Altadena Truck Accident Lawyers
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Skilled Altadena Truck Accident Lawyers Advocating For Your Legal Rights After An Injury
Drivers of large trucks carrying heavy cargo must exercise extra caution when traversing Altadena’s roads. However, accidents happen when we least expect them. If you or your loved ones sustain injuries following a truck accident, then you may be entitled to pursue compensation. Our Altadena truck accident lawyers can help you file a personal injury claim. Our lines are always open; call us at (888) 488-1391 for a case evaluation.
Trucks share roads with other vehicles. They are important for transporting goods from one place to another. However, due to their massive size, they are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries among other drivers and passengers when they get involved in a traffic collision. Truck accidents can alter a victim’s and their family’s lives. In more severe situations, these incidents could lead to wrongful deaths.
Arash Law can help you understand your potential right to seek compensation. Using our knowledge of insurance laws and regulations, we could craft a substantiated claim on your behalf. Our Altadena law firm is dedicated to helping clients pursue compensation for their losses. With experience in handling truck accident cases, we work to help them pursue compensation under California law.
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 Work With The Altadena Truck Accident Attorneys From Arash Law
Working with a lawyer is not a requirement if you want to file a claim. However, doing so may prove useful when dealing with truck accident claims. The laws and legal processes governing truck accidents can be complicated and challenging to understand. Truck accident claims also tend to be more complex, as they typically involve multiple defendants.
Our experienced Altadena attorneys for truck accident cases can help you understand your rights and options with these factors in mind.
The following are additional reasons why hiring our truck accident attorneys may be worth considering:
- We Provide Legal Experience — Our Altadena personal injury lawyers work to understand the uniqueness of each case. Whether your accident involves multiple parties or not, we can develop tailored approaches that aim to address your distinct needs when pursuing compensation after a truck crash.
- We Investigate and Gather Evidence — We will conduct an independent investigation into the incident to identify liability. Also, we will gather relevant proof that may support your claim.
- We Have Negotiation and In-Court Experience — Our attorneys can negotiate at the bargaining table for you. We’ll work to reach a settlement based on the specifics of your case. If this is not possible, our lawyers may take your case to court to help you pursue a verdict.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Human error typically causes truck accidents. However, in some cases, vehicular malfunctions can also lead to these incidents, along with other factors. The following are the typical causes of truck accidents that our Altadena lawyers see in the area:- Reckless Driving & Speeding — These behaviors put pedestrians and other drivers at risk. Reckless drivers disregard traffic safety and laws, such as running a red light. Meanwhile, speeding decreases the driver’s reaction time to hazards and dangerous situations on the road. Since trucks have a longer stopping time, speeding raises the chances of crashing or colliding with other vehicles or objects.
- Improper Turning — Truckers undergo training to maneuver their large vehicles properly, including turning safely. Wide and fast turns could cause accidents, like rollovers.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI) — Alcohol and drugs can affect one’s ability to drive safely. These substances can affect the driver’s cognitive ability and reaction time, potentially leading to devastating events.
- Parking on Shoulders — Although shoulder parking helps truck drivers rest after a long drive, they must do it safely. They must use their signals to communicate with other road users, both when parking and merging into traffic. Failure to do so could lead to collisions.
- Overloading/Improper Loading of Cargo — Issues with the way cargo is loaded can cause the trailer to swing around, making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. Improper cargo loads are more likely to cause rollovers and jackknife accidents. Furthermore, loose cargo may spill onto the road and hit other motorists or pedestrians.
- Fatigued Driving — Drowsiness impairs the driver’s alertness, reaction time, and cognitive function, posing a risk to motorists and pedestrians. Due to long hauls, truck drivers are more prone to drowsy driving.
Common Types Of Truck Accidents
Here are the most common types of truck accidents that our Altadena lawyers handle:- Jackknife Accidents — In these accidents, the truck’s trailer and cab create an angle that looks like a folding jackknife, hence the name. They are often life-threatening, particularly when they trap other cars underneath, roll over, or swerve off the roadway. Common causes include reckless driving, failure to secure cargo properly, and the negligent behavior of other motorists.
