Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers
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Our Top-rated Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers Turn Victims Into Victors
Some truck drivers cause accidents due to their reckless behavior. When you or someone dear to you becomes a victim of negligent truckers, our Bloomington truck accident lawyers can help you claim maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Bloomington is the largest and most advanced incorporated suburb of San Bernardino County, with 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.
Currently, Bloomington 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 recover fair compensation. Our truck accident lawyers in Bloomington can guide you through the claims process and help you increase your chance of obtaining the best possible result for your case.
Additionally, our law firm in Bloomington works on cases on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront fees. This agreement also makes it possible for victims who can’t otherwise pay for a lawyer to get a chance to recover what they are owed.
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 Hire Our Bloomington Truck Accident Lawyers For Your Case
When you get injured in a truck accident in Bloomington, you need to hire 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 requires expertise, and our attorneys can provide the support you need.
Our team of personal injury lawyers will ensure that you receive compassionate treatment throughout the process, from the investigation through to negotiations. We will keep you updated on any developments to help you make an informed decision later on.
In addition, our attorneys can establish the negligence of at-fault parties and hold them accountable. We can also negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement, especially if they make lowball offers. But if out-of-court negotiations don’t work, we can bring your case to trial and fight for your best interests.
When you’re confused and overwhelmed by the legal system, rely on our Bloomington truck accident attorneys. We will make every effort to ensure that you receive the money and justice you deserve. Complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to know if you have a valid claim today.
Common Types Of Trucks
The roads of Bloomington share spaces 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 these vehicles to deliver 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 these vehicles are harvesters, livestock haulers, and other farm machinery.
It’s best to speak with our Bloomington truck accident lawyers if one of these heavy-duty trucks is involved in your accident. We can assess your situation and help you process a claim to get compensation for your damages and losses following the crash.
Most 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, free-way 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 today.
What Are the Common Causes Of Truck Accidents?
Our Bloomington lawyers manage truck accident cases that are usually associated with the following causes:
- Overspeeding – California’s federal regulations require truck drivers to drive within the speed limit. 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 the leading substances that impair people’s cognitive skills. Intoxicated truck drivers usually do not exhibit safe driving skills and instead get into 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
- Head And Brain Injuries – Victims usually sustain significant damages, 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, gets 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.
Injuries sustained in truck accidents are among the damages that liable parties must pay for. If you’re a victim, seek the service of our truck accident attorneys in Bloomington. We can help you see a doctor, obtain a medical report, and present it along with other evidence so you can receive fair compensation from the liable parties.
What Damages Can You Get From A Truck Accident Case?
Our Bloomington lawyers, who are experts in truck accident cases, can help you recover the following damages:
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. Obtaining compensation for all these damages can be challenging but our Bloomington truck accident lawyers can guide you in this matter. We can calculate how much you are owed and fight for it.
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Bloomington, CA?
Truck accidents leave victims overwhelmed and confused, but there are certain steps you can take to overcome this incident. Our truck accident lawyers in Bloomington encourage you to follow these steps:
- 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.
- Get legal guidance from Arash Law. Our Bloomington attorneys are skilled at handling truck accident cases. We can process everything for you so you can focus on your recovery. Our attorneys will also negotiate with insurers and represent you in court if needed. Rest assured that we’ll keep you updated about the progress of your case.
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
The National Safety Council (NSC) stated that in 2021, California was the second state in the U.S. with the most deaths involving large trucks, which totaled 437.
In the same year, 5,700 large trucks across the country have also been involved in deadly truck accidents. This figure climbed by 18% from 2020 and 49% in the last ten years.
Meanwhile, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), truck accidents yielded 5,788 fatalities in 2021. Around 72% of these victims were occupants of other vehicles. Authorities said this number had increased by 17% from 4,945 in 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 responsible parties in any truck accident can be challenging. That’s why it’s best to let our Bloomington truck accident attorneys handle your case. We can conduct a thorough investigation and examine each aspect of the incident to establish who is liable.
What Is The Average Settlement In A Semi-Truck Accident Case?
Settlements for semi-truck accidents can differ from one case to the next. The court can award the amount based on the severity of the incident, the injuries, and other damages sustained. In the U.S., settlement awards for semi-truck accidents can vary from $0 to $80 million, but the average compensation is approximately $40,000.
To know how much your case is worth, contact our truck accident attorneys in Bloomington.
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. According to California law, plaintiffs have two years to file their cases. If their injuries were not found immediately, they can initiate their claim a year after the discovery.
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. To avoid this situation, allow our Bloomington truck accident attorneys to handle your case. We will file all the requirements on time and strictly follow the legal procedures.
Hire The Truck Accident Lawyers Bloomington Trusts Today
Dealing with the repercussions of a truck accident is stressful. Not only do you have to pay attention to your physical and emotional recovery, but you also have to work your way through the legal system to get compensation. Our team of Bloomington truck accident lawyers is here to support you and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Let us be your ally at this challenging time.
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.
