Brea Truck Accident Lawyers
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Brea Truck Accident Lawyers Protecting The Rights Of Injury Victims
Truck accidents in Brea can cause severe injuries that leave victims facing medical treatment, lost income, and long recoveries. These crashes are often linked to driver fatigue, speeding, or failure to follow safety regulations. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck collision, our Brea truck accident lawyers at Arash Law can guide you through the claims process and explain your options for pursuing compensation related to medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial case evaluation.
Brea, California, is a peaceful suburban city home to nearly 50,000 residents and is known for its outdoor sculptures. Contrastingly, the 57 — one of the worst Southern California freeways — can also be found in this quiet community. Every day, this highway carries thousands of semi-trucks at the 60 interchange, making rush hour traffic way worse. Many 18-wheelers exit the freeway and drive on city streets to avoid traffic, increasing truck accidents.
April 2019: $14M settlement in a traumatic brain injury case involving a defective piece of equipment at a factory.– BRIAN BEECHER
What Our Brea Truck Accident Lawyers Can Do To Help You
Our Brea truck accident lawyers can provide guidance if you’re dealing with the aftermath of a collision. These cases are often complex because they may involve multiple parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, and insurers, along with state and federal safety regulations.
Here are some of the ways our attorneys may assist:
- Reviewing circumstances that could have contributed to the crash, such as driver fatigue, training, or loading practices.
- Examining records for evidence of distracted or unsafe driving.
- Considering whether maintenance issues or mechanical failures may have played a role.
If you were injured in a truck accident, our Brea truck accident lawyers can help assess liability, gather evidence, and guide you through the claims process. They can also represent your interests in negotiations with insurers or, if necessary, in court.
Causes Of Trucking Accidents In Brea
Numerous factors can lead to truck accidents. Common causes of unfortunate trucking incidents often include:
- Driver fatigue.
- Violation of hours of service regulations.
- Speeding, failure to yield, and tailgating.
- Driving under the influence (DUI).
- Improper loading.
- Improper maintenance.
- Driver inexperience.
- Distracted driving.
- Improper driver training.
- Defective tires.
- Lack of reflective materials.
- Lack of underride guards.
- Lack of roadway hardware, such as guardrails.
- Improperly designed, constructed, or maintained roads.
- Improper signage.
In some cases, truck accidents may involve drivers with prior safety violations or records of unsafe driving behavior. Issues such as tight delivery schedules, long hours, or inadequate oversight can increase risks on the road. When evaluating a truck accident, lawyers may look into company policies, driver history, and regulatory compliance to determine whether these factors contributed to the crash.
Identifying Who Is Liable For Truck Accidents
Each truck accident claim is distinct and must be thoroughly examined to assess liability. In some situations, more than one person is found to be at fault. In such cases, they may share liability.
Here are the potential responsible parties for truck accidents:
- The owner of the trailer.
- The trucking company.
- The warehouse that loaded the truck.
- The shop that maintained the truck.
- The owner of the truck.
- The truck driver.
- The maker of defective tires, brakes, or other parts.
- The company that designed the road.
- The city that maintained the road.
What Should I Do If There Is A Truck Accident In Brea, California?
Being involved in a truck accident can be a terrifying experience. The following are some general considerations and safety tips that may be helpful if you ever find yourself in this situation:
- When large vehicles, like trucks, are involved in a collision, the moments following the initial impact are frequently the most dangerous.
- The size of the truck blocking the road can make it hard for passing cars to see bystanders and survivors.
- Road conditions can also be dangerous for other highway vehicles, depending on the truck’s cargo and whether a spill has occurred.
- Given blind spots and potentially harsh weather, survivors of the initial crash may be hit by passing vehicles.
If you are involved in a truck accident in Brea, there are certain safety steps that may be helpful to consider:
- Try to remain calm and check yourself and others for injuries. Avoid moving injured people unless absolutely necessary, as this could worsen their condition.
- If safe, stay in your car and turn on your hazard lights. Otherwise, call 911 for help and stay away from the wreck. While treating injured parties, first responders should stop oncoming traffic.
- Provide information to the police and your insurance company when asked, but avoid making statements about fault until you have spoken with a lawyer and fully understand the situation.
- Collect basic information such as names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information from the people involved, if possible.
- Ask witnesses if they are willing to share their names and contact details.
