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The majority of drivers attempt to avoid traffic collisions with commercial trucks. Accidents involving large commercial trucks are likely to cause serious bodily injury or death. Severe property damage is also likely if you are struck by a commercial vehicle. Individuals who suffer an injury during accidents with commercial trucks experience serious bodily injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, fractured bones, internal hemorrhaging, and nerve damage.
Contact Arash Law if you suffer injuries during an accident with a commercial truck. Our personal injury lawyers offer legal guidance, helping you understand your rights and options. Representing yourself during a commercial truck accident case can be challenging due to the complexity of the legal process. Retaining an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries.
Before pursuing a claim, you will need to identify which parties may be liable for your injuries. These may include the corporation that owns the commercial truck, as well as any company that was leasing the truck. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you investigate and gather evidence that links the at-fault party’s action to the accident.
The lawyers at Arash Law have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases across California. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, Orange County, and throughout the state. Call our truck accident lawyers at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
In filing a claim, it’s essential to identify which parties may be liable for your injuries. These parties may include the corporation that owns the commercial truck, as well as any company that was leasing the truck. Retaining an experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyer will help you determine which parties may be liable for your injuries.
Dealing With Commercial Trucking Companies And Their Insurers
Corporations and trucking companies often have teams of lawyers and insurance companies representing their interests. Insurance claims adjusters may offer settlement amounts that do not fully cover your losses. Even if the facts of your case seem straightforward, insurance companies will closely scrutinize your claim as part of their standard procedures.
In certain cases, the at-fault party may attempt to shift blame to the injured victim, claiming partial responsibility for the accident. For instance, in a rear-end collision, the insurance company might argue that the driver who sustained bodily injuries cut off the other vehicle and failed to use a turn signal. Representing yourself in such complex scenarios may lead to frustration and potentially hinder your ability to seek financial compensation for your injuries. Retaining an experienced attorney for your commercial truck accident case can help you navigate the claims process more effectively and address any challenges that may arise.
Injured victims without legal knowledge or experience may not understand how to properly calculate the value of their legal claims using medical records, medical bills, and other essential documentation. Without a personal injury lawyer, you may not realize that you could be eligible to seek monetary compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and future medical expenses. By leaving these types of claims out of your case, you may miss the opportunity to pursue appropriate compensation for all your losses.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can advocate for your rights throughout the claims process. They can help you communicate with insurers and negotiate on your behalf. Our commercial truck accident lawyers can help you calculate the potential value of your claim and build a case that accurately reflects the extent of your losses.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Handle Negotiations
Negotiating a settlement amount that is fair and equitable to injured victims is something personal injury lawyers learn to do by gaining experience over the years of practicing law. Negotiations in commercial truck accident cases may be protracted and frustrating. Many individuals do not have training or experience in negotiation skills.
With years of experience, our personal injury lawyers can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and other damages. We can handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Our attorneys are familiar with the unique complexities in commercial truck accident cases and are prepared to manage your claim with diligence and professionalism.
Knowledgeable Personal Injury Lawyers Help File Civil Lawsuits
If you can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiations, you can consider filing a civil lawsuit. In this case, seeking legal representation may be helpful. An attorney can walk you through your options and recommend an appropriate course of action.
Initiating a civil lawsuit is a decision that should not be made lightly. To effectively participate in litigation, it’s essential to understand the intricate rules of personal injury law, the rules of evidence, and the rules of civil procedure. Not having a proper understanding of these rules of law may jeopardize your case.
If you are still recovering from your injuries, you may not have the time and energy to learn how to litigate a civil lawsuit. Not adhering to these rules can cause your case to be dismissed with prejudice, which means you cannot file your lawsuit again. Aside from that, failing to file court documents on time may lead to losing the right to pursue compensation claims.
The personal injury lawyers at Arash Law understand how to strategize and recommend when it’s appropriate to file a civil lawsuit. Our personal injury lawyers also know how to develop a sound and personalized case strategy.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
The cost of retaining legal counsel can vary depending on several factors, including case complexity, litigation costs, expert witness fees, and others. Some injured victims may choose to take on their own personal injury cases because they may not have sufficient financial resources to hire a lawyer.
