Side-Impact Truck Accidents in Bakersfield

Donald Colvin, Esq

Trucks have a necessary presence on the roads for purposes like shipping goods from one place to another. Where there are large commercial trucks, there is an increased risk of vehicular collisions. Side-impact truck accidents in Bakersfield can result in devastating injuries because of the sheer size and weight of trucks compared to everyday vehicles.

When you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries resulting from a catastrophic collision, contact us at Colvin Accident Lawyers to discuss your case. Get a free consultation and see how our dedicated tractor-trailer wreck attorneys can assist you with pursuing compensation.

Common Causes of Side-Impact Truck Crashes

The trucking industry is essential to the country’s economy and affects many other industries. However, the demands placed on truck drivers can lead to accidents. For example, truckers could be fatigued from driving long distances or at night under strict time constraints.

Similarly, road conditions, lack of training or certifications, improperly loaded trucks, and neglect contribute to collisions. As a Bakersfield lawyer could further explain, the risk of a side-impact truck crash is high when these factors are present.

Determining Liability in Side-Impact Collisions

Liability in side-impact crashes often involves multiple parties, making the case confusing and overwhelming. In addition, insurance companies often attempt to avoid paying a fair settlement.

Working with our experienced attorneys at Colvin Accident Lawyers can prove invaluable. Examples of Bakersfield parties who could be to blame in side-impact truck accidents include the following:

  • The trucker: If they were driving negligently
  • The trucking company: If they failed to train drivers properly, ignored maintenance problems, or contributed to poor working conditions
  • A maintenance or repair person: If a mechanical failure causes an accident
  • Truck manufacturers: If a defective part contributed to a collision

When you work with our team of experienced lawyers, we investigate what happened and help determine who was at fault.

Who Can Recover Damages After an Accident?

Even if the injured person in a side-impact truck wreck in Bakersfield is partly at fault, they could still pursue compensation. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. If the injured party is partly to blame, the court will determine the percentage of fault each party holds and then reduce the amount of recovery accordingly.

For example, if the injured party was only 10% to blame for the incident, and the court awarded one million dollars in damages, the final amount recovered would be reduced to $900,000. We understand that life-altering injuries are costly, which can place financial strain on those facing the aftermath of a side-impact truck collision.

Types of Compensation Available

Injured individuals can seek damages such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages from an inability to work
  • Lost wages from reduced earning potential
  • Property damage for repair or replacement of a vehicle
  • Ongoing therapies
  • Modifications to accommodate physical conditions or disability

A plaintiff could also pursue nonmonetary damages for pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, emotional distress, and disfigurement.

Call Us For Help After a Side-Impact Truck Accident in Bakersfield

Side-impact truck accidents in Bakersfield are an unfortunate reality. We share the roads with commercial trucks, but not all of these drivers choose to operate their vehicles in a safe manner. When you have been seriously hurt in a collision, call Colvin Accident Lawyers for help.

During your complimentary consultation, our dedicated personal injury attorneys could listen to your case and get started on the first step in securing the compensation you need.