California Truck Accident Lawyers
Truck Accident Lawyers Explain How to Seek Compensation.Commercial trucks are the largest vehicles on the road. Weighing tens of thousands of pounds when fully loaded, these vehicles can cause immense damage during a collision.
Due to the dangerous nature of these vehicles, drivers and their employers are required to follow California and federal safety regulations.
If you were injured in a truck accident, it is possible the trucker or the trucking company violated these regulations. There are also additional parties who may be responsible for the crash.
You may be able to be compensated for damages against these parties if you or a loved one were injured during the accident. Consulting with a skilled California truck accident lawyer can be crucial in these cases. Our truck accident lawyers could pursue multiple sources of evidence during a lawsuit to determine who was at fault.
Our attorneys at Wells Call Injury Lawyers, have decades of experience handling auto and truck accident claims. Our California truck accident attorneys will guide you through every step of the process.
We take truck accident cases in the Bay Area, including Fairfield, Napa, Richmond, Vacaville, Vallejo, Woodland, and the surrounding California areas.
Supported by our past clients’ testimonials, we have achieved a positive reputation for providing effective legal representation to victims of truck accidents.
Hundreds of Millions Recovered
And 40 Years in Practice The case results listed are actual settlement and verdict results from cases recently handled by us. Because the facts and circumstances of every case are different, the results of other cases are not a guarantee of similar results in other cases. The results below do not include all cases, but they include a sample of different types of cases and show how much those results can vary.
Awards & Affiliations
Wells Call Injury Lawyers, has been honored for its professionalism, legal experience, and client care while handling personal injury law.
Below are some of the ways we’ve been recognized.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are often severe due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. Understanding the common causes of these crashes can help both drivers and victims prepare for potential risks. Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers are often required to travel long distances with tight deadlines. Despite regulations on hours of service, fatigue remains a leading cause of accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions, such as using a phone, eating, or adjusting the radio, can lead to catastrophic consequences when a truck driver’s attention is diverted from the road.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Trucks require longer stopping distances and have less maneuverability than smaller vehicles. Speeding or aggressive driving increases the risk of losing control and causing a collision.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their fleets are well-maintained. Accidents can occur due to brake failure, tire blowouts, or other mechanical issues resulting from inadequate maintenance.
- Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Cargo that shifts or is not secured properly can cause a truck to tip over or become difficult to control, especially during turns or sudden stops.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug impairment can impair judgment and reaction times, making accidents far more likely.
- Adverse Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and icy roads can create dangerous driving conditions. Trucks are particularly susceptible to losing traction or hydroplaning in bad weather.
- Inexperienced or Unqualified Drivers: Trucking companies may hire drivers who lack the proper training or certifications, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Blind Spots: Trucks have significant blind spots on all sides, especially directly behind and along the sides of the trailer. When other vehicles are in these blind spots, accidents are more likely.
- Improper Turning and Lane Changes: Making wide or abrupt turns, or failing to check for other vehicles before changing lanes, can cause accidents.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The injuries resulting from truck accidents can be devastating and life-changing. Given the immense weight and size of commercial trucks, even a seemingly minor collision can cause severe harm. Common injuries from truck accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Head injuries are common in severe collisions and can range from concussions to life-altering brain trauma.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting a victim’s mobility and quality of life.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The immense force of a truck collision can lead to multiple fractures, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of a crash can damage organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys, leading to life-threatening conditions that may not be immediately visible.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden jerking movements during a crash can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in the neck.
- Burn Injuries: Fuel leaks and fires are more common in truck accidents, and victims may suffer severe burns requiring surgery or skin grafts.
- Amputations: The sheer force of a truck collision can cause crushing injuries, sometimes resulting in the loss of limbs.
- Lacerations and Contusions: Deep cuts and bruises can occur from shattered glass, twisted metal, or impact with hard surfaces.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause chronic pain and limit movement.
- Psychological Trauma: The emotional and mental impact of surviving a truck accident can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.
These injuries not only require immediate medical treatment but can also lead to ongoing physical, emotional, and financial hardships. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident, consulting with a California truck accident lawyer can help ensure you get the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Call (707) 426-5300 or complete the case evaluation form below
Who May Be Liable for a Truck Accident in California?
A violation of federal or state regulations is not the only basis for establishing liability during a truck accident case. In addition, multiple parties are sometimes liable for causing a single truck accident. These parties may include truck drivers, truck companies, truck manufacturers, and shipping companies.
Commercial Truck Drivers
There are many cases where commercial truckers are responsible for the accident. For example, drivers may cause accidents if they are under the influence of alcohol or in violation of hours of service rules. Hours of service regulations were created to prevent truckers from causing fatigued driving accidents.
Commercial Truck Companies
Like truck drivers, commercial trucking companies are also expected to follow federal and state regulations. For example, companies could be liable for a wreck if they hired or retained unqualified drivers.
Truck Manufacturers
Trucks may contain defects that cause an accident. In such cases, it could be possible to hold the manufacturer of the truck or auto part responsible for damages.
