Massive commercial trucks like big rigs, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers are a common sight on the busy 215 freeway in and around Perris. Though they recognize these vehicles are much larger than traditional passenger cars, most motorists fail to truly understand how risky an encounter with these huge trucks, commonly weighing over 100,000 pounds, can be. The difference between vehicle sizes unfortunately means catastrophic injuries and fatalities result when accidents do occur. The risk for damage is only heightened because big rig truck accidents often take place on highways with elevated speed limits, generating a greater collision force. The high-risk nature of operating big rigs means everyone involved with commercial trucks needs to behave with the utmost care at all times to minimize risk to others. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and results in devastating consequences. If you were injured during a crash with a large commercial truck, contact an experienced Perris Big Rig Truck Accident Attorney to learn if you may be entitled to compensation.
Truck Accident Risk Factors in Perris
Perris is a relatively small commuter town of over 76,200 residents – not exactly the first place that comes to mind as risky for motorists to collide with big rig trucks. However, the town’s location near the massive 215 freeway and busy State Route 74, and the large number of residents commuting to and from major metro areas for work on a daily basis, puts numerous locals on the road with big rigs and other large commercial vehicles regularly. Riverside County is the third-busiest county in California for commercial trucking; drivers log nearly 2.1 million daily miles on the county’s roads in and around Perris. The large big rig population, heavy freeway traffic, elevated speed limits, and shockingly common negligent behavior behind the all elevate the risk to innocent motorists in Perris.
How Do I Recover for My injuries?
In California, big rig truck accident victims most often file a civil lawsuit to try and recover for their injuries based on the argument someone’s negligence caused their harm. Depending on the facts and the circumstances that caused the accident, victims may sue responsible parties such as:
- Truck drivers,
- Trucking companies,
- Repair shops, and
- Truck manufacturers.
To establish someone’s liability you must show they owed you a legal duty of care, breached their duty through either an act or a failure to act, and their breach caused your injuries. If you can establish this, they’ll be deemed legally negligence and will be liable for your damages unless they have a valid legal defense.
In some cases, victims may be able to prove negligence through negligence per se if evidence exists the defendant broke a law, rule, or regulation when they caused the accident and your injuries. With big rig accidents, this extends to cover traffic laws such as posted speed limits or prohibitions on texting and driving. Examining evidence at the scene of the crash and relying on witness statements can help determine if any laws were broken. Because trucking companies and big rig drivers have many additional rules to follow when driving, this is often a wise argument to pursue. Both federal and state governments have passed regulations for big rigs such as:
- Commercial truck driver licensing,
- Maintenance requirements,
- Safety inspections,
- Hazardous material transportation, and
- Hour limits per shift and rest breaks for big rig drivers.
California has gone further than the federal government and created additional regulations, such as the requirement big rigs and other commercial trucks operate at speed even lower than the posted speed limits for normal vehicles on its highways.
How Much Will I Recover for My Injuries?
The size difference between a massive big rig and a regular passenger vehicle makes it unsurprising catastrophic injuries and fatalities when these two are involved in a collision. Soaring medical bills, extended or even a lifetime of care and rehabilitation, and permanent disability are all common challenges faced by victims. The government realized the situation and have taken steps to ensure truckers and the companies they work for can afford to pay large damage awards for their negligence. Currently, every commercial truck in the United States, including all big rigs, semi-trucks, and 18 wheelers, must carry no less than $750,000 in liability insurance coverage; that coverage amount jumps to a minimum $5 million if a truck ever carries hazardous materials.
Victims hurt by a defendant’s negligence may receive damage awards to try and make up for their injuries – these may be given by courts for physical, emotional, mental, and financial harm from the accident. Victims may recover for injuries such as:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and lost future earning capacity,
- Property damages,
- Pain and suffering,
- Permanent disability or disfigurement, and
- Loss of consortium (companionship).
In some cases, victims may be entitled to an additional damage award from the court to punish a defendant’s particularly vile, reprehensible behavior and discourage repetition of the egregious conduct. Because punitive damage awards may be large, they are discretionary, and you must satisfy a high burden of proof to qualify. To avoid costly missteps in these tricky legal waters, it’s advisable to seek help from a skilled Perris big rig truck accident attorney.
Speak to an Attorney
Anyone involved in a big rig truck accident knows all too well that these collisions can shatter victims’ lives in a matter of moments. Those lucky enough to survive an encounter with a large commercial truck still face an uphill road to recovery, so don’t delay – contact the experienced Perris Big Rig Truck Accident Attorneys at Walton Law, APC today to put the best foot forward on your claim for recovery. Our attorneys have been providing tailored, comprehensive representation for victims just like you and recovered millions of dollars their behalf. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our online Contact Page to schedule a risk free, no obligation case evaluation today. The initial consultation is free, and you pay nothing until we win your case. Let our skilled attorneys use our knowledge and resources to secure the best possible outcome for you so you can focus on getting your life back.