If you were injured in a truck accident that someone else caused, you might be entitled to compensation. Whether the truck driver, trucking company, or another party were at fault, the Irvine personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw could represent you in your case and help you hold them liable. We have the resources and experience to develop the appropriate legal strategy to achieve your goals and meet your needs.
Commercial trucks like tractor-trailers are familiar sights on roadways. Many vehicles like this are long, heavy, and carry various types of cargo. Although these vehicles are useful, and people rely on them to deliver their online orders and other products, they can cause devastation in accidents with small cars. The significantly larger size of a tractor-trailer is no match for occupants of smaller vehicles.
When another person causes your injuries, you deserve to seek the maximum compensation available. If your actions didn’t contribute to the crash, you could hold the negligent party financially responsible for your medical treatment, lost income, and other costs. You should not be forced to pay for these expenses out of pocket when the accident wasn’t your fault. The Irvine truck accident attorneys of OnderLaw are ready to provide the services you need to recover the money owed to you. Call us today for a free consultation.
If you’re thinking about filing a claim yourself, you should consider the negative ramifications you could face. You might believe you’re saving money by not paying legal fees, but you risk complications that could affect the outcome of your case. Without a lawyer on your side to guide you through the process, you could encounter obstacles you don’t know how to overcome, miss crucial deadlines, and submit incomplete records.
Insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented accident victims. If they know you haven’t hired an attorney, they might offer a lowball settlement and intimidate you into accepting it. If you don’t know the amount you deserve, you could end up with compensation that doesn’t cover your expenses.
OnderLaw knows how to negotiate with insurance companies. We will work hard to protect your rights, so you walk away with the money you need to pay for your bills. We understand the financial toll a truck accident can take. The last thing you want to deal with is additional costs when you’re trying to recover from your injuries. We take cases on contingency, so you’re not responsible for any upfront fees or costs. We don’t get paid unless you get paid.
A range of factors can cause an accident with a commercial truck. Operating an 80,000-pound vehicle requires special licensing, training, and extensive knowledge. Truck drivers must have a thorough understanding of state laws, federal regulations, and how to respond to hazardous situations.
Tractor-trailers and other large trucks are inherently dangerous due to their design. Two of the main reasons they’re involved in accidents are:
Truck driver error and other scenarios can lead to accidents with other vehicles. The most common causes are:
If any of these factors caused the truck accident you were in, do not hesitate to contact OnderLaw to discuss your case.
The occupants of small cars typically sustain more catastrophic injuries than truck drivers in collisions involving semis. They’re also at a higher risk of death than commercial truck drivers and other truck occupants. In 2019, 4,119 people were killed in accidents involving large trucks. Only 16 percent were truck occupants, while a whopping 67 percent were the occupants of passenger vehicles.
The most common injuries truck accidents cause are:
Disabling injuries are common in truck accidents. Permanent damage can result in loss of mobility and may prevent victims from returning to work or performing routine tasks. The physical, emotional, and financial consequences can be overwhelming. It becomes a significant burden if you’re dealing with chronic pain and can’t take care of yourself.
Determining fault after a truck accident can be challenging. Multiple parties could be to blame for your injuries. The truck driver could be responsible if they were under the influence, speeding, or texting at the wheel. The trucking company could also be liable if they knowingly hired an inexperienced driver or failed to perform routine maintenance on their trucks.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the trucking industry and enforces standards everyone must meet. If anyone violates these regulations, they could face hefty fines and cause harm to others during an accident.
If the truck driver or trucking company violated any of these standards, you could hold them financially responsible for your injury and resulting losses:
You might assume that the truck driver caused the accident, but their employer could be just as much to blame. It’s vital that you hire an experienced Irvine truck accident attorney immediately following the crash. OnderLaw can investigate and determine who was at fault so we know who should provide the compensation you deserve.
California is a fault accident state. That means whoever causes an accident becomes financially responsible for the injured party’s losses. The trucking company should have insurance for their driver to compensate for your medical bills and other expenses. All trucking companies must carry liability coverage with minimum required limits based on the weight of the truck and the type of cargo it’s transporting.
When you file a liability claim, you could seek compensation for losses suffered in the crash, such as:
The minimum required limit for trucks weighing under 10,001 pounds with non-hazardous cargo is $300,000. However, the coverage listed on the policy isn’t necessarily the amount of money you will receive. Insurance companies want to save money by avoiding large settlements and typically look for valid reasons to deny a person’s claim or provide a low offer.
OnderLaw can handle the negotiation on your behalf. If we can’t reach a fair agreement, we can file a lawsuit. We must adhere to a deadline if you want to sue the truck driver or trucking company for compensation. California has a two-year statute of limitations. That means we must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. If the deadline passes, you could lose your right to hold the negligent party liable.
In 2019, 118,000 commercial trucks were involved in accidents causing injuries. Fatal crashes involved 5,005 large trucks. The highest number of deadly accidents happened in September, and 64.12 percent were during daytime hours. Additionally, a majority of these collisions took place on non-interstate roadways.
A total of 4,119 people died in these accidents. Of those fatalities, 679 people were truck occupants, 2,757 were passenger vehicle occupants, and 633 were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Head-on collisions caused the most passenger car occupant fatalities, followed by side-impact crashes.
The Irvine truck accident attorneys of OnderLaw have years of experience handling cases like yours. We believe in fighting for accident victims and seeking the justice they deserve. We will be your advocate and work hard to secure the compensation you need to heal your injuries and get your life back on track. You can depend on our team to be there for you every step of the way.
Since 2002, we have recovered over $3.5 billion in settlements and awards for our clients. We understand the importance of achieving your legal goals after a truck accident. You should not suffer the consequences of someone else’s wrongdoing. We will take on the responsibility of your case and remain in your corner from start to finish.
If you suffered injuries in an accident involving a commercial truck, call OnderLaw now. One of our Irvine truck accident attorneys can meet you for a free consultation and help you get on the road to recovery. Call today.
