Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorneys
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Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorneys Helping Injured Victims Understand Their Options
Truck accidents can happen anytime, especially with negligent drivers on the road. During these difficult times, our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys can help you pursue the compensation you may deserve under state law. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Huntington Beach is strategically located near key highways that are critical routes for transporting goods throughout Southern California. Trucks use these roads for interstate travel, distribution, and delivery services. With a constant flow of large commercial vehicles navigating through the city, the risk of truck accidents increases significantly.
Truck accident claims can be complex, often involving multiple parties and complicated industry regulations. As an established personal injury law firm in California, Arash Law has the experience and resources to handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward.
Why Consult Our Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorneys
Our experienced truck accident lawyers are here to explain and potentially guide you through every step of the claims process. We understand how challenging the aftermath of a truck accident can be, and we are committed to providing comprehensive legal services, no matter how complex the situation is.
You can see how clients rate our services on platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp. Our Huntington Beach injury law firm works to build strong relationships with our clients, offering support and guidance during some of their toughest times.
Here are a few reasons to consider us:
- No Upfront Fees — Many victims experience financial strain after a truck accident. Our lawyers offer a no-win, no-fee policy to help you focus on your recovery without concerns about upfront costs. Under this contingency fee basis, clients don’t pay any attorney fees unless they receive compensation. Certain case-related expenses, such as court filings or expert fees, may still apply regardless of the outcome. During your consultation, you can ask one of our attorneys to explain how these fees and costs work so you can plan accordingly.
- Competent Team of Lawyers — Our Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers can advocate for your rights and interests every step of the way. From gathering crucial evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, our team is dedicated to helping you seek the compensation you may deserve under the law.
- Dedicated Advocacy — Our team works diligently to build strong cases for accident victims. We are committed to helping you pursue compensation through case preparation and dedicated advocacy in negotiations and potential litigation.
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 Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, truck accidents often lead to more catastrophic outcomes compared to typical car collisions. Victims may face expensive medical bills, prolonged recovery times, and the inability to return to work, all while dealing with the legal and insurance processes that follow such an accident. In these challenging times, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help by offering the guidance and support you may need to navigate the legal landscape.
Here’s how our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys can help you with a valid claim:
- Investigate and collect key pieces of evidence.
- Identify all potentially liable parties.
- Handle communications with insurance companies.
- Work with experts like accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and economists to support your claim.
- Negotiate on your behalf to seek the compensation that may be available to you under the law.
- Advocate for your interests in court, if necessary.
Our services are available to anyone who needs them, regardless of gender, immigration status, age, or other personal circumstances. Learn more about your legal rights and options by scheduling a free initial consultation with our Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers.
Most Common Causes Of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are preventable. Here are some of them:
- Speeding and Reckless Driving — Exceeding speed limits or driving aggressively, such as to meet tight deadlines, can significantly increase the risk of losing control of a truck or other vehicle. High speeds make it harder for them to stop quickly, which could lead to rear-end collisions. Sharp maneuvers at high speeds can also cause rollover crashes, where the truck tips over due to instability.
- Improper Cargo Loading — Negligent cargo loading can result in severe accidents and injuries. Excessive loading or uneven weight distribution may cause rollover accidents as the vehicle’s center of gravity shifts or cargo spills, which can block roadways and trigger multi-vehicle crashes.
- Insufficient Training or Experience — Drivers without adequate training may struggle to handle large trucks, especially in challenging conditions like heavy traffic or tight turns. This could lead to wide-turn accidents, where the truck encroaches into other lanes, or jackknife crashes, as inexperienced drivers may misjudge how to brake or maneuver safely.
- Mechanical Failure — Poor maintenance or defective parts can result in brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering malfunctions. These mechanical issues frequently cause jackknife accidents, where the trailer swings out of alignment, or runaway crashes, where the driver cannot stop the vehicle, endangering everyone on the road.
- Driver Fatigue — Fatigued drivers may fall asleep at the wheel or fail to brake in time, potentially resulting in rear-end collisions or lane-departure accidents. Truck drivers may be more vulnerable to fatigue if they frequently work long hours, leading to exhaustion and slower reaction times.
If you suffered lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses due to a truck collision, our competent truck accident lawyers in Huntington Beach can help you. Our team can conduct an independent investigation into every instance of negligence that may have led to the truck accident.
Truck Accident?
How Huntington Beach Lawyers Help Prove Negligence In A Truck Accident Case
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the driver or the trucking company. However, to establish liability and confirm the validity of your claim, you must demonstrate that the driver’s actions were negligent or reckless. Proving negligence requires establishing four elements. Here’s what that could look like if the truck driver is potentially at fault:
- Duty of Care — Truck drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles responsibly for the safety of others on the road. Given the size and weight of trucks, drivers must exercise the utmost care, as reckless driving poses a significant risk of serious injury or death.
- Breach of Duty — To prove negligence, you must show that the truck driver violated their duty of care. This breach can involve behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, or failing to maintain the truck properly.
- Causation — The truck driver’s breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries. For instance, if a driver was speeding or failed to secure cargo properly, their actions must be shown to have led to the collision.
- Damages — You must provide evidence of the losses you suffered as a result of the accident. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
Proving negligence in a truck accident case can be challenging. Our Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers can help you build a well-supported case by collecting critical evidence, interviewing witnesses, and conducting independent investigations. Contact us for a free initial consultation, and let us study how we could help you pursue the compensation you may deserve under California law.
Evidence Needed To Build A Substantiated Case
Building a truck accident case requires gathering key pieces of evidence to prove liability and support your claim. Our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys can help you collect the following:
- Driving Records or Schedule — Truck drivers are required to track their driving hours and rest periods to comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These records may reveal violations, such as driving beyond allowable hours, which can contribute to driver fatigue and accidents.
- Drug and Alcohol Screening Results — Under FMCSA regulations, truck drivers must undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing following any accident that causes serious injury or death. Positive test results may serve as valuable evidence of driver negligence.
- NTSB Accident Reports — In addition to police records, lawyers can obtain unbiased investigative findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
- Black Box Data — Many trucks are equipped with event data recorders, or “black boxes,” that capture crucial data such as speed, braking patterns, and engine performance before and during the crash. This information can help determine whether the truck driver violated traffic laws or acted recklessly.
- Truck Cameras — While not all trucks are equipped with cameras, those that have dashcams or in-cabin recording devices can record visual documentation of the incident. Footage may show the driver engaging in distracted driving, aggressive behavior, or other reckless actions leading up to the accident.
- Eyewitness Accounts — Statements from witnesses who observed the accident can help verify your account of events and provide additional perspectives on what happened.
- Expert Testimony — Healthcare providers can confirm the extent, origin, and cost of your injuries, while accident reconstruction specialists can analyze the evidence to determine the likely cause of the accident.
Identifying The Liable Parties In A Truck Accident
Determining liability in a truck accident is essential to pursuing compensation for the harm you have sustained. However, truck accidents are often complex because multiple parties may share responsibility. Here are some of these parties:
- Truck Driver — A truck driver may be liable if the accident occurred due to their negligent actions, such as distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or driving under the influence.
- Trucking Company — A trucking company can be responsible for a driver’s actions based on vicarious liability. This means employers are accountable for their employees’ actions while working. For example, if a truck driver causes an accident while delivering goods, the company may be partly responsible.
- Cargo Loading Company — Improperly loaded or secured cargo can cause accidents, especially if the load shifts or spills during transit. The responsibility for these issues generally lies with the cargo loaders or shippers, who must ensure the cargo is safely distributed and secured.
- Truck Manufacturer — The manufacturer may be liable if a design or manufacturing defect in a truck component contributes to a collision.
- Maintenance Company — If a third-party maintenance company performed faulty repairs or inspections, they could share liability for the accident.
Our Huntington Beach accident lawyers can help you identify all the potentially liable parties for your truck collision. We can help you bring a valid claim against at-fault parties for your injuries and damages.
Compensation Available For Truck Accident Victims
In California, the amount of compensation you can pursue for your losses depends on the severity of the truck accident and the injuries sustained. Severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or multiple fractures, could increase the potential value of your compensation due to the long-term or permanent impact on the victim’s life.
For example, catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis or amputations, often require lifelong medical care, adaptive equipment, or home modifications, leading to higher economic damages. These injuries may also carry substantial non-economic damages if they profoundly affect the victim’s quality of life and emotional well-being. Similarly, visible disfigurement or scars may allow you to seek additional compensation for emotional trauma and social stigma.
Here are some of the damages our truck accident lawyers in Huntington Beach can help you file a claim for:
- Economic Damages — These damages refer to the financial losses directly caused by the accident. Here are some examples:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Property Damage
- Non-Economic Damages — Non-economic damages address intangible losses that can be hard to quantify. They include the following:
- Reduced Quality of Life
- Mental Discomfort
- Pain and Suffering
- Punitive Damages — Punitive damages are rare but may be awarded by the court when the at-fault party was extremely negligent or intentionally violated the rules, like driving drunk or ignoring safety laws. These damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar actions.
If you have been injured in a truck collision, consider speaking with our Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers about how the incident has affected your life. Doing so could help you learn what kind of compensation you can pursue after a truck accident.
Suggestions On What To Do Following A Truck Accident
It can be challenging to know what to do after an accident. However, taking certain steps could help you protect your health, rights, and potential claim. Here are some examples of what you can do:
- Move to a safe location, if possible, away from traffic or danger.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency assistance. Ensure a police report is filed, as it could be a helpful document for your case.
- Collect the names, addresses, phone numbers, and driver’s license numbers of all the drivers involved.
- Take pictures of road conditions, traffic signals, injuries, vehicle damage, and other aspects of the scene. If there are any witnesses or passengers involved, write down their names, addresses, and phone numbers.
- Get checked by a medical professional, even if you don’t feel injured immediately. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not be apparent right away.
- Immediately notify your insurance company of the collision.
- Contact our Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers. We can investigate the accident, gather evidence, identify potentially liable parties, and negotiate with insurance companies to help you pursue compensation for your losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free case review.
Settlement in a heavily disputed Truck v. Truck case. Our client was blamed by the insurance company from day one and was always told that they would never take responsibility for the collision that injured our client’s lower back. After years of litigation, Benny and the team were able to secure the full policy limits for our client months before trial.– BENNY KHORSANDI
Time Limit For Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
In California, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Prompt action is essential, as missing this deadline typically means you’ll lose your right to sue for damages. However, certain factors may alter this time frame, such as the involvement of government entities or a delayed discovery of injuries.
To learn the exact deadline for your case, contact our truck accident attorneys in Huntington Beach. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess your situation and identify the specific timelines that apply to your claim. Seeking legal assistance promptly can help in preserving important evidence and meeting key deadlines.
Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, heavy truck collisions caused 4,764 deaths in 2022. Of these fatalities, 17% were truck occupants, 66% were passenger vehicle occupants, and 16% were pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists.
In 2022, there were 51% more fatalities from heavy truck crashes than in 2009, the lowest number since 1975, when fatal crash data collection began. Truck occupant deaths increased by 83% since 2009. While the rate of passenger and truck occupant fatalities per mile traveled has significantly declined since 1975, this decline plateaued around 2009, with little rate variation in recent years.
We understand the emotional and physical toll a truck collision can take. Our truck accident lawyers in Huntington Beach can help you seek compensation for your losses. We can handle all the legal legwork so you can focus on healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?
There is no average value for such settlements. The amount of a truck accident settlement depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of property damage, and the degree of negligence on the part of the truck driver or other at-fault parties. Settlements in truck accident cases are often higher than in typical auto accidents, as truck collisions tend to involve serious injuries or fatalities. However, this isn’t always the case. You can ask our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys to come up with an estimate for your claim.
How Do I Dispute A Settlement To Get More Money From A Truck Accident?
If you believe that the settlement offer you received for a truck collision is too low, you may be able to dispute it and negotiate another amount. If you need assistance, our experienced Huntington Beach attorneys who handle truck accidents can help you review it. They can assess whether the offer fully considers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you choose to counter the initial settlement offer, our attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company or take your case to court.
How Long Will My Truck Accident Claim In Huntington Beach Take?
The length of time it takes to resolve a truck accident claim can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the severity of your injuries, and how settlement negotiations with insurance companies go. If the insurance company denies your claim or cannot agree to a settlement during negotiations, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the case goes to trial, the process could extend significantly before a final decision is made.
Working with experienced truck accident lawyers in Huntington Beach can help prevent unnecessary delays during the claims process. Our team will advocate for you at every stage of your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire Huntington Beach Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me?
The cost of hiring Huntington Beach truck accident lawyers will depend on the unique details of your case. For example, since truck accident claims are more likely to involve negotiations with multiple defendants and their insurers, you may be charged more. However, there are ways to seek legal representation without having to pay up front.
At Arash Law, our truck and car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means clients don’t pay attorney fees unless they receive a settlement or verdict. Instead, they may only have to cover some other case-related costs regardless of how their claim resolves. Our priority is to help you pursue compensation. This arrangement aims to help injured victims access legal representation without having to pay hourly fees or upfront costs.
Contact Our Huntington Beach Truck Accident Attorneys
Being injured in a truck accident may leave you in shock and uncertainty about what to do next. Questions like “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?” could come to mind during this time. To protect your rights and learn whether you can seek compensation, reach out to our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys for legal guidance.
At Arash Law, we understand the complexities of truck accident claims and are here to guide clients throughout their cases, from filing to resolution. If you’re searching for “truck accident attorneys near me,” consider scheduling a free, no-obligation initial consultation by calling us at (888) 488-1391 or filling out our “Do I Have A Case?” form. Our Huntington Beach truck accident attorneys are ready to assist you.
Our auto accident attorneys in Huntington Beach also handle other types of personal injury claims, including car accidents and more. We also serve across California, including in the following neighboring areas: Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Westminster, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton, Rossmoor, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Cypress, Tustin, Orange, and Hawaiian Gardens.
