A typical large commercial truck that is fully loaded can weigh over 80,000 pounds. Compared to the mere 3,000-pound weight of an average passenger vehicle, it's self-evident why passenger vehicle operators frequently suffer serious, catastrophic, and even fatal injuries as a result of collisions with large commercial trucks. It is not always self-evident why truck accidents occur, whether they are single-vehicle or multi-vehicle accidents. In addition, identifying which party or parties involved in the accident (not to mention the role third-parties may also play) may be legally liable for a fatal truck accident is not always an easy process. As a result, if you've recently been involved in an accident with a commercial truck — whether you're a motorist or truck operator — it's important to avoid making any assumptions about your legal situation until you've made a free, string determination. -Free consultation with our firm's personal injury legal team. Once we learn more about the circumstances surrounding your crash, we will be able to provide you with personalized legal guidance that allows you to make the most meaningful legal decisions for you and your family at this time.
Experienced representation for injured motorists and truck operators
Every year, accidents involving large commercial trucks injure thousands of people on California's freeways and surface roads. Due to their population size, notoriously congested traffic conditions, and extensive network of freeways, California's Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange counties experience a truly significant number of fatal truck accidents on an annual basis. As a result of this disturbing reality, our firm has extensive experience advocating for the rights of both motorists and truck operators. We handle straightforward cases and unusually complex cases efficiently, effectively, with dedication and attention and with utmost respect for accident victims.
When you schedule a no-cost, risk-free consultation with our legal team, we welcome any questions you may have about our approach to representation, the personal injury litigation process, the insurance claims process, and any other concerns you may have. At this time. After you receive a detailed, objective case evaluation from our team, you will have a better understanding of what your legal options are, how those legal options may "play out," and what to generally expect from each option available. Even if you. At that point, you'll be able to make an informed commitment to the action plan that's right for you, your family, and your situation.
We take great pride in advocating for accident victims and their families. It is our goal to treat each client as we would expect our loved ones to be treated, should they ever need legal advice. When you work with our firm, we will handle as much of the legal "heavy lifting" and stress associated with your case as possible ourselves, because we want you to be able to focus on recovering from your injury. We strive to let you rest easy knowing you have an experienced, knowledgeable, passionate, and compassionate attorney by your side.
Consider if your accident was work-related
Whether you are a professional truck operator or you drive a passenger vehicle, if you were engaged in a work-related activity at the time of your collision, you may be able to make a workers' compensation claim related to the injuries you suffered. You are probably eligible for workers' compensation benefits unless you work as an independent contractor. If you are an independent contractor, you may be able to seek compensation through certain insurance and employment-related avenues related to the company for which you provide services. If this is the case, bring a copy of any employment-related contracts and agreements that may be relevant to your case with you when you attend your free consultation.
If you are eligible to file for workers' compensation benefits in the wake of your crash, it is especially important that you act quickly when contacting our firm. Deadlines for successful workers' compensation claims in California are exact. If you miss a time-sensitive deadline — and some of these deadlines fall within less than a month of your accident — you may be barred from making a workers' compensation claim.
If you're not sure whether you were engaged in qualifying "work-related activities" at the time of your crash, that's okay. Let our team know the details of your situation and we will be able to provide you with personalized guidance accordingly. Generally, you can be said to be engaged in work-related activities if you were traveling "around the clock" or for express work-related purposes at the time of your crash. However, there are unique circumstances under which you may be considered engaged in work-related activities even if you were not "on the job" at the time of your accident. For example, if you are a truck operator and you deviate from your route to observe a mandatory rest period while driving your company vehicle, this may be considered a qualifying work-related circumstance. Similarly, if you commute from home to work and your boss asks you to pick up some office supplies on the way, engaging in this work during your crash may qualify you for benefits.
Can you sue the trucking company for the damages you suffered?
California's workers' compensation system limits an employer's liability in cases where an employee suffers a work-related injury or is affected by an occupational illness. This means that if you are a truck operator eligible for workers' compensation benefits and your accident occurs while you were engaged in a work-related activity, you almost certainly cannot sue your employer as a result of your injuries. You may be able to hold others responsible for your injuries but not your employer.
