Los Angeles Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys
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Our Los Angeles Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Offer Determined And Relentless Representation
Many commercial vehicles travel the busy streets of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, when involved in an accident, they often cause severe injuries to victims. If you or a loved one is injured in one, our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys can help. From start to finish, we will assist you with your claim so you get the compensation you deserve. Call Arash Law immediately at (888) 488-1391 for personalized legal advice.
Los Angeles, also known as the City of Angels, is a busy metropolis in Southern California. It’s the second most populous city in the country, following New York City. With over 3.8 million residents concentrated in a relatively tight urban area, LA experiences a high volume of traffic congestion.
The city’s freeway system, including the infamous Interstate 5 and the Hollywood Freeway, becomes a nightmarish network of lanes, especially during peak hours. While these roads are essential for transporting goods across the state, they’re also heavily used by commuters every day. The presence of commercial vehicles alongside passenger cars creates a dangerous potential for severe collisions.
Commercial vehicle accidents are often caused by negligence, leaving innocent people like you injured while simply trying to get where they need to be. In these trying times, our skilled commercial vehicle attorneys in Los Angeles can get you the justice you deserve. We can protect your rights and help you secure maximum compensation.
Verdict for a client who was sideswiped by a commercial truck– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
Why Do I Need Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys For My Case?
Commercial vehicle accidents are complicated cases, so hiring reliable lawyers in Los Angeles is crucial. They can guide you through every step of the process, addressing any questions or concerns you may have, including: Which insurer should I file my claim against — the driver’s or the company’s? Did the trucker violate state or federal law? How will these regulations affect my case?
Our injury lawyers have a deep understanding of the state and federal laws governing commercial vehicles. We will utilize our resources to conduct a thorough investigation of your claim. Our team will meticulously gather and analyze key evidence to build a compelling case in your favor.
Here are some other ways we can help you:
- We will do the legal legwork for you. It means you can file your claim even while recovering at home or in the hospital.
- We’ll leave no stone unturned when exploring avenues for financial recovery. We’ll explain each option clearly, assisting you in choosing the path that best suits your needs. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we’re always here to offer our expert guidance.
- We can connect you with experts who can evaluate and strengthen your case.
- We will protect your rights, especially when insurance companies attempt to shift the blame to you.
- We will negotiate with the at-fault parties for a favorable outcome. Our goal is to obtain the compensation you need to recover and return to the life you had before the accident.
Our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means our fee comes from the settlement or court award you receive. There are no upfront charges, which means any injured victim can get top-notch legal assistance, regardless of their economic status.
What Is A Commercial Vehicle?
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a commercial vehicle is any vehicle used to transport people or goods for profit. Here are some examples of commercial vehicles:
- Buses and Shuttles – These vehicles transport passengers over short or long distances. While public buses may not always operate for profit, private shuttles and tour buses do. Due to the number of people they carry, accidents involving buses and shuttles tend to have a greater potential for injury.
- Delivery Vans and Trucks – These vehicles transport food or merchandise from one point to another. Due to their size and the possibility of loose cargo, accidents involving them are extremely dangerous.
- Dump Trucks – These trucks transport loose materials like construction debris, dirt, and gravel. Since these materials are not fully enclosed, they can easily spill onto the ground and cause a lot of damage when the truck crashes.
- Tractor-Trailers – Also known as big rigs, 18-wheelers, or semi-tractors, these vehicles carry massive amounts of cargo across vast distances. Federal regulations limit weight capacity to 80,000 pounds, so there’s no such thing as a “fender bender” if they collide with smaller vehicles.
- Tow Trucks – These are altered or designed to transport other vehicles via a crane, tow line, hoist, tow bar, or dolly. Road accidents can occur if the towed vehicles are not properly secured.
- Tankers – These trucks usually carry hazardous and flammable materials like gasoline and diesel. They are more prone to explosions and fires in the event of a collision.
If you are injured in an accident involving any of these commercial vehicles, we are here to provide expert legal support and guidance. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Los Angeles will help you hold all the negligent parties accountable for your losses.
Common Types Of Commercial Vehicle Accidents Our Lawyers Handle
Here are the most common types of commercial vehicle accidents our Los Angeles attorneys encounter:
Rollover Accidents
This accident happens when a vehicle tips onto its side or roof. The severity of the crash determines how many times the vehicle rolls, and these accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Rollover accidents can be tripped or untripped. Here’s the difference:
- An external force, such as a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object, causes tripped rollovers. For example, a delivery truck was speeding through Interstate 5 when it collided with a passenger vehicle. Since the delivery truck was running beyond the speed limit, the impact caused it to roll over multiple times.
