Humboldt County Truck Accident Lawyers
Our Award-Winning Humboldt County Truck Accident Lawyers Turn Injured Victims Into Victors
Situated inside the “Redwood Curtain,” Humboldt County is a true paradise that most Californians still view as “out of the way.” Still, the Washington Post previously ranked it as the second most beautiful county in the US. Locals and tourists alike can take pleasure in its breathtaking scenery, including the Earth’s tallest trees and wide-spreading coastlines.
Truck accidents can result in devastating consequences, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and even deaths. They can also be complicated – multiple parties are often involved, and large trucking companies fight hard to protect their interests.
Nonetheless, our Humboldt County law firm is determined to help injured individuals win their cases. Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., can provide you with excellent legal services in your pursuit of financial recovery.
Paz v. Airfax Logistics (settled on 5/26/2020) – settlement in a case involving a client who was involved in a trucking accident and sustained a traumatic brain injury and other trauma.– TINA ESHGHIEH
How Can Our Humboldt County Truck Accident Attorneys Help You Obtain Maximum Compensation?
Arash Law has handled and won thousands of truck accident cases. By investigating the details, determining the liable parties, and negotiating for a settlement in or out of the court, we managed to recover maximum compensation for our injured clients and their families, totaling over $500 Million thus far. If you’re injured in one, here’s how we can help you:
- Our Humboldt County truck accident lawyers will investigate crashes thoroughly. We will employ the help of reliable traffic accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to determine the cause of the accident. This way, we can identify who to hold accountable for your damages.
- To prove the extent of your injuries, we will seek the help of medical professionals, including your attending physicians. With their help, we can demonstrate the accident’s overall impact on your life.
- We will protect your case against insurance companies, prevent them from making lowball offers, negotiate for the maximum compensation possible, and bring legal action if no settlement isn’t reached.
At every stage of the legal process, our lawyers will keep you informed and provide you with the support you need. Don’t hesitate to speak to us about your struggles. We also have staff that can speak in multiple languages so that you can communicate with us comfortably.
We don’t charge any upfront fees. Our Humboldt County lawyers for truck accidents work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we win the case.
Arash Law has obtained millions of dollars for victims of drunk driving, distracted driving, defective car defects, and other truck accident cases. Our winning track record attests to our ability to represent our clients and successfully obtain compensation on their behalf.
Why Hire Our Humboldt County Lawyers To Win Your Truck Accident Case
Managing Legal Procedures
Incidents involving big rigs come with specific rules and regulations that are different from those governing regular motor vehicle collisions. If you’re involved in a truck accident in Humboldt County, you must seek the assistance of lawyers who specialize in these areas of personal injury law. Our legal team will manage the legal procedure and handle the liability concerns, insurance negotiations, and trucking restrictions.
Investigating And Gathering Of Evidence
Our lawyers in Humboldt County will work closely with you to understand the specific details of your truck accident and develop a compelling claim. To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, our team will conduct a comprehensive investigation of your collision. We will utilize the resources required to gather evidence that will support your case, including accident reports, witness accounts, images, expert opinions, and other pertinent data.
Determining Liability
When you are in a truck accident, it can be challenging to determine who is liable for your injuries and damages. Multiple parties might be involved, including truck drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and others.
Our expert Humboldt County truck accident attorneys will evaluate the details of the event, including the possible causes, the parties involved, and any relevant contracts or insurance policies. Once we’ve gathered the necessary information, we will apply our legal expertise to determine who to hold responsible for your damages and injuries.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with. They often try to minimize or even reject your claim entirely, leaving you struggling with the expenses you incurred due to your injuries. This is where our expert truck accident lawyers in Humboldt County can help.
The attorneys at Arash Law are knowledgeable about insurance rules and regulations. We can expertly represent you in negotiations with the insurers and prevent them from trampling over your rights. We will manage all communications, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you are rightfully entitled to.
Maximizing Compensation
Our lawyers will work tirelessly to determine the actual worth of your claim, taking into account all the damages you have suffered. This includes lost wages, medical costs, emotional trauma, property damage, and suffering. We will gather all necessary evidence and expert opinions to build a strong claim that aims to recover all your losses.
