Trucking Accident Attorneys in Los Angeles
Over the course of the last 20 years, the number of trucking accidents has increased by as much as 20 percent, according to recent figures from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Unfortunately, that also means that personal injury and fatalities related to trucking accidents have also increased, with hundreds of thousands experiencing injury, and thousands losing their lives in collisions with large trucks.
Although large trucks, like semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, are responsible for only three percent of motor vehicle accidents involving personal injury, the degree of harm tends to be far greater than other auto accidents. This is due, in large part, to the sheer size of these vehicles, which are far larger and heavier than other trucks.
The Bedford Law Group focuses on Truck Accident cases in Los Angeles, California. We are committed to our local area, and since 2003, we have vigorously represented those who are have been injured by trucks, and have handled cases in each personal injury category for unmatched success. Our team’s successes have allowed us to recover millions of dollars for injured parties and their families in truck accident cases.
Laws Regarding Trucking Accidents
There have been several federal laws and regulations put in place to help govern the trucking industry and minimize the risk of devastating accidents or injury. These laws have been put in place to help establish standards of practice that trucking organizations, owners and drivers are expected to meet.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as the FMCSA, enforces these regulations. Additionally, each state has their own DOT, which maintains its own set of commercial trucking guidelines.
Specifically, these regulations are meant to address areas where negligence might occur and cause an accident. From proper truck maintenance, like regular service and providing reliable parts, to cracking down on driver fatigue, safety is essential when it comes to owning and operating these large vehicles.
Liability in Trucking Accidents
Failure to exercise proper caution and follow federal or state guidelines can (and most likely will) result in an accident, which may result in significant personal injury, or even death.
If and when this occurs, it raises the issue of liability, and who should be held responsible for any damage. This could include:
- The owner of the commercial truck and/or trailer
- The truck driver
- The individual or company that leased the truck and/or trailer from their owner
- Those responsible for shipping or loading the truck’s cargo (in those cases related to improper loading)
- The vehicle’s manufacturer, or those responsible for the manufacturing of tires or other parts
Many trucks that were manufactured in America since the early 1990’s are fitted with an Electronic Control Module (ECM), often referred to as a “black box”. This device is integrated with the truck’s engine components, and is equipped to capture a broad spectrum of live data regarding the vehicle’s operation, such as:
- Overall average speed
- Time driven
- Seat belt usage
- Highest speed
- Idling time
- Time spent driving over 65 miles per hour
- Average revolutions per minute (RPMs)
- Air bag performance
California Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has experienced injury in the because of a trucking accident, our team of attorneys at the Bedford Law Group can provide the support you need. Our team of dedicated personal injury attorneys are well-versed in the federal and state laws regarding commercial trucking, and have a successful history of handling these matters via settlement or in taking your case to court.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your trucking accident injury, we are equipped with the skills, experience and legal expertise necessary to see your case through to a successful end result. Let us work with you to protect your future interests, and your rights as they exist under the law.
Our attorneys are ready to assist you in receiving the compensation to which you are entitled. To schedule a FREE preliminary consultation to assess your personal injury case, contact our skilled attorneys at the Bedford Law Group today at (310) 507-7900.
