North Hollywood sits between the 5 Freeway to the east and CA-170 to the west, and both are vital to delivering and sending goods through and into the community. This means that residents see many big rigs and other large commercial trucks traveling the roads and highways that run through North Hollywood. Unfortunately, these trucks can pose serious risks to cars and smaller trucks around them.

What Makes a Truck So Dangerous?

Along with the obvious size and weight advantage, trucks find other ways to put those around them in danger. Passenger cars and trucks, cyclists and pedestrians all have to contend with certain built-in risks when they are around them.

  • Blind Spots: A truck has large and numerous blind spots because if it’s sheer size, and even with all those mirrors, the driver can’t see every car around the truck.
  • Difficulty Stopping: It takes a truck almost twice the distance to stop than a typical passenger vehicle. This makes it all the more dangerous to others on the road.
  • Right, Hook: When a truck turns right, it has to swing out to the left to make room for the back tires. Many times a car or a cyclist will enter the open space thinking the truck is going to turn the other direction and get crushed.
  • Lane Changes: Trucks need a lot of room to change lanes, and they have large blind spots. Car drivers need to drive defensively when traveling near a truck on the freeways.
  • Driver Mistakes: While statistically, truck drivers are safer drivers, they still make mistakes. Drowsy driving, impaired driving, aggressive driving, unbalanced/unsecured load, and distractions are just some of the mistakes a truck driver can make that puts others on the road in jeopardy.

What Do You Do When You Get into an Accident with a Big Rig?

In many ways, it’s no different than any other accident. You need to first focus on your immediate medical needs. If you can, get as information at the scene as possible. Get pictures of the accident and the truck that hit you.

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Get information about any witnesses that saw the accident as this can help prove what happened. When it comes to commercial trucks, getting information about the driver is vital. The following information will help when you talk to an attorney.

  • The name of the driver
  • The name of the trucking company
  • Whether the driver was an independent contractor
  • The license plate number of the truck and the trailer (almost always different)

Your attorney is going to need this information so they can determine what insurance company is going to be responsible for paying compensation.

Commercial Trucks and Liability

No one wants to get into an accident, especially with a big rig, however, if that happens, some of the financial burdens that might come from being injured by the average driver are potentially lessened. This is because the insurance required for a California drive is only $15,000 for bodily injury and $30,000 for each accident making it one of the lowest coverage requirements in the U.S.

By federal and state laws, commercial trucks have to carry much more. Smaller trucks with lighter loads are required to have around $300,000 in coverage, while larger trucks with hazardous loads can be required to carry up to $5 million. Most truck policies are in the $750,000 to $1 million range of coverage.

Types of Truck Accident Injuries

Trucks are much heavier than passenger vehicles, so the smaller vehicle usually takes the brunt of the impact. This can cause serious injuries to those involved. Some of the most common types of injuries in a truck accident are:

  • Blunt Force Trauma
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries
  • Broken/Displaced Ribs
  • Compound Fractures
  • Chest Compressions
  • Organ Damage
  • Nerve Damage
  • Internal Injuries
  • Deep Lacerations/Bleeding
  • Airbag injuries

Commercial Trucks and Liability

No one wants to get into an accident, especially with a big rig. When this does happen, a small silver lining is that there is typically more compensation available. Federal and state laws require commercial trucks to have larger insurance minimums.

Smaller trucks with lighter loads are required to have around $300,000 in coverage, while larger trucks with hazardous loads can be required to carry up to $5 million. Most truck policies are in the $750,000 to $1 million range of coverage.

Call a North Hollywood Personal Injury Attorney Today

The best thing to do when injured in a commercial truck accident is to talk to North Hollywood Personal Injury Attorney. Even if you don’t hire one, you owe it to yourself to be advised of the law by an impartial professional. Then if you decide to get representation, choose someone who is experienced and understands the law.

Call the Law Offices of Steers & Associates at 800 824 5416 or click here to contact us online. We have attorneys with years of experience dealing with every type of motor vehicle accident, and we get results against the insurance companies and their highly-paid lawyers. Call us now to even the playing field and get the compensation you deserve.

 

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