El Dorado County Truck Accident Lawyers
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Our El Dorado County Truck Accident Lawyers Are Personally Committed To Seeking Justice For Your Case
Careless truck driving can result in catastrophic injuries, distress, and heavy medical bills. If you were hurt in a truck collision, reach out to our El Dorado County truck accident lawyers. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free and confidential consultation.
El Dorado County is home to many pristine natural wonders, such as Folsom Lake State Recreational Area and Pine Hill Ecological Reserve. Besides two ski areas in the winter, the county also offers river rafting, boating, hiking, biking, and exploring Gold Rush-era communities in the summer. Numerous visitors travel to these popular destinations, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.
After a truck accident, having a knowledgeable attorney can help you navigate what comes next. Arash Law can provide the legal counsel and advocacy to help you pursue a claim. Our team has years of experience assisting clients with their injury cases. We’ll use our legal knowledge to build an evidence-backed claim on your behalf.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
What Can Our El Dorado Truck Accident Lawyers Do To Help You Get Compensation?
The process of filing an insurance claim is intricate and requires several challenging steps. This is why pursuing a claim without the assistance of a lawyer is challenging.
Our truck accident attorneys in El Dorado County can handle every aspect of your case and build your claim with a thorough investigation and hard evidence.
Here’s what we’ll do to pursue compensation for your losses:
- Thorough Investigation — Our attorneys will conduct comprehensive investigations to determine the cause of the collision. The process involves gathering evidence, examining it, and drawing conclusions.
- Legal Analysis — We are familiar with the laws and regulations governing commercial trucking and traffic safety. Having this knowledge will help in determining liability. If more than one party is involved in an accident, our attorneys will examine accident details related to these parties.
- Documentation — Having managed numerous injury claims, our El Dorado County truck accident attorneys are aware of how necessary documentation is. It is our responsibility to secure essential records, such as hospital records, police reports, insurance policies, and other relevant documents.
- Insurance Negotiations — Talking with insurance companies can be stressful for injured victims. Hiring a personal injury lawyer who will deal with them and negotiate fair settlements for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other losses is essential.
Truck Accident Laws And Regulations
Because of how much damage a truck can cause to another vehicle in an accident, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has several regulations aimed at preventing accidents. The hours of service regulations are intended specifically to prohibit fatigued driving.
In accordance with these rules, truck drivers must:
- Work a maximum shift of 14 hours.
- Rest or take meal breaks totaling 3 hours in their workday.
- Rest for at least 10 consecutive hours at the end of the workday.
- Take days off work at regular intervals. These days off depend on the trucking company’s hours of operation.
Seeking legal representation from experienced and qualified truck accident attorneys in El Dorado County is advisable, especially if you’ve been involved in an accident with a large commercial vehicle. These lawyers understand the complex laws and regulations governing the trucking industry.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
To determine if there was a negligent party, our El Dorado County truck accident attorneys must identify the cause of the crash. If negligence is established, you may be able to file a claim. Here are the most common causes of truck wrecks:
Texting While Driving
Many traffic accidents are caused by motorists who use their mobile phones while driving. Unfortunately, many catastrophic accidents occur when drivers divert their attention from the road to their phones.
Driving Under The Influence
Illegal substances and alcohol can impair perception, attention, coordination, cognition, and other brain functions. When drivers operate vehicles under the influence, their ability to react quickly and make safe decisions is significantly reduced, increasing the risk of collisions with other motorists.
Failure To Comply With Safety Measures
Trucking companies sometimes offer incentives based on the amount of cargo that truck drivers can deliver within a specified time frame. As a result, many drivers overload their trucks in order to increase their income. Overloaded trucks are also more likely to roll over and crash.
Overfatigue
Long hauls are nothing new to commercial truck drivers. They often cross states to deliver their goods. Such trips require long hours and even days on the road. Fatigue, however, can impair a person’s ability to solve problems and react quickly.
Ignoring Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are in place to ensure safety on our roads. Truckers have a duty of care to other motorists they share the road with. When they blatantly break traffic laws, they neglect this duty.
Improper Maintenance
Trucks are more prone to mechanical issues because of their loads and long drives across states. That is why it is the responsibility of both trucking companies and drivers to maintain their vehicles. Failure to maintain trucks can cause issues like tire blowouts, which can lead to accidents.
If any of these factors are behind a truck accident in El Dorado County, our attorneys can help you file a legal claim against the responsible party.
How Liability Is Established In Truck Accidents
Personal injury lawyers experienced in handling truck accident cases have to determine if there is negligence by proving its elements. They will work to put together a case arguing that the defendants are liable for your injuries. Essentially, negligence is the failure to take proper care when performing an action.
There are four critical elements to proving a defendant is liable in a personal injury case:
- Duty of Care — This is a legal obligation that can arise in many situations. A commercial truck operator, for example, must at all times comply with state and federal trucking regulations.