- Head-On Collisions — Trucks colliding head-on with other vehicles are among the most fatal kinds of accidents. Head-on collisions usually occur when truckers or other motorists drive while distracted or drunk. Poor road conditions, such as a lack of lighting or center dividers, can also cause these accidents.
- Rear-End Collisions — Trucks are gigantic in size and weight compared to standard cars. When a passenger vehicle hits the rear of a truck, it could be crushed upon impact. Negligence plays a major role in rear-end collisions. In some cases, inexperienced truck drivers fail to slow down or stop in time, causing rear-end collisions.
- Truck Rollovers — Large trucks are harder to operate than smaller vehicles. They are more likely to roll over as they generally have slower stopping speeds. A truck driver who drives too fast or takes turns too sharply may cause the entire vehicle to roll over onto its side, leading to hazardous situations for everyone on the road. Distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence are typical causes of rollovers.
- T-Bone Accidents — Also called broadside or side-impact crashes, T-bone accidents usually happen at intersections. Drivers who violate the right-of-way, ignore stop signs, or run red lights are at a higher risk of causing a collision.
Usual Injuries Sustained By Truck Accident Victims
Truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, as trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than standard cars. The most typical injuries associated with these incidents are:
- Brain & Head Injuries – The head hitting the dashboard or a foreign object penetrating the skull can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Common TBIs include concussions, contusions, penetrating brain injuries, cerebral hemorrhage, and brain herniation.
- Neck & Back Injuries – Truck accidents are more likely to cause serious back and neck injuries than the crashes usually handled by our car accident lawyers. Truck collisions might cause jarring motions that can severely damage the tissues, joints, and nerves in the back and neck. Additionally, a damaged spine may lead to lifelong injuries requiring long-term care.
- Internal Injuries – Blunt force trauma could cause internal injuries such as ruptured blood vessels, internal bleeding, and organ damage. Even though there are no clear symptoms yet, victims must see a healthcare professional following a truck accident to detect internal injuries immediately and prevent further complications.
- Fractures – The extreme force of a truck collision may cause bones to break or shatter. Fractures range from mild to severe. Open fractures, in particular, are serious injuries that can lead to wound and bone infections.
- Lacerations – Severe lacerations could leave victims with permanent scars. They might require stitches to stop the bleeding. Victims may need weeks to regain their full strength in areas with deep cuts.
Severe injuries can interfere with the victim’s quality of life, ability to work, and relationships. Our Altadena lawyers for truck accidents can help assess them so you can seek compensation for these losses. In a fatal truck collision, the victim’s legal heirs may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the liable parties.
Who Is Liable In A Truck Accident?
Victims could pursue compensation if someone’s negligence causes their injury or the wrongful death of their loved one. However, determining liability after a truck accident can be complicated. Multiple parties are often liable for these incidents.
The following parties typically bear some responsibility for injuries and damages sustained in a truck accident:
- Truck Drivers – They are generally responsible for accidents caused by their negligent actions, such as distracted driving or not obeying traffic laws.
- Trucking Companies – These companies must follow trucking rules and regulations, such as routinely inspecting vehicles and ensuring employees are well-trained. They could be partially liable for damages if their drivers cause a trucking accident.
- Truck Owners – Failure to perform proper maintenance to ensure the vehicle is in optimal condition may make a truck owner liable for damages. This situation is true even if someone else was operating their vehicle when the accident occurred.
- Cargo Shippers and Loaders – Some trucking companies transport cargo that other entities package and load. They may be liable if an accident occurs due to unstable, incorrectly loaded cargo that shifts during transportation.
- Manufacturers of Trucks with Faulty Parts – If a defective steering wheel causes a truck driver to veer off and lose control, for example, the manufacturer of the faulty part may be held responsible for the accident.
Our experienced Altadena truck accident attorneys can help pinpoint the liable parties and identify suitable legal actions you could take to pursue compensation from them.
How Do I Establish Negligence?
In California, establishing negligence for a truck accident involves proving the following elements:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the accident victim.
- The at-fault party violated their duty of care through a form of negligence.
