San Diego Trucking Accident Lawyer
Even though they represented a partly 4% of all registered vehicles in America, large trucks accounted for 9% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2020. According to the most recent National Safety Council (NSC) report, large trucks killed approximately 5000 people in 2020. With 398 deaths, California was second only to Texas in fatalities from large truck accidents.
With commercial trucks sharing the same San Diego roadways with cars and smaller passenger vehicles, collisions are common. Unfortunately, due to the immense size and weight of trucks, occupants of the other vehicles are more likely to sustain catastrophic injuries or die in such collisions.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Some of the most common types of trucking accidents on San Diego roads include;
- Truck rollovers
- Rear-end crashes
- Override or underride crashes
- Head-on-collision
- Side impact or T-bone accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Lost load accidents
Common Causes of San Diego Truck Accidents
Here are some common causes of trucking accidents in San Diego.
- Driver Error
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver error is the leading cause of truck accidents in San Diego and across the country. Driver errors include negligent driving, including recklessness, over-speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. Essentially, the errors increase a driver’s likelihood of causing an accident.
- Poor Truck Maintenance
A poorly maintained truck is likely to be involved in an accident, especially if it experiences a mechanical breakdown on the road. Despite existing federal requirements for proper truck maintenance and regular inspections, mechanical breakdowns are common for trucks on San Diego roads. Such trucks are hazardous for other motorists and can cause serious road accidents.
- Defective Vehicle Parts
Besides poor vehicle maintenance, mechanical failures may also be due to defective vehicle parts or defective manufacturing, including faulty brakes, defective lights, and other equipment failures. Unfortunately, malfunctions due to defective parts increase the likelihood of a truck accident.
- Improper Loading
Even though federal and state guidelines exist on truck loading, improper loading and overloading are common for trucks on San Diego roads. Typically, improper loading or overloading makes it hard for the driver to properly operate the often unstable vehicle, causing an accident.
- Fatigued Drivers
Most truck drivers in America have to work long hours, covering long distances. Additionally, they are under immense pressure to deliver or reach their destination within strict deadlines. A combination of these factors leaves them sleep-deprived, fatigued, and generally impaired. Consequently, they are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.
- Bad Weather and Road Conditions
Navigating any vehicle in hazardous road conditions or bad weather, including snow and heavy rains, is challenging for many drivers. The immense size and weight of commercial trucks make it even harder for truck drivers to operate in such conditions, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
What to Do in a San Diego Trucking Accident
Regardless of the type or cause of your trucking accident, there are some basic things you need to do after being involved in a San Diego trucking accident. First, you must seek medical treatment and report the accident to the police.
If possible, and depending on the severity of your injuries, you can collect evidence, including taking pictures of the accident scene and getting contact information of the other driver/truck driver. You should not discuss the accident details with third parties, including insurance companies, before consulting a truck accident attorney.
Contact a San Diego Trucking Accident Attorney
Truck accidents can leave you with severe injuries requiring lengthy and expensive medical treatment. Even though California law entitles you to compensation for accidents due to another’s negligence, you need the help of a skilled and experienced trucking accident attorney to recover damages. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a San Diego truck accident, contact Sam Lynn at The Law Office of Samuel G. Lynn P.C. With his skills and extensive experience helping truck accident victims, he will help you get fair compensation for your damages. Contact him today to schedule a consultation.
