Tehachapi Truck Accident Lawyers
We’ll tell you if you have a case or not, call (888) 488-1391 — We’re here 24 hours a day.
Our Tehachapi Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here For You When You Need Us Most
Trucks are the biggest hazard on highways because of their size and weight. Even minor collisions involving these vehicles can result in serious injuries and significant losses. If you’re injured in a truck accident, you should consider filing a claim for compensation or pursuing legal action. Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers can fight for your rights and obtain the settlement you deserve. Call us today at (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation and case review.
Located in Kern County, about 45 miles east of Bakersfield, the city of Tehachapi is situated along Highway 58. This highway is known to be among the busiest truck routes in the state, connecting to major roads like CA 99 and 14. The heavy volume of commercial trucks traveling through the city to deliver goods inevitably increases the risk of accidents in the area.
If you were injured in a truck collision in Tehachapi, you can get compensated for the damages you suffered. Reach out to our personal injury attorneys specializing in truck accidents so we can help you get justice. At Arash Law, we will work tirelessly to get your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses paid.
Suarez v. Premium Packing (settled on 9/26/2023) – Settlement involving a man who sustained multiple orthopedic injures and a mild traumatic brain injury when he was run over by a food truck.– TINA ESHGHIEH
Why Should You Hire Our Tehachapi Truck Accident Lawyers?
- We understand legal matters can be confusing. That’s why our lawyers will make complex legal issues easier for you to understand. We will also keep you updated on the progress of your case, empower you to make informed decisions, and give you peace of mind.
- Our truck accident attorneys prioritize our clients above all else. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you face after the accident. Let us handle all the legal legwork while you focus on recovery.
- We take time to understand your unique situation. Our tailored legal strategies ensure you receive compassionate, effective representation that maximizes your chances of a successful outcome.
- We offer a no-win, no-fee payment structure, meaning you only pay legal fees if we successfully recover compensation for your case. This arrangement allows you to seek legal help without worrying about upfront costs, ensuring access to justice regardless of your financial situation.
How Can Our Truck Accident Attorneys Help Win Your Case?
Having skilled attorneys on your side is crucial when you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers are here to guide you through the recovery process. We’ve helped many victims of truck accidents who suffered injuries and property damage, and we are confident we can help you, too.
Our attorneys are experts at identifying the factors that cause truck accidents. We will gather evidence, pinpoint the liable parties, and build a strong case for you. We will also negotiate with the insurance companies known to do everything to deny your claim or minimize your payout.
If we are unable to reach an appropriate settlement that covers all your losses, our litigation attorneys will take your case to court. We will provide you with the strong legal representation you need and won’t back down against trucking companies and their insurance providers.
Types Of Tehachapi Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are devastating due to their size and weight, resulting in serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. Here are common types that our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers have encountered:
- Tire Blowouts — These refer to a sudden loss of air pressure in a tire, making the truck difficult to control and potentially leading to rollovers. We will look into maintenance records and manufacturer defects to find the root cause.
- Blind Spot Accidents — Large commercial trucks have significant blind spots, which can leave small vehicles unnoticed. Our truck accident attorneys will work hard to prove who’s at fault and get the best outcome for your case.
- Jackknife Accidents — These occur when a truck stops suddenly, causing the trailer to swing out to the side and face the opposite direction. Whether caused by equipment failure, improper braking, or icy roads, our lawyers will investigate the cause and hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Underride Accidents — A smaller car following behind a big truck may be unable to stop safely if the truck stops abruptly without a proper signal. We will ensure relevant evidence is collected to show the liable party’s recklessness.
- Rollover Accidents — These accidents occur when a truck tips over onto its side and rolls. Our personal injury lawyers will examine the factors that led to the rollover, such as overloading and driver error, to build a strong case for you.
When you think, “I need a personal injury lawyer in Tehachapi,” give us a call immediately. Our Tehachapi truck accident attorneys are here to provide expert legal assistance, especially when dealing with logistics service providers (LSPs) involved. Our goal is to alleviate the burden of dealing with the aftermath by working tirelessly to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome.
