Trucks traveling on the roadways throughout California are regulated for the safety of those they share the roadways with including passenger vehicles, motorcycles and others. When truck drivers or trucking companies fail to follow regulations, or are negligent in some other way, and cause injuries to victims, they may be liable for the damages suffered by the victims and their families.
Depending on the circumstances, victims may be able to recover compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages through a personal injury claim for damages. Surviving family members who have suffered the loss of a loved one in a truck accident may be able to recover wrongful death damages through a wrongful death claim for damages. The liability of the truck driver and trucking company may depend on the relationship between the two so it is helpful to understand the legal complexities involved in a claim for damages.
Truck drivers and trucking companies may be liable when truck accidents result from overloaded semi-trucks or unsafe loads, unsafe truck drivers, poorly or inadequately trained truck drivers, truck drivers making unsafe emergency stops, poor or improper truck maintenance, a truck driver who has been drinking, a truck driver who is suffering from truck driver fatigue and may have violated rest and break regulations or a truck driver who is speeding or otherwise driving recklessly and causes an accident.
If a negligent truck driver or trucking company has caused a truck accident that resulted in harm, it is important for victims and their loved ones to be familiar with the legal resources available to them. Personal injury protections can help victims and their families address concerns that are likely to arise following a truck accident.
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