Truck / 'Big Rig' Accident

Trucks or "big-rigs" are one of the largest vehicles you will encounter on the road. They can span up to 75 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 lbs. As you can imagine, these vehicles can cause some of the most devastating injuries in a vehicle to vehicle collision.

Statistics show that each year there are around 500,000 big rig accidents in the United States. Every year, around 5,000 people will die from those accidents. The rate of death is much higher than an auto accident. While truck accidents only make up about 7% of all motor vehicle crashes, they result in 12% of all auto accident deaths.

Recent years has seen a drastic increase in the number of tractor trailer trucks on the roadways in Sacramento and across the state. Right along with this increase is the increase in tractor trailer truck related deaths and accidents.

Statistics show that the number of fatalities related to long haul trucks is significantly larger than those related to other vehicles. This is the same for multiple vehicle crashes as well. Accidents with a large truck almost always result in serious injury for the driver and passengers of the car involved in the accident.

The most common cause of big-rig collisions, are lack of sleep for the driver, causing roughly 30% of all truck accidents. Some other common causes of big rig collisions are speeding, failure to yield, tire blowout, overloaded trucks, and drunk driving.

While drivers of these mammoth machines must be trained, licensed and insured, there is still room for error. Working long, tiresome hours with no breaks, sleep deprivation, tight deadlines, blind spots and excessive cargo can all cause drivers err in a big truck.

Food, boredom, loneliness and stress can all cause distractions for a long haul truck driver. Big trucks need more time to stop and maneuver many roadways so any distraction can be a dangerous one in a big rig.

Mechanical defects and excessive cargo are other ways long haul truckers can cause accidents. While truck weigh stations exist to curb the chances of an accident, it doesn’t always work. Overloaded trucks are dangerous. They can be slower to move and faster to tip over than they should be.

In 2013 in California a married couple was involved in a big rig accident that left them paralyzed and needing care for the duration of their lives. The case, Sheth v. Schneider National Carriers Inc., Riverside County Superior Court, resulted in a settlement of $37,845,883 for the couples terrible suffering and losses.

In California, the law imposes a statute of limitations, which sets a maximum amount of time that legal proceedings can occur after the date the incident. Each year at our Law Office, people call me to ask me for help that have legitimate cases, only to find their statute of limitations has run out. It is one of the most difficult things for me to tell them I can’t help because they waited too long.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck / 'big rig' accident, you will need a lawyer with experience.

Moseley Collins is a personal injury lawyer serving those badly hurt throughout California. There is absolutely no fee to discuss your case and there is absolutely no fee unless we win and get you the money you are entitled to. We are on your side and know what to do to get you compensation and justice.

Moseley Collins
980 9th St, 16th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 444-4444