Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers Protecting The Rights Of Injury Victims
Some truck drivers cause accidents due to their reckless behavior. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck collision, our Bloomington truck accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Bloomington has over 23,000 residents. It features diverse residential communities, including rural estate homes, contemporary single-family housing, rental apartments, and mobile home parks. It also has different industrial and retail businesses, mainly located on Interstate 10, while various restaurants line up along Cedar Avenue.
The area has 700 acres of underutilized land waiting to be nurtured. As such, it anticipates the use of many trucks that will carry the necessary goods and materials for its development. Unfortunately, these large trucks get into accidents while traveling across the city.
If you get hit by a truck, you may have the legal grounds to seek compensation. Our truck accident lawyers in Bloomington can guide you through the claims process and help estimate the potential value of your claim based on the facts of your case.
Additionally, our Bloomington injury law firm works on cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront lawyer fees. This agreement also makes it possible for victims who can’t otherwise pay for a lawyer to pursue a claim. We only get paid if we obtain compensation on your behalf. However, certain case costs may still apply regardless of the outcome.
Suarez v. Premium Packing (settled on 9/26/2023) – settlement involving a man who sustained multiple orthopedic injures and a mild traumatic brain injury when he was run over by a food truck.– TINA ESHGHIEH
Why You Should Consider Hiring Our Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers For Your Case
When you get injured in a truck accident in Bloomington, consider hiring our lawyers because cases like this can get complicated. Such incidents require a deep understanding of the regulations governing the trucking industry. These also involve multiple parties, such as truck drivers, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, and insurance companies. Exploring your legal options may require skills and experience, and our attorneys can provide the support you need.
Our personal injury team provides support throughout the process, from investigating the crash and gathering evidence to communicating with insurers and preparing documents. We will keep you updated on any developments to help you make an informed decision later on.
In addition, our attorneys can help assess liability by reviewing the circumstances of your case and gathering evidence. They can also assist in seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages permitted under California law. If necessary, they may represent your interests during negotiations with insurers or in court proceedings.
When you’re confused and overwhelmed by the legal system, our Bloomington truck accident attorneys can guide you. Complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to know if you have a valid claim.
Common Types Of Trucks
The roads of Bloomington share space with large trucks that carry different cargo. These massive vehicles vary according to their kinds and purposes. Among those commonly seen on the roads are:
- Tractor-Trailers — These cargo trucks are also sometimes called big rigs or 18-wheelers. These trucks have a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry different types of cargo.
- Delivery Trucks — Shipping companies like UPS, FedEx, the United States Postal Service, and Amazon use delivery trucks to transport various products door-to-door.
- Waste Disposal Trucks — These big vehicles collect waste from residential and commercial areas.
- Tanker Trucks — These typically transport liquids such as fuel or water. Tanker trucks carrying gasoline or flammable substances increase the risks of fire and explosion when they crash.
- Emergency Vehicles — Rescue vehicles, like fire trucks, have to reach their destinations quickly. Due to time pressure, they can bypass traffic rules like running red lights and ignoring road signs.
- Flatbed Trucks — These big transporters commonly carry logs, pipes, vehicles, and other oddly shaped heavy cargo. Since these vehicles do not have sides or roofs around the bed, the cargo must be secured properly to avoid shifting and falling off during trips.
- Farm Trucks — Agricultural places use these large vehicles to carry live animals and other farm products. Examples of farm trucks are harvesters, livestock haulers, and other farm machinery.
If an accident involves one of these trucks, a Bloomington truck accident lawyer can review the type of vehicle involved, assess how its use or cargo may have contributed to the crash, and identify the parties that may share responsibility.
Common Types Of Truck Accidents
Our Bloomington lawyers handle different types of truck accident cases, such as head-on collisions between trucks and much smaller vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Other common types of truck accidents are:
Jackknife Accidents
Truck trailers frequently bend toward their cabs when they collide with other vehicles or obstacles on the road. As such, they form a 90-degree or acute angle, leading to jackknife accidents. These incidents are extremely dangerous, as the trailer may drift into other lanes and cause multiple pile-ups, leading to severe injuries and fatalities.
Various factors can contribute to jackknife accidents, such as speeding, poor road conditions, and unsafe loading. The truck drivers’ insufficient experience in driving large and heavy trucks leads to these accidents as well. They may take indecisive actions during an emergency, causing them to slam the brakes or take a wide turn.
