Semi Truck Accident Lawyer — Whittier, CA
As part of the Gateway Cities, Whittier is centrally located in Los Angeles County and borders Orange County. Accessible through the 605 Freeway, the city experiences a great deal of commercial trucking traffic. As a result, truck accidents occur regularly.
The struggles that come with being involved in an accident should not be taken lightly.
Whittier personal injury lawyer, Daniel Kim, and his legal team know that being involved in any type of truck accident, like a semi-truck or an 18-wheeler, is traumatizing for victims. Our personal injury attorneys specialize in automobile accidents and are here to help guide you during this difficult time.
If you were involved in a trucking accident and not sure what to do next, contact Whittier truck accident lawyer, Daniel Kim, for a free consultation.
Contact Whittier Truck Accident Lawyer, Daniel Kim
The Law Offices of Daniel Kim is a top-rated firm in Los Angeles with years of experience winning personal injury cases, maintaining a 99% success rate. In addition, we offer personalized services and keep clients informed from start to finish.
We understand how trying legal proceedings can be. That’s why we try to remove as much stress as possible from the process. When you work with our firm in Whittier, you will not be charged any legal fees until we win your case. Additionally, we offer an absolutely free, no-obligation case evaluation.
The Law Offices of Daniel Kim are available to address your questions and concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us today to find out how much your case is worth.
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What to Do After a Truck Accident in Whittier, CA
Between physical trauma, the recovery process, new financial burdens, and overall mental stress, being involved in a truck accident can dramatically affect victims’ lives permanently. If you have been injured in a Whittier truck accident, follow these key steps:
- Contact the police immediately – First, it is very important to contact the authorities immediately after the truck accident. A police report will be taken at the scene, and that report can work in your favor when filing a claim. Police presence will also help keep everyone calm at the scene of the accident.
- Get medical treatment – Next, see a doctor. Receiving medical treatment following an accident prevents injuries from progressing. In addition, getting a medical professional’s diagnosis indicates to the liable party’s insurers that your injuries resulted from the truck accident.
- Collect evidence – Then, take as many photos and videos of the scene. Also, collect the truck driver’s information, including, contact number, insurance information, and employer. If there were witnesses present, collect their contact information, as well.
- Call a Whittier truck accident lawyer – Lastly, contact an attorney. Consulting with a truck accident lawyer will provide guidance on what your next steps should be. The best lawyers will offer this consultation at no cost.
Truck Accidents in Whittier
When any type of accident involving a large truck occurs, the injuries and damages sustained are more severe than in standard car collisions. This is due to the size and weight of the trucks. Here are the most common types of truck accidents and why they happen.
Types of Truck Accidents
Based on varying causes, the types of traffic collisions involving trucks can greatly differ. Although different, each causes serious damage. The most common types of truck accidents are:
- Jackknife – Two separate parts of a truck, like the cabin and trailer, swivel into a “V” position
- Bridge strikes – The truck collides with an overpass or bridge because it’s too tall for clearance
- Head-on collision – Opposing vehicles drive toward each other and collide head-on
- Rollover – When a truck’s wheels lose friction, causing the truck to flip on its side or upside down
- T-bone – This is when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another
- Spilled cargo – When cargo is not properly loaded and falls or spills onto the road
- Rear-end – A truck collides into the back of another vehicle
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
There are a number of reasons why truck accidents occur. Some of the most common are:
- Speeding
- Overloaded cargo
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Distracted driving
- Poor braking system
- Tailgating
- Driving while tired
- Lane changing without signaling
- Bad weather conditions
- Disobeying traffic laws
Based on these factors, states have implemented specific rules and standards for truck drivers to follow. However, when these are not followed, truck drivers compromise their safety and the safety of the public.
If you are involved in a truck accident, in the city of Whittier or the surrounding cities, contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim. We offer a 100% free case evaluation, and we will explore your legal options when it comes to filing a truck accident claim.
Common Types of Trucks on Whittier Roads
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) qualifies as a “large truck.” A truck’s GVWR is based on the weight of the truck itself added to its cargo load, equating to 10,000 pounds or more. Common types of large trucks often involved in trucking accidents include:
- Tow Trucks – Trucks that pick up other vehicles
- Flatbed Trucks – A truck with a unique flat body design used to transport large items
- Delivery Trucks – Used to deliver goods and supplies to retailers
- Garbage Trucks – Specifically designed to retrieve waste and transport it to a waste facility
- Tractor-Trailers – Semis or big rig trucks that typically have a trailer unit attached to the back
- Tanker Trucks – Trucks that haul tanks filled with a form of liquid or gaseous material
- Buses – Any type of bus transporting passengers, like a tour bus, city bus, or school bus
- Moving Trucks – Oftentimes driven by ordinary citizens to transport personal items and do not require a commercial driver’s license to operate
Whittier Truck Accident Statistics
With a population of 85,000 residents and major freeways running through the city, Whittier experiences a good amount of commercial traffic. More traffic means more chances for truck accidents.
In fact, 52% of fatalities were involved in large truck crashes that took place on major roads, and 32% took place on freeways in 2019.
Injuries and Deaths From Truck Accidents in Whittier
In Whittier, there were a total of 10 fatal car accidents, in 2019.
In the US, there were a total of 4,119 fatalities involving large trucks, which was a 31% increase from 2009-2019. Of those fatalities, 16% were truck drivers/occupants, 67% were in cars, and 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
Percentage of Accidents Involving Drugs or Alcohol
California, like most states, continues to struggle with drivers operating motor vehicles while intoxicated. In 2019, there were 3 fatal accidents involving drunk drivers.
Registered Commercial Truck Drivers
With over 130,000 drivers, California currently has the second-highest number of truck drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Texas has the most with 172,000 people employed by trucking companies.
Dangerous Intersections in Whittier for Truck Drivers
Like most cities in LA County, Whittier also has dangerous intersections. The most dangerous is the intersection of Whittier Blvd. and Painter Ave. The intersection proved to be so much of a liability that the city invested $1.8 million dollars to add additional lanes.
Practice Areas We Specialize In
At The Law Office of Daniel Kim, our personal injury attorneys exclusively handle motor vehicle accident cases. This sets us apart from other law firms that take any case to make a quick dollar. Our outstanding attorneys focus on motor vehicle accidents. This allows us to offer the best service to our clients who want real experience and knowledge.
Motorcycle Accidents – As we all know riding a motorcycle is very dangerous, and almost all motorcycle accidents lead to severe injuries.
Lyft / Uber Accidents – Uber passengers and other cars who were hit by an Uber driver can file a claim.
Pedestrian Accidents – These are always bad accidents when pedestrians are involved.
Car Accidents – This can involve any type of crash.
Bike Accidents – Bike accidents always lead to serious injury, even if you are wearing a helmet. Broken bones and road rash are common in bike accidents.
Car Accident Lawyer Daniel Kim – Whittier
Address: 6528 Greenleaf Ave., Suite 216, Whittier, CA 90601
Phone: (562) 512-9211
We’re Here to Help
At The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we will provide the necessary guidance and assistance to help victims recover from their truck accidents. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is well-versed in California traffic laws. Furthermore, we specialize in automotive accidents, including truck accidents. Our Whittier truck accident lawyers know how to handle insurance companies and have a proven track record of representing our clients against insurance companies.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an auto accident, contact us.
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