The sheer weight and size of tractor-trailers mean that cars and other vehicles usually lose in accidents involving a big truck. The injuries are usually severe and fatalities are common. If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to learn about your options. You may be able to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs of your accident.
At the Walnut Creek, California, law firm of Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, our attorneys have been helping victims of trucking accidents since 1979. In that time, we have acquired a reputation as lawyers who will vigorously advocate for seriously injured clients, including those injured in a truck accident.
truck Accident Cases We Handle In Contra Costa County
TRUCK ACCIDENT CASES WE HANDLE IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Our truck accident lawyers have an enviable record of success, winning substantial verdicts and settlements for truck wreck victims.
Some of our cases have involved:
- Drivers who were drunk or under the influence of drugs
- Semi driver refusing to let other vehicles merge
- Trucker driving too fast for conditions
- Truck driver fatigue
- Shredded truck tires on the highway
- Big rigs forcing smaller vehicles off the road
- Defects in tractor-trailer equipment such as brakes, lights, and couplings
We work with a skilled team of investigators in order to determine liability in these cases.
notable Case Results
NOTABLE CASE RESULTS
Over the years, Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook has established a proven track record of success.
Some of the case results we’ve obtained include:
- $13,700,000 Recovery for Trucking Accident Case
A jury returned a verdict for $13.7 million for three families affected by a tragic trucking accident. The three victims left behind their spouses along with a total of 7 children. The family of a 54 year old mother of three who was killed in the trucking accident, who Andrew Schwartz represented, received $5.2 million.
- $2,750,000 Recovery for Pedestrian Death
This case involves the wrongful death of a 5 year old kindergarten student who was being escorted to school by a teacher employed by the University of California after having been dropped off at a bus stop by a driver for the Berkeley Unified School District. The student was killed by a truck driver in a crosswalk.
Take a look at the results from several of our cases below:
- $13.7 Million Recovery: This was recovered for three families affected by a tragic trucking accident.
- $8.3 Million Recovery: This was recovered for a 40-year-old man who was struck by a truck.
- $5.37 Million Recovery: This was recovered for a 61-year-old who was rear-ended by a truck.
- $3.2 Million Recovery: This was recovered after a truck-vs.-pedestrian death of a senior citizen in Alameda County.
To see more Case Results, click here
SIDESWIPE ACCIDENTS
Sideswipe accidents are often misunderstood and disputed. Drivers will often disagree over who is at fault. However, if one of the vehicles involved is an enormous truck, the damage this might cause could be extreme, especially to smaller cars and their occupants. According to the National Highway Safety and Transportation Board, many sideswipes are caused by trucks and large vehicles changing lanes.
If you’ve been sideswiped by a truck driver, make sure to document the scene as much as possible and seek medical attention if you are injured. Call one of our skilled Walnut Creek truck accident attorneys if you would like to pursue a personal injury case to recover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by this accident.
CAUSES OF SIDESWIPE ACCIDENTS
Sideswipes occur when two vehicles moving in the same direction collide. These happen when one or both of the drivers are distracted, trying to change lanes, or making a turn.
They can also be caused by some of the following:
- Inattention by the driver
- Drunk driving
- Object on the road
- Object in a blind spot the driver can’t see
- Distracted driving
TIRED DRIVERS
Fatigue, or tiredness resulting from a lack of proper sleep, can be just as dangerous on the road as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When someone is driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) and he or she falls asleep behind the wheel, the results can be devastating. Most CMVs can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, and when drivers lose control of these vehicles, they can cause catastrophic injuries, deaths, and massive amounts of property damage.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a fatigued truck driver, don’t hesitate to call us. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for your injuries might all be recovered in a personal injury suit. Our skilled Walnut Creek truck accident attorneys can help you navigate the complex nature of a truck accident case and investigate the underlying cause of your accidents.
HOURS OF SERVICE REGULATIONS
Truck drivers are only allowed to work for a certain number of hours before they are obligated to stop and rest. These regulations were put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA enforces hundreds of rules and regulations for drivers and companies, all of which are designed to prevent accidents and injuries.
The hours of service regulations were created to make sure tired and overworked drivers don’t get behind the wheel. In the past, many truck drivers worked more than 24 hours straight to try and meet a deadline. Exhaustion, fatigue, and stimulant use often contributed to many accidents before the FMCSA stepped in. If your accident was caused by a violation of the hours of service regulations, this incident would be considered a serious violation of federal law and would be sufficient grounds for compensation.
BEGIN A FREE CASE EVALUATION WITH A TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
We investigate every case thoroughly, employing skilled investigators, interviewing witnesses and analyzing the driver’s travel and maintenance logs. We consult with medical experts to determine the nature of your injuries and their impact on your life.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident or are grieving over the loss of a loved one in a collision, contact our Walnut Creek truck accident lawyers at Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook to learn how we may be able to help. We’ve obtained more than 50 settlements and verdicts for amounts greater than $1 million.