Rollovers
Massive trucks, like big rigs and trailer trucks, are prone to rollovers due to their enormous size and weight. They usually weigh 10,000 pounds when empty and up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Large and heavy vehicles easily flip over when they hit obstacles on the road and lose balance.
The following contribute to these kinds of truck-related incidents:
- Driver Error
- Unsecured Cargo
- Driver’s Lack of Training
- Speeding
Rollovers often happen on exit ramps, curves and bends, intersections, and steep declines. They are also common in construction zones, poorly maintained roads, slippery surfaces, freeway on-ramps, and merging lanes.
Rear-end Collisions
Big trucks cannot stop quickly because of their size and weight. Truck drivers who don’t apply their brakes promptly end up crashing into the car in front of them. These are called rear-end accidents, and they commonly occur in heavy traffic.
Rear-end collisions may put the occupants of other vehicles in danger due to the force that trucks produce. They may incur minor to serious bodily harm, such as broken bones and head, neck, and back injuries.
If you get injured in one of these truck accidents, consult with our lawyers in Bloomington so we can assess your case. Use our contact form to reach out to our team.
What Are The Common Causes Of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents in Bloomington can happen for many different reasons. Some of the most common contributing factors of truck accidents include:
- Overspeeding — Truck drivers are required to comply with speed limits established under California law and federal safety regulations. Speeding reduces their response time and lengthens the truck’s stopping distance, especially in poor weather.
- Fatigued Driving — Truck drivers must follow hours-of-service rules. Unfortunately, some trucking companies pressure their drivers to get to their locations quickly. Long hours on the road with insufficient rest wear them out and cause them to lose focus while driving. This situation then leads to crashes.
- Distracted Driving — As truck drivers use their mobile phones to play music or check their routes, they take their attention off the road, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Driver Errors — When truck drivers fail to follow traffic rules, make wide turns, or ignore blind spots, they may hit other vehicles or road users.
- Mechanical Failures — Without regular check-ups, it’s hard to identify which truck parts are wearing out and require replacement, leading to mechanical failures. For example, a worn-out tire can blow out while driving on the San Bernardino Freeway, causing the driver to lose control and collide with another vehicle.
- DUI — Alcohol and drugs are common substances that impair people’s cognitive skills. Intoxicated truck drivers usually do not exhibit safe driving skills and instead get into DUI accidents.
- Inclement Weather — Severe weather conditions like storms, rainfall, and snowfall can affect road visibility, making it hard to see dangerous road hazards.
- Unsafe Loading — Cargo loading must follow the federal regulations set by authorities. If truckers violate these guidelines, the cargo may move around or spill onto the road.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
With the varying kinds of truck accidents, victims are also likely to sustain various injuries, ranging from minor to life-altering. Common injuries in truck accidents are:
- Head and Brain Injuries — Victims usually sustain significant harm, like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), from hitting their heads on the hard interior of their vehicles or the ground.
- Neck and Back Injuries — These include spinal cord injuries, which are caused when the backbone, which protects the spinal cord, is damaged by the strong impact of a truck accident. If left untreated, these can lead to temporary or permanent disability, like paralysis.
- Internal Injuries — Serious truck accidents can also damage internal organs, especially if crashes produce flying debris and sharp objects piercing body parts. Internal bleeding may also occur when serious collisions crush and rupture blood vessels.
- Broken Bones — The strong impact of being hit by a massive vehicle can break or crush the bones of victims.
- Lacerations — Sharp debris resulting from forceful collisions can tear or cut the skin. Depending on the severity, lacerations can leave victims with scars or require them to undergo surgery.
- Wrongful Death — The worst cases of truck accidents lead to the deaths of victims. The remaining loved ones can pursue a wrongful death claim to get payment from negligent parties.
A Bloomington truck accident lawyer may refer clients to qualified medical specialists for further evaluation and treatment, allowing injuries to be properly documented. These medical reports, along with other supporting evidence, can then be used in a claim to help you understand the legal options available under California law.
What Damages Can You Get From A Truck Accident Case?
Truck accidents often leave victims facing financial, physical, and emotional hardships. Depending on the facts of the case, damages in a Bloomington truck accident claim may include:
Economic Damages
When people fall victim to truck accidents, they may incur tangible losses that can be easily measured and calculated. These losses may include expenses such as hospital bills, lost earnings due to missed work, and property repairs.