We understand that every case is unique, which is why we take a personalized approach to every client we serve. We will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and circumstances and tailor our legal strategy to your case. Our goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve and ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.
Representing Clients In Litigation
If we can’t reach a fair settlement with the insurance companies, our litigation attorneys for truck accidents in Humboldt County will represent you in court. We will use our extensive legal expertise and courtroom experience to present your case convincingly. We will aggressively fight to obtain the compensation you deserve.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), many truck crashes are attributed to fatigue. Drivers frequently go on long hauls without proper rest breaks, leading to drowsiness. Another known crash risk is the longer stopping distance that larger vehicles need, especially on wet and slippery roads.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also states other factors that contribute to truck collisions. Examples include speeding, miscalculating the speed of other vehicles, and tailgating.
Another common factor behind truck accidents is the driver’s poor performance. They might overreact or underreact in response to unexpected traffic events. The vehicle itself can also contribute to accidents, especially if it has brake problems or there is a traffic flow interruption.
- Distractions while driving
- Reckless maneuvers
- Undertrained truck drivers
- Failure to adapt to road and weather conditions
- Poor maintenance of vehicles
Proving these acts of negligence is crucial to obtaining compensation. That’s why you need our trusted Humboldt County attorneys for your truck accident case. We will ensure to determine any instances of fault on the part of the liable party, helping us secure the highest compensation for you.
Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents
Big rig collisions occur in various ways, including rear-ending a smaller vehicle in front, sliding across lanes, or slamming another car side-by-side. They may also injure unsuspecting pedestrians and motorcycles. Whatever the case, the resulting damages are often life-changing.
Head-On Collisions
In head-on accidents, the front end of the truck collides directly with the front end of another vehicle. The results can be devastating, especially for the driver and the passenger in the front seat.
There are several reasons why a driver might cause a head-on collision, including:
- Distracted driving – The truck driver might not notice they’re veering out of their lane and into the path of oncoming traffic.
- Failing to yield the right-of-way & running red lights – The big rig might crash into a vehicle with the right-of-way.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or while fatigued – If the trucker is too impaired, they might lose control of their vehicle and accidentally cross over to the adjacent lane.
Additionally, tire blowouts can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, swerve unexpectedly into other lanes, and cause a rollover accident.
Rear-End Collisions
Truck drivers need to exercise extra caution on the road, given the weight and slow motion of tractor-trailers. They require additional time and space to reduce speed, avoid collisions, or stop safely behind other cars. Ignoring these safety precautions can result in deadly rear-end collisions with other vehicles.
Careless driving behaviors such as tailgating, speeding, or getting distracted are some of the common causes of such accidents. Moreover, driver fatigue and impairment can also increase the likelihood of such incidents.
Because of the sheer size and weight difference between a large commercial truck and a regular car, rear-end collisions could easily result in the crushing of the smaller vehicle. Its passengers are at a high risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
To prevent rear-end accidents, the FMCSA recommends following specific guidelines, including maintaining a safe following distance from the car in front. Vehicles must allot at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length, which means tractor-trailers must have four seconds between them and the leading car. If they’re going over 40 mph, they must add another second.
Truck Rollovers
Larger vehicles have a higher center of gravity than regular cars. As such, they are prone to tipping over to their sides or backs in collisions and dangerous maneuvers.
Truck drivers who are careless or reckless can cause rollover accidents by speeding and making sudden turns. However, even when they are driving safely and responsibly, such incidents can still occur due to improper loading or overloading of the cargo. As a result, the weight distribution of the truck is thrown off, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle.
Truck rollover accidents have a high chance of resulting in the loss of a loved one. In these cases, the surviving family members can pursue a personal injury claim with the help of our wrongful death lawyers in Humboldt County.
Jackknife Accidents
Trucks have an articulated joint that connects the tractor to the trailer, and this could cause them to get involved in a jackknife accident. The trailer might swing out of control, forming the shape of a folding jackknife, hence the name.
