Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in California

Most California truck accidents are caused by speeding, distracted driving, and truck driver fatigue. Commercial truck accidents are especially common in Los Angeles and the Central Valley. Congested highways, road construction, and confusing interchanges influence the high incidence of truck accidents statewide.

Contributing factors in Los Angeles truck accidents include heavy port traffic and complex interchanges, while a deadly mix of tule fog, agricultural vehicles, and long-haul trucks on Highway 99 makes the Central Valley an epicenter of truck accidents.

Catastrophic injuries are common in truck accidents because of the commercial vehicles’ increased weight and mass compared to passenger vehicles. A fully loaded semi can weigh 80,000 pounds, while most passenger vehicles weigh around 4,000 pounds. Even the best crash protection cannot withstand the forces of a commercial truck collision.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses. Our experienced California truck accident lawyers are committed to helping you get the best result possible.

What are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents in CA?

Truck accidents in California are often severe due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Knowing the most common types of truck accidents can help you stay informed and safe on the road. At The Barnes Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how these crashes impact victims and their families. The following are the most frequent types of California truck accidents:

Truck Rollovers

Truck rollovers are highly dangerous and often cause multi-vehicle crashes. These catastrophes happen when a truck tips over, typically due to excessive speed, sharp turns, or improperly loaded cargo. California’s winding roads and steep inclines are common spots for rollover incidents, which can block lanes, cause pileups, and result in severe damages for those involved.

Rear-End Collisions

These truck collisions are particularly devastating for smaller vehicles. Due to their size and stopping distance, heavy-duty vehicles can easily rear-end other cars if the driver is distracted, following too closely, or if the truck experiences brake failure. Rear-end collisions often cause significant harm, such as whiplash or broken bones.

Head-On Collisions

These types of truck crashes are often fatal, especially for smaller vehicles. Head-on collisions typically occur when a truck veers into oncoming traffic, usually due to driver fatigue, distraction, or mechanical failure. The force of the impact, combined with the truck’s size, can cause catastrophic damage and long-term injuries.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s cab and trailer fold into a 90-degree angle, often blocking multiple lanes. Sudden braking, wet roads, or improper handling typically cause these tragedies. Jackknives can prompt severe multi-car collisions and result in life-threatening harm or fatalities for those nearby.

T-Bone Accidents

T-Bone accidents happen when a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle, typically at intersections. These side-impact collisions are usually the result of a heavy-duty vehicle running a red light or failing to yield. T-bone crashes are particularly dangerous for passengers on the impacted side because they can cause life-threatening injuries.

Sideswipe Accidents

These accidents occur when a truck changes lanes and hits a vehicle beside it. Large trucks have significant blind spots, and drivers may not see smaller cars in these “no-zones.” Sideswipes can cause transport to veer off the road or into other lanes, leading to rollovers or multi-vehicle crashes.

Wide Turn Accidents

Wide turn incidents happen when a truck swings wide left to make a right turn, striking another vehicle. These events are usual in urban areas with limited space, and truck drivers may misjudge the room needed for a safe turn. These crashes can cause substantial damage, especially if the truck driver fails to check their mirrors adequately.

Why Are There So Many Truck Collisions Throughout CA?

California is a central hub for trucking due to its expansive highway system and bustling ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach. The high volume of trucks on the road, coupled with long driving hours, driver fatigue, and roadway hazards, contributes to the prevalence of truck accidents. In recent years, 3,253 people died in commercial vehicle accidents in California, and 6,620 were seriously injured.

Half of all truck accident deaths occurred in Los Angeles, although only 27 percent of the state’s population lives there. Los Angeles has a high incidence of truck accident fatalities due partially to heavy port traffic on Interstates 710, 110, 405, and the 5. Because these highways are older, drivers encounter significant road construction that causes confusion, bottlenecks, and increased congestion. Los Angeles also has narrow roads in some areas.

The Perfect Storm for Truck Accidents in the Central Valley

The Central Valley is another hotspot for truck accidents, particularly in the Fresno, Redding, and Sacramento metropolitan areas. Highway 99 is often cited as one of the nation’s most dangerous highways, and the highest fatality rate is in Fresno. Approximately 19% of truck accident fatalities occur in the Fresno area, although only 2.6% of the state’s population lives there. Redding and Sacramento also see disproportionately high numbers of truck accident deaths.

