Sierra County Truck Accident Lawyers
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Our Sierra County Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here For You When You Need Us Most
While Sierra County’s scenic roads are breathtaking to drive on, they can also be dangerous, especially when a reckless truck driver causes an accident. Their victims would suffer from physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. In such cases, our leading Sierra County truck accident lawyers can help. If you or someone you know has been injured, contact Arash Law today at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Sierra County is one of California’s most pristine jewels, having 962 square miles of woodland forests, large valleys, and all kinds of natural beauty. It’s the state’s second-least-populated county, with a small population of just above 3,000. Despite its relatively small community, it is not exempt from devastating events, particularly truck accidents.
If you’re injured in a truck accident, our Sierra County attorneys are here to help. Don’t let the impact of someone else’s negligence go unanswered. We will listen to your story, assess the merits of your case, and develop a practical approach tailored to your particular circumstances. We only succeed when you do.
Our personal injury law firm in Sierra County has a proven track record of success in representing victims in all kinds of cases, including truck accidents. As such, you can be confident that our esteemed lawyers will relentlessly pursue justice on your behalf.
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 Truck Accident Attorneys In Sierra County Protect Your Rights?
The truck accident lawyers in Arash Law will advocate for your rights at every step of the process. We will identify all negligent parties, protect your claim from insurance companies, and take your case to trial if necessary.
We understand that accidents involving tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, and other heavy commercial vehicles can catch anyone off guard. Victims often feel lost and uncertain about their next steps. But don’t worry; our attorneys will help you in the following ways:
- Negotiate with insurers – Arash Law will communicate and negotiate with the other party’s insurance companies. We will fight for a fair settlement that adequately covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
- Offer compassionate support – Our legal team will provide you with personalized attention and guidance throughout the process. We’ll discuss all your worries, find solutions to your problems, and update you on the progress of your case.
- Provide legal representation to those in need – If the victim is unable to file a claim due to severe injuries or death, their family members may need legal representation. Our truck accident lawyers in Sierra County will provide clear guidance on their next steps.
- Represent you in a trial – Our litigation attorneys are more than prepared to take your case to court. We will present compelling evidence of the other party’s negligence to secure the compensation you deserve.
Arash Law, under the leadership of Arash Khorsandi, Esq., offers its services on a contingency fee basis to remove financial barriers to pursuing your rights. There’s no need to pay any upfront fees. Once we win your case, we will receive a portion of the final award. Otherwise, you can walk away with no obligations. This way, our Sierra County truck accident attorneys have more than enough reason to do our best.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents In Sierra County
Truck accidents often occur due to the driver’s recklessness or negligent rig maintenance. In Sierra County, the common causes we’ve observed are:
- Driving under the influence (DUI) – Alcohol and drugs can significantly affect a person’s cognitive function. As a result, truckers who are under the influence of these substances might behave recklessly and unpredictably on the road. Our DUI lawyers, who win truck accident cases in Sierra County, will use evidence like the driver’s blood alcohol concentration level at the time of the incident.
- Failure to comply with safety measures – Trucking companies sometimes offer incentives based on how much cargo or how fast they can deliver. As such, truck operators might overload their trucks or go beyond the speed limit to make more money.
- Driver fatigue – Commercial drivers often have to travel long hauls, and many of them use SR 49 as a route to enter and exit Sierra County on their way to Madera, Tuolumne, and El Dorado. These vehicles often travel even longer than the entire length of this highway without taking proper rest breaks, which can lead to fatigue. This drowsiness can cause a delay in their ability to react quickly and operate an 80,000-pound vehicle safely.
- Ignoring traffic laws – Truckers have a duty to respect other motorists. When they blatantly disobey traffic laws, they neglect this duty and become risks to other road users.
- Improper maintenance – Trucks are more susceptible to mechanical problems because of the long distances they travel and the heavy loads they carry. As such, they must undergo regular and rigorous maintenance to guarantee safe and reliable performance. Failing to take necessary precautions might result in accidents caused by faulty brakes, falling cargo, and engine failure.
Common Injuries In Truck Accidents
Trucking incidents usually result in severe injuries, such as brain trauma, deep cuts, loss of limbs, and spinal cord damage. In Sierra County, there are the most common cases our truck accident lawyers encounter:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
An impact from a truck can cause a violent shaking of the head, resulting in brain injuries. The impact may also cause victims to slam their heads on a hard surface, dealing blunt trauma to the brain. In mild cases, TBIs can cause symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or loss of balance. Severe conditions can have long-term effects, disabilities, and even death.
Broken Bones
The impact of a truck accident can cause fractures all over the body. The most commonly affected body parts are:
- Face – A broken nose, jaw, or cheekbone can impair function and result in a deformity, seriously affecting the victim’s confidence and quality of life.