Such incidents commonly occur when the driver performs improper turns or sudden stops. In bad weather, the tractor may slow down more quickly than the trailer it is towing if the drivers brake too hard or too quickly.
Jackknife accidents pose serious threats to other motorists as the driver loses the ability to steer or control the trailer’s movement. As a result, the trailer may swing out to the side and collide with nearby vehicles, causing significant damage and potentially injuring or killing passengers.
What makes them even more dangerous is the unpredictability of the sliding trailer. It can strike and drag along other moving vehicles, creating a chain reaction of collisions. The weight and momentum of the truck can act like a bulldozer, plowing through anything in its path.
As jackknife incidents usually result in devastating consequences, you must make sure you have sufficient legal protection. Hire our Humboldt County truck accident lawyers to help you recover your losses and pursue justice.
Side-Swipe Accidents
When two vehicles collide while moving alongside each other and in the same direction, side-swipe accidents occur. These incidents usually happen because truck drivers fail to check their blind spots while changing lanes or merging. They may also be distracted or fatigued, leading to them drifting sideways.
Other factors may also contribute to side-swipe accidents, including:
- Tire blowouts
- Steering control issues
- Obstacles on the road
In a big rig/car side-swipe collision, the smaller vehicle may be sent sideways into other lanes of traffic and off-road, crashing into other motorists and property. The resulting damages could be catastrophic and might even be fatal. If you’re a victim, you need our skilled lawyers, who win truck accident cases in Humboldt County, to help you obtain compensation.
T-Bone Accidents
The most common locations for T-bone collisions, also called side-impact or broadside collisions, are intersections. When trucks run red lights, disregard stop signs, or fail to yield the right-of-way, a car on a perpendicular road might crash onto the side, forming a “T” shape.
In T-bone collisions, the occupants on the side of the vehicle that receives the impact are at a higher risk of suffering severe injuries. Victims might experience broken bones, internal injuries, brain damage, and even fatalities.
Wide Turn Accidents
Right turns are usually tighter than left turns, which makes them especially difficult to maneuver for bigger vehicles. As a result, truck operators sometimes try to make their turns by first swinging wide to the left and then circling a right-hand turn. However, these types of maneuvers are dangerous in many ways:
- Pedestrians may not realize the truck is making a right turn.
- Motorists in adjacent lanes may slam into the trailer or get trapped under the truck.
- The truck may crash into bicycles or motorcycles in its blind spot.
Compensation After A Truck Accident
If you’re a victim, you have the right to pursue compensation for the truck accident’s overall effects on your life. In addition to the financial burden of lost wages and medical bills, you may also experience the loss of the ability to perform everyday activities that we often take for granted. For example, an injury may prevent you from working out, going for a walk with a spouse or loved one, or playing with your grandchildren. All these and more can lead to a lower quality of life.
- Medical expenses – The compensation should cover current and future hospital bills, doctor’s fees, and treatment costs related to the injury.
- Property repair and replacement costs – Truck accidents usually involve catastrophic damages to the car or another property. You have the right to charge the expenses for repairing or replacing them against the at-fault party.
- Lost wages – If the accident caused you to miss work, you’re entitled to claim the value of your lost income. You can also pursue compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injury leads to long-term treatment or disability.
- Pain and suffering – We will attach a monetary value for all the physical and emotional pains you’ve experienced and will experience as a result of your injuries.
- Emotional and psychological trauma – The injured usually have lingering mental health illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. We’ll assess how these conditions will affect your life to determine fair compensation.
Some damages are not easily calculated. Nonetheless, our truck accident lawyers in Humboldt County will measure a value that accurately represents your losses based on other similar cases we’ve handled and the opinions of experts, such as economists.
Statute Of Limitations For Filing Personal Injury Claims In California
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. Humboldt County follows the same timeframe. However, the deadline can be delayed or extended in the following situations:
- The plaintiff is underage. The statute of limitations will apply once they turn 18, so they can file a claim until their 20th birthday.
- The defendant is in prison, out of state, or legally insane. The statute of limitations is paused until they get out of prison, return to California, or become legally sane.
There are also certain exceptions, such as cases involving governmental bodies. You only have six months to submit a claim with the applicable agency. They will then have 45 days to respond. If they reject your claim, you have six more months from the date of receiving this letter to file a lawsuit in civil court. If the government fails to respond completely, then you have two years to bring an action against them in court.
If you fail to file a claim for truck accidents within the allowed period, you may lose your right to get compensation from the negligent parties. As such, you must contact our Humboldt County personal injury lawyers immediately after a truck accident. We can discuss the applicable deadlines and extensions that might apply to your case.
Gil v. Anderson Plumbing: verdict by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury in Van Nuys awarded to a man who was injured when his vehicle was struck from behind by a large commercial plumbing van. Benny was part of the trial team that obtained this verdict.– BENNY KHORSANDI
Determining The Responsible Parties For Your Injuries
- Trucking company – The driver’s employer might be held accountable as they’re responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job. They might also have additional liability if they have some negligence, such as when they encourage their drivers to violate truck driving laws and regulations in California to save time, money, or both.
- Vehicle manufacturer – If the collision was due to an auto defect, you could file a claim against the manufacturer and others involved in the design, installation, and marketing of the truck or the part that broke.
- Third-party – Other individuals or companies might be responsible for the accident in some way, such as the staff that failed to do routine maintenance or the team that incorrectly loaded the cargo.
No matter how complicated your accident might be, our lawyers specializing in Humboldt County truck accidents will identify the at-fault parties. We will investigate all angles of the case to ensure everyone liable will pay for your injuries.
What To Do Immediately After A Truck Accident
- Move to safety. If possible, move away from traffic to avoid further accidents.
- Check for injuries. Assess your own condition before checking on others.
- Call 911. Law enforcement can help manage the accident scene and redirect traffic. Police officers will also be able to write a report, which can help prove negligence in a claim.
- Get medical attention. Once the paramedics arrive, make sure you submit to an assessment, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t present symptoms right away. If they don’t take you to the ER, remember to go to the hospital after the accident for a full medical evaluation.
- Collect the drivers’ information. Gather the contact and insurance policy details from the truck driver and all parties involved.
- Ask the witnesses, if any, for their contact details. You may need to reach out to them later to submit a statement or testify in court.
- Inform your insurance company. Follow their instructions for reporting accidents, but be as objective as possible when relaying what happened.
- Get in touch with our truck accident lawyers in Humboldt County. We will advise you on the next steps to ensure you receive fair compensation.
Trucking Accidents Statistics
In 2021, California had the second-highest fatality rate from large truck crashes, with 437 deaths. A concerning fact is that 328 of the fatalities were passengers in the smaller vehicles, while 61 were non-occupants. Only about 48 victims were truck occupants.
Even for injuries, the most affected victims were other car occupants. According to estimates, they account for 110,000 cases nationwide. Around 3,000 were non-occupants, and about 42,000 were passengers and drivers of trucks, totaling 150,000 injured people.
The large size and weight of trucks compared to passenger vehicles is the main reason for the huge discrepancy in these cases. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 20 or 30 times more than other vehicles on the road. In a collision, they generate greater force, typically crushing the cars and their occupants.
Many big rigs are also involved in car accidents nationwide. In the same year, a total of 416 truck units were recorded, representing 7% of all vehicles involved in such cases.
Unexpected accidents on the roads happen frequently, so it’s important to know where to turn to protect your rights and get full compensation for any damages. Feel free to reach out to Arash Law. The doors of our Humboldt County truck accident lawyers are always open for your questions and concerns.
Call The Award-Winning Truck Accident Attorneys Humboldt County Trusts!
When you have Humboldt truck accident attorneys by your side, you are provided with an advocate who will protect your rights, manage the legal challenge, and fight vigorously for the best result.
Arash Law also provides representation for other personal injury cases, including workers’ compensation, car, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Call (888) 488-1391 or use our online form for a free initial consultation.