- Untripped rollovers happen due to internal factors originating from within the vehicle itself or the driver’s actions. Examples include speeding, reduced tire traction, or steering issues. For example, while a tractor-trailer was passing through Interstate 405, it started raining heavily. The heavy rain reduced tire traction, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to tip over onto its side.
Our Los Angeles lawyers handling commercial vehicle accidents can obtain and analyze driver logs, maintenance records, and even electronic data recorders to pinpoint the cause of the collision. We’ll determine if factors like driver negligence, improper cargo loading, or mechanical issues contributed to your injuries.
Jackknife Accidents
A type of truck accident where two separate parts (the cab and trailer) fold together, resulting in a 90-degree angle or “V” shape. This term is used because the folded position resembles a closed jackknife.
Big rigs and tractor-trailers are at a high risk of jackknife accidents, and if they do, they typically cause massive damage. Since their trailers are longer and heavier, they can take up multiple lanes and crush small vehicles and other motorists.
The common causes of jackknife accidents include:
- Slamming the brakes
- Sharp curves
- Slippery roads due to inclement weather
- Truck driver’s lack of experience
If you are injured in a jackknife accident, our commercial vehicle lawyers in Los Angeles will advocate for your right to fair compensation.
Rideshare Accidents
While privately owned by civilians, passenger cars used in ridesharing are considered commercial vehicles when they transport paying customers from one place to another.
Although ridesharing services promote safer and more convenient rides, Lyft and Uber accidents are still common across Los Angeles. These accidents are often caused by driver negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, DUI, and a lack of experience behind the wheel. Our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys can help you file a claim against these companies if you have been injured while using a ridesharing service.
These types of cases are complicated since rideshare drivers are considered independent contractors. But both companies provide liability coverage for their drivers and passengers who are online during the accident that we can use to maximize compensation.
Sideswipe Accidents
This type of accident is common across Los Angeles County, especially on highways and streets with heavy traffic. A sideswipe accident happens when two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide, hitting the sides of the vehicle. While most sideswipe accidents result in minor injuries and vehicle damage, they can also be deadly, especially if the vehicles involved are vastly different sizes and weights.
The following scenarios can lead to sideswipe accidents:
- Sudden lane changes and not using signal lights
- Drivers fail to check blind spots
- Unsafely merging into traffic without considering other vehicles
- Overspeeding
- Losing control of the vehicle
- Reckless driving
- Swerving to avoid a head-on collision
Even if your injuries are minor, don’t hesitate to contact our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident lawyers. Medical bills and lost wages can add up quickly. Furthermore, injuries that appear minor initially can sometimes develop into more serious conditions over time. We will fight to hold the at-fault party accountable so you won’t shoulder the burden of someone else’s negligence.
Rear-End Accidents
These accidents happen when a vehicle collides with the one in front of it. They’re common in areas with congested traffic, at a red light, or a stop sign. Most rear-end collisions happen at low speeds, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic situations where drivers are prone to tailgating. If a driver follows the car ahead too closely, there’s little room to react if the other driver in front suddenly brakes.
However, such accidents can also happen at high speeds, especially when a negligent driver goes beyond the speed limit or what is appropriate for the weather conditions. These incidents happen on freeways and highways where there is less congestion and higher speed limits. Drivers may be tempted to speed up to reach their destinations faster. Unfortunately, speeding decreases their reaction time and increases their stopping distance. By the time they spot a vehicle ahead, it may be too late to brake and avoid a collision.
In most rear-end collisions, the blame often falls on the rear driver for failing to maintain a safe following distance. However, when the collision involves commercial vehicles, other parties can also be held liable. For example, an employer may be imposing unrealistic deadlines that incentivize drivers to speed or drive for extended periods without breaks. Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Los Angeles consider all these factors when filing your claim for damages.
Head-On Collisions
These collisions are among the deadliest types of road accidents. They occur when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide at their front ends.
The factors that cause head-on collisions include:
- Distracted Driving – Using mobile phones, talking to passengers, grooming, eating, or any other activity that takes one’s focus away from the road can be dangerous. A distracted driver might drift into oncoming lanes without realizing it.
