Truck accidents are common news highlights in California. They are often devastating in terms of injuries, which can deeply impact the lives of victims as well as their families. Sadly, many accident victims do not seek legal help, as they either don’t know that they are entitled compensation or they believe they can represent themselves. For these reasons, many victims walk away with either less compensation than they are due or sometimes even no compensation at all.
When we think about truck accidents, we tend to focus on truck driver negligence, but there can be more to it than that. Consider all of the following:
Let’s take a closer look at each to determine if you should contact a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer.
Trucks fall under the common carrier umbrella which means they’re held to a higher standard. Legally the must take the upmost care to driver safely at all times. However, even with this standard and legally responsibility truck accident occur for many of the same reasons traditional car accidents occur. Truck accidents typically result from speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and driver exhaustion.
A common cause of distraction among drivers is using a mobile phone while driving. This can take your gaze off the road, making it easy to hit other vehicles. Moreover, drivers can make poor judgments when distracted, which can cause accidents and injure other road users. Other distractions may include talking to others in the car, helping children in the backseat, applying makeup, eating, road rage, and more.
Drunk driving is a common cause of accidents in California. Driving while intoxicated leads to slower reaction times as well as inability to pay attention to the road. While many truck drivers understand the risks of drunk driving and understand everything it could cost them to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, some choose to drink regardless and risk the lives of everyone around them.
Fatigued drivers are more likely to cause an accident. Truck drivers may drive while fatigued to get more miles in or to complete a trip, either to earn more money or because their manager instructs them to. While exhausted, you can easily fall asleep behind the wheel or have slower reaction times, leading to crashes. The effects of exhaustion are fairly similar to drunk driving, and the consequences can be just as deadly.
Truckers often want to deliver their cargo quickly so that they can either relax after their trip or get started on transporting the next load, typically to earn more money. Speeding is a very common action among all vehicle types, but the weight distribution and sheer size of trucks makes this incredibly dangerous in the case of an accident.
The initial medical report can help prove that your injuries were the result of the accident. It’s important to seek medical attention to ensure your own health and have the documentation to prove your need for compensation. Sometimes people delay going to the doctor because their injuries take time to develop physical and visible symptoms. For instance, they may be internal damage in your knees, presenting only as mild pain at first but later developing into a much more severe injury. Getting diagnostic tests (CT scans, MRIs) immediately after an accident can help catch any issues that may develop into more severe conditions if not treated and create documented evidence of your injuries.
You may have been involved in a truck accident, but you may not be sure why you need an attorney to help with your claim. Any professional lawyer will tell you that retaining a lawyer is a wise decision to make. An experienced truck accident attorney will offer different services to ease the case process.
The services offered may include:
Your Sacramento personal injury attorney will examine your case to determine whether you qualify to file for a truck accident claim. If you do, they will help you file a claim before the statute of limitations in the state. In California, this is usually two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file a claim within this period, your claim will not be valid, and you risk losing your compensation rights.
Moreover, the professional will gather adequate evidence and go through other details of your case to identify who is to blame. If the other party is to blame, the attorney will work with their insurance agency to negotiate a fair payment. Your attorney will form a lawsuit on your behalf if the insurance provider refuses to pay fair compensation.
There are various aspects to keep in mind when seeking to hire a Sacramento truck accident attorney for your case. You will find many law firms and attorneys in the city, but not all are best suited to handle your case. You need an attorney with vast experience and skills in handling truck accident cases in the region. To determine the right attorney for your case, consider their:
Your chosen attorney should have vast experience handling truck accident cases. An experienced lawyer will know how to handle your case from start to finish, handle the documentation required, and know how to negotiate with insurance adjusters to reach a sufficient settlement. They should also have the skills to represent you in trial, if it comes to that.
Your attorney should have a proven track record and must have handled various successful truck accident cases. With an experienced truck accident attorney, you raise your chances of success in your case. You can also relax and focus on recovery, knowing that your case is in the right hands.
Jonathan M. Kashani is the founder of Kash Legal Group, specializing in personal injury law with a commitment to providing personalized client services and high-quality legal representation. He holds a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law and is admitted to practice in all state courts of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Kash Legal is a leading personal injury firm in California. Our lawyers are reputed for offering premium services in the state and can help you make informed decisions regarding your claim and your compensation. Retaining one of our attorneys can simplify the claims process and take care of the legal matters while you focus on recovery.
If you need help retrieving compensation for your injuries after a truck accident, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (888) 527-4128 to schedule a free consultation.
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