Hurt in a Truck Accident?
Major Causes Of Truck Accidents In Tehachapi
Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Tehachapi:
- Fatigued Driving — Federal and state rules require drivers to take breaks during long shifts, but some trucking companies pressure their drivers to continue driving even when they’re exhausted. Fatigue impairs drivers’ judgment and slows reaction times; preventing driver fatigue is key to reducing truck accidents.
- Aggressive Driving — When truck drivers tailgate, weave through traffic, or speed, they can cause serious accidents. Large trucks need more time to stop and turn, making aggressive driving extremely dangerous and among the leading causes of truck accidents.
- Overloading — There are guidelines on how much weight trucks must carry. If a truck is overloaded, it takes longer to stop. Overloading also stresses tires and suspensions. Adhering to weight limits is vital to prevent blowouts and rollovers.
- Speeding — Many truck drivers drive too fast because their employers pressure them to meet delivery deadlines. Exceeding the speed limit reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance. Truck drivers should follow speed limits and drive slower than cars to stay safe.
- Equipment Failure — Trucks are complex machines with intricate parts. Despite advancements in technology, equipment can still fail and cause crashes. Poor maintenance, defective parts, and faulty brakes or steering can lead to accidents. Proper maintenance is essential to prevent equipment failures.
- Driving Under The Influence (DUI) — Some drivers drink alcohol or take drugs to stay awake while driving. However, these substances slow reaction times and impair judgment. Truck drivers must follow strict drug and alcohol testing rules to prevent catastrophic accidents.
Our law firm offers comprehensive legal support, from thorough investigations to strong representation in negotiations and court. Count on our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers to ensure you receive fair compensation while focusing on your recovery.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Big rig truck accidents can cause serious harm to the spine and the spinal cord. A damaged spinal cord may lead to temporary or permanent paralysis, loss of feeling, or trouble moving. People with these injuries may need ongoing medical care and therapy to recover and move again.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Truck accidents can cause TBIs, which often happen when the head hits something hard. These injuries can vary from minor concussions to severe brain damage, affecting the victim’s thinking, memory, and emotions.
Internal Injuries
Internal organ damage, internal bleeding, and abdominal trauma may not show visible signs externally, but they are serious. It’s crucial to get medical help right away to diagnose and treat these injuries properly. Waiting too long could worsen things and lead to dangerous complications, so don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention. Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers can help connect you with medical specialists to ensure your swift recovery.
Broken Bones
Fractures are common in truck crashes because of the force and impact. Broken bones can occur in the arms, legs, knees, and pelvis, among other places. To heal properly and avoid long-term problems, people often need casts, surgery, and other treatments.
Severed Limbs
The force of a truck accident can cause amputation. Losing a limb requires continuous medical care, prosthetics, and rehabilitation. It significantly impacts a person’s physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These include damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues. Soft tissue injuries can swell or bruise and cause pain and mobility issues.
Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations from 18-wheeler accidents can be very painful and often leave large scars that might never heal. These injuries need extra medical care as they can lead to infection and other further complications.
Chemical Burns
Explosions, fires, and chemical reactions may occur in a truck collision. Chemicals, fuel, and other hazardous cargo are the major contributors to this incident. Severe burns and chemical exposures can result in excruciating pain, permanent scarring, and the need for reconstructive surgery.
If you or a loved one has suffered any of these injuries in a truck accident, seek help from our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers right away. We can assist you in obtaining maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering.
If someone you care about dies in a tractor-trailer collision, our experienced truck accident lawyer can also help you file a wrongful death claim. We know what you’ve lost can never be replaced, but we can try to get your family the money you need to move forward.
Who's At Fault For A Truck Accident In Tehachapi?
Determining fault in a truck accident depends on the specific circumstances. It could be the truck driver’s responsibility for causing the crash, the company’s fault for inadequate driver training, or the truck manufacturer’s fault if the accident resulted from defective tires.
