Truck Rear End Collisions Attorney in Los Angeles, California

Due to their immense size and weight, rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks are far more dangerous than standard car accidents. Since these types of collisions can often lead to devastating consequences, ranging from extensive property damage to life-altering injuries, it's important for victims to seek legal support as soon as possible.

Through his firm, Antaramian Law, APC, Attorney Andrew Antaramian is committed to helping victims of rear-end truck collisions throughout California.

If you've been involved in a rear-end truck collision, it's imperative to know your rights, the applicable laws, and how Antaramian Law, APC, can help you pursue justice and compensation for your injuries.  

How Rear-End Truck Collisions Differ from Car Accidents 

Truck accidents are vastly different from typical car accidents, primarily due to the sheer size, weight, and unique physics of large trucks. A fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, meaning the force of a rear-end collision is exponentially greater than that of a typical passenger vehicle.  

This can often cause significant injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord damage, broken bones, and whiplash. Additionally, trucks have longer stopping distances, which makes it harder for truck drivers to brake quickly and avoid collisions.  

Factors such as poor truck maintenance, distracted driving, driver fatigue, and overloaded cargo can increase the likelihood of these accidents.  

California State Laws Governing Rear-End Collisions

In California, motor vehicle accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, are governed by state laws and federal regulations. Some of the primary regulations you should be familiar with include the following.

Comparative Negligence Rules  

California follows a “pure comparative negligence” system. If the victim is partially responsible for the accident, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. For instance, if a victim is found 20% at fault, their total compensation will be reduced by 20%.  

Federal Trucking Regulations  

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes regulations for truck drivers and trucking companies, including mandatory rest breaks, limits on driving hours, and vehicle maintenance standards. When these rules are ignored or violated, the risk of rear-end truck collisions significantly increases. 

Statute of Limitations  

In California, victims generally have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim. However, swift action is essential to protect critical evidence and meet the established deadlines.

Proving Fault in a Rear-End Truck Collision

Rear-end collisions are often assumed to be the fault of the trailing vehicle; however, this is not always true in truck accidents. Determining liability in these situations is far more complicated. It often requires a thorough investigation of various factors, including the truck driver’s behavior, the trucking company’s policies and practices, and the potential for equipment failure. 

• Truck driver negligence: Truck driver error is a common cause of rear-end collisions. Negligence can include distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, or fatigue caused by exceeding regulated hours of service.
  

• Trucking company liability: The trucking company could also be held responsible, particularly in cases involving negligent hiring, insufficient driver training, or failure to conduct vehicle maintenance.
  

• Vehicle defects: A defective braking system or malfunctioning lights may contribute to collisions. If this is the case, the manufacturer or maintenance provider could be held liable.
  

• Cargo overload or improper loading: Exceeding weight limits or improperly securing a truck's cargo can significantly impact braking performance and vehicle control, posing serious safety risks. 

Antaramian Law, APC, has the experience and knowledge to help collect evidence such as black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and eyewitness accounts to build a robust case on your behalf. Expert witnesses may also provide testimony to establish fault and clarify liability.  

Compensation for Victims of Rear-End Truck Collisions

Victims of rear-end truck collisions often experience significant financial and emotional hardships. If you've been injured in a truck collision, you may be eligible to recover compensation forw economic and non-economic losses, such as:

• Medical expenses: Past and future costs of treatments, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and medications. 

• Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to the victim’s inability to work following the accident. 

• Pain and suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident. 

• Property damage: Repairs or replacement costs for damaged vehicles. 

• Loss of future earnings: If an injury leads to permanent disabilities that diminish the victim's earning capacity, this will be taken into account when determining compensation. 

• Loss of consortium: Compensation for the loss of companionship or support for family members. 

With years of experience, Antaramian Law, APC, can assess the full scope of your damages to help you explore and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.