Non-Economic Damages
These are intangible losses that can’t be easily quantified. Examples are pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and decreased quality of life. Although victims can receive payment for these, setting the appropriate amount is difficult because of their subjective nature.
In rare instances, courts also award punitive damages to punish truck drivers who acted with malicious intent and gross negligence. These will also prevent the liable parties from doing the same thing in the future.
Victims of truck accidents suffer from various consequences ranging from minor to severe, all with physical, emotional, and financial tolls. Pursuing compensation for all these losses can be challenging, but our Bloomington truck accident lawyers can guide you in this matter. We can assess your damages and help you determine your options.
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Bloomington, CA?
Being involved in a truck accident can feel overwhelming and confusing. While every situation is different, here are general safety steps and practical measures that may help in the aftermath of a collision:
- Check for injuries. Check whether you or the people around you were injured. Call 911 to receive immediate medical treatment.
- Move to safety. Pull over to a secure spot. Leave your car if you can’t move it, and use your lights to warn other motorists of the accident.
- Coordinate with the authorities. Report the accident to the police so they can handle the accident scene and start an investigation.
- Collect evidence if you can. Take photos and videos of the trucks involved and the injuries and property damage you incurred. You may also gather witness testimonials. Additionally, secure relevant information like the names, contact information, and insurance details of the truck driver and their employers, as well as their registered plate numbers.
- Notify the insurance companies about the incident. Relay important information, but don’t overshare and admit fault. Note that they can use your words against you.
- Consider seeking legal guidance. A Bloomington truck accident lawyer can explain how California law applies to your situation, help you understand your rights, and assist with communications, documentation, or negotiations related to your claim.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
Truck Accident Statistics
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2023, there were 5,375 large trucks involved in fatal accidents nationwide. The total number of fatal crashes reflects an 8.4% decrease from 2022 but a 43% increase compared to 2013. California recorded 392 deaths from large truck crashes that year, ranking second among all states with the highest number of fatalities.
Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2021, large-truck crashes resulted in 5,788 fatalities. About 72% of those killed were occupants of other vehicles, and the total marked a 17% increase from 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Truck Accidents
Who Can Be Liable For A Truck Accident?
There could be multiple liable parties in a truck crash. Often, it’s the truck driver who’s at fault, especially since they must exercise the duty of care while on the road. When they fail to uphold this responsibility, they exhibit negligence and must be accountable for the ensuing damages.
However, in other circumstances, other parties can also be held liable for the truck accident. These may include:
- Trucking Companies
- Cargo Companies
- Truck Manufacturers
- Insurance Providers
- Government Offices
Identifying the potentially responsible parties in any truck accident can be challenging, and our Bloomington truck accident attorneys can help with this process. We can conduct a thorough investigation and examine each aspect of the incident to establish who is liable.
How Much Time Do I Have To File A Truck Accident Case?
The statute of limitations sets the time frame that truck accident victims must follow when filing their claims. Under California law, plaintiffs usually have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the injury is not discovered right away, the filing period may be extended under the state’s “discovery rule.”
On the other hand, exceptions to the time limits may also apply. For example, if the victim was a minor when the accident happened, the statute of limitations may be paused or tolled until they reach legal age.
California’s statute of limitations places a meticulous standard. Plaintiffs who can’t adhere to the deadlines may find their cases dismissed by the court. A Bloomington truck accident lawyer can explain how these time limits apply to your situation and assist with preparing the necessary paperwork and procedures within the required timeframe.
Call Our Truck Accident Lawyers In Bloomington
Dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. Victims often face medical treatment, time away from work, and the challenge of navigating legal procedures.
Our team of Bloomington truck accident lawyers can provide guidance on your rights under California law and explain the options available for pursuing compensation related to medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Call (888) 488-1391 for an initial case review. Our lines are open 24/7 to address your concerns and extend our legal assistance.
We also serve nearby cities and locations, such as Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Rubidoux, Grand Terrace, Riverside, Glen Avon, San Bernardino, Loma Linda, Pedley, Mira Loma, Highland, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, and Moreno Valley. We also help victims of truck accidents across California, such as in Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Los Angeles, Fresno, Visalia, and San Diego.
