Tuolumne County Truck Accident Lawyers
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Tuolumne County Truck Accident Lawyers Representing Injured Californians
Tuolumne County has several hilly, steep roads that can become hazardous for traffic during rainy and snowy days. Extreme caution is usually required, especially for inexperienced truckers or those unfamiliar with the county’s terrain. Unfortunately, traffic accidents involving large trucks are common in the area. Arash Law’s Tuolumne County truck accident lawyers can help injured victims file a claim for compensation. You can reach us at (888) 488-1391 for a complimentary initial consultation.
Besides the possible landslides and flooding, the roads in Tuolumne County present other challenges for motorists to navigate. In a 2020 assessment report on statewide streets and roads, Tuolumne County pavements only received 28 points for the Pavement Condition Index (PCI). The PCI is scored from 0 (failed) to 100 (excellent), indicating that the county’s roads are “at risk.” This could contribute to traffic wrecks in the area, including truck accidents.
Crashes and collisions involving trucks typically end in devastating injuries and even fatalities. Arash Law has years of experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims, including car accidents, slips and falls, and motorcycle and bicycle accidents. Our Tuolumne County truck accident attorneys are dedicated to advocating for your rights through negotiations and litigation.
Contact us or use our “Do I Have A Case?” form here so we can assess your situation. The initial consultation is free. We also answer the questions and concerns that many clients often ask.
Settlement in a case where a client was injured while unloading commercial truck; client sustained crush injuries to legs– JUDD ROSS ALLEN
What Can Tuolumne County Truck Accident Lawyers Do To Support Your Case?
Experienced Tuolumne County truck accident attorneys will do a thorough investigation of the accident to help you build a well-documented case. We gather vital pieces of evidence, including police and medical reports, as well as eyewitness accounts, and work with professionals to recreate the accident as accurately as possible. This gives us a clear picture of who is negligent and liable.
Every case has unique elements that make it different from other claims we have handled. We create a tailored strategy for each victim we work with.
Here are some things we can do to help with your case:
- Evaluate Your Case — Having a benchmark of how much your case is worth helps us during the actual negotiation. Considering all your expenses, pain, suffering, and other losses, we’ll calculate the potential damages and negotiate fair compensation with the insurance company based on your estimated losses.
- Negotiating With Insurance Companies — Negotiations are some of the trickiest parts of any case. We will handle the negotiations with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your healing.
- Planning for Litigation — Whenever possible, we strive to settle out of court to expedite a resolution. Disagreements among parties, however, are not entirely avoidable. If your case requires further litigation, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for your rights and represent you in court.
Why Hire Our Tuolumne County Truck Accident Lawyers For Your Claim?
Arash Law has decades of cumulative experience. Our truck accident lawyers in Tuolumne County have handled multiple personal injury claims and lawsuits and assisted clients in pursuing legal claims against at-fault parties. The primary goal is to achieve a favorable outcome through a settlement or court award.
Additionally, our lawyers have an in-depth understanding of California’s personal injury laws. We work to develop a strategy that fits it and is within the state’s laws.
Our Tuolumne County personal injury law firm offers clear guidance and support throughout the legal process. This includes providing legal opinions and advice, as well as listening to your concerns.
Compassion is a significant part of how we do our job. It is not just about the glory of winning but about helping our clients seek accountability for their injuries and losses.
Send us a message through our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation and help you decide whether our team is the right fit for your case.
Common Causes Of Truck Accidents In Tuolumne County
Negligence is often the primary cause of traffic accidents. Still, our Tuolumne County truck lawyers need to know the specific cause of the incident to assess whether liability exists.
The following are the common causes of truck accidents:
- Fatigued Driving — Truckers must get proper sleep and rest. They often stay on the road for long hours over the course of days. If they skip rest and sleep to complete more trips, they risk the safety of other motorists.
- Distracted Driving — Long hours on the road in a monotonous environment can get boring. However, using phones or talking to other occupants can lead to distractions. Anything that takes your concentration from driving increases the chances of getting into an accident.
- Driving While Intoxicated — Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s cognitive function and coordination. In dangerous situations, truckers won’t be able to react appropriately and on time. Reckless behaviors caused by intoxication put them and other road users in dangerous situations.
- Inexperience — Large trucks are more challenging to maneuver compared to other vehicles because of their weight and size. Trucks also have more blind spots. Drivers without sufficient experience or training may struggle to determine when to turn or make safe lane changes.
- Unsafe Loads — Overloading is not uncommon in the trucking industry. Companies or truckers would often load more than what is permitted to increase income. However, overloading can cause rollovers. Additionally, not securing these loads increases the risk of injuring other road users.
- Road Conditions — Poorly maintained roads can cause significant traffic accidents. For example, a trucker may have noticed a deep pothole a little too late and swerved to avoid it, hitting another motorist.
