Rollover Truck Accidents in Los Angeles

Commercial trucks are familiar sights on many streets. They range from two-axle delivery trucks to 18-wheeled big rigs. All of them can cause catastrophic accidents if they collide with smaller cars or if they roll over onto other vehicles during a turn. These devastating crashes can have several causes, so it may be difficult to determine liability without the help of an attorney.

Rollover truck accidents in Los Angeles can happen on any street, but they are especially common on the sharp on and off-ramps of freeways. If you or a loved one have been hurt in one of these collisions, contact our team at CD Law today.

What Causes a Rollover Truck Accident?

Rollover accidents involving commercial vehicles in Los Angeles occur when the high profile and center of gravity cause the truck’s undercarriage to leave the roadway. Some common causes include:

• Excessive speed and sharp turns: Any vehicle can roll when taking a turn too fast, but a commercial truck is especially at risk because it may be top-heavy
• Banked curves: Freeway on-ramps and other roads where the surface turns inward can be difficult to navigate, particularly if the truck must accelerate to freeway speed
• Badly loaded or improperly secured cargo: Sudden shifts of cargo can lead to a loss of control and result in the trailer rolling or jackknifing
• Bad weather: High crosswinds, slick road surfaces, and other hazardous conditions relating to the weather can make driving more challenging for truck drivers

Other factors, such as road construction, distractions, fatigue, and careless behavior by other drivers increase the likelihood of rollovers.

Risk Areas for Truck Rollovers

According to estimates from CalTrans, as many as 150,000 commercial vehicles travel over the Cajon Pass (I-15) every day. Other busy Southern California freeways include the 710 at the 60, the 110, and the 405. The 710 and the 110 run from the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, so they are high-risk freeways for rollovers and other types of truck wrecks.

Accident Risks

A truck crash can cause serious bodily injuries similar to other motor vehicle collisions, but are magnified by the size and weight of the truck itself. However, overturn accidents create a greater risk of severe injuries and fatalities because of how the truck body falls into Los Angeles traffic.

In a rollover, the entire trailer or tanker collapses onto the roadway, crushing anything next to the truck. The contents of the trailer often spill across the road, creating obstacles that lead to additional accidents and pileups. If the load contains hazardous materials, which is common in tanker spills, the injuries could spread across a wide area.

Determining Liability 

If you are involved in any commercial vehicle crash, determining fault requires good legal assistance. A rollover accident in Los Angeles may involve the driver, the trucking company, the shipping company, and many other entities.

After a rollover accident, you could be entitled to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages such as medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You must file insurance claims with all of the parties involved and provide proof of liability in each claim.

Speak With a Los Angeles Attorney About Your Overturn Truck Crash

If you need legal advice from a lawyer who knows how to navigate the aftermath of rollover truck accidents in Los Angeles, you can come to the offices of CD Law. We offer a free, comprehensive review of your case and could help you file your insurance claim to get the compensation you need. There is no cost to you until we settle or win your case. Contact us today.