- The at-fault party’s negligence directly caused the victims’ injuries and losses.
For example, every truck driver must use reasonable caution while driving to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. In this case, a truck driver’s duty of care would require them to:
- Operate their trucks carefully while behind the wheel.
- Watch out for other vehicles, road obstacles, and pedestrians.
- Adjust their truck’s speed and movement accordingly.
In strict liability cases, manufacturers of defective vehicle parts may be liable if the faulty part contributed to a truck accident, regardless of the manufacturer’s intention. Establishing liability in strict liability cases does not require proving negligence. The victim can file a strict liability claim based on defective parts:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Accelerator pedals
- Engine/transmission parts
- Cargo ties
Our truck accident lawyers in Altadena can help you establish the liable party’s negligence. If you have questions about negligence and liability laws in California, our knowledgeable lawyers can help answer them.
What Damages Can You Seek In A Truck Accident Claim?
The often severe damage caused by truck accidents can significantly affect the lives of injured victims. They may thus have the right to seek compensation. The settlement amount you could pursue often depends on many factors, such as how severe your injuries are, the extent of your medical needs, how the accident affected you emotionally, and more.
Victims can typically seek economic and non-economic compensatory damages. The former are measurable financial losses, while the latter are intangible ones that are subjective in nature.
The following are the common types of damages you can claim after a truck accident:
- Medical Treatment — You could seek compensation for present and future healthcare bills, including therapies, follow-up checkups, and other treatments required for accident-related injuries. Keep your medical reports and bills so our truck accident attorneys in Altadena can use them as evidence.
- Loss of Income — Recovering includes a good rest. It can take a long time, depending on how severe your injuries are and your doctor’s advice. Most of the time, you have to miss work to recover. If this happens, your family’s expenses might also be affected. It may also result in mounting unpaid bills, such as rent and utilities. In some instances, a devastating injury can result in a permanent disability that may lead to future income loss. You could pursue compensation for such losses.
- Pain & Suffering — Pain and suffering are difficult to calculate. Still, it is important to compensate for the physical and emotional distress you are suffering from because of a truck accident. You may also develop anxiety or depression, which could further debilitate you. Our Altadena truck accident attorneys may consult outside experts, such as psychologists or psychiatrists, to support your claim for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Wrongful Death — In severe cases, the strong impact and massive size of big rigs could kill pedestrians and other motorists, potentially constituting a wrongful death. If a loved one died due to a truck accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. You could seek damages such as loss of consortium, grief, and funeral and burial expenses.
We can help you understand what damages you may seek following a truck accident. Our team may also work with economic experts to calculate your damages.
What Do I Do After A Truck Accident In Altadena?
Filing a personal injury claim helps you seek compensation for your injuries following a truck accident in Altadena. You can take steps like the following to help you pursue a case against the negligent parties:
- Seek Medical Attention. — Your health and safety must be the top priorities following the accident. Additionally, your medical bills and records will help support your case.
- Report to the Authorities — Call the Altadena Sheriff’s Office at (626) 798-1131 to report the accident. An officer will be dispatched to the scene to investigate and create a police report. You can get a copy of the report to serve as evidence for your claim.
- Document the Accident Scene — Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicles, and collect the information of drivers and passengers. You should also get the testimony of any witnesses.
- Notify Your Insurance Company — You should notify your insurance company about the accident. However, before speaking to insurers, you can consult a truck accident attorney so you can avoid saying anything that could harm your case.
- Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer — Our Altadena truck accident lawyers are ready to review your case. We offer free initial consultations where you can learn more about your rights and options. If you have a valid claim, we can help you file a claim and keep you up to date on any developments in your case or lawsuit.
Pursuing compensation can be challenging due to the nature of truck accident cases. Every case is unique and depends on its specific facts, circumstances, and applicable law. It is our goal to take a tailored approach to each claim, allowing us to closely address a client’s needs after a crash.
What Can I Do To Support My Truck Accident Claim?
Below are some ways to support your claim:
- Don’t Post Anything on Social Media — One click on your social media account can affect your claim. Posting anything on social media following the accident may cause disputes if the contents of your account differ from the recorded details of your claim.
