Culver City Truck Accident Lawyer

Were you involved in an accident with a large truck or commercial vehicle? Did your loved one tragically die due to a semi-truck or tractor-trailer collision?

At Custodio & Dubey LLP, we believe that you deserve justice—and our team is here to help. Our Culver City truck accident lawyers have extensive experience navigating personal injury law and have recovered more than $90 million in compensation for our clients. We know how to handle the most complex of cases and are prepared to advocate tirelessly for you.

How Common Are Truck Accidents?

While most people recognize the obvious risks semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks pose to occupants of smaller passenger vehicles, many do not realize just how significant these risks are. In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of large truck and bus accidents resulting in bodily injury or fatality has been steadily increasing over the past 20 years. In 2019, there were approximately 127,000 accidents involving large trucks and buses that resulted in injuries, the highest total number of such accidents since 1999. That same year, 5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents nationwide.

In California alone, 408 people lost their lives in 2019 due to large truck and bus accidents. Behind only Texas, California had the second-highest number of fatalities in these types of collisions during that calendar year. A Culver City truck accident attorney could help someone determine what steps to take after themselves or a loved one is involved in a wreck.

How Do Large Truck Accidents Happen?

Like any other car accident, large truck accidents typically happen when someone acts negligently, recklessly, or wrongfully.

Examples include:

• Distracted driving, including texting/using a cellphone or looking at a
  GPS device
• Violating traffic laws, such as making illegal turns or speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Failing to yield the right of way or otherwise driving carelessly
• Violating hours-of-service regulations, leading to fatigued driving
• Failing to conduct adequate truck maintenance and/or repairs
• Loading cargo improperly or overloading cargo, resulting in cargo shifting
  during transit
• Improper trucking company practices, such as negligent hiring or supervision
• Third-party negligence, including the negligence of other motorists on the road

Determining the cause of a truck accident, as well as any underlying causes that may have contributed to the crash, is extremely important. Our team of Culver City commercial truck wreck attorneys at Custodio & Dubey LLP works with accident reconstructionists, expert witnesses, and other professionals to accurately identify the cause of our clients’ accidents—and who is responsible for their damages.

Who Is Responsible For Paying For Damages After A Truck Accident?

California follows a traditional fault-based system when it comes to motor vehicle accidents, meaning you must file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, with truck accidents, the person or party that directly caused the accident may not be the one (or the only one) that is liable for your damages. Specifically, if the truck driver caused the crash, there may be underlying issues that make it so the trucking company or some other entity is liable for your damages.

In California, as in other states, employers are generally considered liable for the conduct of their employees when those employees are “on the clock.” Therefore, the trucking company may be liable for your damages, even if the truck driver negligently caused the accident.

However, the trucking company may try to dispute this in an effort to avoid paying out your claim. They may argue that the truck driver was not responsible for the accident, or that you had a preexisting condition that caused your injuries. If the truck driver is classified as an independent contractor, rather than an employee, the trucking company may be shielded from liability. In other instances, some other third party—such as a negligent motorist or the manufacturer of a defective truck or truck part—could be partially or wholly liable for your damages.

At Custodio & Dubey LLP, we exhaust all possible options when it comes to determining liability and recovering the full compensation you are owed. Our Culver City semi-truck accident attorneys are well-versed in complex personal injury and wrongful death claims, and we know how to utilize the law to advocate for you and your recovery.

Call a Culver City Truck Accident Attorney Today

Our Culver City truck accident lawyers offer contingency fees, meaning you do not pay anything unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. This means there is no risk in talking to a member of our team about your potential case and learning how we can help you seek the fair compensation you are owed.

At Custodio & Dubey LLP, our clients come first. We proudly prioritize client service and provide a compassionate, personalized, and attentive approach to our practice of law. When you choose our firm, you can rely on us to be available and accessible, ready to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.

Call (888) 280-8029 or contact us online to get started with a free initial consultation. Hablamos español.