The blame can sometimes be shared. For example, in a collision between a truck and an Uber vehicle, the trucker can claim that the rideshare driver was speeding or running a red light. In California, this can mean both sides are responsible.
Under the state’s pure comparative negligence system, victims can seek compensation for their damages even if they’re 99% at fault for the accident. However, the court will reduce the amount of damages by the percentage of fault. For example, if the victim was found 35% at fault for the accident and sustained $100,000 in damages, they are eligible to receive $65,000.
How To Establish Fault In A Truck Accident?
To establish fault, good Tehachapi truck accident lawyers will help you prove that the following elements of negligence are present:
- Duty Of Care — The truck driver, trucking company, or a third party owes you a duty to act safely. For example, truck drivers must ensure they are well-rested, alert, and obedient to all safety rules.
- Breach Of Duty — The defendant breached their duty of care. This could involve driving under the influence, fatigued driving due to missed breaks, or trucking companies failing to maintain their vehicles according to industry standards.
- Causation — The defendant’s actions caused the injury. It is up to the truck accident lawyer to show that the defendant’s breach of duty led to the harm that the plaintiff suffered.
- Damages — You suffered losses due to the accident. Some examples of damages are medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and car damage.
Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers are here to help you with your case. We dig deep into every detail to determine what happened and who’s responsible to ensure you get the maximum compensation possible. We know California’s laws inside and out and are ready to give you the personalized legal support you need.
Wondering if you have a case? Fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” form.
What Damages Can You Recover In A Truck Accident Case?
When truck accidents happen, they can leave accident victims with huge medical bills and all sorts of problems. Here are the most common types of compensation our Tehachapi lawyers for truck accidents can help you obtain:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death claims
- Punitive damages in applicable cases
Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers are ready to step in and help you through this challenging time. We will do our best to make sure you get what you deserve. Contact us now, and let us take the weight off your shoulders.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
How Can I Proceed If My Family Member Passed Away Due To A Truck Accident?
If your loved one died in a truck accident due to negligence or injuries sustained in the collision, you are qualified to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. In California, the eligible individuals for such claims include spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and siblings.
According to the National Safety Council’s 2022 report, most people who die in truck accidents are occupants of other vehicles (about 70%). Truck occupants account for about 19%, while pedestrians and cyclists account for 11%.
Handling wrongful death claims can be complicated, especially when multiple parties share responsibility for the accident. This can also be more challenging for someone dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Our truck accident attorneys, experts in wrongful death cases, will carefully assess your situation. They will provide the legal support needed to pursue the negligent truck driver, the trucking company, or any other third party responsible for the collision that led to your loved one’s untimely passing.
What To Do After A Truck Accident In Tehachapi
A truck accident will leave you terrified and shocked. Still, here are some crucial steps to take to help your Tehachapi truck accident lawyers build a strong case for you.
- If possible, move your vehicle to the side of the road. Turn off the engine and activate your hazard lights. This minimizes the risk of another accident.
- Examine yourself for injuries. Adrenaline can conceal pain and other symptoms. Check for injuries on yourself and other people involved. Ask everyone if and where they’re hurt. Remember, head trauma can result in confusion, dizziness, and a loss of coordination.
- Dial 911 immediately. Inform them of the severity of the accident, the number of vehicles involved, and your location. If you suspect serious injuries, request an ambulance.
- Don’t negotiate with the at-fault party without consulting an attorney. This can make things difficult for your lawyer later.
- Keep track of the evidence by taking pictures and videos of the scene if you can. Write down the phone numbers of any witnesses willing to help. Get the other driver’s license, registration, and insurance information. Taking notes at the scene will help your lawyer confirm the facts.
- Get medical assistance right away. Even the best truck accident lawyers will tell you to get checked out by paramedics at the scene and again a few days later. Compiled medical records are very helpful in your case.
- Contact your insurance provider. Inform your insurance company about the accident so they can assist you with obtaining a rental or replacing your vehicle.
