Goleta Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck accidents are nothing if not scary. And the fallout from a serious truck accident can reverberate throughout the victim’s life for years to come. Disabilities, either temporary or permanent, can prevent accident victims from earning the money they need to support themselves and take care of their families. But being unable to work does not mean that the bills stop rolling in.

At the Law Offices of John B. Richards, our truck accident attorneys understand that recovering from a truck accident takes time. That is why we are there to help you face down the big insurance companies every step of the way as you navigate the confusing claims process. You may be left with long-lasting injuries—some may even follow you for life—so we strive to get the largest settlement or verdict possible in your case, whether that means negotiating with insurance adjusters or playing hardball in the courtroom.

Reach out to our truck accident lawyers in Goleta now for a free evaluation of your case by clicking here or calling 805-683-2736.

Truck Accident Causes

There is no limit to the number of things that can go wrong when big rigs, tractor-trailers, semi-trailers, and other large trucks share the roadways with passenger cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and other smaller vehicles. The massive size and the unstoppable force of commercial trucks make it nearly impossible for other vehicles to withstand the force that comes along with an impact with one of these giant hulks of the highway. Although all wrecks are unique, the most common causes for serious or even catastrophic truck accidents include:

• Excessive speed: Speeding is never a safe driving practice, but when big trucks speed, the results can be deadly. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that for every percent increase in speed, the chance of an injury crash goes up 3 percent and the chance of a deadly crash goes up 4 percent.
• Drunk/drugged driving: Another very unsafe driving practice, inebriated driving—either from alcohol or drugs—can lead to devastating accidents and can cause lives. As an example, a driver who is taking amphetamines while driving is five times as likely to crash as a sober driver notes the WHO.
• Driving while distracted: Cell phone use, including texting, talking, and watching videos on a cell phone, can lead to horrible accidents.
• Driving while tired: Drivers who are fatigued or sleepy are also more likely to crash than those who are well-rested. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), driving sleepy or drowsy affects drivers in much the way that driving drunk can. The CDC says that driving after being awake for 18 hours or more is the same in terms of coordination, reaction time, and judgment on the road as someone who has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 percent.