At Arash Law, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay attorneys’ fees upfront unless you receive compensation through a settlement or verdict. Please note that certain case costs may still apply regardless of the outcome.
What Is A Commercial Vehicle Accident?
A commercial vehicle accident refers to a traffic collision involving a bus or semi-truck. Commercial motor vehicles are extremely large and heavy. They are much bigger than SUVs, trucks, and cars. Accidents involving commercial motor vehicles are likely to cause serious bodily injury or death. Commercial vehicles traveling at low speeds can still cause catastrophic injury to drivers and passengers in smaller automobiles. The following are the most common types of commercial motor vehicles:
- Delivery vans and trucks.
- Car haulers and tow trucks.
- Construction vehicles and dump trucks.
- Refuse trucks and garbage trucks.
- Private buses, city buses, and school buses.
- 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks.
Common Causes Of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Commercial vehicle accidents share many of the same causes as common motor vehicle accidents. Researchers and analysts at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that approximately thirty percent of all accidents involving commercial automobiles occurred because of the negligence of truck drivers. The following negligent behaviors were found to have contributed to commercial vehicle accidents:
- Speeding.
- Ignoring traffic signals.
- Fatigued driving.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted driving.
Other drivers also contribute to commercial vehicle accidents. Poor weather conditions, dangerous road conditions, and other factors can contribute to commercial vehicle accidents. Drivers should adhere to road traffic laws and drive in a reasonable manner that takes into account the behaviors of other drivers.
Types Of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Accidents involving semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles can occur for a variety of reasons. A commercial truck driver may have been intoxicated, fatigued, or unconscious while driving. Commercial truck drivers often use GPS systems and mobile phones while traveling. Drivers who are struck by commercial vehicles often suffer serious bodily injury. The following are the most common types of commercial vehicle accidents:
- Accidents in Poor Weather Conditions — Typical commercial vehicles require a longer period of time to make a complete stop. Icy weather conditions or excessive rain can affect how long it takes a commercial vehicle to come to a complete stop.
- Accidents Caused by Speeding — Approximately 17 percent of commercial vehicle accidents during 2016 involved a speeding vehicle.
- Accidents Caused by Improper Turns — Semi-trucks can take up multiple lanes when turning, and drivers may fail to check every blind spot. Commercial vehicle accidents often occur when a semi-truck driver is attempting to make a turn.
- Jackknife Accidents — An imbalanced cargo on a commercial truck can cause the driver to lose control of the semi-truck. Other drivers on the road crash into the semi-truck and suffer serious bodily injury or death.
- Rear-End Accidents — Drivers of commercial vehicles can become fatigued while driving long distances. Additionally, commercial vehicle drivers may use their cell phones while driving. Semi-truck drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to cause a commercial vehicle accident.
If you have suffered injuries during a commercial vehicle accident, Arash Law can help you understand your options. Our personal injury lawyers can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and assess liability. They can navigate the complexities of commercial truck accident cases and work to build a compelling case.
Things To Do If You Are Involved In A Commercial Vehicle Accident
The first thing you must do after suffering an injury during a commercial vehicle accident is to seek medical treatment. What follows are key actions to take if you have suffered an injury in a commercial vehicle accident.
Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer
Seek assistance from a personal injury lawyer. An attorney can help you protect your legal rights and seek financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and future medical expenses.
Be Mindful Of What You Say
You may receive phone calls and letters from the insurance claims adjuster for the trucking company’s insurance company. When communicating with the insurance company, you need to be careful about what you say. Refrain from saying anything that can be misconstrued as an admission of guilt or any statement that may be used against you later on in your case. Your personal injury lawyer can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Assess The Accident Scene
Document the accident scene by taking photographs and video recordings. Note any property damage to your vehicle and the other vehicle. Document the position of the vehicles, any skid marks, and the injuries you endured.
Contact a personal injury lawyer if your injuries prevent you from documenting the accident scene properly. Your attorney can hire an accident investigator to analyze the scene. Our personal injury lawyer can take prompt legal action to help preserve crucial evidence that may be in the trucking company’s possession.
