Lawyers can identify responsible parties to a truck accident with hazmat exposure in San Diego.
California – May 25, 2021
A crash involving five vehicles, including a semi-truck, occurred on the exit ramp from southbound state Route 163 in Mission Valley. The accident resulted in the transport of two seriously injured individuals to Scripps Mercy Hospital by San Diego Fire-Rescue, and the necessity of the Hazardous Materials Team to clean up the 50 gallons of fuel that spilled from the semi-truck onto the roadway. Injured victims should seek consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney in California for guidance on accident reporting requirements and toward damage recovery for property loss and physical injury complications.
Truck driver’s responsibility.
Commercial driver training must be completed before a truck driver is granted a commercial driver license (CDL) in California. They must prove they can drive a vehicle with difficult maneuverability and specialized mechanisms in big rigs and tankers. In the United States there was a 9% increase in fatalities caused by truck accidents in 2017, and 72% of those people were occupants of other vehicles. Tanker trucks may be more dangerous than regular large trailer carriers because of the weight distribution and the type of substance they are carrying, such as flammable liquids, pressurized gases, or highly toxic chemicals that are difficult to clean up after an accident. Individuals should contact a truck accident attorney to discuss legal options after an accident involving a big rig, or tanker.
Identification of responsible parties.
An accident involving a big rig is not always caused by the driver and truck accident lawyers are skilled at identifying additional parties to a claim, separate from the truck driver, including trucking companies, mechanics, or manufacturers of a truck and/or parts, and understand the trucking industry and relevant regulatory laws. The United States Department of Transportation, 49 C.F.R. part 387, subpart A, mandates minimum levels of financial responsibility to address accident losses. Injury attorneys will determine the best legal approach to a case, including mediation, arbitration, or going to trial, and communicate with insurance companies who want to swiftly close out a claim.
Fault state.
When the accident investigation reveals negligence by multiple parties, a personal injury attorney will communicate with all relevant insurance carriers and initiate civil action when it is warranted. Because California is a “fault” state with regard to accidents, an accident victim can bring a claim against the responsible party before they file a claim against their own “no-fault” insurance. Victims should talk to a lawyer about the two year time period to file a suit after an accident.
Hire an attorney.
A California accident attorney can guide actions after a multi-vehicle accident involving a tanker truck, and they can work with insurance companies to expediently pay costs related to funeral and burial expenses if someone dies, and/or address losses sustained to property, medical bills, lost wages, or future expenses incurred. The Law Offices of Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates can be instrumental in a quick resolution to personal injury claims stemming from a truck accident in San Diego because they have extensive knowledge of civil procedure, the commercial trucking industry, and an expert investigative team.
Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates, a Professional Law Corporation
501 West Broadway, Suite 1650
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-233-8021
Fax: 619-233-3730
Sources:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=20001
https://www.statista.com/statistics/191544/fatal-large-truck-crashes-in-the-us/
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service
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