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Glendale Truck Accident Lawyer

Imagine you’re driving down the busy streets of Glendale, California, on your way to work when a large commercial truck suddenly crashes into your vehicle. The overwhelming force leaves you disoriented and in pain. In the days after the crash, you begin to realize the gravity of the situation. 

As medical bills start to pile up, your car remains damaged, and you’re left wondering how you’ll manage your financial losses. Who will pay for your recovery, the damage to your vehicle, and the income you’ve lost due to missed work? An experienced Glendale truck accident lawyer can provide the help and guidance you need. 

At Legal Fighters, we understand the emotional and financial toll a truck accident can take. Whether you’re dealing with medical expenses, lost income, or the impact of a life-altering injury, Legal Fighters has the resources, experience, and commitment to help you seek fair compensation.

Don’t let insurance companies or trucking firms push you around—contact us today for a free consultation.

Truck Accidents in Glendale, California

Glendale is a bustling hub in the Greater Los Angeles area, with major freeways like I-5 and SR-134 crisscrossing the city. These highways see a significant amount of truck traffic, which can lead to dangerous accidents. 

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) consistently places California among the top states for truck accidents, with thousands of crashes each year leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

Local and State Crash Statistics

Caltrans reported that over a recent 10-year period, 3,253 people lost their lives, and 6,620 people were seriously injured in commercial vehicle collisions in California. In that same time, commercial vehicle fatalities and serious injuries increased by 17%.

Accidents involving commercial vehicles, including 18-wheelers and other heavy trucks, accounted for 10% of all fatalities from traffic accidents statewide. Truck wrecks also accounted for 10% of all fatal accidents in Los Angeles County, which includes Glendale. Most commercial vehicle collisions occurred on state highways. 

Unsafe speed is a leading factor in fatal and serious injuries from commercial vehicle collisions. Improper turning and driving under the influence (DUI) were other notable contributing factors. 

According to the last report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), fatal truck crashes in which the truck driver was at fault increased from 83 to 88 in the last year California Quick Crash Facts compiled a report.

California’s Trucking Industry and Local Impact

California plays a critical role in the nation’s trucking industry due to its size, major ports, and extensive roadways. In Glendale, large trucks are common, particularly in areas close to major highways like I-5 and SR-134, which serve as key corridors for commercial transportation. 

High Truck Traffic Areas

Glendale’s proximity to Los Angeles and the major shipping ports of Southern California makes it a frequent route for trucks transporting goods. I-5, also known as the Golden State Freeway, sees a high volume of truck traffic daily, increasing the risk of serious accidents. 

Some of the most common areas for truck accidents include:

  • I-5 Freeway: One of the busiest highways in California, I-5 is a major corridor for commercial trucks traveling through Glendale, often resulting in severe accidents.
  • SR-134 (Ventura Freeway): This freeway, known for heavy traffic, connects Glendale to other parts of Los Angeles and regularly sees truck accidents due to congestion and speed.
  • Brand Boulevard & Broadway Intersection: This busy intersection in the heart of Glendale has seen its share of accidents involving delivery trucks and buses.
  • San Fernando Road: A common route for construction trucks and commercial vehicles, San Fernando Road has been the site of numerous truck crashes.
  • Colorado Street Bridge: With its high traffic volume, this area has become a hotspot for rear-end collisions involving large trucks.

Urban Expansion and Construction

As Glendale and surrounding areas continue to grow, construction trucks and heavy equipment are also frequently seen on the roads. These vehicles pose additional hazards, especially in congested areas or around construction sites. 

Environmental Regulations

California is also known for its strict environmental laws regulating emissions from commercial trucks. While these regulations aim to reduce pollution, they can also indirectly affect safety by incentivizing trucking companies to keep older trucks on the road longer rather than buying newer, more expensive vehicles, increasing the likelihood of mechanical failures and accidents. 

Because we understand the local impact of California’s trucking industry, Legal Fighters can anticipate the unique risks faced by Glendale residents and hold those responsible for truck accidents accountable.

Types of Trucks Involved in Accidents

Truck accidents can involve many commercial vehicles, each with unique dangers.