- Impaired Driving – Alcohol and drugs impair the senses and cloud judgment. Drunk or drugged drivers might drift into the other lane when under the influence.
- Inexperience – Many new drivers lack defensive driving skills. They might make overly aggressive maneuvers or drift into oncoming lanes when encountering obstacles on the road.
- Fatigued Driving – Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous. Fatigue impairs the senses and decreases reaction time, leading to mistakes behind the wheel and increasing the risk of head-on collisions.
If your loved one died in a head-on collision, our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys can help you file a wrongful death claim. We know that no amount of money can ever replace someone’s life. However, compensation can ease the financial burden you might be facing, allowing you to focus on healing and honoring your loved one’s memory.
Speeding-Related Accidents
Exceeding the speed limit is one of the leading causes of commercial vehicle accidents. These incidents happen when commercial drivers or their companies want them to finish their trips faster. For example, ridesharing drivers overspeed to drop off passengers quickly and start new trips. Truck drivers may feel pressured to finish their haul ahead of schedule. But speeding reduces the driver’s reaction time, so they won’t be able to stop in time to prevent an accident. In addition, speed increases the force of an impact, which leads to more serious injuries.
Hit-And-Run
If the at-fault driver fled the scene after a crash, it is considered a hit-and-run. Resolving these accidents is difficult because a thorough investigation is needed to find the person responsible. Often, victims are too injured or disoriented to remember the driver’s license plate number.
Our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Los Angeles will request and check all available CCTV and dashcam footage in the area to see if they’ve captured any details about the at-fault driver. We will also investigate bystanders who could provide eyewitness testimonies. But even if the at-fault party is not identified, we will still help you file a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance protects you in a hit-and-run case.
Common Injuries In A Commercial Vehicle Accident
Our Los Angeles attorneys have helped commercial vehicle accident victims who sustained these injuries:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Victims suffering from a TBI can experience short- to long-term consequences that affect their ability to work and even their relationships with families and friends.
- Spinal Cord Injuries – These injuries lead to temporary or permanent paralysis, which reduces the victim’s quality of life. Extensive medical care and rehabilitation are often necessary.
- Neck and Back Injuries – The force of a collision can cause whiplash or herniated discs. These injuries can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. Chronic pain is a common long-term effect.
- Burns – Commercial vehicles carrying flammable materials can cause accidents that result in fires or explosions. Burns can cause severe pain, scarring, and disfigurement.
- Broken Bones – Fractures can cause pain and limited mobility. They often take weeks or months to heal. In severe cases, fractures can permanently limit a victim’s ability to work or participate in activities they once enjoyed.
- Cuts and Lacerations – These injuries can cause excessive bleeding, especially if the cut is deep. If not treated promptly, the victim may die of blood loss. But even minor cuts can be painful and leave permanent scars.
We understand that not everyone has the financial capacity to get medical help after an accident. To ensure proper treatment, our commercial vehicle accident attorneys can connect you with medical experts across Los Angeles who provide care on a lien basis. A medical lien means you can receive the care you need now while your attorney fights for compensation that will pay for those medical costs later.
Who’s Liable In Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
Liability in a commercial vehicle accident can fall on multiple individuals or entities, such as:
- Commercial Vehicle Driver – Their reckless action or inaction can lead to accidents. Examples include distracted driving, DUI, or disobeying traffic laws.
- Commercial Company – The company that owns the vehicle can also be held liable alongside the driver. For instance, a FedEx delivery truck ran over a pedestrian. The victim may also sue FedEx, especially if they fail to uphold proper safety standards for their drivers and vehicles.
- Cargo Loaders – These are the parties responsible for securing freight on commercial vehicles. If they fail to secure the cargo properly or ensure the weight of the cargo doesn’t exceed the vehicle’s capacity, they may be held liable if an accident occurs.
- Vehicle Manufacturer – Defective vehicle parts or flawed vehicle design may also contribute to an accident. If this happens, victims may file a claim against the manufacturer for product liability.
- Third-Party Driver – Another driver’s negligence may also cause or contribute to the accident. For example, a driver was driving the wrong way and was about to collide with a bus. To avoid a head-on collision, the bus driver swerved and hit another road user instead.
Our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys will identify any violation or negligent action that may have contributed to your injuries. We’ll look beyond the obvious and consider other parties who might share responsibility. In doing so, we’ll also be able to pursue all possible avenues of compensation.
