Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorney
Big trucks dominate the road, and we see them all the time in Huntington Beach. Some trucks deliver packages right to a person’s doorstep, but most large trucks move tons of freight in and out of the city. Without these trucks, we would have fewer goods for sale in our stores, so truckers provide a critical link to the modern economy.
If you were hit by a truck, call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers. We are the right firm to handle your case. Our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys have negotiated hundreds of favorable settlements for injured victims.
We aren’t afraid to head into court to sue a gigantic national trucking company, either. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation, (714) 536-9366.
Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?
At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we represent victims of various truck accidents:
- Blown tire accidents. A truck will become unmanageable when a tire blows. Unfortunately, the stress on tires is incredible and many of them explode while a truck is racing at high speeds down the highway.
- Lane change accidents. Larger vehicles have larger blind spots, and it isn’t unusual for a truck to smash into a car which is in one. These accidents happen frequently on California’s highways.
- Overrides. A truck can literally drive over a smaller vehicle caught in its way.
- Underride. Some vehicles get wedged under a trailer, especially at the sides where there isn’t an underride bar.
- Rollovers. Trucks can roll onto their sides due to instability. This happens when trailers are unevenly loaded, or dump trucks have material stuck in the box when lifted.
- Jackknifes. A semi-truck can get into a jackknife when the trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, slamming into cars in the way.
These are some of the most common truck accidents in Huntington Beach. Call our Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorney for help deciding whether you can seek financial compensation.
What Causes So Many Truck Accidents?
Trucker negligence is a major contributing factor. Truckers often crash because of:
- Fatigue
- Texting and driving
- Inattention
- Drug or alcohol impairment
- Failure to yield
- Blind spot accidents
- Aggressive maneuvers
- Illegal turns
In other situations, something other than the trucker is to blame:
- Truck defects, like malfunctioning brakes or steering systems
- Road defects, including poorly set-up work zones or missing traffic signals
- Negligent motorists, who might cut off a trucker and force defensive action
Trucking companies act fast after a collision, often sending investigators to the scene immediately. Their goal is to gather evidence and speak to witnesses to build their case. As an injured victim, it’s nearly impossible to conduct your own investigation—especially if you’re recovering in a hospital bed.
That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side. At El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers, we’ll fight to secure critical evidence, including access to the truck for inspection, to strengthen your claim. Call us today for the help you deserve.
Suing the Correct Defendant
To obtain compensation, we need to assign blame for the crash. That means figuring out what happened. Many victims aren’t entirely sure. Everything seems a blur and they are in incredible pain.
We can review all evidence in your case. Typically, we end up seeking compensation from:
- Truck drivers. A trucker is often to blame for refusing to drive carefully. Some even take dangerous actions, like refusing to yield or running a red light.
- Employer. A trucker’s employer is usually liable when their employee negligently hurts someone. This is called “vicarious liability” in California. We might also sue them if they were negligent in hiring or supervision.
- Truck owner. The truck might be owned by a different company. The truck’s owner is responsible for ensuring it is safe to drive on the road.
- Mechanics. A mechanic could have performed substandard repairs or overlooked an obvious problem when the truck was in the shop. They are on the hook if the defect leads to an accident.
- Truck manufacturers. A defect in the truck or a component part could lead to a wreck. For example, defective tires might blow, which would make the accident the fault of the tire manufacturer.
- Loading companies. The company that owns the freight might load it into the truck. They need to ensure it is properly secured and balanced. If not, then the truck could jackknife or roll over.
These Accidents Are Not Like Car Wrecks
You may have been in a car accident before, but truck accidents are a whole different matter.
1. Evidence is harder to locate. Truck accident cases usually rely on different pieces of evidence. The truck might have data downloaded continuously by a black box. We can ask the trucking company for access to this information. There might also be employee or drug testing records which could play a critical role.
2. Trucking companies employ huge teams to defend them. They don’t easily settle cases. Instead, they spend millions on investigators, insurance companies, and lawyers. More money is at stake with a truck accident, which is why they fight harder.
3. Truck injuries are more serious. Because the truck is so large, it can cause major injuries. Some victims might never fully recover, which makes negotiating a settlement tough.
4. There are many possible defendants. You need an experienced lawyer who can carefully review each piece of evidence and identify the correct defendant.
Call El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers. Our experienced attorneys have handled many truck accident cases. Whether you were hit by a semi or a box truck, you deserve a seasoned advocate.
Laws Relating to Truck Accidents
Some of the critical laws to pay attention to include:
- Statute of limitations. This is the maximum time you have to file a lawsuit. In California, it is two years from the day of your accident.
- Drug testing. Trucking companies follow detailed regulations regarding drug testing. They need to test at random throughout the year and after certain accidents.
- Hours of service. These regulations are set at the federal level and limit the amount of hauling in a day and week. The purpose is to reduce a trucker’s fatigue.
- Weight requirements. Both the state and federal governments set a weight limit for trucks, and truckers can be fined for violating them.
Truck Accident Hotspots in Orange County
Truck accidents are a serious concern on Orange County roads. In 2022 alone, 395 crashes involved trucks, with a significant 59% occurring on state highways. Speeding was the leading cause of these collisions, followed closely by unsafe lane changes.
Here’s a breakdown of the Orange County cities with the highest number of truck accident victims:
Aliso Viejo
- 60 crashes (1 fatality, 81 injuries)
- Key areas: West of SR-73, near Aliso Viejo Town Center and Laguna Marketplace
Anaheim
- 81 crashes (3 fatalities, 108 injuries)
- Key areas: SR-91 and the SR-91/I-5 junction
Costa Mesa
- 31 crashes (39 injuries)
- Key areas: I-405, the I-405 and SR-55 interchange, and around Westside Costa Mesa
Irvine
- 20 crashes (1 fatality, 25 injuries)
- Key areas: I-5 and I-405
Orange
- 23 crashes (1 fatality, 27 injuries)
- Key areas: SR-55, SR-57, and the I-5 interchange
Santa Ana
- 31 crashes (45 injuries)
- Key areas: I-5 and SR-55
If you frequently travel on these roads, stay alert and exercise extra caution around large trucks. Even a moment of inattention can have life-altering consequences.
Speak with a Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision involving a commercial truck or big rig, we’re here to help. Call (714) 536-9366 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Huntington Beach truck accident attorney. Whether you’re facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, or coping with the wrongful death of a loved one, we have the expertise to fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Don’t wait—your path to justice starts with one call.
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I want to thank El Dabe Ritter Trial lawyer they are best, they alway find ways to help even if is a hard case, they all very kind and they treated me with respect, thank you again for helping me it's a pleasure to have you as my lawyers.
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