The statistics above paint a grim picture for drivers on the busy highways of Los Angeles. It’s clear that commercial vehicle accidents are far too common — and when they do happen, they can harm numerous vehicle occupants and even pedestrians, often resulting in serious injury or death.
All drivers and pedestrians should be aware of their surroundings on Los Angeles roads and follow state and federal traffic guidelines.
Some of the most common examples of commercial vehicle accidents are:
There are many rules and regulations that govern how trucks operate on the road. Large trucks especially must follow strict federal and state regulations. They must also be maintained consistently to ensure that they are safe to drive.
If a commercial truck driver was speeding, distracted by their cell phone, or driving under the influence, you may have a claim against the driver. You may also have a claim against the trucking company that employs them.
A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle hits another in the back — usually because the driver failed to pay attention or allow enough space between vehicles. Rear-end collisions can be especially dangerous when a large truck causes the accident, due to the potential for crushing damage to smaller vehicles.
Trucks pulling one or more trailers can be very heavy, so drivers must take extra care when operating these vehicles. A poorly-secured trailer could fall off and cause serious harm to other drivers on the road or even start a chain reaction accident involving multiple vehicles.
Buses are large and do not always have the same visibility as smaller passenger vehicles. Therefore, it requires special training and licensing to operate a bus safely. Bus drivers should always pay attention and be aware of their surroundings to avoid crashes.
For taxi drivers, their livelihood depends on having a good reputation for safe and timely service. However, sometimes taxi drivers are involved in accidents due to negligence, violation of traffic laws, and other reasons.
Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have become very popular in Los Angeles. Most ridesharing companies carry insurance designed to protect both passengers and other drivers in the event of an accident.
If you are involved in an accident while using a ridesharing service, it is important to understand each driver’s liability.
Delivery vehicles can be dangerous when they are operated unsafely or insufficiently maintained by their owners. Large delivery vans often have big blind spots that can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles on the road.
Understanding why an accident occurred is vital to determining liability for injuries. In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for your losses, including the driver, the owner of the vehicle, a parts manufacturer, or the company that leased or hired the driver.
Here are some of the most common causes of commercial vehicle accidents in Los Angeles:
Drivers of commercial vehicles often work long hours and sometimes drive when they are tired, causing them to make mistakes behind the wheel that can lead to accidents.
Some drivers do not follow safe driving practices and violate traffic laws — for example, by speeding, tailgating other vehicles, or ignoring traffic signals. This type of behavior can increase their chances of getting into an accident.
The size and weight of commercial vehicles can cause mechanical failures if they are not properly maintained. Potential problems include:
When a driver loses control of a commercial vehicle due to mechanical failures, it can cause serious accidents, especially if there is more than one vehicle involved.
When a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident in Los Angeles, many different parties could potentially be held liable for the resulting damages. These include:
If the commercial vehicle driver was negligent in any way when operating the vehicle, they could be held liable for any resulting damages.
Many times, the owner of a commercial vehicle will hire an independent contractor to operate the vehicle. When this occurs, both the owner and the driver may be held liable. In some cases, only one party may be responsible for paying compensation to victims.
If it can be proven that a vehicle defect contributed to your accident or injury in any way, you have grounds to sue the company responsible for manufacturing or maintaining the vehicle.
The information on this website was written as advertising material and is intended for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
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