatalities involves a truck collision.  Roughly three-quarters of those injured were occupants of other vehicles. The statistical conclusions also noted that large trucks were more likely to be involved in fatal multi-vehicle accidents than passenger vehicles.  Eighty-two percent of fatal crashes involved large trucks as opposed to fifty-eight percent for passenger vehicle-only collisions.

Forty-seven percent of the crashes involved the truck and the passenger vehicle traveling in the same direction, nine percent while the other vehicle was turning, 13 percent while negotiating curves, and ten percent of the crashes occurred while either the truck or vehicle was stopped in a traffic lane. Thirty percent involved both vehicles being impacted in the front.  Large trucks were three times more likely to be struck in the rear than the other vehicle.

Defects contribute to the majority of large truck accidents each year. Some of these defects include tires or wheels (8%), brake-related (7%), engine/transmission: (5%), and steering wheel (1.3%).  Driver factors resulting in accidents include traveling too fast for conditions (23%), the driver is unfamiliar with the roadway (22%), over-the-counter drug use (17%), inadequate surveillance (14%), fatigue (13%), illegal maneuver (9%), inattention (9%), and falling asleep (7%).

Since trucks are found almost everywhere, in both rural areas and cities, and during the day and night, you are almost sure to encounter one almost every time you drive or ride in a car, or even while cycling or walking somewhere. Trucks are much more dangerous to you than the truck driver. This is because the same size and weight which make trucks dangerous to you protect the truck drivers from much harm.

You need an attorney well versed in truck accidents who will get you the right medical personnel to get you the care you need and a settlement commensurate with your injury today and the consequences

tomorrow.

FOCUSING ON COMPENSATION

Arthur Liberty has the experience and knowledge needed when encountering a truck accident. With over three decades of experience, Arthur Liberty has the resources and is the dedicated Santa Monica truck accident lawyer you need to follow through with your claim.

Arthur Liberty will thoroughly investigate the facts of the accident or incident in order to determine the legal strategy to take in your particular situation. During your initial consultation, he will fully discuss your case, including potential sources of information not readily apparent, including potential witnesses, video and audio recordings which must be acquired quickly before they are recorded over, law enforcement reports, and investigation whose initial conclusions can be altered if quickly dealt with early on. Arthur Liberty will try to answer all of your questions. He is committed to providing you with personal attention throughout the course of your claim and will pursue every possible means of compensation on your behalf. Whether you have medical costs, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, our efforts will be towards maximizing your potential settlement.

It is never easy to get through a difficult situation where you suffer a truck accident. Arthur Liberty strives to provide caring and compassionate representation.  His goal is simple: resolve your claim fairly, effortlessly, and as quickly as possible.  If your case requires that a lawsuit be pursued, rest assured that an experienced and successful attorney, Arthur Liberty will still have the same goal.

Contact Arthur Liberty to discus§your truck accident claim.