Whatever name you may use for big rigs—18 wheelers, semi trucks, or tractor trailer trucks—accidents involving these vehicles are extremely complicated for many reasons, including the following:

• The sheer size and weight of these vehicles almost guarantees that injuries are likely to be more serious than those caused by typical car accidents.
• Identifying all parties who are responsible for the accident can be extremely complex.
• It often takes quick, skilled forensic investigation of the vehicles and the accident scene to determine exactly what happened.

Naturally, the first step after an accident of this magnitude is to seek prompt medical attention for all injured parties.  The next step is for victims to seek compensation for all the expenses associated with their accident injuries.  But, before pursuing a Los Angeles truck lawsuit, you need to get to the bottom of some important issues.

Determining what happened

You may know that a truck hit your car, but you need to know exactly what happened.  It often requires a careful examination of the accident scene and vehicles to get to such facts as these:

• What factors may have caused the truck to lose control?
• What were the weather and road conditions at the time of impact?  Could they have contributed to the accident?
• What do witnesses report about the accident?

Determining true liability for a trucking accident can be complicated

Semi trucks are commercial vehicles subject to regulation under California law.  The task of transporting any shipment by truck actually involves many parties.  When any party performs tasks in a substandard manner, accidents can happen.  This is why it is so important to retain an experienced Los Angeles trucking attorney—one who understands the intricacies of the trucking business and knows how to unravel the details to determine who shared the responsibility for accident.  Just a few potentially responsible parties include the following:

• The driver:  Was the driver distracted?  Or, was the driver on the road for too long without a rest period?  If the driver was lacking sleep, was this by his or her own decision, or connected with a deadline set forth by the trucking company?
• The trucking company:  Did the company provide proper training for the driver?  Should the driver have been supervised due to lack of experience?  Had the truck undergone regular maintenance as required by law?
• Trucking maintenance:  Did faulty maintenance procedures cause malfunctions that caused the accident?  Did the maintenance consider the weight of goods carried in the truck at the time of the accident?
• Cargo:  Was the cargo loaded in a manner that would ensure even distribution throughout the trailer?  Was the cargo secured to ensure it could not shift during turns or even bumps in the road?

Liability for a trucking accident can extend to many different parties, and it is critical to identify each one to achieve success in these complicated lawsuits.