Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are capable of causing catastrophic injuries, leaving victims with costly medical expenses, lost income from missed work, and permanent physical disabilities. Victims of such severe crashes will need the help of a skilled truck accident attorney.
The legal team at West Accident Law Group has a winning history of helping injured victims in Westminster recover maximum compensation for their injuries. Our 99% success rate and exceptional service have also earned us numerous awards and honors. If you were injured in a truck crash, allow our Orange County law firm to help you recover the compensation that you deserve. In addition, we work on contingency, so you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Contact West Accident Law Group today to schedule a free consultation.
Why You Need a Westminster Truck Accident Attorney
The Orange County roads and freeways are paved with lurking dangers. After getting into an accident with a semi-truck or 18-wheeler, where the trucker was at-fault, one would assume that he or she would be compensated for damages. Unfortunately, this is not the typical scenario when dealing with trucking companies. In fact, pursuing a fair settlement from insurers will be a great challenge.
In order to navigate a personal injury claim with a favorable outcome, it is absolutely necessary to retain the legal services of a skilled truck accident lawyer. Not only will an attorney’s services pay dividends in recovering damages on your behalf, but you will also be able to focus on healing from your injuries.
Insurance adjusters are very aware of the vulnerable state victims are in following a truck accident, and they capitalize on this by employing certain tactics to minimize a payout. Therefore, it is not in your best interest to confront a trucking company’s insurance without legal representation. At West Accident Law Group, our skilled and compassionate team will defend your rights and aggressively fight to get you fair and full compensation.
The Worth of a Truck Accident Claim
The devastation caused by a Westminster truck accident can change a victim’s life forever. It is for these reasons that those injured in a trucking accident are fairly compensated for damages. Recoverable losses include the following.
Injuries
Accidents with 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, or tractor-trailers can severely injure victims, causing broken bones/fractures, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord damage, and other injuries. If any harm led to expensive treatment, change in livelihood, or created any other strains, the truck accident victim can be compensated.
Medical Expenses
Any treatment or surgeries performed to address the sustained injuries are reimbursable. This includes past expenses, as well as future costs, like physical therapy or pain management. Medical expenses can range from a long variety of long-term treatment plans.
Lost Wages
While recovering from injuries, truck accident victims often have to take a leave from work to heal. During this time, they are not paid for missing work, causing a major financial strain on living costs. The time away from work can also max out any sick days or personal days that the victim had previously accrued.
Loss of Earning Potential
Depending on how severe the accident was, victims can be left with a serious injury. If this is the case, they may no longer be able to work or lost the ability to work in the same profession they previously had, depending on the physical requirements needed for that role. If earning potential is affected because of the truck accident, victims can be compensated for future living expenses.
Pain and Suffering
Victims of a personal injury accident can be compensated for physical injuries, as well as any ongoing pain and psychological trauma that resulted. The harmful effects that can develop from a truck accident can be everlasting and prevent victims from enjoying or participating in activities that were previously enjoyed. For example, the once simple act of driving a car may now bear too much pressure and fear in a victim who suffered a severe truck accident.
Damaged Property
All property damage can be monetarily compensated. Due to the large size and weight of commercial trucks, semi-truck accidents can cause major destruction to smaller passengervehicles or motorcycles, along with any other items that were damaged in the wreck. In fact, the average semi-truck weighs approximately 80,000 lbs., while passanger vehicles only weigh 4,000 lbs. Therefore, if a car was totaled, personal property requires repairs, or any items need to be replaced, the cost of such necessities can be included in a settlement.
A truck accident case is often more valuable than victims realize. This is why it’s so important to consult with an experienced attorney before settling with the insurance companies. Insurers certainly understand the value of a truck accident, so they will attempt to get victims to settle early and for far less than what the personal injury claim is actually worth. Do not fall for their tactics. Schedule a free consultation with our Westminster truck accident lawyers to discover the value of your case.
