Berkeley Truck Accident Lawyers

with over $750 Million Recovered in Compensation for Injury Clients.

Recover Lost Wages, Property Damages, and Medical Fees.

We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.

Our Berkeley Truck Accident Lawyers Are Personally Committed to Securing Your Justice

Berkeley truck accidents are common – and extremely dangerous. These crashes involve massive and heavy vehicles, like buses, tanker trucks, delivery trucks, oversized loads, logging trucks, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks, sending anyone in their wake to the hospital. Call our Berkeley truck accident lawyers today at (888) 488-1391 or reach out to us online to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!

Accidents involving large trucks tend to also involve private companies and governmental entities. These factors make truck accident personal injury lawsuits very complex. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you need an attorney. The legal team at Arash Law, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., has helped many clients over our decades of experience get the full and fair compensation they deserve after a truck accident. Contact the Berkeley truck accident lawyers to learn more about your legal rights to compensation after a crash.

Car Accident

$6,000,000.00

Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.

– ARASH KHORSANDI

Why You Need Berkeley Truck Accident Lawyers for Accidents Involving Large Trucks

Federal guidelines for truckers and trucking companies apply to everyone in the industry nationwide. Accidents with large trucks usually happen when trucking companies negligently disobey these rules to promote profit.

Truck accidents can get confusing very quickly. An attorney can help cut through the noise after an accident. Your attorney is your partner who will help you put the pieces of your life back together.

Berkeley Truck Accident Statistics

Large trucks and commercial vehicles are much heavier than normal-sized passenger vehicles. The size difference alone makes the impact of a crash more significant and more dangerous than accidents only involving passenger vehicles. Most large trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds and most cars weigh a measly 5,000 pounds in comparison.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of deadly traffic accidents involving large trucks has increased over the past several years. In recent years, 4,800 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents involving large trucks. The NHTSA defines commercial or “large trucks” as any vehicle that weighs at least 10,000 pounds.

Large truck accidents are expensive for all parties involved. The average cost of large truck accidents is about $91,000 per crash. If someone dies in an accident, the price of resolving the case is normally $3.6 million per accident.

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My husband had an accident 2 years ago, a 85 years old man hit him, the Arash law group works very well on my husband case that took 9 month and he won the case and my husband was happy with the results. A year later I got into an accident as well and I’m still waiting in my case is almost resolving and it’s 9 months already. This people knows the law and they do their job right to help you out in getting the most for you to fight on your behalf. I strongly recommend the Arash Law firm they do things right in a efficient and professional manner.

Had a great experience with all the people at Arash law. Long story short was in a bad car accident. It was overwhelming and the whole process was a lot, but they kept me in the loop. They answered all my questions and gave me great advice. Couldn't be any happier. Would definitely recommend anyone looking for a personal injury lawyer. They'll guide you through the whole process!

Having Arash Law handle my auto accident was the best decision I could have made. Everyone I interacted with was kind, professional and detail oriented. I am extremely happy with the outcome and would recommend them highly.

From start to finish, Arash Law firm is there every step of the way with close, constant, personal contact and attention. I never knew a Law firm could actually care so much for me as a person and what I was personally going through as well as the settlement I was going to recieve once my case was finally completed. Thank you to everyone at Arash Law for your ongoing support and communication. You are the ONLY firm I will ever recommend to someone who is need of a great attorny.

I had an excellent experience with Arash Law. I will definitely recommend to my family and friends. I interviewed a few firms before deciding to work with Arash Law. What made my experience excellent was (i.e. head attorney being accessible to talk to and he answered all my questions and concerns, sensitive and thorough personel who completed in home intake & follow up process, being connected immediately to quality Physicians who addressed my injuries and recovery process, clear contract-read throughly to ensure its something you can commit to). Being in a car accident is a traumatic experience and I had a sense of peace knowing Arash Firm was walking with me throughout the whole process. Thank you Arash Firm for all your hard work and help. I am so grateful and appreciative for you all! 🙏 With Gratitude, Monica Parra

Types of Truck Accidents in Berkeley

There are various types of truck accidents that happen in Berkeley. No matter the type of truck collision that causes your injuries, an experienced truck accident attorney can help you recover for the damages that you sustained. Common types of Berkeley truck accidents include the following:

Defective truck equipment accidents
T-bone trucking accidents
Brake failure accidents
Head-on collisions

Override accidents
Underride accidents
Rollovers
Jackknife accidents
Rear-end collisions

After getting into one of these accidents, having a legal advocate on your side can ensure that you get the full and fair compensation you deserve to get your life back after a crash. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact an experienced Berkeley truck accident attorney immediately.

Common Causes of Berkeley Truck Accidents

There can be a truly infinite number of causes of truck accidents. Mostly, traffic accidents that involve large trucks are caused by driver negligence. Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Berkeley.

