Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Santa Maria
Accidents involving semi-trucks, eighteen-wheelers, or tractor-trailers can cause loss of life, catastrophic injuries, and permanent disability. The consequences of these collisions rarely result in minor injuries. If a truck accident caused injuries to you or a loved one, it’s important to remember you have options. California permits injured victims to recover financial compensation against the responsible party. While no money could ever replace what you have lost, it may help you and your family get your life back on track. You deserve justice, and a Santa Maria truck accident lawyer can help. Contact the Santa Maria truck accident lawyers at the Frederick Law Firm today, and read on to learn more about the common causes of truck accidents and the most common injuries resulting from these traumatizing events.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Santa Maria
Large trucks, including semi-trucks and tractor-trailers, can cause substantial property damage and catastrophic injuries. Many factors may lead to a truck accident; however, the most common causes of truck accidents in Santa Maria include the following:
- Failure to perform regular maintenance,
- Brake failure,
- Manufacturer defects,
- Inadequate driver training,
- Overloaded trucks,
- Driver fatigue,
- Speeding,
- Distracted driving, and
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Your Santa Maria truck accident attorney immediately gets to work investigating the cause of your accident to identify the liable party.
Other parties may also be liable, including the truck driver’s employer, the manufacturer of the truck, and other third parties. Holding all responsible parties accountable for your harm may result in higher compensation awards.
Common Injuries Associated with Truck Accidents in Santa Maria
Due to the difference in the size and weight between commercial trucks and standard passenger vehicles, the occupants of passenger cars usually suffer more severe injuries in any collision. The following are some of the most common injuries sustained by those involved in truck accidents.
Head and Brain Injuries
The force of a truck accident collision causes the body to jerk back and forth violently. Head and brain injuries commonly occur from these sudden and strong movements. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can range from minor to severe. TBIs include concussions, blunt head trauma, edema, hematoma, and skull fractures. These injuries have the potential to be long-lasting and can permanently change your life.
Some TBIs have few symptoms, while others may cause headaches, memory and mood problems, and changes in behavior and vision. With or without symptoms, it’s vital to seek immediate medical attention after a truck accident.
Back and Neck Injuries
Survivors of truck accidents are often left with muscle strains, tendon injuries, and ligament injuries due to the significant amount of force exerted on the bodies of vehicle passengers. This jerking motion creates back and neck injuries, including the following:
- Headaches,
- Migraines,
- Vertigo, and
- Muscle weakness.
Various other symptoms may indicate neck and back damage. When left untreated, these injuries could result in immobility or permanent paralysis.
Broken Bones
Although most broken bones heal over time, some people suffer long-term pain and discomfort at the break site. Most broken bones require expensive surgery and medical treatment to address. More severe breaks include compound fractures where the bone punctures the skin and becomes exposed. Even with immediate medical care and therapy, many injured victims never feel the same again.
Burns
Vehicle collisions often cause fire or explosions. As a result, many injured victims suffer severe burns. Some burns may heal, but severe burns require expensive medical treatment. Some burn victims may suffer permanent disfigurement, creating psychological and emotional injuries.
Lacerations
Lacerations are cuts resulting from shattered glass, shards of metal, plastic interior pieces, and other materials. Some of these cuts may result in permanent scars, leaving victims feeling emotionally scarred and self-conscious for the rest of their lives.
Spinal Injuries and Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries are a serious concern due to the risk of permanent paralysis. The spinal cord sends messages between the brain and the body. An interruption to this channel may be temporary or permanent. Those who regain mobility often do not do so immediately. Months or even years of therapy may be needed to help injured victims regain mobility. Most of these victims never feel the same way they did before their accident.
Wrongful Death
In California, truck accidents often result in fatalities. If you lost a loved one due to a truck accident, your Santa Maria truck accident lawyer assists you in pursuing a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one. Truck accident lawsuits for wrongful death help the surviving spouse, children, and other relatives obtain money for final medical expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress.
Your Santa Maria truck accident attorney can assist in pursuing compensation against the liable party for your injuries.
What Can I Recover?
California law permits injured victims to recover compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses directly related to your injuries and include the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earnings,
- Property damage.
Your attorney uses receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and other documentary evidence to strengthen your demand for economic damages from the at-fault party.
Non-economic damages represent a more nuanced area of compensation. Many people involved in a truck accident may be left with the emotional and psychological effects of that experience. Some victims may find it challenging to get into a car again or may feel depressed due to a permanent injury or change in their appearance caused by their truck accident injury. Your attorney works with you to calculate a value for these subjective losses, but non-economic damages are complicated to obtain without an attorney.
Contact Us
The Frederick Law Firm is the solution you need if you’ve been involved in an accident. We understand the complex emotions you may be experiencing. You may feel angry, confused, and overwhelmed by your situation. With the Frederick Law Firm, you obtain decades of legal experience from a legal team that prioritizes your best interests. We provide clients with the upper hand in achieving the best results for your case. When you hire the Frederick Law Firm, you receive the quality representation you’d expect from a large firm but with the personal care and attention that only a smaller firm can provide. Contact us today for a free initial consultation. We are available to meet with you any time of the week.