- Arms & Legs – Broken bones in the limbs severely limit the victim’s mobility as they heal. They are also prone to not recovering fully or correctly, leaving an individual with lifelong issues with carrying objects, standing, and walking.
- Ribs – Fractured ribs usually cause severe pain while breathing or coughing.
Lacerations And Cuts
During a truck accident, breaking glass and flying debris can result in cuts and lacerations on your body. Although you might think these are just minor injuries, they can also lead to infections or disfigurement.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The massive force of a truck collision can break your spine or damage the nerves, causing chronic pain and paralysis. Spine injuries usually require a longer time and more extensive medical treatment to heal. During recovery, victims will likely need assistance in doing daily activities, like eating and bathing.
Internal Injuries
Truck accidents can damage internal organs, such as your heart, lungs, and liver. In such cases, you would need to undergo surgical treatments, incurring high medical costs during hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Know that you’re eligible to recover these expenses and much more if you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence. Talk to our truck accident lawyers in Sierra County to know what you’re entitled to.
Amputations
Catastrophic accidents might result in traumatic amputations, such as when the truck traps and crushes the victim’s limb. In some cases, doctors will need to surgically remove the injured arms or legs to prevent further infection. These injuries will severely decrease mobility and cause massive lifestyle changes.
Wrongful Deaths
In the most tragic cases, truck accidents might result in the loss of a loved one. The surviving family members will be left to deal with the medical bills, funeral & burial expenses, the loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
If you have a loved one who unfortunately lost their life in a truck accident, reach out to our wrongful death lawyers. We will help you get justice and pursue compensation for all your losses.
Liable Parties In A Truck Accident Case
Complex trucking incidents usually involve multiple parties who have shared responsibility for your injuries and damages. And in the experience of our personal injury lawyers in Sierra County, truck accidents are rarely simple. Here are some potential individuals or companies that might be liable:
- Truck driver – A truck driver might be held liable if they were driving recklessly, violating traffic laws, or driving while fatigued, which caused the accident.
- Trucking company – Commercial truck companies are responsible for the trucks and truck drivers they employ. If the company does not provide adequate training, they might be responsible for the actions of their employees. Similarly, if a trucking company is forcing its drivers to work beyond their legally allowed working hours, it could be held liable for any accidents resulting from fatigue.
- Cargo loaders – If the loader does not properly inspect the cargo or secure it, they might be liable if boxes or equipment fall off the truck and cause accidents.
- Truck manufacturers – Faulty parts could lead to various dangerous situations, such as tire blowouts, brake failures, or steering problems. While auto defects could be a maintenance issue, they could also be attributed to the manufacturer. Under product liability laws, makers and distributors are responsible for ensuring the safety of their product’s design and manufacturing process.
- Other third parties – Sometimes, a trucking accident might also involve other drivers on the road, truck mechanics, or even the owners of the property where the incident took place.
The at-fault party could be one of them, all of the above, or even other entities not mentioned here. Let our attorneys, who specialize in truck accidents in Sierra County, identify who’s responsible for your injuries. We will ensure that we hold them accountable for your compensation.
How Is Liability Established In A Truck Accident
There are four elements to proving a defendant is liable in a personal injury case:
Duty Of Care
The first step is establishing that the defendant owed a duty of care to you, the victim. For example, a commercial truck operator has a duty to abide by state and federal trucking regulations.
Breach Of Duty
Once our Sierra County truck accident lawyers establish the duty of care, then we must prove that the defendant breached that duty. In our example above, a big rig operator would have failed to follow the regulations by loading the cargo improperly, among other scenarios.
Causation
Our lawyers must demonstrate a link between their breach of responsibility and your injuries. If the uneven distribution of weight caused the trailer to tip over to its side and fall onto your vehicle, then that’s a direct causation.
Damages
Lastly, personal injury claims must show that you incurred damages as a result of the accident. Included are medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning potential, and pain and suffering.
Your case must prove all of these elements to be eligible for compensation. However, the legal battle ahead is likely to be challenging. Trucking companies have defense lawyers and insurance companies whose sole objectives are to reduce or deny personal injury claims. They will try to bully or intimidate victims into accepting a lower settlement.
To overcome their legal defenses, you will need the more seasoned and experienced personal injury attorneys at Arash Law. Our truck accident attorneys in Sierra County will aggressively advocate for your rights, and we won’t settle for anything less than you deserve. With our extensive knowledge of the relevant laws and our skillful investigation techniques, we can help you prove the negligence of all the parties responsible for your injuries.
April 2019: $14M settlement in a traumatic brain injury case involving a defective piece of equipment at a factory.– BRIAN BEECHER
Damages You Can Claim From Truck Accidents
In truck accidents, victims are eligible to receive compensation for any expenses and losses they incur. By law, you are entitled to recover not only past and current medical expenses but also compensation for estimated future medical care, even if it lasts the rest of your life.
