Oakland Truck Accident Attorneys
Accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and big-rigs cause very serious injuries on busy Bay Area freeways and roads. When injuries are serious or life-changing, victims may suffer not just physically and emotionally, but financially as well. If you have been involved in a truck accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries. However, without a skilled attorney advocating your rights and establishing liability, the trucking companies may not be willing to pay you what you deserve.
Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Immediately after a truck accident, the California Highway Patrol or other law enforcement agency investigating an accident will begin looking at all possible causes of an accident, from truck driver fatigue to brake failure. Very often, the trucking company will also dispatch an independent investigator to photograph an accident scene, take measurements, and begin building up the trucking company's defense case, or even trying to make an accident seem like it was your fault. You deserve an attorney who will protect your rights. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner an attorney can help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to.
If you are the victim of an accident, you should not also be the victim of an unfair settlement. At Estey Bomberger, our Oakland accident lawyers, with more than 70 years of experience representing accident victims, are familiar with the tactics, tricks and strategies that trucking companies and their insurance companies use to attempt to devalue personal injury and wrongful death claims. Our law firm has recovered millions in verdicts and settlements for victims of tractor-trailer and semi truck accidents in Oakland and throughout northern California.
Who is Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Tractor-trailer accidents have numerous possible causes. Depending on how an accident occurred, more than one party may be liable for an accident. These parties include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- The owner of the truck
- The parent company of the owner of the truck
- The owner of the freight being hauled
- The employer of the truck driver
- The truck driver
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The manufacturer of any truck part (brakes, tires, etc.)
- The company that performs maintenance on the truck
- The driver of another vehicle involved in a collision
- The manufacture of another vehicle involved in a collision.
Causes of Oakland Truck Accidents
The following are all possible causes and contributing causes to truck accidents resulting in serious injury or death:
- Truck driver falling asleep at the wheel
- Unsafe freight loading
- Negligent maintenance
- Brake failure/malfunctioning
- Unsafe passing
- Falling debris
- Jackknifing
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Complex Nature of Truck Accident Claims
The trucking industry is regulated on a national scale by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA passes regulations on truck driver hours of service, special training requirements, recording receipts and bills, controlled substance drug and alcohol testing, minimum levels of financial responsibility, handling of hazardous materials, and inspections and maintenance. Failure to follow FMCSA can mean additional liability for truck drivers and trucking companies. Choosing an Oakland injury attorney who is familiar with all of the relevant rules and regulations pertaining to your accident is imperative for you to receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Free Consultation
The Oakland traffic accident attorneys at Estey Bomberger offer a free consultation to discuss your potential claim and answer your questions. To talk to an attorney about your potential case, contact us at (510) 978-4380, or fill out the case review form on our site and a member of our team will contact you shortly.