Truck Accident Lawyer in San Diego, San Diego County
Accidents involving semi trucks can be more devastating than those involving only cars or SUVs. It’s harder for these trucks to stop. The force with which a semi can hit leads to injuries that are more severe than car drivers or motorcyclists might expect. Accidents can have lasting effects, both physical and emotional. These could require long-term treatment and possibly cause permanent damage. Costs for medical bills and repairs can quickly exceed coverage limits for insurance. Those involved in an accident with a semi truck need to speak with a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Silverthorne Attorneys is ready to assist.
Drivers in San Diego are at particular risk for three reasons. One is that the traffic in the county is growing rapidly, with the number of hours of being stuck in traffic in 2024 up 37 percent since 2019. That means more cars, less space, and potentially more impatience and recklessness. A second reason is the increasing aggressiveness on San Diego and California roads. In fact, California ranked in the top spot for most road rage and aggressive driving. These increase the chances of an accident happening. The third reason is the weather. It doesn’t rain often in San Diego. But when it does, the roads become slick, and drivers often forget to slow down. Low visibility from dense fog in winter can be a problem, too. A San Diego truck accident attorney is well aware of how easy it is for that fog or rain to lead to accidents.
A truck accident crash can be so severe because the trucks are much heavier, thus they take longer to stop. While the average passenger car going 55 mph needs up to 300 feet to stop, a semi needs about 400 feet. These huge, heavy vehicles – up to 80,000 pounds – can destroy other cars completely. They can wipe out property and cause major injury to anyone in the other vehicle, and possibly killing them. The factors that contribute to semi accidents are mostly the same as those that contribute to others. Weather, driver fatigue, scams in which people brake-check trucks, reckless driving, mechanical malfunctions including brake failure, tailgating, hanging out in a truck’s blind spot and more. The differences are that truck drivers may battle more fatigue, and that truck accident cases tend to be more complex. There are often multiple factors that lead to an accident, as well as different regulations for cars and semi trucks. Plus, quite a few parties could be at fault, from truck depot mechanics to truck manufacturers. A consultation with a semi truck accident attorney is essential.
A semi truck accident isn’t the only cause of work-related injuries for truck drivers. Warehouse activity can also be an issue, with drivers suffering injuries from cargo falling on them, exposure to hazardous materials in the cargo, lifting injuries, and slipping and falling. Long-haul truckers have to deal with chronic back and neck pain from driving, as well as the long-term health effects of sitting for several hours at a time. And then there’s the lack of sleep that some drivers try to push through. Not only does that increase the risk of a drowsy-driving accident, but it can lead to health issues like elevated blood glucose levels. Drivers need to speak with a San Diego truck accident lawyer to discuss how to ensure they get fair compensation.
Residents of San Diego who aren’t truck drivers have to be aware of just how badly they could be affected if they were in an accident with a semi truck. Crush injuries, whiplash and lingering joint problems, concussions, injury from flying debris or hazardous cargo, and even death are all very real possibilities. People recovering from a truck injury may face a loss of pay if they can’t work, loss of physical or mental ability, or PTSD. It may also take much longer to recover due to the severity of the initial accident.
It’s imperative that anyone involved in a semi truck crash, or any trucker who’s suffered a workplace injury, contact a truck accident attorney. These are serious incidents and need more than just an exchange of insurance information. You need a San Diego personal injury lawyer to help you figure out what steps to take next. When you’re recovering, you’re in a vulnerable state. A truck accident lawyer near you is your best protection as the case moves from your insurance company to the courts.
If you’ve been in an accident with a semi or have suffered a trucking-related warehouse injury, contact Silverthorne Attorneys now. Work with an experienced truck injury attorney. Get the compensation you need to support your recovery.