Seek Medical Treatment
After suffering injuries during a commercial vehicle accident, you need to seek medical treatment. Your injuries may not be immediately apparent, but you might only notice symptoms weeks or months later. A physician can inform you of the nature and extent of your injuries. Contact 911 as soon as you can. Law enforcement officers will respond and record traffic collision reports that can help you with your personal injury case.
Commercial vehicles are used for commercial purposes, which usually means shipping goods from place to place. Any bus, truck, van, or other vehicle used commercially is a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles are attached to their businesses, and the business has a role in that vehicle being on the road. Hotel shuttles, semi-trucks, taxis, and vans are typical commercial vehicles seen in California.
Our personal injury lawyers can help document your losses, gather medical records on your behalf, and calculate the potential worth of your damages. We can also connect you with medical specialists for further evaluation and treatment of your injuries.
How Commercial Vehicle Accidents Are Different From Other Accidents
Commercial vehicles are operated by employees who work for a business. Liability in commercial vehicle accidents can become a complex issue. Which party is responsible for the accident may be ambiguous. Employees and employers may both be partially liable for causing the accident. Employers are responsible for the actions of their employees, and therefore, you may be able to seek financial compensation from the employer.
An employee may have been driving the vehicle during off-duty hours. If this is the case, you may be able to file a claim against the driver’s insurance company or the at-fault driver. This general principle, however, has many exceptions. A personal injury lawyer can help you determine the parties who may be liable for your damages based on the facts of your case and available evidence.
Involved parties may dispute whether the employee was working at the time the commercial vehicle accident occurred. If a settlement cannot be reached or your claim is denied altogether, your case may proceed to trial. Retaining a personal injury lawyer can help you develop a case strategy tailored to your specific circumstances
Commercial vehicle drivers are required to possess a commercial driver’s license. Federal regulations also dictate the working conditions of commercial vehicle drivers. Truck drivers, for example, cannot simply drive as much and as often as they like. These dangerous behaviors are reduced by the federal regulations that govern commercial driver behavior. Commercial drivers must be responsible and conscientious.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents And Damages
Injured victims can claim damages after a commercial vehicle accident. What follows are the most common types of damages in commercial vehicle accident cases:
- Lifestyle alterations and changing your environment to accommodate injuries and disabilities.
- Lost future earnings.
- Lost wages.
- Severe emotional distress.
- Physical pain.
- Expenses related to the commercial vehicle accident.
- Future medical treatment.
- Past medical treatment.
- Property damage, including personal property damage.
Large corporations also have automobile insurance policies. The policy limits of these insurance policies are often higher. These corporate insurance policies may offer additional avenues for seeking compensation, though outcomes depend on the specific circumstances of each case.
It’s advisable to take action soon after a commercial vehicle accident occurs. A physician should examine you as soon as possible after you leave the accident scene. Do not wait to receive medical treatment because you do not believe you suffered severe injuries. You need to gather evidence, including medical records and treatment sheets that demonstrate you suffered specific injuries. A traffic collision report created by a law enforcement agency can also be an important piece of evidence in your case.
Insurance information, contact information, and witness reports are also important to collect after a commercial vehicle accident. Insurance companies will carefully review and may challenge the claims and evidence you present. A skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer can help you seek monetary compensation for your injuries.
What Damages Can I Claim After Being In A Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Commercial trucks may weigh more than seventy thousand pounds. Drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles frequently suffer serious bodily injury and death during commercial vehicle accidents. Injured victims may suffer from permanent or temporary disabilities. You can seek financial compensation from the commercial truck driver and the company that employed the driver.
Medical bills, expenses, and non-economic damages can also be claimed by injured victims in commercial vehicle accident cases. Settlement amounts vary, and a personal injury lawyer can help you determine how best to analyze the policy limits of the insurance policies held by the commercial entity responsible for your injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help you with the legal aspects of your commercial vehicle accident case, allowing you to focus on healing.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers For Legal Help With Commercial Vehicle Cases
A sudden accident involving a commercial vehicle can disrupt your life. You may wonder how you are going to afford medical treatment and whether or not you will ever return to work. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Arash Law to schedule a free initial consultation. We can help you with the legal procedures related to your commercial vehicle accident case. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 and we will walk you through your rights and options.