Trucking Company Negligence and Employee Negligence

The trucking company can be found negligent for causing the accident. Examples of how a trucking company may be negligent include pushing drivers to work past federal service limits, failing to train drivers, keeping unqualified drivers, negligent hiring practices, etc.

Failure to Maintain a Proper Lookout

Truck drivers and other drivers must pay careful attention to what is going on around them. Many traffic accidents happen because drivers fail to do this. This is called “failure to maintain a proper lookout.” Truck drivers know to keep their heads on a swivel and notice the details of their surroundings. Taking their eyes off the road, even for a moment, can cause the truck driver to get into an accident. A truck driver who fails to maintain a proper lookout may be the reason drivers and travelers lose their lives on the road.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving often leads to road rage accidents. It is also one of the most common reasons that truckers get into traffic collisions. Aggressive driving includes behaviors that are seen as hostile behaviors that show disregard for safety laws. Drivers are usually aggressive as a response to personal stressors like being angry, impatient, or running late.

Faulty Manufacturing and Mechanical Failure

Sometimes, vehicle manufacturers do not use the most high-quality materials to manufacture trucks. Design flaws are sometimes the cause of accidents and can make trucks more susceptible to different types of accidents. Design flaws can lead to disastrous crashes.

Federal trucking regulations require companies to maintain their vehicles with proper maintenance schedules and regularly inspect their trucks for defects. Because of their size, commercial trucks require complex equipment to help them function properly. If any components malfunction, there may be a serious safety risk. Something as small as a broken headlight can cause an accident.

Truck drivers serve as another line of defense to ensure that the trucks are safe before they hit the road. Federal regulations also require that truck drivers inspect their rigs before they start deliveries. Drivers must fix all mechanical failures before taking the truck out on the road again.

A product liability claim may be available if neither the truck driver nor the company can find a defective part through a reasonable investigation. Product defect lawsuits are rare, but the option is to hold the manufacturer liable for the defect and the accident.

Jackknifing

Jackknifing happens when a commercial truck takes a turn too quickly, and the trailer makes contact with an oncoming driver. Jackknifing accidents typically happen when weather conditions are wet or icy, but these types of crashes can also happen when a trailer is empty and the driver brakes too hard.

Driver Fatigue

Fatigued driving is common in the trucking industry. Truck drivers are under a lot of pressure to meet tight deadlines for deliveries. It can be tempting for drivers to continue their routes even without adequate rest. Getting behind the wheel without proper rest can lead to serious injuries and deadly accidents. No one should drive if they are too sleepy.

Improper Loading

It is crucial to driver safety and the safety of everyone in traffic that trucking companies ensure that their trailers are properly loaded. An unbalanced load can lead to an accident that happens after a load is spilled across traffic and lead to a multi-car accident.

Substance Abuse and Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol leads to deadly accidents every day. Impaired driving is always negligent. Truck drivers, under the pressure of employers and deadlines, sometimes abuse amphetamines and other drugs to stay awake for long periods. Trucking companies conduct drug tests to try to mitigate this issue. Trucking companies may be found legally liable if they knowingly hire a driver with a substance abuse problem or retain an employee that they discover has a substance abuse issue.

Driving Above the Posted Speed Limit

It is dangerous to speed in any vehicle, but truck drivers who operate commercial trucks faster than the posted speed limit are essentially wielding a deadly weapon. The size of these massive rigs makes it difficult for drivers to quickly stop to avoid an accident. Large trucks are harder to control, and the impact of crashes can lead to devastation.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can easily cause a serious accident. Most distracted driving accidents happen in moments, like the seconds that it takes to read a text message.

Other Careless Drivers

Sometimes accidents happen because of another driver’s carelessness. When other drivers are careless around truck drivers, they put all drivers at risk of serious injury or death.

Large trucks cannot make quick and sudden maneuvers. If a careless driver recklessly changes lanes or slams on their brakes, a commercial truck cannot use defensive moves to avoid a crash. A truck driver may try to quickly switch lanes or try to stop, but this can put other travelers in significant danger.

An experienced Berkeley truck accident lawyer will help you find and hold accountable any careless drivers who contribute to the accident.

Do I Really Need To Hire Attorneys After a Berkeley Truck Accident?

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need legal representation. Truck accidents are incredibly complex, and they require legal experience to effectively navigate.

Large truck accidents are different from normal crashes. There are usually multiple parties that may share liability for causing the accident. An attorney will help you identify and hold accountable every potentially responsible defendant.

Who is Potentially Responsible for Causing Truck Accidents in Berkeley?

