California Truck Accident Lawyers
California Truck Accident Attorneys 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 was injured during the accident. Our California 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.
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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.
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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.
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, talk to a truck accident lawyer in California today.
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Consult a California Truck Accident Lawyer 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 attorneys at Wells Call Injury Lawyers, have successfully helped many clients 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 us today at (707) 243-8595 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.