Santa Monica 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Information

If you have a Santa Monica, CA 18-wheeler truck accident claim, Santa Monica 18-wheeler truck accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 small number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Santa Monica, California. Due to the population and traffic throughout Santa Monica, the city unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2010, the U.S. Census estimated Santa Monica’s population to be at 89,736 people within an area of 8.4 square miles. With Santa Monica being one of the smaller cities in the State of California, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Santa Monica highways do occur.

Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10) begins in Santa Monica near the Pacific Ocean and heads east. The Santa Monica Freeway between Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles has the distinction of being one of the busiest highways in all of North America. After traversing Los Angeles County, I-10 crosses seven more states, terminating at Jacksonville, Florida. In Santa Monica, there is a road sign designating this route as the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Santa Monica, with a large percentage 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 Monica 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys on this site today.

Santa Monica 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

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 Monica, it is important that you choose an experienced Santa Monica 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:

1. Semi-Tractor Trailer
2. Dump-Trucks
3. Flatbed
4. Semi-Trailer
5. Big Rig

Santa Monica truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Santa Monica streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Santa Monica happen along the major Santa Monica highways, which include the I-405, I-10, and SH-1.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Bob-Tail Trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. 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 Monica 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 Monica bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Santa Monica city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Los Angeles International Airport or Bob Hope Airport; and/or,
4. bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Pacific Park.

The ways Santa Monica 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 Monica and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Los Angeles County Superior Court - West District
Santa Monica Courthouse, 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 260-3522

Los Angeles County Superior Court - Central District
Central Civil West Courthouse, 600 South Commonwealth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 351-8738

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Santa Monica and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Agoura Hills, Athens, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Compton, Culver City, Downey, East Los Angeles, Florence, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Lawndale, Lennox, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhatten, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, South Gate, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, View Park, West Athens, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and other communities in Los Angeles County.

Santa Monica 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 Monica 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Santa Monica 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Santa Monica, California, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Santa Monica 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and California state laws regarding trucking regulations. Santa Monica, located in Los Angeles County, is one of the smaller cities in the county with miles of roadways and experiences traffic due to its population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Southern California truck accident, contact a qualified Santa Monica semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Santa Monica & California Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Santa Monica accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Santa Monica big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Santa Monica Bar Association, or the National Trial Lawyers Association? All lawyers that practice Santa Monica truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of California. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Santa Monica Bar Association
• National Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association of Justice

The Santa Monica Bar Association (SMBA) was founded in 1928.  It provides its members, the courts, and the community-at-large with a variety of services, activities and commitments. Through its lecture series addressing thought-provoking topics, the Bar strives to feature inspiring speakers of legal renown in the local, national and international communities. The association serves the Westside from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles, and from Marina del Rey to Malibu.

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 Monica 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 Monica, CA or Los Angeles County, it is in your best interest to contact a Santa Monica big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Santa Monica 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Los Angeles 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:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Santa Monica, 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 Monica, California, therefore making venue proper in Los Angeles County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Santa Monica 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 Monica, Los Angeles County, California, areas include:

Los Angeles County Superior Court - North Valley District
Chatsworth Courthouse, 9425 Penfield Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311
(818) 576-8506

Los Angeles County Superior Court - Northeast District
Alhambra Courthouse, 150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 308-5309

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Santa Monica and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Agoura Hills, Athens, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Compton, Culver City, Downey, East Los Angeles, Florence, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Lawndale, Lennox, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhatten, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, South Gate, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, View Park, West Athens, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and other communities in Los Angeles County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Santa Monica 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 Monica Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Santa Monica, California. Trucking companies in Santa Monica offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Santa Monica Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Santa Monica truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Santa Monica tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Santa Monica Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Santa Monica, California. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Santa Monica and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Agoura Hills, Athens, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Compton, Culver City, Downey, East Los Angeles, Florence, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Lawndale, Lennox, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhatten, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica, South Gate, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, View Park, West Athens, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, and other communities in Los Angeles County.

Santa Monica 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 Monica truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Santa Monica Tractor-Trailer 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 Monica such as the I-405, I-10 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 Monica, CA.Santa Monica'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 Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica road or highway, such as the I-405, I-10, 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 Monica 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 SH-1 in Santa Monica.  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 Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica, California, one of the most well known schools is  GSF Truck Driving School & Traffic School, 1310 North La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90302, although there are many other throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Lawyers for Injured Truckers Serve Santa Monica and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Southern California, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Santa Monica, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller and West University.

Santa Monica 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 Monica 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.