- Breach of Duty — After establishing that the defendant owed a duty of care, it is necessary to demonstrate that they breached it. For instance, a big rig operator who falls asleep behind the wheel violates their responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and reasonably.
- Causation — After a breach of duty is established, you must prove a causal link between the defender’s breach and your injuries.
- Damages — You must prove economic and non-economic damages once causation has been established. Among these are medical bills, lost wages, future medical treatment, and pain and suffering.
If these elements are met, our truck accident attorneys in El Dorado County may file a legal claim against the negligent party on behalf of the victim.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a tractor-trailer accident, the legal process can be complex and demanding. However, working with our legal team can help you navigate this challenging process and pursue your claim.
Potential Liable Parties In A Truck Accident Case
Commercial truck accident claims can be quite complicated, as there may be multiple negligent parties that cause you harm and losses. For example, some injury cases could seek to hold the following parties liable:
- Thе truck drivеr.
- Thе drivеr’ѕ еmрlоуеr.
- Thе оwnеr оf thе truck or trailer.
- The company leases the truck.
- The truсk or parts manufacturer.
Talk to your El Dorado County truck accident lawyers to learn about seeking compensation from all negligent parties.
Typical Damages In A Truck Accident Claim
Victims can claim different types of compensation. Depending on how the truck collision has affected your life and financial situation, truck accident attorneys in El Dorado County may pursue the following damages on your behalf:
- Current, ongoing, and future medical expenses.
- Cost of physical therapy, prescription medication, and assistive devices.
- Vehicle repair costs.
- Lost wages due to missed work days during recovery and treatment.
- Decreased earning ability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Reduced quality of life.
Arash Law is committed to helping you pursue compensation for the losses you’ve suffered. Providing us with copies of your medical bills, vehicle repair invoices, and previous pay stubs will help us request the correct amount.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Statute Of Limitations For Truck Accidents In El Dorado County
The statute of limitations specifies how long you have to file a lawsuit and claim damages from the at-fault party after an accident. In California, the time limit is two years from the date of the injury. The same deadline applies to El Dorado County.
For property damages only, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Meanwhile, personal injury lawsuits against the government must be filed within six months of the incident.
If you miss the time limit, you may never be able to claim damages for a truck accident. If you have been injured in an accident in El Dorado County, consult with our truck accident attorneys for legal help.
Trucking Accident Statistics
National Safety Council (NSC) data show that fatal crashes involving large trucks increased significantly in 2021, with 5,700 incidents recorded. This represents an 18% surge from the previous year and a substantial 49% increase over the past decade. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled has concurrently risen by 7% since 2020 and by 22% over the last decade.
Statistics indicate that large trucks contribute to the following:
- Approximately 9% of all vehicles are involved in fatal crashes.
- About 5% of all registered vehicles.
- Around 10% of the total vehicle miles traveled.
The extensive truck accident data recorded over the past five years reveals this concerning pattern. According to the NSC, California ranked second in fatalities from large truck crashes in 2021.
El Dorado County Truck Accident FAQs
Why Do Truck Accidents Cause So Much Damage?
The average sedan weighs around 5,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the Federal limit allows loaded tractor-trailers to weigh a maximum of 80,000 pounds. When a collision occurs between a big rig and a smaller commuter vehicle, the smaller vehicle and its occupants usually suffer the most damage.
How Soon Should I Speak To An Injury Lawyer After My Truck Accident?
It may be beneficial to speak to an El Dorado lawyer handling truck accident cases as soon as you can after an accident. Doing so can help preserve the critical evidence associated with the collision. Large trucking companies could lose black box data and other accident-related records if enough time passes between the crash and when you hire an attorney.
What Should I Bring To My Meeting With El Dorado County Truck Accident Lawyers?
In order to gain the benefits from this initial meeting, it will be helpful if you bring the following:
- Medical bills, medical records, insurance statements, invoices, or other documentation about the extent of your losses and injuries.
- A description (preferably written) of the accident, including details of how the accident occurred and what happened after the accident.
- Statements the at-fault driver may have made to you or others.
- Photographs, diagrams, or police reports associated with the accident.
If you contact Arash Law, we will arrange a meeting with you to discuss your El Dorado County truck accident case. During the consultation, we will advise you about your legal rights. Our team will also answer any questions you may have about the recovery process.
Call Our El Dorado County Truck Accident Attorneys
With years of experience handling personal injury cases and helping clients pursue compensation, Arash Law can help you get back on your feet. Get in touch with us to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
You can gain valuable insights from meeting with our El Dorado County truck accident attorneys. If you’re seeking legal advice about your case, call us at (888) 488-1391.
We represent clients throughout California, including cities and communities like Tahoe City, Carson City, Indian Hills, Markleeville, Bear Valley, Pioneer, Sutter Creek, Jackson, Plymouth, Elk Grove, Galt, Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, Lincoln, Wheatland, Colfax, and Gold Run.
