Big Trucks, Bigger Risks
- April 14, 2016
- Sandy
LOS ANGELES – Truck accidents are on the rise, and it’s particularly apparent in Southern California where tens of thousands of large commercial trucks barrel through congested freeways and highways every day, a Los Angeles Truck Crash Lawyer said.
Some of these trucks can weigh up to 80,000 lbs., and accidents involving a big truck can be some of the costliest.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are on the rise – and Southern California is a hot bed for these incidents. Of course, this can be tied to a recovering economy.
According to government data, truck collisions accounted for less than 5-percent of all California crashes in 2009. Since that time, the number of trucks on the road has steadily increased – and so have the crashes, which now account for nearly 6-percent of all traffic accidents.
- 22,000 – the number of truck collisions in California in 2014 alone
Why are there so many truck crashes in California?
Los Angeles poses several problems for motorists. Not only is it home to one of the busiest ports in the nation, trucks are constantly moving around L.A.’s maze of freeways, streets and boulevards.
At 55 miles per hour, trucks need a stopping distance of more than 200 yards. That kind of space is a rare find on any of the area’s crowded freeways.
What causes the most truck crashes?
While many factors can be attributed to a truck crash, lane changes have proved to be the top cause of Southern California truck accidents. However, it is rare to have only one factor present in a crash. Other factors can include:
- Distractions
- Speed
- Faulty brakes
- System malfunctions
- Failure to yield
- Poor road design
It’s also no secret that some areas are prone to truck crashes. I-5 and I-10 alone average over 2,100 car crashes each year. Compared to roughly 350 crashes that occur yearly on Highway 101, the interstates can be risky areas – especially for trucks.
A recent cost analysis found that truck crashes can cost an average of $7 million, and it often comes with a high ‘human toll.’ The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimated that nearly 4,000 people were killed by trucks in 2015, and that number has likely risen as truck crashes continue to take a higher share of fatal collisions around the country – in some areas, exceeding 8-percent of all traffic fatalities.
WHAT TO DO WHEN IN A TRUCK CRASH
If you or a family member has recently been injured in a truck crash, the toll can be overwhelming but there are ways to get fair compensation. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer at The Barnes Firm can provide families with a FREE case evaluation, which will look at the specifics of an accident and determine how to proceed with any legal action.
In most cases, insurance companies will offer to provide some type of compensation, but this does not always account for all costs associated with a crash. According to Los Angeles truck accident attorneys, compensation should cover the costs for things like:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of family, quality of life
- Pain & suffering
- Future treatments
- And more
When a truck accident impacts you and your family, make sure that you have an advocate fighting for your best interests. The Barnes Firm has experience taking on some of the biggest truck companies in the nation.
If you’ve been injured, trust a Los Angeles truck accident attorney at The Barnes Firm to help you get the best result possible.
The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000
English
Spanish