- Request the badge numbers and names of the responding law enforcement officers.
- Take photos of your vehicle, the truck, and any injuries.
What Steps Should I Take After A Truck Accident In Brea, California?
Here are some important steps you can take following a truck accident in Brea, CA:
- Request a copy of the truck accident police report. When the report is ready, the responding officers will inform you when or where to pick it up.
- Before signing forms or providing detailed statements to an insurer, it may be helpful to first speak with a lawyer who can explain how the information you share could affect your claim.
- Request a property damage valuation from your insurer.
- Document all your medical treatments and doctor’s visits. Keep test results, prescriptions, treatments, and a journal of symptoms and pain in a folder.
- Keep track of missed work, events, activities, and other accident-related expenses.
- Only accept a settlement offer from the trucking company once you have talked to a truck accident lawyer.
What Should I Do If Contacted By Someone From The Trucking Company?
If you are contacted by a trucking company or its insurer after an accident, it’s important to handle the communication carefully. You are not required to provide detailed statements immediately, and what you say could affect how your claim is evaluated.
Some steps you may consider include:
- Ask for the caller’s name, company, and claim number so that you have a record of the contact.
- You may decide to wait until after you have spoken with a lawyer who can explain the possible impact before giving signed or recorded statements.
- Have an attorney review any documents before signing them to understand their meaning and potential consequences better.
How Do I Seek Compensation For My Injuries After A Truck Accident In Brea, CA?
After a truck accident, compensation may be pursued through an insurance claim or, in some cases, a personal injury lawsuit. The process can be complex and often involves multiple parties. Some people choose to seek guidance from a lawyer.
One of the things that truck accident lawyers do is help you file a claim on your behalf. They can help you gather supporting documentation and handle communications with insurers. They can also explain how damages may be evaluated under California law. These losses may include:
- Your wrecked car or other personal property.
- Medical bills.
- Income loss.
- Loss of potential future earnings.
- Pain and mental trauma.
Depending on the circumstances, a truck accident lawyer may pursue claims against the driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, insurers, or other potentially responsible parties. Whether compensation is obtained depends on the facts, available evidence, and the outcome of negotiations or court proceedings.
Establishing Compensation After A Truck Accident In Brea, CA
Understanding how compensation for injuries is calculated and determined when a truck accident occurs is essential. A truck accident lawyer may consider a range of factors, including the severity of injuries, the financial impact of medical care and lost wages, and the evidence available to establish liability. The amount of compensation, if any, depends on the facts of the case, the supporting documentation, and the outcome of negotiations or court proceedings.
Hiring A Lawyer
After a serious truck collision, many people choose to consult a lawyer to better understand their rights and options. A truck accident attorney can explain how compensation may be calculated under California law and identify the types of damages that could apply, such as medical expenses, future treatment needs, or lost earning capacity. They may also pursue claims against drivers, trucking companies, or other potentially responsible parties.
Gathering Of Evidence
At Arash Law, our Brea truck accident lawyers review available evidence as part of evaluating a case. Depending on the circumstances, this may include photographs of the accident scene, debris patterns, tire marks, or video footage from nearby cameras. Sometimes, we may even bring in experts like accident reconstruction or roadway design specialists to assist in the investigation.
We pay attention to details that can support your case, such as the truck driver’s seat belt use, speed limit violations, and airbag deployment. Our truck accident attorneys in Brea, CA, also gather and document logbook evidence to build your case.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) mandates most trucking companies to equip their trucks with GPS and other devices that report specific information, similar to the “black box” found in airplanes. These devices are typically engine control modules (ECMs), event data recorders (EDRs), or electronic logging devices (ELDs), and they display the truck’s technical details and the driver’s driving inputs. In the event of a collision, essential information can be found on these devices, such as:
- The precise GPS location.
- The truck’s speed before the crash.
- Whether the truck’s brakes were used and how they were applied.
- The steering angle of the truck during the collision.
- The RPM (revolutions per minute) of the truck’s engine.
- The general activities of the truck.
- Tire pressure measurement.
- The percentage of throttle applied to the big truck.
This type of data can be valuable in understanding how an accident occurred. However, electronic records may only be stored for a limited time, often around 30 days, before being overwritten. Our Brea truck accident lawyers can help by requesting that this information be preserved and reviewed as part of the investigation into a collision.
