San Clemente Truck Accident Lawyer

We rely on large commercial vehicles to provide the goods we use every day of our lives. These trucks are a necessary component to our economy and a constant presence on California highways. However, with many trucks weighing in over 20,000 pounds, large commercial trucks present a serious risk to other drivers. When the operator of commercial vehicle is negligent, the resulting collision could lead to severe injuries for all other drivers involved.

A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you hold a negligent truck driver accountable. A severe injury could significantly impact your ability to go about your daily life. In order to get the most of your recovery, you may benefit from enlisting the help of a seasoned San Clemente truck accident lawyer.

Types of Commercial Vehicles

The phrase “truck accident” is used frequently, but the term itself is broad enough to include a wide variety of commercial vehicles. 18-wheelers are what come to mind for many people, but the category of trucks also includes other large vehicles like freight trucks, cement mixers, flatbeds, and large moving vans. Essentially, any large vehicle operated for a commercial purpose may be considered a commercial truck.

Size Limits for Commercial Vehicles in California

There are federal guidelines that regulate the size of a commercial vehicle that operates legally on California roads. Due to their enormous size, commercial trucks provide a unique safety risk that could result in catastrophic injury to anyone they collide with.

The maximum weight for commercial trucks in and around San Clemente is 80,000 pounds. Federal guidelines also regulate the length of a semi-trailer, limiting it to no more than 53 feet long. However, the regulation is silent on the length of the entire vehicle when a trailer is attached to the truck itself.

What to do After a Truck Accident

The moments after a truck accident are often the most important when it comes to building a strong truck accident lawsuit. The steps taken immediately after an accident could have a major impact on the outcome of an injury lawsuit.

First and foremost, injured drivers should always seek medical attention right away. The health and well-being of a driver is the most important factor and should take precedence over investigating a truck accident. It is critical never to leave the scene of an accident. Not only is it illegal to leave a scene of an accident that involves bodily injury, it also may hurt the case in the future.

While at the scene of the accident, it is always beneficial to take photographs of the scene. An experienced San Clemente truck accident attorney may be able to use photos of the scene to identify witnesses or even as evidence at trial.

Speaking of witnesses, the scene of the accident is without question the place to attempt to speak with any potential witnesses. Once they leave the scene, it may be impossible to ever contact a witness again without collecting their information.

Contact a San Clemente Truck Accident Attorney

If you have suffered an injury in a truck accident, call today to schedule your initial consultation. With the guidance of an experienced San Clemente truck accident lawyer, you may have the chance to recover monetary damages from the negligent truck driver, their employer, or their insurance company. Your case is too important to handle on your own. Call today.