Commonly weighing in at over 100,000 pounds, semi-trucks, 18 wheelers, and other large tractor-trailers are massive vehicles on the roadways of Perris, Riverside County, and the rest of California every day. The disproportionate discrepancy in size between these vehicles and other motor vehicles and motorcycles on the road make any collision involving a large truck a serious concern – especially because most of these collisions take place on freeways at higher speed than on city streets. Truck accidents commonly result in serious injuries and fatalities for those involved, so responsible behavior by drivers, manufacturing companies, and trucking companies should be paramount. If you were injured in a truck accident, contact an experienced Perris Truck Accident Attorney to learn if you may be entitled too compensation for your injuries.
Truck Accidents in Perris
Perris is a steadily growing town in Riverside County with a population close to 78,000 in 2018. Close to major freeways including the 215 and State Route 74, large trucks and in, around, and passing through the city on a daily basis. The city sits in the California county with the third highest commercial trucking miles – more than 2.1 million are driven daily. This large presence of trucks in and around Perris means that other motorists and their passengers are exposed to these massive vehicles daily and at significant risk of injuries or death from truck accidents.
Thousands of people were killed in 2017 in trucking accidents, and in 2016 alone 312 individuals in Perris were killed or injured in motor vehicle collisions – collisions often involving large trucks. In June 2019, a motorcyclist was hit and killed by a tractor-trailor near Ethanac Road, while in the same month a semi-truck driver was killed in a crash on the 215 freeway. Even though there are laws governing the trucking industry, intoxicated driving, speeding, distracted driving, drowsy driving, and improperly loaded trucks all still occur and raise the level of danger on roadways. All these factors come together to put motorists and their passengers at high risk of involvement in a serious truck accident.
Federal and State Trucking Laws
Due to the inherent risks of operating large commercial trucks and the risks to other motorists on the road, both federal and state laws current exist to regulate the behavior and standards imposed on truck drivers and trucking companies. Federal rules govern areas including driver licensing, maintenance and truck safety inspections, hazardous material transportation, impaired driving, and mandatory hour limits and rest breaks for drivers. Additionally, California has further regulations, such as a requirement that drivers operate their trucks at a lower speed than the posted limits on its roadways.
How Do I Win My Case?
Truck accident victims in and around Perris that can prove another party negligently caused their injuries may be able to recover for their damages. Once the elements of negligence are satisfied, the negligent party is liable for your provable injuries unless can raise a defense. A common way to establish liability is proving the victim’s injuries resulted from another party violating a law, rule, or regulation. If, for example, a truck driver injured someone while breaking the speed limit, they are presumed negligent. Negligence can be tricky to establish, so it’s best done by an experienced Perris truck accident attorney.
Once negligence is presumed, you may be able to recover compensatory or even punitive damages for your injuries. These damages are especially important in truck accident cases because medical bills can be astronomical for victims and often result in long-term or lifelong physical, financial, or emotional consequences if they survive the accident. Because of this, the government mandates all commercial trucks carry a mandatory minimum insurance coverage of at least $750,000 to ensure they will be able to compensate victims adequately for any damages they are required to pay.
What Will I Get If I Win My Case?
If a Perris truck accident victim can prove someone negligently caused their injuries, they may be able to recover damages they are able to prove in court. Compensatory damages are the most common damages awarded and meant to make a victim whole for their injuries. Compensatory damages can be given for concrete, quantifiable injuries including burial costs, hospital and other medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, or damage to their property such as their vehicle repair costs. These damages may also be given for injuries that do not have a definite price tag. These commonly include trauma such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, or loss of companionship.
In some cases, victims may be awarded punitive damages to punish particularly bad behavior by the wrongdoer and serve as a deterrent for them and others from repeating the conduct. These have a high burden of proof and require specific circumstances be demonstrated, so they are not commonly awarded. The difficulty of establishing the circumstances needed to secure a punitive damage award is best tackled by an experienced Perris truck accident attorney to prevent potentially costly legal pitfalls in your case.
Contact a Perris Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were involved in a truck accident, contact the experienced Perris Truck Accident Attorneys at Walton Law today to protect your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys have years of practice providing dedicated, personalized advocacy for victims like you in and around Perris. We have recovered millions to compensate them for their injuries. Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (866)-338-7079 or through our online Contact Page to schedule a no risk, no obligation initial consultation today. The initial case review is free, and you do not pay until we win your case. Let our highly skilled attorneys review the unique facts of your situation, help you understand your options, and fight for the best outcome possible so you can focus on your recovery.