As the nation’s largest agricultural hub, the Central Valley experiences a heavy mix of agricultural and long-haul truck traffic. The following factors contribute to accidents:

• Tule fog
• Traffic congestion
• Long stretches of straight road, which contribute to speeding
• Road construction
• Drunk drivers
• Lack of nighttime lighting
• Outdated infrastructure with narrow roads and bottlenecks

General Trucking Behaviors that Contribute to Accidents Throughout the State

Truck drivers follow demanding and often unrealistic delivery schedules. They may attempt unsafe shortcuts or speed to compensate for congestion-related delays. Federal law allows truck drivers to spend up to 11 hours behind the wheel per shift with only one 30-minute break. Such long hours can cause drowsiness, and fatigued driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

Many trucking companies contribute to accidents by failing to perform regular maintenance or repair defects. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions can cause a truck to lose control and endanger others on the road. Such incidents can almost always be prevented through regular inspections and appropriate maintenance.

The demand for trucking has increased to such an extent that trucking companies often have trouble finding enough drivers to meet the demand. Some companies respond by hiring unqualified drivers and allowing them to drive before they are properly trained.

Trucking companies and cargo loaders also cause accidents by overloading or improperly loading cargo. Unbalanced and excessively heavy loads increase the risk of rollover accidents and cargo spills. Overloading also makes trucks unstable and increases their stopping distance, making it easier for drivers to lose control of their trucks.

The Severity of Truck Injuries

A fully-loaded tractor-trailer in California can weigh 80,000 pounds, which is approximately 20 times heavier than most passenger vehicles. They can be as long as 75 feet and are constructed of stronger materials. The forces of an impact during a truck collision are often greater than any passenger vehicle could withstand.

Large trucks can easily penetrate most cars and make contact with the occupants. The risks of multi-vehicle pileups, fires, and explosions are higher due to the increased momentum of such large vehicles.

For example, if a truck rolls onto a car, the vehicle and its occupants could be crushed. If a car is caught in the V between the trailer and the cab during a jackknife, the car could be severely crushed, along with everyone inside. Underride accidents can prompt particularly catastrophic injuries affecting the head and neck, including decapitation.

Rear-end collisions are often minor accidents when they involve two passenger vehicles. However, when a commercial truck rear-ends a car, the vehicle could explode or end up in the middle of an intersection, resulting in multiple impacts and injuries.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accident injuries often require months, years, or a lifetime of medical care. Common truck accident injuries include:

• Crushed and broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Severe burns
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Amputations
• Death

Injuries are not always immediately apparent after an accident. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel hurt. Certain brain and spinal cord injuries are treatable early on, but the window of opportunity is short. Such injuries could result in permanent disabilities or death if not treated promptly.

Why Should You Work With a California Truck Accident Lawyer?

Truck accident claims are complex due to the catastrophic nature of the injuries and the liability of multiple parties. Trucking companies, cargo loading companies, the driver, maintenance companies, and others may be responsible for a crash.

Trucking companies are wealthy corporations with teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing their liability. They have vast resources, which they would rather use to fight accident victims than compensate them. You need a truck accident attorney with significant experience and resources to level the playing field.

When your injuries cause disabilities that require long-term medical treatment and prevent you from working, your life changes, sometimes forever. You could face a reduced quality of life and financial devastation. When someone else is at fault, you deserve full compensation.

Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys understand a truck accident’s true costs, and we can help you get the best results possible from your claim.

Why Choose The Barnes Law Firm?

We are one of America’s largest personal injury law firms. Our attorneys have over 500 years of combined experience with unparalleled success. We have handled over 150,000 accident cases and recovered $2.5 billion in successful case results. When you hire our knowledgeable California truck accident attorneys, you can focus on recovery while we handle all legal details, such as:

• Working with accident reconstructionists and forensic experts to investigate the accident
• Identifying all responsible parties
• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Locating and reviewing video footage
• Calculating your damages
• Negotiating a settlement and taking your case to trial if the responsible parties refuse to pay fair compensation

Although our firm is large, you will receive personalized legal support from a compassionate attorney who cares about your case. Your attorney will come to your home, office, or hospital at your convenience, and we are available 24/7.

With hundreds of five-star client reviews, our attorneys are passionate about advocating for what’s right. We understand the devastation a truck accident can cause and pride ourselves on giving clients a voice and presence in the courtroom.

We have offices throughout California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland.

Get in Touch With The Barnes Firm

If you or your loved one was injured in a California truck accident, you deserve compensation for your emotional and financial losses. Our award-winning California truck accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation you deserve anywhere in California. Your initial consultation with one of our attorneys is free, and we charge no fee unless you get paid.

Contact us online today or call (800) 800-0000 for a free consultation.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
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