Santa Barbara 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information
If you have a Santa Barbara, CA 18-wheeler truck accident claim, Santa Barbara 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Santa Barbara 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation. Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Santa Barbara roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Santa Barbara , California, every day. Due to the population and congested traffic throughout Santa Barbara, the city unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2010, the U.S. Census estimated Santa Barbara ’s population to be at 88,410 people within an area of 19 square miles. With Santa Barbara being one of the smaller cities in the State of California, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Santa Barbara highways do occur.
Santa Barbara ’s freeway system is made up of miles of freeways and expressways including U.S. Route 101, an automotive transportation corridor that links the city to the rest of the Central Coast region, San Francisco to the north, and Los Angeles to the south. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Santa Barbara , with a large majority of its residents driving to work alone each day.
If you find yourself involved in an 18-wheeler accident, call one of the qualified Santa Barbara 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys on this site today.
Santa Barbara 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Santa Barbara , it is important that you choose an experienced Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of California.
Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:
- Lowboy
- 18 Wheeler
- Dump-Trucks
- Truck
- Semi-Tractor Trailer
Santa Barbara truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Santa Barbara streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Santa Barbara happen along the major Santa Barbara highways, which include the US-101, and SH-1.
Types of Trucks
The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:
- Bob-Tail Trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
- Flat bed trucks
- Logging trucks
Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Santa Barbara roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.
It is essential to hire a Santa Barbara bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:
- Santa Barbara city buses;
- transportation buses such as Greyhound;
- shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Santa Barbara Municipal Airport or Santa Cruz Island Airport; and/or,
- bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.
The ways Santa Barbara truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.
If you live in Santa Barbara and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in this court:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Anacapa Division
1100 Anacapa Street, PO Box 21107, Santa Barbara, CA 93121
(805) 882-4520
18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Santa Barbara and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Camarillo, Carpintera, El Paso de Robles, Fillmore, Goleta, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Los alamos, Los Osos, Moorpark, Nipomo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and other communities in Santa Barbara County.
Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Santa Barbara 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
Types of Trucks
Hiring a Santa Barbara 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Santa Barbara, California, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and California state laws regarding trucking regulations. Santa Barbara, located in Santa Barbara County, is one of the smaller cities in California with miles of roadways and freeways. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a South California truck accident, contact a qualified Santa Barbara semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.
Santa Barbara & California Professional Associations
In addition to selecting a qualified Santa Barbara accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Santa Barbara big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association, Santa Barbara County Bar Association, or the American Association of Justice? All lawyers that practice Santa Barbara truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of California. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- Santa Barbara County Bar Association
- American Association of Justice
The century old Santa Barbara County Bar Association (SBCBA) has a membership of about 600 attorneys, judges, legal administrators, paralegals, law students and members of various other professions. The SBCBA is a nonprofit organization that administers many programs and activities to benefit attorneys and the community. Our members work to improve the legal profession, the communities in which they live, and the administration of justice in society.
Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating
When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Santa Barbara intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Santa Barbara, CA or Santa Barbara County, it is in your best interest to contact a Santa Barbara big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.
Santa Barbara 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Santa Barbara County, CA
When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:
- the county wherein the accident occurred;
- the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
- the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.
Even though your accident may have occurred in Santa Barbara, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Santa Barbara, California, therefore making venue proper in Santa Barbara County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Santa Barbara tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.
Some of the courts in the Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County, California, areas include:
Santa Barbara County Superior Court - Anacapa Division
1100 Anacapa Street, PO Box 21107, Santa Barbara CA 93121
(805) 882-4520
18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Santa Barbara and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Camarillo, Carpintera, El Paso de Robles, Fillmore, Goleta, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Los alamos, Los Osos, Moorpark, Nipomo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and other communities in Santa Barbara County.
Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.
Types of Trucks on Santa Barbara Highways
There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Santa Barbara, California. Trucking companies in Santa Barbara offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Santa Barbara trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.
Types of Trucks Used By Santa Barbara Trucking Companies:
- 18 Wheeler
- Semi Truck
- Tractor Trailer
- Big Rig
- Semi Trailer
- Box Truck
- Straight Truck
- Flatbed Truck
- Stake Truck
- Bobtail Truck
Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Santa Barbara trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.
When to Hire a Santa Barbara 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney
In many cases, Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Santa Barbara tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Santa Barbara truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Santa Barbara tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.
Santa Barbara Trucking Companies
Following is a list of trucking companies based in Santa Barbara, California. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.
MTC Trucking
Santa Barbara Sand & Topsoil
Nuttall Trucking Inc |
Bob's Backhoe & Trucking
Charlenes Transportation
101 Statewide Moving & Transport |
Some companies deal with the transport of import and export containers through the Port of San Francisco, which is located nearby. |
Truck Accident Lawyers Serve Santa Barbara and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Camarillo, Carpintera, El Paso de Robles, Fillmore, Goleta, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Los alamos, Los Osos, Moorpark, Nipomo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and other communities in Santa Barbara County.
Santa Barbara truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
Santa Barbara Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers
Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Santa Barbara such as the US-101, or SH-1, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”
It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Santa Barbara, CA. Santa Barbara's freeway system is made up of miles of freeways and expressways. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family's livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Santa Barbara 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Santa Barbara truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.
The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault
When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Santa Barbara road or highway, such as the US-101, or SH-1 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist's everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Santa Barbara highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.
A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let's say on the US-101 in Santa Barbara. If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.
Truck Driver Facts
- Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
- 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
- 6.3% of U.S truck drivers are injured each year.
Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation
A qualified Santa Barbara 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Santa Barbara truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.
Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights
As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.
When Negligence Changes a Trucker's Life
Qualified Santa Barbara truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:
- Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
- Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
- Driver Fatigue
- Unsecured Loads
- Aggressive Driving
- DWI/Drug Use
- Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility
Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.
When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Santa Barbara truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Santa Barbara, California, one truck driving school is A-Steve Morris' Defensive School, 705 West Micheltorena Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.
Resources for Truck Drivers |
Trucking Schools (earn your CDL):
Dootson School of Trucking
Gundersen Driving School
Funny & Painless Traffic School |
Occupational Health Care Facilities
Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital
Cottage Health System
Occupational Medicine Center: Musicant Mark MD |
Companies that provide towing services for big rigs: |
Santa Barbara Towing
Bob Holzer Towing & Storage
Nieves Towing Services |
Love's Towing Services
Joe's Towing
Thomas Towing |
Contact a Santa Barbara 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer for a free initial consultation. |
Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Santa Barbara and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Camarillo, Carpintera, El Paso de Robles, Fillmore, Goleta, Isla Vista, Lompoc, Los alamos, Los Osos, Moorpark, Nipomo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and other communities in Santa Barbara County.
Santa Barbara truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Santa Barbara 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.