Why Truck Accidents Happen
Truck accidents occur due to many of the same reasons that car accidents do. However, unlike car accidents, truck accidents are typically more catastrophic based on their sheer size and weight. The most common causes of truck accidents consist of the following:
Negligence
A trucker who is speeding or texting while driving is behaving negligently. If this reckless or distracted behavior results in a collision with another vehicle, the truck driver could be found liable to cover the damages from the wreck.
However, if the trucking company did not run a background check to confirm that their employee did not have any previous moving violations or other driving concerns, the employer could be found liable in the case.
Intoxicated Driving
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of an accident, regardless of who is operating the vehicle. However, because truckers must operate much larger and more difficult to maneuver vehicles, California’s legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a truck operator is .04%. Whereas, other motorists are allotted a BAC maximum of .08%.
The repercussions of an intoxicated trucker on the road can be extremely consequential. Drunk driving, however, is not limited to just truck drivers. A motorist in a passenger vehicle, a motorcyclist, or even a pedestrian while under the influence can cause an accident with a sober truck driver.
Poorly Loaded Cargo
When transporting goods in a tractor-trailer or in a large commercial truck, all items must be loaded in a precise way to prevent uneven weight distribution or avoid dangerous materials from being tossed around. When loaded improperly, a jackknife accident or rollover accident can easily occur.
Depending on the corporation, trucking companies may employ their own staff to load the trucks with cargo or work with a third-party vendor to do the job. Depending on the scenario, the group responsible for improperly loading the trailer can be found liable if an accident takes place.
Lack of Vehicle Maintenance
Truck companies have a duty to ensure their vehicles are being serviced regularly and inspected for any safety hazards, like low tire pressure, battery issues, fluid leaks, or worn brake pads. Falling to maintain the upkeep of trucks would put the trucking company in a liable position.
Similarly, the mechanic or auto shop who was responsible for servicing the trucks can be found liable for an accident if inadequate maintenance was performed on the vehicles. Commonly overlooked truck repairs include the transmission, radiator, defective tires, failing brakes, water pump, or fan clutch. Truck manufacturers can also be held accountable for producing faulty products.
How to Determine Liability in a Truck Accident
When it comes to any type of car accident, proving liability is mandatory. However, the process is complex and will entail a number of requirements. First, the plaintiff must identify the accused party. Because trucks do not always belong to the person operating them, liability can fall on multiple parties, such as the truck driver and/or the truck company.
A qualified truck accident lawyer can examine all of the available evidence and assist clients in determining which party to pursue damages against. In the event that multiple parties can be found liable for the truck accident, vicarious liability will be taken into account. This is a legal concept that permits an employer to absorb liability for their employees who caused an accident. For example, if a trucking company failed to provide adequate training, ultimately resulting in a collision that the trucker was not prepared for and did not know how to avoid, the employer could be found liable for damages.
In relation, if multiple parties are involved in the crash, comparative negligence would take effect. This tort law allocates damages to all involved parties, so that fault is shared. In some instances, both the defendant and plaintiff could be at fault for an accident. When this happens, fault is divided, and the plaintiff’s total compensation is reduced by the percentage that he or she contributed to the crash. For example, if a passanger vehicle was speeding and was found 40% liable for an accident after being hit by an intoxicated truck driver who was found 60% liable for the accident, the plaintiff would only receive 60% of the determined damages.
Our Westminster personal injury attorney has handled numerous truck accident cases and has managed to maintain a winning success rate. Schedule a free consultation with us today, so we can begin investigating your case and hold all negligent parties accountable.
Westminster Truck Accident Lawyer
In order to recover maximum compensation for your injuries and trauma, it is important to hire a knowledgeable and winning truck accident lawyer in Orange County.
Our Westminster personal injury law firm has years of experience helping clients navigate the complicated legal system, maximize compensation, and hold all guilty parties accountable for their wrongs.
If you have been seriously affected by a truck accident, contact West Accident Law Group. We can help you overcome your injuries and the financial aftermath of the truck accident. Allow us to review the details of your case, so we can evaluate how much you can be compensated. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with us today.