Shipping Companies
Shipping and loading companies could be liable for a wreck. Commercial trucks can crash when cargo is not properly loaded or secured. For example, a truck may crash if cargo shifts during a sharp turn.
What Is Evidence in a California Truck Accident Claim?
An investigation would be necessary to determine who is liable for your truck accident. Evidence can come from multiple sources that include the “black box,” video footage, company records, witness statements, and police reports.
The “Black Box”
Commercial trucks carry a “black box” that records important information from the engine. The black box may record driving time, speed, hard braking events, and other crucial information to your case. However, black boxes shut off after 30 days, so it is crucial to obtain this evidence as soon as possible.
Video Footage
Newer commercial trucks may contain video cameras. Footage of your accident may be useful evidence. In addition, traffic lights, businesses, or witnesses may have also recorded what happened.
Company Records
Certain records can be useful evidence during a truck accident case. For instance, a driver qualification file may show whether the driver was qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. Maintenance and inspection records may also be useful.
Witness Statements and Police Reports
Statements from witnesses may help determine what happened. Police reports may also help determine who was liable. There are additional sources of evidence that are important to your claim. For instance, medical records could help establish the severity of your injuries.
In addition, photographs from the accident scene and depositions from accident reconstruction experts could also be useful. We have only included a handful of evidence examples that may factor into your case.
When you retain our California truck accident lawyers, we will take immediate action to collect, analyze, and preserve all available evidence.
This evidence can allow our accident reconstruction experts to accurately determine who was at fault in the tractor-trailer accident. It can also help us develop a strong case on your behalf.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in California?
The steps you take after being involved in a truck accident can affect the amount of compensation you can recover. Here is what we recommend you do after an accident.
Make Sure You Are Safe
After being involved in an accident with a truck, you must first make sure that you and any passengers are safe. Because truck accidents often occur on highways, move your vehicle out of the roadway if possible. If you or a passenger’s injuries are severe, you should get immediate medical treatment.
Call the Police
Next, you should call the police. Particularly when you were not at fault in the accident, the police report is an important document in establishing the facts of your case.
Gather Information
After notifying the police, you should get the truck driver’s information. This information includes:
- The truck driver’s license information,
- Their insurance information,
- The truck’s make and model,
- The truck’s license plate number, and
- Its vehicle identification number (VIN).
You should also be sure to take photos of the damage to your vehicle, the truck, and the accident scene. If there were any eyewitnesses, you should also get their contact information.
Get Medical Treatment
If you have not done so already, you should seek medical treatment from a medical professional. Even in cases where your injuries may not be severe, the medical records generated from getting medical treatment are important evidence in truck accident cases.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Next, you should notify your insurance company of the accident. Explaining your side of what happened is important in establishing the liability of the truck driver or any other potentially responsible party.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in California
Finally, you should contact a truck accident lawyer in California. A truck accident lawyer can help you negotiate with insurance companies and argue on your behalf in court. Hiring a truck accident lawyer in California can give you the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.
For a free legal consultation, call (707) 426-5300
What If You Were Partially at Fault for Causing the Accident?
If you were partially at fault for causing the accident, you can still recover compensation. In California, you can recover at least some compensation as long as you were not 100% at fault.
Your settlement and award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 60% at fault for causing your accident and suffered $100,000 in damages, you can still recover $40,000.
What Is the Time Limit on Filing a Truck Accident Case in California?
In truck accident cases, the statute of limitations provides the time limitation for filing your case. In California personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that you must file your case within two years of the date of your injury.
Except in limited circumstances, failing to file your case within this period bars you from filing your case in the future. Contact a truck accident lawyer in California immediately to help you file your case on time.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover?
The amount of compensation you can recover from a truck accident varies depending on the specific facts of your case. However, some factors that influence the amount of compensation you might recover include:
- The severity of your injuries;
- Whether you can establish that the truck driver or other responsible party was at fault;
- The value of your medical expenses;
- Whether you have missed time from work as a result of the accident;
- The amount of future pain and suffering you are likely to endure;
- Your age; and
- The degree to which your lifestyle will change because of the accident.
To find out how much compensation you might be able to recover, contact a truck accident lawyer in California today.
*We value our clients’ personal and private lives. We have removed the names from these reviews for client discretion.
5 Reasons People Choose Us
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Have you been injured in a truck accident in California? Whenever there is an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other large truck, the results can be catastrophic. Due to this, there are a number of rules in the trucking industry designed to keep people safe.
When truck drivers or their companies break those rules and cause harm, they should be held accountable. We believe that no accident victim should suffer because of the negligence of someone else.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, it can be difficult dealing with the trucking company’s insurance provider and their retainer of lawyers. You want someone on your side who has the resources and experience to handle a truck accident case.
Our personal injury lawyers at Wells Call Injury Lawyers have successfully helped many clients throughout California recover compensation for their injuries in trucking accidents. By holding these companies accountable when they break the rules, we make it safer for all of the other drivers on the road.
Call our personal injury lawyers today at (707) 426-5300 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
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