Truck Accident Lawyer in Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz, nestled along the Northern California coast, relies heavily on large commercial trucks to transport agricultural produce, lumber, and other goods using major state highways like Route 1, 17, and 152. But when loaded tractor-trailers and big rigs collide with smaller vehicles, catastrophic injuries often result. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a Santa Cruz truck accident, an experienced lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the best outcome toward recovery.
For over 40 years, the truck accident lawyers at Moseley Collins Law have helped victims recover millions of dollars in compensation from negligent truckers, trucking companies like FedEx or UPS, cargo loaders, parts manufacturers, and other liable third parties after catastrophic wrecks. Let us review the details of your Santa Cruz truck collision at no charge to help determine potential negligence. Call (800) 426-5546 now to learn how retaining our services can make a difference in getting your life back on track after a devastating truck crash injury.
Common Causes of Truck AccidentsTruck accidents can result from a variety of factors, ranging from driver errors to mechanical failures to companies prioritizing profits over safety. While each truck crash occurs under unique circumstances, there are some recurring issues that contribute to many collisions.
Truck Driver ErrorsMany truck crashes stem from mistakes made by the drivers themselves:
- Distracted Driving - Actions like texting, eating, talking on the phone or entering data distracts truckers from focusing on the road and reacting in time to avoid collisions.
- Fatigued Driving – Exceeding allowed hours of service behind the wheel leads to truckers falling asleep while driving. Undiagnosed sleep disorders also play a role.
- Impaired Driving – Prescription medications, alcohol or illegal drug use affects cognition, reflexes and hand-eye coordination, increasing accident risks.
- Aggressive Maneuvers – Violating safety laws through speeding, making risky lane changes without signaling or proper spacing, and failure to yield causes wrecks.
The policies and cost-cutting measures imposed by trucking carriers also bear responsibility:
- Insufficient Driver Training – Low standards getting minimally qualified or completely unqualified truckers behind the wheels jeopardizes public safety through lack of skill.
- Truck Maintenance Lapses – Skipping regular service checks and repairs to critical components like brakes and steering to cut costs leads to catastrophic breakdowns and accidents.
- Unrealistic Delivery Deadlines – Committing truckers to excessively long hauls without rest incentivizes running red lights, speeding and accumulated fatigue. Wrecks rise when delivery time trumps safety.
Road dangers pose threats as well:
- Poor Traffic Signage – Faded or obscured speed limit, curve warnings, low clearance and ramp signs place truckers at peril without vital data to operate safely.
- Dangerous Topography – Steep declining downhill grades prone to runaway trucks losing brakes, poor lighting inside tunnels and narrow bridges with tight squeezes can turn hazardous for large difficult-to-maneuver trucks.
While trucking provides an invaluable service, insistence on efficiency and profits needs balancing with safety for the public good. When lapses arise due to preventable errors or negligence, firms and drivers must take full responsibility for damages inflicted on accident victims. Experienced truck accident lawyers ensure liability gets properly assessed and assigned.
Police Departments Serving Santa Cruz CountyIf you are the victim of a truck collision in the below jurisdictions, contact emergency services immediately to report all details establishing an official record with firsthand accounts. Inform the Santa Cruz police agency responding about the crash circumstances and any signs of truck, company or environmental conditions contributing to the wreck. Seek any medical attention needed as well.
The Forbes reported over 4,000 large truck collisions statewide in 2021. 11% resulted in fatalities - a risk to motorists 200% higher compared to crashes only involving passenger cars. When these heavy commercial carriers crash, the consequences prove severe. Retaining a truck accident lawyer helps level the legal playing field against powerful insurance companies trying to minimize reasonable compensation for victims.