What Is The Pure Comparative Negligence Rule?
California follows a principle known as pure comparative negligence. This rule is a key factor in how the court or insurers determine compensation in personal injury cases, including commercial vehicle accidents. Under the system, an injured party can still recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. The amount of compensation they receive is reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, a third-party driver was found to be 80% at fault for the accident, while a bus driver was found 20% liable. If the settlement award is $100,000, then the third-party driver owes you $80,000, while the bus driver covers the remaining $20,000.
The rule also states that if the plaintiff contributed to the accident, the judge or jury may reduce their settlement accordingly. So, if the victim is 10% liable, they will only get 90% of the settlement award.
Although this rule assures equality for all parties involved, insurance companies will exploit this law to minimize their payouts. Insurance adjusters will do anything to blame the plaintiff. They will take advantage of your vulnerability and brainwash you into believing you are at fault. In some cases, they will downplay your injuries or the treatments you’re getting.
If this happens, call our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Los Angeles right away and let us handle all correspondence with them. Our years of experience handling personal injury cases have allowed us to hone our skills in communicating and negotiating with insurers. We know their tactics, and we have strategies to handle them.
How To Win A Personal Injury Case After A Commercial Vehicle Crash?
To win a personal injury case, you must establish negligence by proving these four elements:
- Duty of Care – Defendants have the responsibility to act reasonably and carefully to avoid harming others.
- Breach of Duty – The defendant did not act with prudence and breached their duty of care.
- Causation – The defendant’s actions or inaction led to the accident that harmed you.
- Damages – You suffered damages and losses because of the accident.
Proving these elements is essential in determining liability. Our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident lawyers will gather important evidence, including police reports, which generally show the liable party’s negligence. We will also use your medical record to show the link between your injuries and the accident.
What’s My Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
Your claim’s worth depends on several factors. The biggest consideration is the extent and severity of your injuries and how they will impact you in the long run.
Some of the factors our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident attorneys consider are:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- The income you lost from missing days of work
- The probability of returning to your previous job
- Property damage
- If you are partly to blame for the accident
- Available insurance coverage
Generally, the more serious your injuries are, the higher your compensation. But we’ll never truly know how much your case is worth unless you have it reviewed. Call us now at (888) 488-1391 to have your claim evaluated. Then, we can estimate how much you can get if your case is successfully resolved.
Types Of Damages You Can Recover
Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Los Angeles can help you get compensated for the following types of damages:
Economic Damages
These damages are tangible losses incurred in the accident. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Past and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Property repair and replacement
- Lost wages
- Reduced financial capacity
- Nursing care
- Home modifications to accommodate disabilities
- Funeral and burial fees
Our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Los Angeles will use bills, receipts, and invoices to prove economic damages. So, make sure you file them and keep them safe, as they are essential pieces of evidence.
Non-Economic Damages
On the other hand, non-economic damages are intangible losses. These damages are subjective and don’t necessarily have a dollar equivalent. In order to prove them, we can demonstrate their impact on your life. We can connect with medical doctors and economists to quantify these losses and add them to your compensation demand.
Non-economic damages include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of intimacy with your spouse or family
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety and depression
- Isolation
- Grief
- Disability or disfigurement
Punitive Damages
If the negligent party is excessively negligent or intentionally malicious, the court may impose punitive damages. Instead of compensating the victims, these damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behaviors. However, they are rarely awarded.
Our lawyers in Los Angeles will thoroughly review your commercial vehicle accident case and see whether you are entitled to punitive damages.
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
Steps To Take After A Commercial Vehicle Accident
Here are steps you can take after a commercial vehicle accident to ensure your safety and protect your rights:
- Stay calm and assess your situation. Check yourself for any injuries. If you can move, go to a safer place, like the side of the road. Do not leave the scene, even if the at-fault party runs away.
- Call 911 as soon as possible to get the police and paramedics dispatched to your location.
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine or see no visible wounds. If you feel any discomfort or pain, let the paramedics know immediately.
- Cooperate with the police and answer their questions as clearly as possible. Keep your statements factual and refrain from including any speculations or details that might not be true.
- If it’s safe and you can move, take photos and videos of your injuries and the accident scene. Record any conversation you have at the scene as well, especially when talking to eyewitnesses.
- Exchange information with the involved parties. Get their names, addresses, contact numbers, and policy details.
