Truck Accident Lawyer in Oxnard, Ventura County

Written by: Tyrone J. Maho

Traffic accidents can be devastating, but they can be far more destructive and fatal when they involve a truck. Large commercial trucks weigh on average 6,000 to 8,000 or more pounds. Compared to a car, they require twice as much time and space to slow down to prevent crashing into vehicles. This is why truck drivers should take special care when on the road to prevent injuring other drivers. If you are a trucking accident victim suffering from injuries because of a trucker’s mistake, you should get help from a personal injury attorney. They can help you pursue compensation from the negligent party. This will prevent you from struggling with significant expenses due to the vtruck driver. After you’ve been in an Oxnard truck accident, you can call Maho Prentice LLC for legal advice and a free consultation. 

Ways Truck Accident Attorneys Can Prove You’re Not At Fault

Oxnard truck accident lawyers understand the rules and regulations of the road and will work hard to help you receive compensation by proving that you’re not at fault for the accident. 

They’ll Use Your Photographs Of The Scene As Proof

During their investigation of the scene, a truck accident legal professional will analyze and use photographs of the dangerous accident to show the trucking company’s insurer how bad the collision was by pointing out critical details. Insurance companies cannot deny a serious claim supported by physical evidence. Pictures of serious injuries can help show what happened as well. 

Traffic Cameras

Truck collisions are sometimes caught on camera. If there were traffic cameras nearby, your truck accident attorney could request the footage. Their knowledge of traffic laws allows them to point out if a commercial driver may have broken laws or performed illegal actions on the road. 

Police Report

Oxnard truck accidents are typically reported to the police. Your legal professional can request the police report and use this as evidence in your claim. 

They Reach Out To Witnesses

There may have been witnesses who observed the truck crash. Oxnard truck accident attorneys reach out to witnesses and obtain a statement from them which can help prove your case. Eye-witness testimonies are also great evidence.

Truck Black Boxes

Trucking companies usually equip every commercial truck with a black box that tracks the driver’s activities on the road. Black boxes contain data on the performance of the vehicle. The truck’s speed before the collision is recorded. Your attorney can obtain this information to help them find out what happened before the trucking accident. 

Truck Driver Logs

All Ventura County truckers must keep logs of their activities. They must also take scheduled breaks to prevent them from becoming fatigued or drowsy while on the road. If they don’t take scheduled breaks, this can result in hours of service violations. The FMCSA requires all truck drivers to take regular rest breaks to prevent accidents. 

Truck Inspection Report

Commercial drivers have to get regular inspections of their vehicles and make sure maintenance is performed on their trucks to prevent any issues. Ignoring this can result in Ventura truck collisions that can be fatal for passenger drivers. For example, tires must be inspected, and any worn-out tires replaced to prevent tire blowouts. 

If the truck driver didn’t maintain their vehicle, this could result in malfunctions that cause crashes. After a fatal accident, Oxnard truck accident attorneys can obtain the truck inspection report to find out what happened to the truck. The trucking company sends inspectors to the accident scene to investigate the vehicle. The attorney can later retrieve this information from the sheriff’s office. 

If the trucking company performed regular inspections, but the vehicle malfunctioned for another reason, it can be a manufacturer’s fault. In this case, your attorney can reach out to the manufacturer of the defective part to initiate a settlement claim and hold them liable for your personal injury. 

What Are Common Truck Malfunctions That Can Cause A Truck Accident?

Malfunctioning equipment can be the cause of a bad truck crash, rather than bad weather, traffic violations, and even aggressive driving. Here are some of the common reasons truck accidents happen. 

Improper Loading

Overloading cargo is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. When improperly loaded, the truck becomes imbalanced, which makes it more difficult to control. Because of this, the truck is more likely to get into an accident. 

Steering Malfunction

When the steering system on a truck starts to fail, this can create problems for the commercial driver. They can struggle to control their vehicle and be unable to maneuver their vehicle, resulting in a crash. 

Tire Blowouts

When the tires on a truck don’t get inflated properly or are worn out, they can suddenly lose air pressure and explode. Tire blowouts are unexpected and can result in car accidents, causing the trucker to lose control of their vehicle suddenly. 

Bad Brakes

Commercial trucks are incredibly heavy, and their heavy loads can wear down braking systems rapidly. Also, the hydraulic brakes of a truck can heat up when they are going up or down an incline. Because of this, they can experience brake fade, which prevents the truck from slowing down quickly. 

Engine Malfunctions

Worn-out engines can prevent a truck from transporting goods safely. For example, they can leak, overheat, or simply stop working when not properly maintained. Engines have to work hard to keep trucks that weigh up to thousands of pounds moving across the nation. Sometimes they get worn out and create problems on the road. 

What Should I Do Now That I’ve Been In A Ventura County Truck Accident?

If you experienced serious injuries, you would want this information on your medical records as proof that you’ve been injured because of your crash. You should see a doctor immediately to get a check-up and treatment. Your law firm can then provide additional advice on other evidence you can provide for them. Working with a dedicated truck accident lawyer in Oxnard, CA can vastly improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement. 

Insurance companies aren’t always looking out for your best interest and may encourage you to settle for a fraction of the amount you are really owed. With the help of an attorney, you can get accurate guidance on the settlement you are due when they review your damages. They can determine who is at fault and use evidence to prove your case. Call Maho Prentice LLC today for a free consultation.