San Jose Truck Accident Attorney

According to the latest data (2017), there were about 9,710 people injured and 367 killed in crashes involving large trucks in California. While these numbers don’t reach the heights of the number of passenger car accidents, commercial trucks tend to have more impact on other vehicles and nearby individuals.

Part of the danger is that these trucks can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, and the heavier the vehicle is, the more damage it is likely to do.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident in the Bay Area, make sure to call Habbas & Associates about your case as soon as possible. Our skilled San Jose truck accident attorneys have more than 200 years of combined legal experience to offer your case and can help you determine the best course of action to take in seeking compensation.

Give us a call at (888) 387-4053 to get your case started.

What Can a Truck Accident Lawyer from Habbas & Associates Do for You?

Choosing the right attorney for a truck accident in San Jose is imperative when you need help securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Here at Habbas & Associates, we boast a collective experience of over two centuries dedicated to advocating for the rights of those who have suffered injuries in all types of accidents, including those caused by semi-trucks and tractor-trailers.

Some of our truck accident case results include:

• $14,500,000 - Unsafe Lane Change Truck Collision (catastrophic injuries)
• $6,250,000 - Trucking Collision
• $3,800,000 - Rear-End Truck Collision
• $3,008,000 - Rear-End Truck Collision
• $2,541,000 - Trucking Collision (spinal injuries) 
• $2,030,000 - Truck Accident Fatality

As well as dozens of $1 million+ and $500,000 truck accident recoveries. We hold a trustworthy reputation within the community, and we carry this responsibility with great seriousness. When individuals approach us with a truck accident case, we devote our utmost efforts to vigorously champion their cause and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

How Can a Truck Accident Impact Your Life?

Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can cause devastation whenever they are involved in an accident – to both other vehicles and the passengers inside them. The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, receiving all necessary medical treatment, and missing weeks or even months of wages can significantly impact your life for years to come.

Victims of trucking collisions often suffer catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Head and brain trauma
• Damage to the neck and spine
• Broken bones and lacerations
• Amputation and crush injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Chronic pain

Many of these injuries can result in permanent disability, affecting not only your physical well-being but your emotional and financial well-being as well. That’s why the San Jose truck accident lawyers at Habbas & Associates aggressively fight to hold those responsible for trucking collisions accountable for the damage they have caused. Let us provide the support you need during this difficult time.

Types of Trucks & The Accidents They Can Cause

Unfortunately, there are many ways a commercial vehicle can cause an accident. Depending on what kind of cargo it’s carrying, anything from tired drivers, to over-packing cargo and unsecured items could cause a problem on the road. Here are some types of accidents that could be caused by various types of commercial trucks:

• Tractor-trailers: Big rigs and semis are designed to travel long stretches of time. They are large and also come with equally large blind spots. They also have higher centers of gravity, which can cause them to roll over more easily. These are usually involved in accidents resulting from an inability to see a smaller car or by overturning.
• Tankers: Tanker trucks haul liquids and gases, many of which are hazardous. Because of their shape, they are also prone to rollovers. If one of these ruptures, they can also cause toxic reactions in people nearby or can explode.
• Flatbeds: These are long open trailers, which are easy to load and unload cargo. Because they are open, however, they can cause accidents if their cargo isn’t secured properly and becomes dislodged from the vehicle.
• Tow trucks: These are usually run by private operators and can weigh much more than 10,000 pounds. They aren’t always driven by a trained driver, so many times accidents involving these trucks can be blamed on a negligent driver or his or her negligent employer.

All of the above are also prone to similar accidents caused by similar circumstances. The shape of these vehicles can all cause them to jackknife when they need to brake suddenly. If too much pressure is put on their tires, the trucks can also experience tire blowouts, which can be disastrous to nearby cars. Additionally, because they are so large, anytime one of these trucks strikes a car on the side or head-on, they can cause an extreme amount of damage to the smaller vehicle.

If you were injured in a crash with any of these types of trucks, contact a San Jose trucking accident lawyer from Habbas & Associates to begin fighting for the compensation you deserve.

How is Fault in a Truck Accident Determined?

Liability in truck accident cases can be quite complicated. There are many players involved in the trucking industry, including the driver, the company who employs the driver, the people who maintain the truck, and the manufacturer who made the parts that comprise the vehicle.

The Driver

If the driver is an independent contractor and is found responsible for the accident, he or she is fully liable for any damages caused. In cases like these, the driver will usually have insurance to cover the cost of compensation; however, if this insurance isn’t enough, or he or she has no insurance at all, you will have to file a civil suit to recover compensation.

The Trucking Company/Employer

If the driver is employed by a company, even if the driver is responsible for the error that caused the crash, the company would be held liable for the incident. You would then file a claim with the business’s insurance company. A truck is also maintained and calibrated by certain individuals. These technicians could be independent contractors or could be employed by the people who own the truck. Depending on the situation, whoever was responsible for failing to notice a deficiency in the vehicle, such as a worn-out tire, he or she would be on the hook for negligence.

Truck Manufacturer

In an accident involving a faulty part or vehicle failure, the driver might not be responsible. For example, if a manufacturer bought cheap materials to make tires and the tires experienced a blowout on the road, the manufacturer would be held liable for the injuries and property damage caused by the faulty tire.

If only one defective part was at fault for an accident, the manufacturer who made that part would be responsible as opposed to the manufacturer who put all parts together to make the entire vehicle. In such a complicated case, an investigation would have to be done to determine which part failed and which manufacturer might be liable for the damages.

Shipper/Loader of Cargo

Overloading a commercial truck is an abysmal decision. In the event the person responsible for loading cargo intentionally puts too much weight on the truck, he or she would be held liable for any accidents caused by the overloading. Excessive weight can put too much stress on the tires, which could cause them to rupture. If the driver is unprepared for this situation, he or she may not be able to regain control of the vehicle, causing a collision. However, the company who hired the cargo loader might be held liable if they didn’t provide adequate training on how to correctly load a commercial vehicle and why overloading is a safety hazard.

Call Our Truck Accident Lawyers in San Jose for a FREE Consult

Because liability is so hard to determine, it can also be equally as difficult to prove negligence. However, our experienced San Jose truck accident attorneys have decades of experience to offer your case. We have worked on many truck accident cases in the past and can provide legal advice and compassionate advocacy. Let us take a look at your case.

You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering if a trucker, truck company, or truck manufacturer is found liable for your injury. Over the course of our history, Habbas & Associates has recovered over half a billion in verdicts and settlements for our past clients. Let us see what we can do for you and your family.

Contact us at (888) 387-4053or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today. Our truck accident lawyers in San Jose look forward to speaking with you.