Common Causes of Truck Accidents and How to Prove Liability
Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions involving these vehicles often result in catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, or even the tragic loss of life. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents and determining liability is crucial to filing a successful claim for compensation and holding the responsible parties accountable.
At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we are experienced in handling truck accident cases in Southern California. We understand the impact these accidents can have on you and your family, and we're dedicated to helping you explore the most frequent causes of truck accidents, the legal principles involved in determining fault, and how you can protect your right to pursue compensation under California law.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents typically result in significant injury and property damage due to the size, weight, and scale of commercial vehicles. Like many other motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are preventable. In California, the most common causes include the following:
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often work grueling schedules to meet strict deadlines, leading to exhaustion behind the wheel. Despite hour-of-service (HOS) regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) limiting the number of consecutive hours a driver can work, violations still occur. Fatigue leads to slower reaction times, impaired decision-making, and a greater risk of dozing off while driving.
Distracted Driving
Whether it involves texting, adjusting a GPS, or eating while driving, truck drivers are not immune to distractions. Given the substantial size of commercial vehicles, even a momentary lapse of attention can result in catastrophic consequences.
Improper Loading
Cargo that is improperly loaded or secured can unbalance a truck. Overloaded vehicles or shifting cargo may lead to rollovers, jackknife accidents, or lost loads, which can endanger other drivers on the road. California law, including the state’s adoption of the FMCSA cargo securement rules, requires that all cargo be properly distributed and restrained.
Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Commercial trucks require routine maintenance to operate safely. Brake failure, tire blowouts, and malfunctioning steering systems are among the most common mechanical failures that contribute to accidents. Trucking companies are legally obligated under California law to ensure their vehicles meet safety standards, as outlined in California Vehicle Code § 34501.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) remains a major concern in highway safety. Truck drivers are held to stricter legal limits for blood alcohol concentration compared to regular drivers.
In California, a truck driver can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.04% or higher (compared to 0.08% for other motorists). Even legal substances, such as prescription medications, can impair a driver’s ability to operate safely and can also result in a DUI charge.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Truck drivers are sometimes pressured to meet tight delivery schedules, leading them to speed or drive aggressively. However, speeding greatly increases the likelihood of losing control, particularly for large vehicles that require longer stopping distances. This form of negligence places everyone on the road at risk and is especially egregious.
How to Prove Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Determining fault after a truck accident can often be complicated compared to other types of motor vehicle collisions. In California, truck accident liability often involves multiple parties, such as the driver, trucking company, or even the manufacturer of truck components. To build a successful case, you will need to gather solid evidence that reinforces your claim and proves negligence.
Step 1: Identify the At-Fault Parties
To file a successful claim after a truck accident, you will need to determine who was responsible. Under California law, several parties may share liability, including:
The truck driver: If the driver’s negligence, such as fatigue, distracted driving, or DUI, caused the accident, they can be held accountable.
The trucking company: If the commercial company failed to enforce proper hiring practices, training, or vehicle maintenance, it could be held liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
Shippers or loaders: When improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributes to an accident, liability may extend to those responsible for preparing the load.
Vehicle manufacturers: If a defect in the truck or one of its parts caused the accident, the manufacturer could be at fault.
Step 2: Gather Detailed Evidence
Evidence is the backbone for proving liability and negligence after a truck accident. In California, the key types of evidence you should gather to strengthen your claim and help establish liability include the following:
Driver logs and records: These can reveal hours-of-service violations or patterns of reckless behavior. Your attorney may need to collect this information through a subpoena.
Black box data: Most commercial trucks are equipped with an event data recorder (EDR) or “black box,” which can provide information about the vehicle's speed, brake usage, and other factors leading up to the crash.
Maintenance records: Evidence that a truck was inadequately maintained can help establish the trucking company's negligence.
Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage: Statements from witnesses and any available video recordings can support your claim about how the accident occurred.
Photo and video footage: Documenting the crash scene, including damage to the vehicles, road markings, and weather conditions, can serve as critical evidence.
Step 3: File a Claim and Submit Evidence
File a claim against the at-fault party's (or parties') insurance and submit the evidence you gathered to support your claim. In some cases, depending on the strength of your evidence, the insurance company may agree that the commercial driver or company was at fault. However, if they contest your claim, you may need to take your case to court.
In court, a judge will weigh your evidence to determine which party was at fault for the accident. Accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals may be called upon to help establish causation.
California operates under a comparative negligence standard. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages. However, your recovery amount may be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are 20% responsible for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by that same percentage.
Contact an Experienced Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in California Today
Seeking compensation after a truck accident can be challenging, especially when dealing with injuries and other losses. At the Law Offices of Steven Zwick, we are committed to helping you investigate your case, gather the necessary evidence, and hold the responsible parties accountable.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a truck accident, contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We proudly represent clients across Orange County, California, including but not limited to Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda.