The commercial trucking industry provides a valuable service to people in the San Joaquin Valley. Large semi-trucks continuously travel through the area while delivering goods and cargo to local and far-off destinations. These large commercial vehicles sometimes cause accidents that pose a severe risk of injury to other people on the road.
When a trucking wreck injures you or a family member, consider meeting with a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer to determine whether you have grounds to file a civil lawsuit. A skilled personal injury attorney at Colvin Accident Lawyers could help you build a strong case against the responsible party who caused the wreck.
What Are Common Injuries After Truck Wrecks?
Semis are the most oversized vehicles on the road, often crushing passenger cars when they collide into them. The car’s occupants are at risk of life-altering injuries such as:
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Crush injuries, including loss of limbs and internal organ trauma
Truck crashes can be fatal. Compassionate legal representatives could help grieving family members seek justice for their deceased loved one in a wrongful death claim. Diligent attorneys in Bakersfield could also help an injured person evaluate their losses and pursue fair damages following a tractor-trailer wreck.
Why Do Big Rig Crashes Occur in Bakersfield?
Most truck wrecks are not accidents. Crashes involving trucks typically happen because someone acted negligently or recklessly. Although the trucker is often at fault for a collision, their employer, the manufacturer of the semi-truck, or another party might also bear responsibility.
Driver Inexperience
Operating a truck is vastly different than operating a car. Truckers must undergo extensive training on how to drive semi-trucks properly. This training includes processes for monitoring blind spots, which are more prominent on trucks than on passenger vehicles. Additionally, truckers must understand how to make wide turns with their vehicle and control their trailer—especially those carrying heavy loads.
Driver Negligence
Truck collisions often occur due to driver negligence. The trucker might speed, drive drunk, fail to follow traffic laws, text and drive, or commit other driving mistakes. The trucker might also feel pressure to reach their destination quickly by driving without a break. In these situations, the company that employs the trucker could be at fault, especially when they set dangerous delivery expectations for the driver.
Vehicle Problems
Some problems occur even when truck drivers adhere to the rules of the road. For example, manufacturing defects can cause a truck to malfunction, making the manufacturer, mechanic, or owner potentially liable for a wreck.
Loading Problems
When the cargo company fails to secure the load on the truck, the items could fall out, causing an imbalance in the trailer. The company in charge of loading the cargo could be liable for a truck rollover or other accidents resulting from improperly loaded cargo.
A local lawyer could review the evidence from the crash to learn why it occurred and identify all liable parties.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
One of the most complex aspects of a truck accident claim is identifying every liable party. Unlike a standard car accident, multiple parties may share responsibility in a commercial trucking crash:
The truck driver — for negligent or reckless driving, fatigue, or impairment.
The trucking company — for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressuring drivers to skip rest breaks, or failing to maintain vehicles.
The cargo loading company — if improperly secured cargo contributed to the crash.
The truck manufacturer — if a mechanical defect caused or worsened the collision.
A maintenance contractor — if poor service left brakes or tires in a dangerous condition.
Trucking companies carry large insurance policies and deploy experienced legal teams quickly after a crash. Our firm moves just as fast. We gather evidence, preserve black box data, and secure witness statements before anything disappears.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
California law allows truck accident victims to seek compensation for a wide range of damages:
- Medical expenses — current and future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- In wrongful death cases, funeral costs and loss of companionship
California operates under a pure comparative fault system, which means you may still recover compensation even if you carried some responsibility for the accident. Our attorneys work to establish the clearest possible picture of fault so your recovery reflects the full extent of what you have lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in California? Under California’s statute of limitations, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date. If a government entity is involved — for example, a municipal vehicle — you may have as little as six months to file a government claim. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.
Q: What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Bakersfield? Seek medical attention first, even if your injuries feel minor. Call 911 so a CHP or Bakersfield Police Department report gets filed. Photograph the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries if you are able. Collect the truck driver’s information, including their employer and insurance details. Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance company before consulting a lawyer.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault? Yes. California follows a pure comparative fault rule, which means your compensation reduces in proportion to your share of fault — but you can still recover even if you were partially responsible. Our attorneys work to minimize any fault attributed to you.
Q: How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney at Colvin Accident Lawyers? Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees and no legal costs unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is completely free.
Q: What makes truck accident cases more complicated than regular car accident claims? Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, corporate defendants with experienced legal teams, and complex evidence like electronic logging device (ELD) data, black box records, and driver qualification files. These cases require a lawyer with specific experience — not just any personal injury attorney.
Q: What if the trucking company denies responsibility right away? This is common. Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to protect their interests. Our firm responds with equal speed — securing accident reconstruction experts, subpoenaing records, and building a case that stands up under scrutiny.
Q: Do truck accident cases go to trial in California? Most cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as though it will go before a judge and jury. That preparation is precisely what motivates fair settlement offers from opposing counsel.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Bakersfield for Help
Truck crashes can immediately and permanently change your life. You might not know what to do in the immediate aftermath of such a massive accident.
Fortunately, a Bakersfield truck accident lawyer could guide you through the legal process so you thoroughly understand your legal rights and options. Contact our legal team members at Colvin Accident Lawyers and let us fight for what you deserve.