Any out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the injury are valid, including the costs of home modifications, rehabilitation, physical therapy, vehicle repairs, and so on. Our Sierra County lawyers specializing in truck accidents can also help you claim damages for lost wages and lost future earning capacity.
Lifelong disabilities don’t only lead to increased expenses. In most cases, the victim’s quality of life is significantly reduced. You may be unable to perform activities you previously enjoyed, or you might miss some significant events because of your injuries. These types of losses fall under non-economic damages. Some other examples are pain and suffering or a decrease in interests and hobbies. Mental trauma arising from the accident can also be part of your claim.
The challenging part is attaching a monetary amount to these losses. Nonetheless, our truck accident lawyers in Sierra County have a winning formula for determining how much you actually deserve. We can also get economists and medical experts on board to come up with an amount that would cover all the damages you incurred.
Truck Accident Laws And Regulations In California
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a set of regulations to protect the safety of both truckers and other people on the road. According to these rules, truck drivers nationwide:
- Can only work a maximum of a 14-hour shift a day
- Should take rest or meal breaks totaling 3 hours in their workday
- Must rest for at least ten consecutive hours at the end of each workday
- Must take days off work at regular intervals, depending on the trucking company’s hours of operation
California also has specific rules to mitigate the risk of truck accidents. In the state, trucks must observe the following weight limits:
- Combined – 80,000 lbs
- Single axle – 20,000 lbs
- Double axle – 34,000
Within the cities, there are designated truck routes where truckers are allowed to pass through. Some highways also have truck-only lanes. These restrictions allow the respective governing body to enhance safety on the roads and stabilize traffic flow.
Apart from these rules, cities and counties might also enact emergency bans and programs to decrease accidents involving big rigs. Sierra County, for example, has started cracking down on semi-trucks that use narrow mountain roads.
Our Sierra County truck accident lawyers are highly knowledgeable in all local, state, and federal laws. We will find all instances of violations on the part of the trucker or the trucking company to demonstrate their negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sierra County Truck Accident Claims
How Common Are Truck Accident-Related Deaths In California?
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that truck accidents are responsible for a significant number of deaths in California. In 2021, around 416 large trucks were involved in fatal car crashes. Additionally, California recorded 4,285 deaths due to traffic accidents that year, making it the state with the second-highest fatality rates in the U.S.
What Percentage Do Lawyers Take In Truck Accident Cases?
Truck accident lawyers in California typically charge between 33% and 40% in personal injury cases. These fees compensate the lawyers for their time, expertise, and costs incurred during the legal process.
The specific percentage varies depending on the skill of the attorney and the complexity of the case. Some might charge a sliding scale fee, where the percentage might be lower if the case settles early and higher if it proceeds to trial. Nevertheless, it will be discussed and agreed upon during the onboarding process.
This payment arrangement gives victims the chance to pursue a claim without worrying about the legal costs. On a contingency fee basis, our lawyers will only claim our fees once we successfully recover compensation for you.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Truck Accidents In California?
In California, you hаvе twо уеаrѕ tо take legal action against the negligent truck operator and their employer due to the statute of limitations. If уоu do not асt within this timefrаmе, уоu will likely lose your legal right to pursue damages for your harms and losses. The liable parties would no longer be held accountable for their wrongful actions.
Don’t let this happen by contacting our Sierra County lawyers immediately after a truck accident. We’ll explain all applicable deadlines and possible exceptions during our free case evaluation.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
How much compensation you might expect to receive will depend on a variety of case-specific factors, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Whether you will fully recover
- How long it might take for you to recover
- Your wage losses
- Medical bills
- Other case-specific factors
When you meet with our truck accident lawyers in Sierra County, we will analyze the facts and evidence to calculate a value for your claim. We will meticulously consider all these factors and more to determine a settlement amount that will cover all your losses.
Consult With Our Trusted Sierra County Truck Accident Lawyers Today!
Arash Law is the go-to law firm in Sierra County because of our truck accident lawyer’s aggressive advocacy for victims. At the same time, we are also known for the compassionate support we give our clients throughout the process.
Under California laws, every victim has a right to claim compensation for their injuries. Whether you’re a legal resident or an undocumented immigrant, you can come to our offices for a free case review. Arash Law’s diverse staff has people who speak Spanish, French, Korean, and more. They will help you communicate more comfortably if English is not your first language.
Ready for your first step in getting the compensation you deserve? Contact us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have A Case?” form.
Our lawyers also cater to nearby areas, such as Chilcoot-Vinton, Portola, Graeagle, and Clio in Plumas County and Truckee, Soda Springs, Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Penn Valley in Nevada County. We also serve truck accident victims in Placer County, including Emigrant Gap, Dutch Flat, and Tahoe City.