- Call Arash Law. Our truck accident attorneys in Tehachapi can help you navigate the process, understand your options, and choose the best action. Contact us at (888) 488-1391 to determine if you have a valid claim.
Truck Accident Statistics In Tehachapi, CA
Here are some key figures about truck accidents in California:
- According to the same report from the National Safety Council discussed above, 61% of truck accidents happened during the day, and 4.6% happened in work zones. September and October had the most dangerous truck accidents, and February had the fewest casualties.
- In 2022, injuries from large-truck crashes increased by 3.9%, reaching 161,000. Most of these injuries happened to people in other vehicles (73%), with truck occupants accounting for 26% and non-occupants for 1%.
- Large-truck crashes resulted in 5,936 deaths, marking a 2% increase from 2021 and a 49% rise over the past decade.
- In the same year, 163 (or 3%) fatal car accidents involving big trucks were caused by intoxicated drivers.
These figures show how prevalent truck accidents still are. Our Tehachapi lawyers, specializing in truck accident cases, are here to help victims move forward and rebuild their lives. Talk to us now to see how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Payment Structure Of Truck Accident Lawyers?
Our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid when we win your case or reach a settlement that works for you. Remember that fees may vary if we go to trial, so discuss this during your free initial consultation.
What Is The California Statute Of Limitations?
In California, you have two years from the day of a truck accident to file a lawsuit. While two years might seem like a long time, it’s crucial to remember that finding the right lawyer, evaluating your case, and preparing everything can take a while. It’s a good idea for victims and their families to talk to one of our skilled truck accident attorneys in Tehachapi as soon as possible. This way, you can file your case within the prescribed time frame. Sometimes, special circumstances affect the deadline. Our lawyers can figure out if any exceptions apply to your situation.
Can I Recover Punitive Damages For Intentional Negligence?
Yes, you can. Punitive damages are meant to punish negligent parties and deter similar behavior in the future. You may be entitled to receive punitive damages if our Tehachapi truck accident lawyers uncover evidence showing that the driver, trucking company, or cargo loader knowingly disregarded safety laws. Examples include neglecting training protocols, skipping maintenance checks, or failing to enforce sobriety policies.
Who Pays For My Medical Treatment While My Case Proceeds?
We work closely with our clients to ensure they receive necessary medical services promptly, especially for critical injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Good Tehachapi truck accident attorneys will explore several avenues to secure funding, including placing liens against the settlement proceeds or utilizing personal insurance coverage.
How Long Does A Truck Accident Lawsuit Take To Resolve?
Resolving a truck accident lawsuit depends on a few factors. For instance, if there are many parties involved, significant damages, or complicated legal stuff to sort out, it might take a bit longer. However, if everyone can agree on a settlement through negotiations, things could wrap up faster. Having skilled Tehachapi truck accident lawyers on your side is crucial — they’ll aim for a fair settlement and work efficiently to resolve your case as soon as possible.
What Should I Do If The Insurance Company Denies My Truck Accident Claim?
If the insurance company rejects your claim, consult with truck accident attorneys in Tehachapi immediately. They’ll review the denial, explain your options under the law, and suggest the most effective steps to take next. Getting legal guidance can be crucial in challenging insurance denials and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Contact The Best Truck Accident Lawyers Tehachapi Relies On
We know how overwhelming a truck accident can be—it can affect you physically, emotionally, and financially. Our dedicated Tehachapi truck accident lawyers are here to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., is committed to providing unwavering support every step of the way. Reach out to us for a free consultation, and let us fight for you.
Over the years, we’ve helped countless clients across the state and successfully obtained over $500 Million in settlements and verdicts. We fight tirelessly for accident victims and are ready to fight just as hard for you. Your recovery and well-being are our top priorities, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure you get the justice you deserve. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule your free consultation.
We also extend our legal services to Tehachapi’s neighboring areas, such as Bear Valley Springs, Golden Hills, and Stallion Springs. Additionally, we handle cases across various cities in California, such as Arvin, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, ensuring we can assist clients in need no matter where they are located within the state. We’ll come to your location—anytime, anywhere.