Many parties may share responsibility for causing truck accidents in Berkeley. Therefore, your accident claim may have many defendants. Sorting out who is responsible for causing an accident can quickly become overwhelming. In addition to naming every responsible party for an accident, it is equally important to assign a level of negligence to each individual and entity as you pursue compensation. Examples of a few parties that may share liability in a truck accident include the following:

The Trucking Company

Trucks are not always owned by the trucking company, but in cases where the truck involved in the crash is owned by the company, the trucking company may share liability for causing the accident. The trucking company may be legally liable for the negligence of their drivers if the driver was working at the time the accident happened.

The Truck Driver

Accidents normally happen because the truck driver is negligent. If the driver was negligent, then they must be held individually liable for the accident.

The Truck Manufacturer

If a truck part is defective, then the part manufacturer is responsible if the defective part caused the crash.

Discussing the details of your case with a qualified Berkeley truck accident attorney will help you pinpoint the potential cause of the crash and determine each potential defendant’s level of negligence to determine liability. You deserve the same vigorous legal representation as trucking companies will employ after a crash. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact an attorney immediately.

What Damages Can I Expect After a Truck Accident?

There are three categories of damages in traffic accident cases. Damages fit into either economic, non-economic, or punitive damages. Economic and non-economic damages are compensatory, which means they are meant to repay a victim for the losses that they suffered because of the accident. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate an accident victim. Punitive damages are awarded if the court finds that the defendant’s actions were extraordinarily dangerous. Your attorney can help you understand your rights to any of the mentioned categories of damages.

Examples of economic damages include tangible and physical losses related to the crash:

Current and future medical costs, including the cost of rehabilitation and medical equipment.
Current and future lost wages and lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity refers to the inability to return to the same type of work as you did before the accident, or you can no longer work at the same rate.
Property damage and repair costs.

Examples of non-economic damage include intangible losses related to the accident:

Mental anguish and trauma.
Pain and suffering.

Loss of enjoyment of life.

Reduced quality of life.

Is My Settlement Fair?

There is strong financial pressure after a truck accident. Your injuries may be so severe that you need expensive medical treatment but are unable to work. Some accident victims have family members that they support and feel the financial burden increasing immediately after the accident. It is critical that you receive a fair settlement after getting injured in a truck accident.

Insurance companies stand in the way of appropriate financial settlements. Many accident victims fall prey to the bullying tactics that insurance companies use to avoid paying claims. One example of tactics that insurance companies use is offering what seems like a quick and easy settlement to resolve your case. However, the initial offer from an insurance company is rarely large enough to cover the extent of your losses.

Working with an attorney can help you understand if your settlement is satisfactory. An experienced Berkeley truck accident attorney will carefully review any settlement offers with you and compare the costs you have incurred. Your attorney will know if you are making the right choice regarding accepting a settlement offer.

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Franchot M.

$610,000

Personal Injury Settlement

Our client was the victim of a rear-end accident who was left injured and severely in pain. Arash Law was able to outshine other injury law firms when he searched online, and thankfully we were able to handle everything for our client from A to Z — All that he had to do was ask and focus on his recovery. Our client’s life has changed forever, and the compensation received for the pain and suffering has opened paths for new lifelong opportunities.

Personal Injury Settlement

What Will Good Berkeley Truck Accident Lawyers Do For Me?

The physical and financial results of a truck accident can last for years. A truck accident attorney can assist you in getting the compensation you need to mitigate the effects of the crash. One remedy for your truck crashes is to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages. Your Berkeley truck accident lawyers can help you in the following ways regarding your accident.

Gathering Evidence

You will need proof of the cause of the accident and your losses to win a truck accident lawsuit. The aftermath of a truck accident is stressful for the victim. In the stress of the accident, the victim may neglect to collect pertinent evidence that can help them prove the claims asserted in their lawsuit. Gathering evidence is one of the most important steps in a civil lawsuit.

After you discuss the facts of your case with your attorney, your legal team will start gathering and documenting pertinent evidence that can help you win your claim. Some important evidence that your attorney can help you gather may include:

Radio recordings
Black box data from the truck
Logbooks from maintenance

Accident reports
Truck inspection reports
Pictures of skid marks

Pictures from the accident scene
Truck driver’s driving record

Help You Determine Liability

Liability is hard to assign in truck accidents. More than one party may be responsible for the crash. Your attorney will help you sort through the facts of the case and determine who is liable and for what losses or injuries.

Assessing Damages for Truck Accident Claim

You may not know how much you are entitled to after a crash. An experienced Berkeley truck accident attorney will know how to evaluate your case and itemize your damages. Your attorney can then give you an estimate of the total value of your claim.

Knowing your total compensation can help you know how much of a settlement demand to request. The final settlement amount can include all your losses. Your attorney will review medical bill receipts, medical records, paychecks, and property damage estimates.