Potential Parties Involved In A Claim
Truck accident cases can involve more than just the driver. Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may have a role in the legal process, either as potentially responsible entities or as interested parties. Identifying who may be involved is an important step in understanding how liability is determined. Common parties in truck accident cases may include:
- The trucking company’s owners and their lawyers.
- Insurance companies for the driver or the trucking company.
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers (for possible mechanical defects, such as brakes).
- Shipping companies that handle delivery schedules or cargo.
- Loading companies that are responsible for securing freight.
- Other motorists who were involved in the accident.
Some Important State And Federal Regulations In Truck Collisions
Laws have been enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to prevent truck accidents. Truck drivers, owners, and manufacturers must adhere to these. Otherwise, they may be liable for negligent behavior if they violate these laws.
Hours Of Service
Truck accidents often occur due to tired drivers. As such, the FMCSA has implemented hours of service regulations to address this issue and minimize the dangers of tired drivers on the roads. Drivers may only drive for 11 hours following 10 straight hours off duty. Moreover, they are only allowed to drive after being on duty for 14 consecutive hours if they have taken a minimum 10-hour off-duty period. They must also take a 30-minute break if driving for 8 hours straight.
Alcohol And Drug Testing
Before being hired, drivers are required to undergo drug and alcohol tests. They will also be tested randomly and after significant accidents. It is important to note that any amount of alcohol detected, even if it falls below the 0.04% legal limit for commercial drivers, will be considered a problem if an accident occurs.
Weight And Size Restrictions
If the truck carries a load that exceeds its safe limit, it falls on its side when the driver tries to make a sudden maneuver. That is why loaded trucks must adhere to weight, length, and height restrictions, with specific guidelines for each type of material. Hazardous materials have even stricter regulations, and cargo loaders must properly secure them during transportation.
Log Book Regulations
Most trucks must maintain electronic logs that record driver behavior and mechanical performance to comply with federal and state regulations.
Vehicle Maintenance
Commercial truck owners must also stick to the strict maintenance requirements laid down by the law. Drivers must inspect the trucks before leaving with their loads. Likewise, all maintenance tasks, like changing tires, must be done on time.
Commercial truck owners and drivers must follow the strict maintenance guidelines set by law, in addition to potential manufacturer part failures. Also, they must make sure that the trucks are maintained, safe, and legal to operate. Additionally, all maintenance duties, such as tire replacements, must be completed punctually.
Before leaving with their cargo, drivers must thoroughly inspect the following systems and components of their trucks:
- Brake systems.
- Steering mechanisms.
- Lighting devices and reflectors.
- Rearview mirrors.
- Windshield wipers.
- Tires and horns.
- Coupling devices.
- Emergency exits.
How Much Does Hiring Brea Truck Accident Lawyers Cost?
Like many personal injury attorneys, some truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means clients do not typically pay upfront attorney fees. Instead, attorney fees are collected if they obtain compensation through a settlement or verdict.
It is important to note that while attorney fees are contingent on recovery, clients may still be responsible for certain costs associated with their case, such as court filing fees or expert witness expenses. Our Brea truck accident lawyers can explain how these arrangements work so you have a clear understanding before moving forward.
Settlement in a motor vehicle accident; client suffered internal injuries.– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Is The Time Limit For Filing A Lawsuit Following A Truck Accident?
In California, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including many truck accidents, is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, important exceptions apply. For example, claims against a government entity often must be filed within six months.
As deadlines vary depending on the circumstances, speaking with a lawyer soon after the accident can help you understand which timelines apply to your case. Early consultation also allows time to preserve evidence and obtain witness statements while details are still fresh.
Call Our Brea Truck Accident Lawyers For Legal Help
If you have been involved in a truck accident in Brea, CA, you may be searching online and asking, “Is there a truck accident attorney near me?” At Arash Law, our Brea truck accident lawyers provide a free initial consultation to help you understand your legal options and the steps that may be available under California law.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney fees are collected only if there is a recovery. However, clients may still be responsible for certain costs regardless of the outcome. Call (888) 488-1391 to discuss your case.
Our team assists clients in Brea as well as nearby areas, including Anaheim, Diamond Bar, La Habra, Yorba Linda, La Mirada, Whittier, South Whittier, Hacienda Heights, South San Jose Hills, West Covina, and Walnut.