- Get further medical care for a full evaluation of your injuries. Keep medical records and receipts for the treatments you have received. Then, make sure you follow the doctor’s treatment plan and are consistent with it.
- Call our commercial vehicle accident attorneys in Los Angeles at (888) 488-1391 as soon as possible. We will review your case and lay out your legal options.
Dangerous Intersection Roads In Los Angeles
Any intersection tends to be more dangerous for any motorist or pedestrian. Here are some of the dangerous intersections in the City of Angels:
- Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- South Vermont Avenue and West Florence Avenue
- West Manchester Avenue and South Vermont Avenue
- San Pedro Street and Washington Boulevard
- Victory Boulevard and Lindley Avenue
- Oxnard Street and Van Nuys Boulevard
- West Manchester Avenue and Normandie Avenue
- Sherman Way and Sepulveda Boulevard
Drivers must drive with care at all times, regardless of whether they are passing these junctions or not. Accidents can happen at any time, anywhere. Our Los Angeles lawyers would like to remind everyone, especially commercial vehicle drivers, to drive carefully to avoid accidents.
Commercial Vehicle Accident Statistics
Among the states with the highest number of truck accident fatalities in 2022, California had 436 reported deaths. The Golden State trails behind Texas, which reported the most fatalities at 810.
In total, 5,837 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2022, which was a 1.8% increase from the previous year and a 49% increase in the last decade. They accounted for 6% of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents on the road. Around 120,200 large trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in injuries in the same year.
Meanwhile, there were 15,033 bus accidents in 2022. Around 200 of these were fatal, while 13,268 resulted in injuries. When it comes to bus accidents, California ranks among the top five states in the country.
Uber and Lyft have also published safety reports on ridesharing services. Both companies noted that 99% of their trips were safe. However, it is impossible to determine the true scale of accidents related to these services. There is no conclusive data, as some victims did not report their accidents.
These figures show an increasing trend of commercial vehicle accidents in California and the rest of the country. They also emphasize the importance of having reliable legal representation on your side. Most of the companies involved in these accidents are large corporations with significant resources on their side. Our Los Angeles commercial vehicle accident lawyers can stand up against these companies and ensure your voice is heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Average Settlement For Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Commercial vehicle accident settlements vary depending on the specifics of each case. However, they can reach tens of thousands to millions. Some cases may settle for $10,000, while other claimants receive $100,000 to $1 million in settlement. Usually, victims with more severe injuries get higher payouts. Rest assured, Los Angeles attorneys will fight for the maximum compensation in your commercial vehicle accident claim.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim In Los Angeles After A Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Injured victims in Los Angeles have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. The same deadline applies to the entirety of the Golden State. Failure to take action within the statute of limitations forfeits your right to file a claim in the future. To avoid missing the deadline, call our Los Angeles attorneys for commercial vehicle accidents as soon as possible.
How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge In California?
Our commercial vehicle accident lawyers in Los Angeles work on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, our fee is a percentage of your compensation, which means you don’t have to pay us out of pocket. The percentage will depend on our agreement during your onboarding process. However, it’s usually around 30% to 40%.
What Should You Do To Stay Safe If You Have To Travel In Another Vehicle’s Blind Spot?
If you have to travel alongside a commercial vehicle, especially a large truck, always consider its blind spots at the back, front, and sides. If you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, chances are they can’t see you either.
When passing through these “No Zones,” signal early and let the driver see you. Avoid staying in those areas for a long period, but always use caution when passing them. Also, always check the truck driver’s signals and brake lights so you’re prepared to stop or turn.
Call The Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Los Angeles Trusts!
If someone else’s negligence caused your damages and injuries, you should be compensated. It doesn’t matter what type of commercial vehicle is involved in the accident; our Los Angeles lawyers will ensure that the at-fault parties are held accountable.
We understand how these accidents affect your life. That’s why Arash Law, headed by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is devoted to providing victims with determined and relentless representation. When times are challenging, having someone to depend on can ease some of your burden. Let us lift the heavy weight on your shoulders.
If you’re thinking, “I need a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles,” call us at (888) 488-1391. We will answer all your questions and concerns. If English isn’t your first language, our multilingual staff can communicate with you in your native tongue. We speak Spanish, Farsi, Korean, Tagalog, Italian, Hebrew, and more.
The commercial vehicle accident attorneys Los Angeles trusts also help victims in Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Compton, Long Beach, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Malibu, Lakewood, Altadena, Santa Clarita, and Thousand Oaks.
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