- Don’t Apologize — Saying a simple “I’m sorry” could be misinterpreted as you admitting fault for the accident.
- Don’t Talk While You’re on Hold — Calls with insurance adjusters are often recorded. You may accidentally say something on record that weakens your claim.
- Follow the Advice of Your Attorney — If you’re working on a valid claim with our Altadena lawyers who handle truck accident cases, consider their suggestions for avoiding mistakes like those listed above.
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), there were 5,375 fatal collisions involving large trucks in the United States in 2023, which is a notable 22% increase over the past decade. The involved trucks were both commercial and non-commercial.
Trucks are any medium or heavy trucks with a total vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds. Around 9% of all vehicles recorded in fatal crashes were large trucks, the NSC reported. Additionally, 114,552 large trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in an injury in 2023, representing a 4.7% drop from 2022.
Among the states with the highest number of deaths associated with large truck crashes in 2021, California ranked second with 437 deaths.
Passenger vehicle occupants were killed in the majority of large truck crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The IIHS adds that there were 4,354 fatalities associated with large truck crashes in 2023. Here is a breakdown of the percentages:
- Truck Occupants — 16%
- Vehicle Passengers — 65%
- Pedestrians, Bicyclists, & Motorcyclists — 17%
Federal hours-of-service regulations allow large truck drivers to drive up to 11 hours at a time. Studies indicate that violations of these regulations may contribute to increased accident risk.
How Long Do I Have After A Truck Accident To File A Lawsuit?
Generally, California law allows for the filing of a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date of injury. If you don’t file a claim within the timeframe, you lose the right to demand compensation, even if you have a valid claim. There are a number of exceptions and special circumstances that may affect this timeframe.
The statute of limitations is “tolled” or paused if:
- The claimant is a minor.
- The injured victim has been declared mentally incompetent.
- The accident victim died within six months of the end of the statute of limitations.
- The injured victim is performing military service.
You can contact our truck accident lawyers in Altadena to learn if any exceptions apply to your claim. If you have a case, our team can also help you complete all documents by the applicable deadline. Additionally, we can help preserve evidence that may help build your case. The earlier you file a claim, the greater your chances of maintaining your right to pursue compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions After A Truck Accident In Altadena
What Should I Do If I’m Contacted By Insurers Or Someone From The Trucking Company?
Avoid making any statements that could negatively affect your claim. Additionally, do not sign any agreement or agree to the settlement money they will offer. Our attorneys can help review any communications so you can make more informed decisions on how to respond to these parties. We could also handle all negotiations on your behalf if you retain our services.
How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge In Altadena, California?
Several factors can influence how much accident attorneys charge for a truck injury claim. Since these claims often involve multiple at-fault parties, for example, it may be more expensive to procure legal services to handle them. However, these costs don’t have to bar you from seeking representation altogether.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. Clients don’t pay our attorneys unless they’re awarded a settlement. They may only have to cover some other case-related expenses regardless of how their case resolves. At Arash Law, discussions about our fees can take place during your free initial consultation or the onboarding process.
Can A Lawyer Settle My Case Without My Consent?
A lawyer cannot settle or close your case without your consent. However, if you collect compensation or accept an agreement, the case will automatically be considered closed. Our firm is dedicated to keeping a line of communication open with you throughout the process. We will not proceed with any decision without explaining your options and obtaining your consent.
Reach Out To Our Altadena Truck Accident Lawyers
You can ask our Altadena lawyers to review your truck accident case. We aim to provide our clients with comprehensive legal representation during these challenging times. Our lawyers are committed to guiding you through the process, from filing a claim to negotiating a settlement.
We can work to advocate for your rights and help you pursue compensation based on California law and the specifics of your case. Call us at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form for a free initial consultation.
Our Altadena lawyers for truck accidents extend our services to these neighboring areas: Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Glendale, San Marino, Arcadia, Los Angeles, and Kinneloa Mesa. Our lawyers also help truck accident victims around California, including Santa Clara, Carlsbad, Lancaster, and Ontario.
