Oxnard Truck Accident Attorney

TRUCKING ACCIDENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The sheer size and bulk of large commercial trucks and big rigs makes them more dangerous and likely to hurt other drivers on California roadways. Because of these factors, it is important that truck drivers and companies that hire them follow the federal regulations established for commercial trucks in the United States.

Understanding Federal Trucking Laws and Safety

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a long list of important guidelines and rules that truck drivers must observe.

Federal rules for truckers and trucking companies include:

• Mandatory rest breaks
• Regular maintenance and inspection of all vehicles
• No alcohol or drug use whatsoever
• Trucking companies must monitor truckers’ driving records at least once a year
• Trucking companies must not encourage or allow drivers to drive more than the number of hours / miles allotted by the FMCSA
• Drivers must be thoroughly trained

DO I NEED A TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY?

At Schurmer Reese Davies, we are very familiar with the laws and common circumstances surrounding trucking accidents. Our team understands how to protect your rights at this time. If, during our investigation, we discover that the driver of the truck was in violation of one or more federal rules, we can bring this fact to light in order to benefit your case.

Our goal is to ensure that you are able to receive the full amount of compensation that you are entitled to under the law. We prioritize our clients’ well-being and are committed to doing whatever it takes to fight for your interests.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a collision involving a large commercial truck, contact an Oxnard trucking accident lawyer on our team today.

Top Causes of Truck Accidents in Oxnard

Trucks are a common sight on the road because they’re vital for the transportation of goods. However, trucks also pose a high risk to motorists due to their sheer size and potential for destruction in any type of collision.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents are:

• A fatigued driver—Many truck drivers are expected to drive for long distances and long durations of time without much rest. With pressure from their bosses to get their cargo delivered in a timely manner, many truck drivers operate their vehicles on little sleep. This fatigue results in a loss of concentration and a loss of coordination, and it could potentially result in the driver falling asleep at the wheel.
• A driver under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs—It’s not uncommon for truck drivers to be found guilty of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while driving. Use of these substances causes impaired driving and can easily cause accidents. Additionally, even drivers who use only prescription medications can cause fatal accidents. Some drugs used for medicinal purposes have side effects that can impair coordination, cause fatigue, or result in poor judgement.
• An inexperienced driver and/or a lack of proper truck maintenance—All truck drivers are required to complete a certain number of training hours before they’re allowed to drive on public roads. Unfortunately, not all truck drivers adhere to such requirements. This results in an inexperienced and poorly trained truck driver behind the wheel. It’s also the law for truck owners to inspect the trucks and ensure they’re in top operating condition before they’re on the road. Yet, due to the high costs and time-consuming nature of such maintenance, many truck owners forego inspections and repairs on their trucks. A truck that breaks down in the middle of the road can result in horrible collisions.
• A speeding driver—Due to demands by truck owners and companies to reach a destination on time regardless of weather and traffic conditions, many truck drivers tend to drive well over the speed limit. When a speeding truck overtakes a lane on the freeway, this forces surrounding vehicles to swerve into other lanes or off the road to avoid a crash. Such swerving and speeding can result in fatal crashes.
• A distracted driver—Drivers are often on the road for long hours over long distances, so it’s not surprising that they tend to get bored. During boredom, many drivers tend to quickly look at their phones or fiddle with the dials to change the radio station or song. Because their attention is no longer on the road, this can cause them to swerve or speed, which could lead to a collision.