Palm Springs Truck Accident Lawyer

Leverage 40+ Years of Experience for Your Case

Truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic of all motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. As such, they are also some of the most dangerous. Weighing tens of thousands of pounds, commercial trucking vehicles are significantly bigger and heavier than the cars and motorcycles with which they share the streets and highways. This makes accidents involving trucks and cars the kind that can easily lead to serious injuries and death for those drivers and passengers involved.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed by a truck, call (760) 440-5643 to consult with our Palm Springs truck accident attorney at no charge and learn about your legal options.

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in California?

In California, victims of personal injuries sustained in truck accidents have up to two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. In some cases, however, this statute of limitations may vary, so it's important to discuss the particulars of your case with an attorney to understand the specific circumstances that may apply.

Consulting a  Palm Springs truck accident attorney shortly after your accident can help ensure that helpful documents and evidence are gathered and that important deadlines are met.

Understanding the legal timeline can be crucial for protecting your rights. By engaging with a lawyer early, you can also secure assistance with complex legal procedures. Furthermore, missing the filing deadline could mean forfeiting potential compensation. This urgency highlights the importance of early legal consultation to ensure all necessary steps are taken timely.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

After receiving the necessary medical care, one of the most important steps that will need to be taken is to contact an attorney. When it comes to determining the fault of a truck accident, many factors will need to be reviewed, none of which should be overlooked.

Driver Negligence

Was the truck driver involved in the accident acting negligently? Were they paying enough attention to the road? For example, when a trucker fails to sufficiently check their mirrors and blind spots before making a lane change, such inaction can be evidence of negligent conduct that could lead to a serious collision.

In addition to checking blind spots, drivers are expected to maintain safe driving distances and abide by all traffic signals. Ignoring these essential driving practices can have devastating consequences. Regular training and adherence to safety protocols are critical preventive measures that trucking companies should enforce to minimize such risks.

Driver Recklessness

Reckless driving behaviors are unsafe for everyone, and this is especially true when a truck is involved. Speeding, driving under the influence, texting while driving, running a red light, etc., are dangerous behaviors no matter who is engaging in them.

And when it is the driver of a large commercial truck, surrounding vehicle drivers and passengers can be tragically affected.

Reckless driving also encompasses overtaking other vehicles without appropriate caution and failure to adhere to weather conditions. Adjusting driving methods in response to rain, fog, or snow is imperative to protect not only the truck driver but all road users. Each of these behaviors increases the potential for tragic accidents, emphasizing the necessity of strict adherence to road laws.

Driver Fatigue

A trucker is regulated by a standard set of state and federal operating procedures. These include how many hours at a time that they are legally permitted to be on the road. Exhausted drivers will find it much more difficult to effectively and safely operate the heavy vehicles they are driving.

Therefore, they are confined to driving for no more than 11 hours a day. Considering the fact that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that crash risk doubles between the 8th and 10th hours of driving, exceeding these limits can be seriously dangerous.

Understanding and upholding these regulations is crucial. Employers must enforce rest breaks and ensure drivers are not pressured into violating hours-of-service rules to meet demanding schedules. Encouraging a culture of safety over speed is fundamental to reducing fatigue-related incidents.

Employer Negligence

Employers are expected to conduct thorough background checks on the employees they hire. They are also expected to ensure that their truckers are fit to drive before each and every journey.

This means that a trucking company needs to keep track of the types of employees it hires and their behaviors before and during work. Failing to notice that a new employee has a criminal record for DUI or overlooking the fact that a current employee has been driving past their allotted hours could be considered a gross oversight of the employer and cause for legal action.

Companies must also implement regular training programs and conduct performance evaluations to ensure ongoing adherence to safety standards. Encouraging drivers to report any potential safety issues and rewarding compliance with safety protocols can foster a proactive safety culture.

Defective Truck Equipment

Sometimes, the fault of a trucking accident lies not with the driver and not with the company, but with the manufacturer of the truck and/or the vehicle's equipment.

When a commercial vehicle is equipped with faulty brakes or tires, a blowout, spinout, etc. could cause a catastrophic accident, even if the trucker is on-point and the company has taken every precaution necessary.

To mitigate these risks, routine maintenance checks should be scheduled and rigorously adhered to for all fleet vehicles. Engaging certified professionals to inspect and service vehicles can prevent mechanical failures. The importance of a rigorous quality assurance process before trucks hit the road should not be underestimated.

Overloaded/Oversized Trucks

It is considered to be unsafe and illegal to overload commercial trucks that are already both large and heavy before being loaded with additional cargo.

The government has issued strict weight standards for trucks traveling along state highways across the country. When these rules are not adhered to, an overloaded truck that is making a turn could topple and subsequently cause an accident.

An attorney can investigate these matters for you so you can focus solely on recovering. From the truckers themselves to the companies that employ them, to the manufacturers of their vehicles, no one should be exempt from investigation.

Figuring out exactly what caused the trucking accident in which you were involved is one of the most crucial steps to taking legal action.

Cargo must be loaded evenly and secured properly to prevent shifts during transit. Trucking companies must ensure staff involved in loading understand and follow best practices. Regular audits of loading procedures can help maintain compliance and safety across operations.

Understanding Local Truck Routes & Regulations

Truck routes in Palm Springs are strategically essential for efficient transportation but they also come with their own set of regulations to enhance safety for all road users. Commercial drivers must adhere to designated routes designed to accommodate large vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents in more densely populated or narrow street areas. Local ordinances mandate specific weight restrictions and operating hours to minimize disruptions and enhance safety. It's crucial for trucking companies and drivers to be well-informed about these regulations to avoid hefty fines and liability issues.

Understanding these local laws helps in reducing the chances of contributing to road congestion and potential accidents, especially during peak hours. Furthermore, specific intersections like those around downtown Palm Springs may have additional timing restrictions or manned traffic controls to prioritize safety. Staying current with city roadwork plans and temporary route changes is also vital for all commercial truck operations. Ignoring these details not only jeopardizes safety but can also impact a company's reputation and financial stability due to potential legal repercussions from non-compliance.

Supporting the Community: Barry Regar APLC

At Barry Regar APLC, our commitment goes beyond legal representation. We understand the profound impact of truck accidents not just on victims but on entire communities. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting local initiatives aimed at road safety awareness and accident prevention. By participating in local safety campaigns and community meetings, we aim to foster safer driving environments.

Our firm believes in empowering residents with knowledge about their legal rights, helping them make informed decisions in times of crisis. This commitment extends to providing free consultations to Palm Springs residents, ensuring that expert legal guidance is accessible to everyone in our community. Through these efforts, we not only uphold our mission to deliver justice, but also contribute positively to the safety and well-being of Palm Springs as a whole.