Common Injuries Caused By Truck Accidents
Injuries associated with truck accidents can vary from milder bumps and cuts to severe internal damage that requires immediate medical attention.
Our Tuolumne County lawyers for truck accidents can connect you with professional medical teams to support your recovery. Moreover, an in-depth medical report of all the injuries you sustained from the wreck can help support your claim.
Here are some of the most reported truck accident injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injury accidents, including trucking collisions and crashes, can significantly affect the victim. While mild issues like bumps and concussions can heal within a week or so, severe TBIs can last for a long time, sometimes years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20% of moderate to severe TBI cases die within 5 years. Thirty percent become worse, while 22% stay the same. Only 26% of cases improve.
For survivors, the physical, neurological, and psychological effects of TBIs can last a lifetime.
Back Injuries
Back injuries can impact either the backbone or the soft tissues of our spinal column, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. If the backbone gets fractured or crushed, the spinal cord it protects could also get damaged, resulting in paralysis.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)
Spinal cord injury accidents have a significant effect on the victims. Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis.
The types of paralysis include:
- Monoplegia — Affects an arm or a leg on either side of the body.
- Hemiplegia — Paralysis on the arm and leg of one side of the body.
- Paraplegia — No sensation and movement on the lower part of the body (both legs).
- Quadriplegia — Impacts both arms and legs.
Amputations
Traumatic amputations can happen when a body part is cut or torn off during severe truck accidents. Reattachments are possible, especially with the hands and fingers. However, they may not work like they did before.
In most cases, amputations are non-reversible. Victims may have to live the rest of their lives with a missing body part that can change the way they live. Our lawyers in Tuolumne County, who handle truck accidents, can help victims connect with specialists who can assist them in dealing with the trauma of losing a body part.
Internal Organ Damage
Internal injuries often require immediate medical attention and surgery. If not treated right away, the victim’s condition could worsen, and the injury could become fatal.
Broken Bones
Broken bones can range from mild to severe in terms of severity. Milder issues, such as hairline fractures, can heal on their own within a few weeks to months. Victims do have to use casts, braces, or arm slings to prevent movement and pressure on the healing bone. However, severe cases such as crushed bones will require surgery. The healing time may differ for each patient, but it can last for months to years.
Lacerations And Cuts
Lacerations and cuts are often a result of shattered debris. They can range from mild cuts that damage the layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis) to lacerations that may reach deep into the fat or muscle layers of the body. Deeper lacerations and puncture wounds typically require immediate medical care to stop the bleeding. These can result in death by blood loss.
Wrongful Death
Unfortunately, thousands of truck accidents lead to fatalities each year. The loss of life is the worst that could happen. The victim’s legal heirs may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for the losses incurred due to the accident.
Determining Liability After A Tuolumne County Truck Accident
Our Tuolumne County truck accident lawyers can help determine liability by conducting an extensive investigation. Police reports, eyewitness accounts, videos, and CCTV footage can help support your claim. Furthermore, our lawyers can review the trucker’s driver log and maintenance history to determine if they are fulfilling their duty of care.
There could be multiple liable parties in a truck accident, making it more technical and challenging than typical car crashes. Possible defendants may include the following:
- Truck Driver — Speeding or using a mobile phone while driving are some of the trucker’s reckless behaviors that could lead to an accident.
- Trucking Company — The trucking company may be held partly liable if it does not follow protocols, such as overloading or failing to provide its drivers with proper training.
- Truck Manufacturer — There is a possibility that a truck component failed during transport, causing the accident. In this case, the truck manufacturer or the company that made that truck part may be held responsible.
- Third-Party Drivers — Other motorists may have caused the accident, engaging in reckless driving behaviors such as unsafe overtaking or lane changes. The trucker might have swerved to avoid the driver and, in turn, collided with you or your vehicle.
- Government Entities — If the poorly maintained pavements in Tuolumne County caused the accident, the government could be held partly responsible. This is because they must keep public roads in excellent condition.
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
Types Of Truck Accidents In Tuolumne County
Because of the size and weight of trucks, they are more prone to rollovers. Meanwhile, trailer trucks are also often involved in jackknife accidents. Our truck accident attorneys in Tuolumne County have helped victims in these types of truck accidents:
- Truck Rollovers — Big rigs that weigh up to 80,000 pounds are at risk of rolling over. Drivers may lose control of their vehicles, collide with other vehicles or barriers, or go off the road. This can cause the vehicle to turn on its side. Rolling trucks can crush smaller vehicles, resulting in traffic pileups.
- Rear-End Collisions — These collisions are often caused by faulty brakes or driver negligence. The driver might not have paid attention to the distance between their truck and the vehicle in front of them. They were not able to step on the brakes in time and collided with the car.
- Head-on Collisions — Head-on collisions are often life-threatening. They occur when two vehicles collide with each other. Often, unsafe lane changes and overtakes cause these.