On the other hand, if you are a truck operator who makes a living as an independent contractor or if you are not a truck operator, you may be able to sue the truck company owner and/or any truck driver who directs them on the job. involved in an accident. Whether or not the trucking company can be successfully held liable for the damages you have suffered will depend on a number of factors. The most significant of which is the answer to the following question - Did the trucking company engage in negligent, reckless or intentionally dangerous behavior that directly caused your injury? If the trucking company in question ordered a truck driver involved in an accident to ignore federal safety guidelines in an effort to pad their bottom line, and the driver's negligence of those safety violations caused your injury, you'll have solid grounds for a legal lawsuit. Taking action against that company. However, the mere existence of the trucking company in question does not automatically make that business liable if one of their drivers crashes. To be liable the company must have acted in some way in violation of the law that directly caused your injury.
You don't need to know for sure whether you can hold a trucking company or another party responsible for your injuries in order to explore your legal options with our team. It is our job to understand the nuances of state and federal laws that may affect your case. The only thing you need to know before scheduling a no-cost, risk-free consultation with our firm is that you've been injured in an accident.
If insurance company representatives contact you…
Most of the time, insurance companies try to act quickly in the wake of a catastrophic accident so that they can control the claims process as much as possible. Insurance companies must remain profitable to stay in business. As a result, they generally prefer to offer the lowest possible settlement amount to those involved in motor vehicle accidents. It is their hope that accident victims will be so eager for settlement money and so eager to avoid legal pressure and "fuss" that they will agree to settle for much less compensation than they deserve.
If an insurance company representative contacts you – whether you hold a policy with their company or not – consider not picking up the phone until you've received your free case evaluation from our legal team (or if you've already answered any questions stay). We have extensive experience in successfully negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. If you allow us to do this, we can advocate on your behalf so you don't feel pressured to settle undervalued. Plus, allowing us to speak for you will prevent you from inadvertently saying things that could hurt the strength of your case down the line.
Preparing for your free consultation
Before you arrive at our office, please take a moment to write down your questions and concerns about your case, a potential attorney-client relationship, insurance, and whatever else is currently on your mind. We want you to feel confident that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your situation. The best way to do this is to make sure you are prepared to ask any and all questions you may have during this time.
Additionally, please gather any information that you believe may help us make the most complete evaluation of your case. For example, accident reports from the scene, hospital discharge notes, eyewitness contact information, photos or images from the wreckage, etc. will all allow us to evaluate your case in a detailed, knowledgeable manner.
Finally, writing an account of your accident or recording these memories can be helpful. This information can serve as a strong reference for our team as we seek to build the strongest possible personal injury case and insurance claims on your behalf.
Contact our firm today for a free case evaluation
If you have been injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck – whether you were driving the truck or not – please contact our firm today for your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation. California law protects the right of accident victims to seek compensation in certain circumstances for a primary cause – if another party or parties wrongfully caused your injuries, you should not be burdened with the costs associated with those injuries. You are already traumatized. The last thing you need right now is to start piling up the bills and have it "up to you" to find a way to pay them. Please allow us to evaluate your case so that you can make an informed choice regarding any compensation opportunities to which you may be entitled. We look forward to assisting you with your legal needs during this challenging time.
Bakersfield truck accident attorney
We focus 100% of our time on representing injured Bakersfield residents.
The average American car weighs 3,000 pounds. In contrast, a semi-truck is attached to a single empty trailer that weighs about 35,000 pounds. When such large commercial vehicles are fully loaded, the maximum weight allowed under United States law is 80,000 pounds. When comparing the size of large commercial trucks to the average light vehicle, it is not difficult to understand why lawmakers and regulators hold both truck driving operators and trucking companies to a higher safety standard than they do the average motorist and motor vehicle manufacturers. When major commercial truck accidents occur, whether they are single vehicle accidents or multi-vehicle accidents, the consequences can be catastrophic.
If you've been injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck, you drive a truck for a living or travel by other means, it's important to seek legal advice immediately. Large commercial truck accidents result in some of the most complex personal injury cases in the United States. While it is possible that your truck accident case is relatively simple, you will want to give our legal team as much time as possible to build a strong case on your behalf so that you have the best possible chance of receiving the maximum amount of compensation. Available in situations. In addition, any evidence that may need to be collected from the scene of the accident or otherwise preserved in a time-sensitive manner will be sought as soon as possible. Personal injury cases can be made or broken by the strength of the evidence presented. We don't want to go another hour than necessary before we can start protecting your rights as an accident victim, should you ultimately decide to pursue legal action, insurance claims and/or workers' compensation claims.