Santa Cruz Police Department
155 Center St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 420-5800
Scotts Valley Police Department
1 Civic Center Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (831) 440-5670
Capitola Police Department
420 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010 (831) 471-1170
UC Santa Cruz Police Department
1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
(831) 459-2231
Watsonville Police Department
215 Union St, Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 768-3350
With its vibrant agriculture plus lumber exports, the Santa Cruz area relies on heavy trucks transiting daily along coastal and inland routes moving goods. Our truck accident lawyers see collisions occurring far too often on:
Highway 1 – Winding roadway hugging oceanside bluffs offers hazardous tight turns and descending grades through Santa Cruz mountains.
Highway 17 – Key transit artery linking Santa Cruz to San Jose metro seeing high commuter and truck volumes resulting in frequent crashes.
Highway 152 – East-bound route crossing Pacheco Pass into California’s Central Valley traversed by produce trucks prone to deadly runaway truck accidents on 6-7% declining grades.
If you were impacted by a trucking collision on these interregional connectors or any Northern California roadways, Moseley Collins Law can help. Call (800) 426-5546 now for a free case review.
Cities & Towns Served by Our Santa Cruz LawyersMoseley Collins Law takes pride in assisting residents throughout the wider Santa Cruz region including:
- Santa Cruz
- Capitola
- Scotts Valley
- Watsonville
- Aptos
- Rio del Mar
- La Selva Beach
- Soquel
- Davenport
- Freedom
- Mount Hermon
Wherever you reside in the area, our accomplished truck accident lawyers offer free case evaluations to injury victims and families coping after catastrophic wrecks caused by negligent truckers or carriers. Call (800) 426-5546 or contact us online to schedule a free review discussing your options.
How Do Truck Accident Lawyers Prove Who Was At-Fault?As seasoned truck accident lawyers, we methodically establish legal liability by:
1. Reconstructing Collisions – Through telematics data, crash scene analysis, eyewitness accounts and other evidence, we recreate how the wrecks occurred.
2. Identifying Safety Breaches – We leverage trucking experts to pinpoint violations of vehicle codes, regulations, or failures in reasonable duty of care pertaining to commercial truck operations and safety.
3. Quantifying Victim Damages – Our legal team works with medical specialists to thoroughly assess injury trauma and project long-term impacts on income loss and quality of life.
4. Connecting Negligent Choices to Client Harms – Demonstrating a direct nexus between identified breaches uncovered and the extensive client damages suffered strengthens legal arguments justifying financial restitution under California law.
Moseley Collins Law has the legal firepower and scope of expertise through our truck accident lawyers to take on this complex legal fight for Northern California residents impacted by truck wrecks and win. Call us 24 hours a day for dedicated support.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case EvaluationIf you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in a truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver or unsafe trucking company practices, contact our experienced lawyers today for a free case evaluation. For over 40 years, we have fought for accident victims and helped them recover significant financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disability costs and other damages stemming from these devastating crashes. Our lawyers have the litigation expertise and resources to stand up to even major trucking insurance carriers and corporations in demanding full accountability.
We operate on a contingency-fee basis so you pay nothing upfront. Let us review the details of your truck collision and provide straightforward guidance on your legal options for pursuing justice after this life-changing event. Call (800) 426-5546 now or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate, dedicated truck accident team. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can start helping you work toward the future you deserve.
Frequently Asked QuestionsExperienced truck accident lawyers pursue compensation covering medical bills, lost income, reduced quality of life plus wrongful death and funeral costs if applicable.
We work on contingency - our fees come from financial recoveries, not clients. No upfront payments or bills.
Trucking firms often try denying fair accountability for crashes their drivers cause by claiming other motorists were negligent or road conditions were dangerous. Skilled lawyers anticipate and counter these tactics.
Insurers may pressure quick lowball settlements before full damages get uncovered. A lawyer ensures you receive full and fair compensation.
California law allows two years from the crash date to pursue injury claims before rights expire. Complex cases take significant preparation so contacting a lawyer soon after wrecks occurs is wise.
Crashes with oversized trucks lead to catastrophic, lifelong harm. As accomplished Santa Cruz truck accident lawyers with over 40 years expertise, Moseley Collins Law holds negligent parties fully accountable. For dedicated legal counsel, call (800) 426-5546 24/7.