San JoseTruck Accident Attorney

The Guidance You Need to File a Claim & Secure Fair Compensation

Commercial trucking accidents generally result in more severe injuries than a typical auto accident, and are more likely to result in fatalities due to the size of the trucks. Additionally, trucking accident lawsuits are often highly complex due to the unique set of laws pertaining only to commercial truck drivers.

These laws and regulations are intended to protect motorists from unsafe truck drivers and negligent trucking companies. However, companies and drivers often neglect these rules in the interest of profits. Then, when this negligence causes accidents and injuries, the insurance companies that provide coverage to trucking companies fight to minimize what they pay out for claims.

Atthe Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia, we have experience with injury claims and lawsuits against negligent truck drivers and their employers. The cause of a truck crash may not always be readily apparent, but we fully investigate the accident, driver logbooks, and the policies of the trucking company.

San Jose truck accident lawyer Braid Pezzaglia has helped many victims and families cope with the catastrophic effects of big rig accidents. Our law firm always represents injury victims on a contingency fee basis, so you owe us nothing unless we get results for you.

Schedule your free initial consultation by contacting us online or calling (408) 650-8955 today.

What Are California Commercial Trucking Laws?

In addition to traffic laws that every driver on the road must obey, a specific set of state laws and federal regulations called the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations apply to commercial trucking companies and their employees.

When a truck accident happens, an investigation may be necessary to determine the cause. Often, negligence on the part of the driver and/or trucking company is to blame. Many companies fail to properly enforce commercial trucking regulations; some even pressure drivers to ignore certain rules, such as hours of service limits.

State and federal law pertaining to the trucking industry addresses:

• Truck driver licensing requirements
• Drug and alcohol use and testing
• Hours of service
• Weight, size, and route limitations
• Required documentation for hours of service and maintenance
• Insurance minimums

Determining the cause of a truck collision may require investigation into the driver’s logbook and the trucking company’s records. A logbook could reveal that a driver was behind the wheel for too long, resulting in dangerous drowsy driving, reducing the driver’s ability to prevent wrecks.

Alternatively, the logs may show that the truck exceeded the applicable weight limit. This could prevent the truck from being able to stop in time to avoid an accident. An experienced trucking accident attorney will know what to look for and where to find it.

Who is Liable After a Truck Accident?

One of the first, most important steps in filing a truck accident claim is determining who is liable for your injuries. It may be easy to assume that the truck driver is always the one responsible, however it does take a certain amount of investigation by an experienced San Jose truck accident attorney to determine where liability lies.

Contrary to what many people assume, the truck company is found most often liable for an accident. There are many reasons for this including the fact that trucking companies are typically the ones that insure their employees along with the fact that it’s not uncommon for trucking companies to pressure their employees into breaking trucking laws and regulations by expecting them to skip rest periods or days off that they are legally required to take to save their company money.

Sometimes a truck driver can be held liable, especially if the accident was caused directly by their negligence, such as driving while drunk. A driver can also be held liable if they own the truck personally that was involved in the accident.

Other parties that are sometimes responsible include the truck manufacturer or the cargo loading team. If they do their job negligently or install a defective part, which turns out to be the cause of the accident these parties can be held liable, although this typically happens less often. Ready to get started on your claim? Call the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia today to discuss your case during a free consultation!

How Do I File a Claim Against a Trucking Company?

Victims of trucking accidents may not be aware that, in most circumstances, the trucking company is liable for the actions of its employees. This means that the commercial trucking company may be liable for your injuries and damages.

Usually, commercial carriers must insure their drivers and vehicles. However, this means that both the insurance adjuster and the attorneys working for the trucking company will be working against you when you file a claim.

The requirements for holding a trucking company liable after an employee causes an accident are complex. For instance, the driver must have been acting within the course and scope of his or her employment when the accident occurred. Proving that an act was committed “within the scope of employment” can be a difficult task.

Common factors that may determine whether an accident occurred in the course and scope of employment include:

• The time, place, and nature of the accident
• Type of work the driver was hired to do
• Incidental acts the employer can reasonably expect to occur, depending on the circumstances
• The amount of freedom allowed to the driver in performing his or her duties
• The route the driver was following or should have been following, including known hazards
• Whether the driver was on a detour for personal tasks

Very few accidents are clear-cut and so the trucking company may try to avoid liability based on the unique details of your case. Therefore, you should always speak with a qualified San Jose truck accident attorney after a collision involving a big rig. The best truck accident lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and help you stand up to the trucking company, if necessary.

Injured by a Big Rig? Contact Our San Jose Truck Accident Lawyer

If you sustained injuries in an accident involving a semi, then contact the Law Offices of Braid Pezzaglia. Our experienced San Jose truck accident attorney has a notable track record of recovering high-dollar judgments and settlements.

Do not fight the insurance company on your own. The claims process for truck accidents is complicated; having a dedicated legal professional on your side can help protect your right to compensation.

If you were injured in a trucking crash or lost a loved one in a collision with a semi-truck, then contact our office online or call (408) 650-8955.