Mitigate Damages

Plaintiffs are required to mitigate their damages after an accident. Mitigating damages means that a plaintiff must take steps to lower the cost of injuries, damages, and losses they may sustain after a crash. One of the best ways for accident plaintiffs to mitigate their damages is to seek immediate medical treatment. If you fail to see a doctor, the insurance company may argue that your injuries would not have been as bad if you had gone to the doctor sooner. You must follow your doctor’s orders, too. It also may be a good idea to get a second opinion about your prognosis, if possible.

In addition to mitigating your medical damage, you will need to get property repair estimates. If your car is not totaled and you continue to drive in it, the insurance company may argue that you caused any further damage. You should get your car fixed properly before you start driving it again after an accident.

Lastly, try not to exacerbate your injuries. Suppose you have a back injury after the truck accident. It may be unwise to do a lot of heavy lifting after the crash. It can make differentiating between the accident-related injury and any new injuries for settlement purposes challenging. If your doctor recommends that you return to work on light or reduced duty, do not resist those instructions.

How Can I Preserve My Claim?

Insurance companies do not want to make payouts, so most insurance companies avoid agreeing to a satisfactory settlement. They want to pay injury victims as little as possible. You need to preserve your claim to avoid becoming a victim of the insurance company’s bottom line. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you in the following ways:

Refrain From Making Recorded Statements

You should never give a recorded statement to anyone without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance companies always reach out to accident victims trying to get a recorded statement about the accident. Giving a statement can lock you into a story and be used against you by the defense. Admitting anything about the cause of the accident or injuries can jeopardize your case.

Minimize Your Social Media Footprint

You should avoid posting pictures or updates while your case is pending. Insurance companies work overtime to find anything that they can use against you, and they often get incriminating information from social media accounts. Insurance adjusters may use photos and statuses that you post to show that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

Keep a Personal Diary

Starting a daily journal is a good way to document your feelings and emotions in the aftermath of a truck accident. You can use your diary to describe your physical and mental struggles and how often you have them. Describe how your injury impacted your relationships, life, and work. Memories fade fast, so keeping a record of what you are going through is a good idea and can help you tell your story to your attorney, insurance company, and jury if your case goes to trial.

Seek Medical Treatment

It is important to seek medical treatment partially because the insurance company will review your medical records to determine whether you have been compliant with your doctor’s orders. It is not a good idea to skip doctor’s appointments or ignore their recommendations.

Document Accident-Related Medical Expenses

California law allows injury victims to recover for their economic damages, including medical care costs and other accident-related expenses. Document and save all physical proof of these losses, like medical bills, prescription costs, and other evidence of expenses. These costs can be recovered in a final settlement amount.

Commercial Truck

$1,129,832.00

Verdict for a client who was sideswiped by a commercial truck

– JUDD ROSS ALLEN

What Should I Do After Getting into a Berkeley Truck Accident?

What you do after a truck accident is important. Assess the damage from the crash as soon as possible. Make sure that everyone is safe immediately after the crash. Call an ambulance and go to the hospital to get a full medical evaluation.

Report the incident to the police. California law requires people who have been involved in a traffic accident to report it to the authorities.

Get the contact information of the driver, their insurance information, and the name of their employer. Document this information and as much other information as you can gather. It can help you create a strong case moving forward.

Contact your insurance company. Check the terms of your policy to learn more about your reporting requirements.

Contact a Berkeley truck accident lawyer to protect your legal rights.

What is Pure Comparative Fault?

California is a pure comparative fault state. The pure comparative fault rule allows plaintiffs who contributed to their injuries to still recover damages from the defendant. Under the pure comparative fault rule, a jury assigns a percentage of fault to the plaintiff for causing their injuries and reduces the plaintiff’s award based on their percentage of fault.

An example of the pure comparative fault rule at work is, suppose the final jury award is $100,000. The jury found that the plaintiff was ten percent at fault for the accident. The plaintiff can collect 90% or $90,000 as their final jury award.

Insurance companies often use this rule to their advantage. Insurance companies use the pure comparative fault rule to shift the blame to plaintiffs to avoid paying out large settlements.

Having an attorney working for you helps ensure that you are not taken advantage of by an insurance company looking to avoid the responsibility of making a full payment to the injured person. An attorney will help you present your case in a compelling way before a jury that may convince jury members that you do not share liability for your injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you should reach out to an experienced Berkeley truck accident attorney immediately after a crash happens. Your California accident lawyer will help you protect your interests and put you in the best position to recover full compensation after a truck accident.

Call Us Today to Speak with Trusted Berkeley Truck Accident Lawyers

The legal team at Arash Law, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, has decades of experience getting injury victims in Berkeley the help they need and access to compensation after a truck accident. When you choose our office to represent you, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We are conveniently located in Berkeley, California.

We also serve nearby communities, including Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Piedmont, Alameda, Eastport, Richmond, San Pablo, and beyond. We are ready to answer any questions you have regarding your case. Contact us today at (888) 488-1391 or online to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you.