At Nordean Law, we strive to keep our community safe. We pursue justice for the injured and we share critical information on how to keep you and your family safe.
Follow the link below for the best tips to prevent accidents of all kinds. If you have a specific question, or if you were injured in an accident, reach out to one of our attorneys today.
Trucks, with their massive size and weight, can cause devastating accidents, leading to severe injuries or worse. The consequences of such accidents extend beyond physical recovery; you also need to involve dealing with high medical bills, emotional distress, and, sometimes, the heartbreaking loss of loved ones. In these tough times, a Riverside truck accident lawyer can be your hope and support. We will guide you through the complexities of your case, identifying who’s responsible and assisting you in your battle for rightful compensation.
At Nordean Law, our Riverside personal injury lawyers are committed to being there for you throughout your journey.
California has several laws aimed at promoting safe trucking operations. These rules cover various operational aspects, from vehicle maintenance and driver health to hours of service and cargo securement. These laws, along with ongoing safety inspections and enforcement, make California’s roads safer for truckers and the driving public:
Riverside, California, sees many truck accidents, making up about 7% of all traffic incidents statewide. In 2021, crashes involving large trucks led to 5,788 fatalities and 155,000 injuries nationwide.
Damages of a truck accident in Riverside can be severe, with the average claim reaching around $150,000. Victims often suffer from serious injuries such as whiplash and broken bones, deeply impacting their lives and those of their families. With nearly 113 fatal truck crashes occurring in California each year, the death toll from these accidents is a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Riverside.
In Riverside, truck accidents come in various forms, each presenting unique dangers on the road. Here are some common types:
Jackknife accidents: This occurs when the trailer of a truck folds in such a way that it forms an acute angle with the cab, resembling a folding knife. These are often caused by sudden braking or turning maneuvers and can lead to multi-vehicle pile-ups.
Rear-end collisions: Due to their significant weight, trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop. If a truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance or is distracted, it can lead to rear-ending another vehicle, often causing severe injuries.
Rollovers: Trucks can roll over due to improper loading, high speeds, or sharp turns. Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous, often resulting in the truck spilling its cargo onto the roadway, creating hazards for other vehicles.
Underride accidents: These occur when a smaller vehicle collides with a truck and slides underneath it. These accidents can be extremely deadly due to the significant intrusion into the passenger compartment of the smaller vehicle.
Blind spot accidents: Trucks have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles. Accidents can occur when a truck changes lanes or turns without noticing a vehicle in its blind spot.
Lost load accidents: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can fall off trucks, creating road hazards that lead to accidents.
Understanding these types of accidents can help develop strategies to prevent them, ensuring safer roads for everyone in Riverside.
Truck accidents in Riverside often happen due to various reasons. However, these common causes significantly heighten the risk of severe crashes:
Driver fatigue: Truck drivers who push beyond the limits set by federal and state regulations to meet tight deadlines can experience dangerous levels of exhaustion, impairing their ability to react quickly and make safe decisions on the road.
Poor maintenance: Neglecting the upkeep of a truck, especially critical components like brakes and lights, increases the risk of catastrophic failures. Inadequate or deferred repairs can turn minor issues into major hazards.
Improper cargo loading: Incorrectly secured or overloaded cargo can fall onto the roadway, creating dangerous obstacles for other drivers. Overloading also makes it harder for drivers to control their trucks, especially in emergencies.
Substance abuse: Despite strict regulations and testing protocols, some truck drivers still operate their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, significantly impairing their judgment and reaction times.
Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries and significant damages, often leaving victims with a long road to recovery. Some common injuries from truck accidents include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of a truck collision can cause head trauma, leading to concussions or more severe brain injuries that may have long-term effects on cognitive function and quality of life.
Spinal cord injuries: These injuries can range from herniated discs to complete spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in partial or full paralysis and a lifetime of medical care and assistance.
Broken bones: The impact of a truck accident can easily fracture or break bones, sometimes requiring surgeries, physical therapy, and long recovery periods.
Internal injuries: The force exerted in a truck crash can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs, necessitating emergency medical interventions.
Cuts and lacerations: Flying debris, shattered glass, and metal can cause serious cuts and lacerations, which may lead to significant blood loss or even permanent scarring.
Burn injuries: In cases where a truck accident leads to fires or explosions, victims can suffer from severe burn injuries requiring specialized treatment and possibly resulting in long-term disfigurement.
After a truck accident in Riverside, taking certain steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights is important. Here’s what you should do:
Taking these steps can help safeguard your health and legal rights following a truck accident.
Choosing the right truck accident lawyer is very important for a successful outcome in your case. The complexities of trucking cases necessitate a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer. A proficient Riverside truck accident attorney will conduct a meticulous investigation and gather essential evidence like accident reports, driver logs, and maintenance records to establish liability effectively.
Moreover, should your case go to court, having an expert lawyer represent you can significantly improve the outcome. The right lawyer offers more than just legal assistance; they provide peace of mind, ensuring that you have knowledgeable support focused on securing the best possible outcome for your case. This allows you to concentrate on what’s most important—your recovery.
Attorney Sam Nordean has made a commitment to helping victims get back what was taken away from them. He fights for people that are injured and can’t fight for themselves.
“Going to court or negotiating a settlement is not akin to my client winning a lottery ticket. It’s about balancing the scales; it’s what they’re owed.”
Sam Nordean
Choosing Nordean Law as your Riverside truck accident lawyer means getting a team that truly gets what you’re going through. We’re not just about legal talk; we understand the real-life chaos and pain a truck accident brings. Our focus is on you, making sure you’re heard, supported, protected and guided. With us, you’re getting more than legal help; you’re getting a team that fights for what you deserve while treating you like family. We’re here to simplify the complex, stand by your side, and help you move forward. You can contact us for free legal consultation.
We’re proud to have helped countless clients across California achieve justice and compensation.
"After my car accident in Irvine, I didn’t know where to turn. This team took care of everything, from dealing with insurance to getting me a fair settlement. Highly recommend!"
"I was injured in a truck accident on the freeway near Riverside. They fought hard for me and won my case in record time. Professional and caring every step of the way."
"Nordean Law is working in my injury case and can't thank them enough. Sam and his team have been reaching and keeping me informed with all pending matters. I appreciate that because with all that is currently going in right now, I need some stress off my shoulders. Thank you Nordean Law!!!"
"The best lawyer in the area! He and his team will take great care of you. They are very good with taking questions and answering them without lying to you. I will use Sam and his firm for any cases I might encounter. Highly recommend!!"
"If you are worried about your claim you should contact Nordean Law. Sam Nordean and his team are not only true professionals with integrity, but also sincerely care about their clients well being and state of mind throughout the process."
