Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer

Common Types of Pasadena Truck Accidents

Rollover Accident

A rollover accident occurs when a car or truck tips over onto its side during a collision. The force of the car or truck tipping over can eject drivers and passengers from the vehicle and can result in serious injuries and fatal injuries. A rollover crash is more likely to result in a fatal accident than other types of truck accidents. Each year, rollover crashes are responsible for about 30% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths.

Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end collisions are typically caused by distracted driving, sudden braking, tailgating, or reversing. Oftentimes, the occupants of the vehicle that is hit suffer more severe injuries including whiplash, spinal injuries, and soft tissue injuries. Read-end collisions caused 2,346 fatal accidents in 2019. This type of crash is more common in busy cities and towns with stop-and-go traffic.

Sideswipe Accident

Oftentimes, in a sideswipe accident, the vehicles are traveling in the same direction and are side-by-side when they collide. It’s possible that a motorist may have failed to check their blind spot before merging into another lane or changing lanes. These types of accidents are especially dangerous because a vehicle could be forced into another lane of traffic, potentially causing accidents with multiple vehicles and resulting in severe damage.

Head-On Accident

Head-on accidents are very dangerous due to the impact of both vehicles colliding from opposite directions. Head-on collisions caused 3,613 fatal crashes in 2019. This type of accident can occur due to distracted driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving under the influence, and driver fatigue.

Tire Blowout Accident

Truck tire blowout accidents typically occur due to truck driver negligence such as disregarding a routine maintenance check-up or overloading the truck. When a tire blowout occurs, it makes it very difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. A tire blowout also results in rubber tire debris flying onto the road, presenting a hazard to other motorists.

Wide-Turn Accident

A wide-turn accident happens when a truck will occupy an additional lane to safely complete a turn. A truck driver may turn too wide and could turn into opposing traffic, especially on a two-lane road. In this kind of accident, the truck may crash into another vehicle head-on, or the truck could tip over if the turn is within a radius that is too small.

Underride Accident

Underride accidents are catastrophic and cause traffic fatalities. This happens when a smaller vehicle collides into the side or back of the truck and slides underneath it. Underride accidents are one of the deadliest types of trucking accidents. Annually, about 500 fatal accidents occur due to underride.

Jackknife Accident

A jackknife accident occurs when the front of the truck and the trailer stop moving in unison. The attached trailer may suddenly move in a different direction than the front cabin. This can be caused due to a truck being too heavy or the load not being properly balanced. The truck trailer rig goes out of alignment causing it to swing left or right. In this kind of accident, the truck driver often loses control of the vehicle and is at risk of it tipping over.

What is My Truck Accident Claim Worth in California?

The value of your truck accident case will depend on multiple factors like the extent of your injuries and property damage, medical bills, ongoing medical treatment, and liability. Multiple parties may be involved as well. Trucks typically cause serious injuries and property damage due to the size and weight of the commercial vehicle. Trucks can exert a much stronger force against another automobile, like a passenger vehicle, because it has a much greater mass. Consequently, trucks are required to carry higher insurance policies.

Due to the nature of truck accidents and the catastrophic damage they cause, the settlements also tend to be higher. Because of potentially high settlement costs, insurance companies are motivated to limit liability or may even try to deny your claim. Contact a Pasadena truck accident attorney to learn about the value of your truck accident case.

Common Injuries Sustained in a Pasadena Truck Accident

The occupants of passenger cars are more at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries in a truck wreck due to the size and weight of a commercial truck. Consequently, a trucking company that manages commercial trucks is governed by strict safety regulations. A truck accident victim can suffer injuries from broken bones to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury. Some common truck accident injuries include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Lacerations and burns
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and spinal paralysis
• Internal injuries
• Disfigurement
• Wrongful death

We understand how life-altering the effects of a truck accident can be for truck accident victims and their families. If you lost a loved one in a trucking accident, you may be able to claim a wrongful death action. It’s important to consult a wrongful death attorney to learn about your legal options when pursuing a wrongful death claim.

Dangerous Intersections in Pasadena, California

The streets in Pasadena, CA are continually bustling with cars, trucks, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Some of the most dangerous intersections in Pasadena include:

• Oak Knoll Avenue at Cordova Street
• Lake Avenue at Orange Grove Boulevard
• Los Robles Avenue at Buckeye Street
• Lincoln Avenue at Mountain Street
• Washington Boulevard at Lake Avenue