Our Glendale truck accident lawyers frequently investigate crashes involving these types of trucks:

  • 18-Wheelers: These massive vehicles are difficult to maneuver and can cause catastrophic damage in a collision.
  • Heavy Trucks: Due to their size and weight, heavy trucks, including dump trucks and construction vehicles, can be particularly dangerous.
  • Buses: While less common, bus accidents can also involve large-scale damage and multiple victims.
  • Delivery Trucks: With the rise of e-commerce, delivery trucks are a frequent sight on Glendale streets, increasing the risk of accidents.
  • Commercial Vehicles: From utility trucks to service vans, these vehicles contribute to the overall danger posed by large, heavy trucks on the road.

Types of Truck Accidents

  • Underride Accidents: These happen when a smaller vehicle slides under the back or side of a truck, often leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
  • Rear-End Collisions: Trucks take longer to stop due to their size, making rear-end collisions with smaller vehicles common.
  • Jackknife Accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out from the cab, it can create a deadly hazard for nearby vehicles.
  • Rollover Accidents: Trucks can easily lose balance, especially when turning at high speeds, causing rollovers that impact multiple lanes of traffic.
  • Tire Blowouts: A truck’s tire blowout can cause the driver to lose control, leading to serious highway accidents.

Unique Challenges of Truck Accident Cases vs. Car Accidents

Truck accidents differ significantly from car accidents due to the size, weight, and nature of commercial trucks and the complex regulations governing the trucking industry. Here’s how:

Federal and State Regulations

Trucking companies and drivers must comply with both federal and state laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates commercial trucking, setting rules for maximum driving hours, mandatory breaks, and vehicle weight limits. These regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. Violations of these laws can be key evidence in proving negligence.

Multiple Parties and Complicated Liability

Truck accidents often involve more than just the truck driver. The trucking company, the cargo owner, the manufacturer of faulty truck parts, or a maintenance provider could also be liable.

Severity of Damages

Truck accidents often result in far more severe injuries than typical car crashes due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. Victims often face catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even death. This means that compensation claims are much larger, and trucking companies fight harder to reduce payouts.

California-Specific Trucking Laws

California has some of the strictest trucking laws in the country, which can play a significant role in truck accident cases. These include:

  • Hours of Service Laws: In addition to federal regulations, California imposes additional restrictions on how long truck drivers can work without taking breaks. California requires stricter rest breaks for drivers, and violations of these rules can directly impact liability in a truck accident case.
  • Weight Limits and Cargo Regulations: Overloaded trucks commonly cause accidents. California enforces strict weight limits on commercial vehicles to ensure that trucks do not exceed their safe carrying capacity.
  • Environmental Regulations: California’s air quality standards, governed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), also regulate truck emissions. Due to compliance challenges, older trucks can often remain on the road longer. These older trucks are more prone to mechanical failures, which can lead to accidents. If a trucking company allowed a non-compliant or unsafe vehicle to operate, they could be held liable for the accident. 

The truck accident attorneys at Legal Fighters understand the unique challenges of truck accident cases and are equipped to handle even the most complex claims. Our legal team holds trucking companies and their insurers responsible for any violations that contribute to your accident.

By staying current on evolving state and federal trucking laws, Legal Fighters is uniquely positioned to handle truck accident cases nationwide and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Compensation Available for Truck Accident Claims

After a truck accident, victims may be entitled to significant compensation, which can include:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes immediate medical bills as well as long-term care costs for rehabilitation, surgeries, and any future medical needs related to your injuries.
  • Lost Income: Compensation for wages lost due to time off work during recovery, as well as loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
  • Pain and Suffering: Emotional and psychological distress resulting from the accident can be compensated in a personal injury claim.
  • Property Damage: Reimbursement for repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.
  • Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may be eligible for compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support. 

With more than $2.5 billion secured in settlements for our clients, Legal Fighters has the experience to pursue the compensation you need to recover fully. Our attorneys work tirelessly to prevent trucking companies and insurers from taking advantage of you during this vulnerable time.

How Trucking Companies Defend Themselves

Trucking companies and their insurers often employ aggressive tactics to avoid paying fair compensation to victims. An experienced truck accident attorney from Legal Fighters understands these tactics and will advocate for your rights every step of the way.

