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Discover the Most Common Causes of Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents in California

When the seriousness of truck accident is so often discussed and considered, it may lead residents of California to believe that there is a large number of truck accidents each year. This is not true. The reality is that the number of truck accidents is significantly lower than the number of car accidents. However, there is a good reason that truck accidents are so often discussed: They are much more likely to be fatal accidents.

At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we believe that every driver should do what they can to reduce their chances of being involved in a truck accident. The best way to do this is to be aware of the most common causes of truck accidents. Read on to learn more about them. If you have been injured in this type of accident, or a loved one was killed in one, then we can help you. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.

The most common types of fatal truck accidents

The reality is that any type of truck accident has the potential to lead to a wrongful death accident. However, there are some types of accidents that are much more likely to lead to a fatality. They include rollover truck accidents, jackknife accidents, accidents in which the driver was tired, and override or underride accidents.

In fact, a recent study showed that as many as 50% of all fatal truck accidents may involve either an override, in which the semi-truck runs over a smaller vehicle, or an underride accident, in which the passenger vehicle hits the back of the truck and gets stuck underneath it. The good news is that trucks have accessories they can add to their trucks to prevent these issues.

There are regulations in place to protect you

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, often referred to as FMCSA, knows how dangerous a commercial truck can be. As a result, they have created strict regulations for truck drivers and the companies who employ them. Unfortunately, not all companies or drivers will follow them. If you have been involved in an accident, or lost a loved one, then one of the first things we are likely to do is to consider whether or not these regulations were followed.

Do you need to file a wrongful death lawsuit?

We have filed and won many wrongful death lawsuits over the years. If you win your case, you could be entitled to compensation for damages including the loss of your loved one’s wages, the cost of their funeral, any medical expenses that occurred due to the accident but before their death, and loss of companionship – among other damages.

If you are not sure if you have a case then we recommend contacting Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation as soon as possible.