- Jackknife Accidents — During a jackknife accident, the trailer swings outward and forms a “jackknife” shape with the cab. A truck can skid uncontrollably or flip as a result of this 90-degree angle. Drivers who lack proper training can slam on the brakes too hard, causing their truck to jackknife.
- T-Bone Accidents — These accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, typically occur at intersections. They are often caused by truckers or other motorists disregarding stop signs.
- Sideswipe Accidents — Truckers could “swipe” the side of another vehicle, especially when merging into traffic or changing lanes. Semi-trucks are often involved in these accidents because they have blind spots on the front and sides of their vehicles.
Types Of Compensation In Truck Accident Claims
Depending on the specifics of the case, truck accident victims may be able to pursue a legal claim for economic and non-economic damages. These are the financial and non-tangible losses the victims suffer from after being injured in a wreck. Our Tuolumne County lawyers for truck accident victims can calculate and quantify your case based on the following economic damages:
- Medical Expenses — Includes all the hospitalizations, medications, treatments, operations, and rehabilitation you have taken so far and will take in the future.
- Loss of Earnings — Injuries from an accident can prevent someone from working, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity. Some victims even lose their jobs because of disabilities and disfigurement. Both lost wages and potential income may be included as part of your claim.
- Property Damage — This covers the amount you spent on fixing or replacing a damaged property, such as your car or motorcycle.
Non-economic damages are more complex to calculate because they are intangible. Your attorney can help present the following damages for consideration in your case:
- Pain and Suffering — Physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — A long-term mental health condition triggered by a traumatic event.
- Anxiety and Depression — Emotional distress arising from the injury and its impact.
- Loss of Consortium — Loss of companionship and intimacy due to the injury.
- Reduced Quality of Life — Inability to perform normal activities and enjoy life as before.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Diminished ability to experience pleasure and happiness.
- Isolation — Feeling disconnected from others due to the injury and its effects.
In rare cases, the court may award the victim punitive damages in addition to the compensation. This is to punish the defendant for an exceptionally harmful act.
Truck Accident Statistics In Tuolumne County, California
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), large trucks are defined as medium to heavy trucks that weigh at least 10,000 pounds. In 2021, 71% of large trucks involved in fatal accidents weighed more than 26,000 pounds.
Additionally, 5,788 people died after crashing or colliding with these massive vehicles in the same year. This is a 17% increase from 2020. Seventy-two percent of these fatalities were occupants of other vehicles. Eleven percent of these fatalities were non-occupants, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Based on NHTSA’s report, most of these accidents happened on non-Interstate roads.
FAQs About Truck Accidents In Tuolumne County
How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge In California?
Attorney’s fees vary in California. However, our Tuolumne County truck accident attorneys offer legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if you get your settlement or award. The payment our lawyers receive will be a percentage of the total compensation and will depend on the agreed rate. If there’s no compensation, you won’t owe us for hiring our legal services. Having said that, it’s important to note that there is a separate charge for other case-related costs, regardless of the case outcome. Before signing any agreement, our lawyer will discuss these and answer any questions you may have during your case assessment.
Why Are Commercial Trucks Dangerous?
The weight and size of commercial trucks can easily crush smaller vehicles. Fully loaded trucks could weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the average weight of a car is 4,329 pounds. Hence, the impact of collisions is also more severe, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
Our Tuolumne County lawyers at Arash Law have experience assisting victims in pursuing compensation for accidents involving commercial trucks.
What Are California’s Regulations On Trucks?
In California, it is prohibited to exceed 80,000 pounds in total weight, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). On single axles, weights up to 20,000 pounds are allowed. On tandem axles, weights up to 34,000 pounds are permitted. Moreover, the length of the kingpin-to-rear-axle (KPRA) on a legal truck in California cannot exceed 40 feet.
Your truck accident attorneys in Tuolumne County can use these regulations if the negligent trucker or trucking company violated them.
How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Claim In Tuolumne County?
Generally, the statute of limitations in Tuolumne County and across California for personal injury claims is two years. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, if you are pursuing compensation from the government, you can file a claim within six months of the accident.
Our Tuolumne County truck accident lawyers can help manage your case and file legal requirements within the legal deadline.
Call Our Tuolumne County Truck Accident Attorneys
If you are seeking adequate compensation to assist you in your recovery, a lawyer may help you navigate the legal process for your claim. Personal injury lawyers can also provide you with guidance and advice regarding your case.
Arash Law has a team of experienced attorneys in Tuolumne County ready to help truck accident victims pursue compensation for their injuries and losses. Our lines are open 24/7 if you have questions or concerns. Call us at (888) 488-1391.
We also offer our assistance to truck accident victims in neighboring locations, including San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Turlock, San Jose, Fremont, Santa Cruz, Madera County, Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Auburn, Lincoln, Roseville, Elk Grove, Sonoma County, Napa County, Vacaville, Clovis, Los Banos, and Salinas.