Quick Settlement Offers

Trucking companies may attempt to settle a claim quickly, offering a low settlement before the accident victim fully understands the extent of their injuries. This tactic is meant to minimize the payout, especially if long-term medical issues or rehabilitation costs emerge later. Victims who accept these early offers might lose the opportunity to claim additional compensation for future expenses.

Disputing Liability

Truck companies frequently challenge liability by shifting blame to the accident victim or other factors. They may argue that the injured party was partially or fully responsible for the crash, dispute the severity of the injuries, or claim that the truck driver was not at fault. By complicating the facts, they attempt to reduce their financial liability.

Legal Resources and Aggression

Large trucking companies typically have teams of lawyers ready to defend them, equipped with vast resources to fight claims aggressively. They may use delay tactics, demand extensive documentation, or challenge every aspect of the claim. 

At Legal Fighters, we level the playing field by leveraging our legal experience and strategic co-counsel relationships, ensuring that these large corporate entities do not outmatch you. Our team fights hard to secure fair compensation for you, no matter how aggressive the trucking company’s defense may be. 

Working with experienced attorneys like those at Legal Fighters protects your rights and helps ensure you aren’t taken advantage of by trucking companies looking to minimize their financial responsibility.

Behind the Scenes of Truck Accident Litigation

Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car accident claims. At Legal Fighters, we go beyond the surface to uncover every detail that can support your case.

  • In-Depth Investigation: Truck accident claims require a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident. Our team starts by gathering critical evidence, such as black box data, which records information about the truck’s speed, braking, and other crucial details leading up to the crash. We also collect driver logs, maintenance records, and safety inspection reports from the trucking company.
  • Accident Reconstruction Experts: To build a strong case, we often work with accident reconstruction experts who analyze the crash scene and recreate the events that led to the accident. This helps to clearly establish fault and identify violations of safety regulations by the truck driver or trucking company.
  • Dealing with Multiple Defendants: Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties. In addition to the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck’s owner, and even the manufacturer of faulty parts can all be held liable. Our firm identifies all potential defendants to maximize the compensation you are entitled to.
  • Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Trucking companies are backed by powerful insurance firms that will work to minimize your claim. Our experience negotiating with these companies at Legal Fighters ensures you receive a fair settlement. We aren’t afraid to take your case to court if necessary to fight for your rights. 

By handling every aspect of your claim, Legal Fighters ensures that no stone is left unturned in your pursuit of justice. We take pride in leveraging our experience and strategic partnerships with elite attorneys nationwide to give you the strongest possible representation.

Technology in Truck Accident Cases

Technology plays a pivotal role in investigating truck accidents and proving liability.

  • Black Box Data: Commercial trucks come with event data recorders (EDRs), often called black boxes. These devices capture vital information such as speed, brake usage, and engine data at the time of the accident. This information indicates whether the truck driver was speeding, failed to brake in time, or ignored other safety measures.
  • Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Federal law requires trucks to have ELDs that track a driver’s hours of service. This helps ensure that drivers comply with regulations designed to prevent fatigue, which is a leading cause of truck accidents. This data may show if the driver exceeded their legal driving hours or falsified their logs.
  • Dash Cams: Many trucks now have dashboard cameras that record footage from the driver’s perspective. This video footage can provide indisputable evidence of what happened before, during, and after the accident.
  • Forensic Analysis: We collaborate with forensic experts who analyze vehicle damage, road conditions, and debris patterns to help determine the cause of the crash.

Why Choose Legal Fighters?

At Legal Fighters, we don’t just talk about justice; we fight for it. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling complex truck accident cases, and we aren’t afraid to go up against large corporations or their insurance companies.

We also set ourselves apart by partnering with the best legal minds across the country to ensure our clients get the best representation possible. Our strategic co-counsel relationships with elite attorneys and experts mean you get the advantage of multiple legal teams working on your behalf, and we’re proud to share fees with these top professionals in pursuit of justice for you.

Contact Legal Fighters for Your Truck Accident Injury Claim

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Glendale, California, you need a lawyer who is ready to fight for your rights. Legal Fighters is that firm. 

With our resources, experience, and commitment, we’ll advocate for your rights and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need. Let us handle the complexities of your case while you focus on your recovery. 

Contact Legal Fighters today for a free consultation. Call our main office at (888) 586-4957 or contact us online.