Earlier this month, a truck driver managed to walk away unhurt after his tractor-trailer crashed and burst into flames on the Metro Gold Line tracks along the 210 freeway. The crash happened early in the morning. Witnesses say that the truck veered from the slow lane, crashed into the center divider (where the train tracks sit), and caught fire.
Amazingly, nobody was hurt in the accident. The scariest moment came when a kitten ran across the freeway and onto the burning truck. Firefighters managed to get the cat away from the vehicle and gave it medical treatment.
While we are thankful that nobody was hurt in the accident, we know that crashes involving large trucks can be deadly. Do you know what to do if you have been hurt in an accident involving a commercial truck?
If you need a Los Angeles truck attorney, turn to the team at the Compass Law Group to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Why They Happen
There are tens of thousands of trucks in and around LA on a daily basis: eighteen-wheelers, construction trucks, delivery trucks, and other commercial trucks. Are you sure they are all safe?
While we realize that sometimes truck accidents happen and nobody is to blame, we also know that many times they happen due to someone else’s negligence.
One of the main reasons these accidents occur is due to some sort of vehicle failure that causes the driver to lose control of the truck.
Vehicle failure would be much less common if bus companies regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. The following can have devastating results:
- Tire or wheel failure
- Powertrain failure
- Brake failure
- Lighting malfunctions
If something goes wrong at a high rate of speed, a drive could cause harm to many people on the roadway.
Other times, these accidents occur due to driver negligence. Sometimes this happens because a driver ignores laws and regulations regarding how many hours they are allowed to drive in a day. This can result in them driving while fatigued and crashing while at high rates of speed.
Drivers who operate their vehicles while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are jeopardizing the lives of everyone around them. The same can be said for those who drive while distracted by their cell phones or other devices.
Injuries from truck accidents can be severe. These trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds and have the potential to cause a mass casualty incident.
What You Can Do
We know that an accident with a large truck can be devastating. If you have been injured due to a truck driver or truck company’s negligence, we advise you to seek legal assistance. At the Compass Law Group, our knowledgeable and experienced team will work with you to get compensation for all of your accident-related expenses.