Were you injured in an accident involving a commercial truck? Did the truck driver’s actions lead to the crash? If so, you might be entitled to the compensation you need to pay for medical treatment so you can recover from your injuries. The Orange County personal injury lawyers of OnderLaw are ready to take on your case and seek the money owed to you by the negligent individual or company responsible for the accident.

Commercial trucks are commonly seen on roadways throughout Orange County. Drivers transport goods and products people need in their daily lives. These vehicles are essential to the economy but can cause massive destruction during a collision. Unfortunately, the occupants of small cars typically suffer more severe injuries than truck drivers.

The Orange County truck accident attorneys of OnderLaw have been representing accident victims since 2002 and know the right legal strategies we should use to reach a positive outcome for your case. We will advocate for your rights and help you seek the justice you deserve. If you want to meet us for a free consultation to learn about your legal options, call us.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Truck accident cases can be complicated to navigate and can be challenging if you don’t have an experienced attorney to help. You’re dealing with strict deadlines, confusing paperwork, and communications with the insurance adjuster. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up losing your case by accident. Even if you can negotiate for a settlement with the insurance company, you’re likely to end up with less compensation than you need.

Insurance companies don’t want to pay large settlements. They might deny your claim or offer a low settlement and pressure you into accepting it so they can close out your case quickly. OnderLaw knows the tactics they use and will be on your side from the very beginning until the end to get you the money you’re owed. We don’t give up without a fight and are fully prepared to go to court if the insurance company refuses to treat you fairly.

Types of Truck Accidents

OnderLaw has been handling different types of truck accident cases for years. We’re familiar with state laws and the procedures we need to follow to get our clients the compensation they deserve.

Large trucks like tractor-trailers can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. They’re also much larger and sit higher off the ground than passenger vehicles. A range of scenarios can lead to any type of commercial truck accident. The most common include:

  • Jackknife accidents – The tractor and trailer parts of a commercial truck swing towards each other at an angle during a jackknife accident. When the driver overcorrects their steering or loses control of the vehicle, they can slide across the road, crashing into vehicles that stand in their way.
  • Intersection accidents – Approaching an intersection requires attention and preparation, especially when someone’s operating a large truck. The truck driver must slow down and start to brake if there’s a red light or stop sign and only proceed when it’s their turn. Unfortunately, blowing through an intersection could put another motorist on a deadly collision course with a commercial truck.
  • Rear-end collisions – Rear-end car crashes can cause whiplash, concussions, and soft tissues injuries. They’re even more dangerous when they involve trucks. Tailgating is a common reason for this type of accident. If the truck driver doesn’t have enough space between their truck and the vehicle ahead, they can’t come to a complete stop to avoid crashing into the back of the other driver.
  • Underride accidents – An underride accident happens when the front of a vehicle crashes into the back of a trailer and ends up underneath it. Sudden braking or merging without signaling can cause this type of accident.
  • Rollover accidents – Any vehicle with a high center of gravity can roll over during a crash. Tractor-trailers can tip onto their side if cargo shifts during transport, the driver maneuvers suddenly, or the vehicle’s weight isn’t evenly distributed.
  • Head-on collisions – A head-on accident with a truck can be fatal. In 2019, 29 percent of car occupant deaths were due to front-end collisions with a large truck. Driver distractions are common factors associated with accidents like this. The trucker looks down at their cell phone for a few seconds and doesn’t realize they drifted into oncoming traffic and the path of another vehicle.
  • Wide-turn accidents – Truck drivers need experience, accuracy, and preparation when turning right or left. They have to swing their vehicle out wide to avoid sideswiping a small car or ending up on the curb. Over or underestimating the amount of distance they have can result in a crash.

If you were in any type of accident involving a commercial truck, do not hesitate to contact OnderLaw. Only a skilled and knowledgeable Orange County truck accident attorney can provide the legal services you need to hold the at-fault driver liable.

Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents

Accidents with large trucks often lead to severe injuries. The violent impact between one and a small car puts the smaller vehicle occupants at significant risk of harm. If you’re lucky enough to survive the collision, you might need months or years of treatment to heal physical injuries and cope with the emotional trauma you endured.

The most common injuries in truck accidents are:

  • Paralysis
  • Crush injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Loss of limb
  • Concussion
  • Internal bleeding
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent scarring
  • Disability

Whether you suffered minimal physical harm or debilitating injuries, you deserve the chance to pursue compensation from the negligent truck driver or trucking company. If your actions didn’t contribute to the accident, you should not be forced to pay out of pocket for any expenses.

What Compensation Is Available?

The amount of compensation you’re awarded during an insurance claim or lawsuit will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injury, the total cost of treatment, and other details. Trucking companies purchase insurance policies with high limits. The minimum required coverage is $300,000. That might compensate for your total losses if you receive the maximum settlement necessary.

When you file a claim, you could pursue compensation for your various losses, such as:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage
  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Physical impairment or disfigurement

You could also seek exemplary damages if you choose to file a lawsuit. Instead of compensating you for your losses, an award of exemplary damages punishes the at-fault party for their misconduct. You must show the jury that the truck driver or trucking company displayed malice, fraud, or oppression to receive this financial award.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

California requires following a two-year statute of limitations if you want to file a lawsuit. That seems like enough time to prepare your case, but time could run out before you’re aware of it. That’s why it’s crucial to take immediate action following a truck accident.

Go to the hospital after leaving the scene. If you need to attend physical therapy, rehabilitation, chiropractic care, or another type of treatment, listen to your doctor’s recommendations. Healing an injury after an accident can be a long and painful process. Medical records serve as vital evidence in a claim or lawsuit. If there’s documentation showing a timeline of your treatment, it will be difficult for anyone to dispute the validity of your injury.

Hire a lawyer immediately after the accident. OnderLaw can handle your case while you focus on treatment. Since we’re up against a deadline, we’ll need all the time available to build your case and obtain evidence. We can launch a thorough investigation into the accident and find proof that the truck driver was negligent and that negligence caused your injuries.

Even though we have the resources to collect all the evidence we need, it would be helpful if you maintain records as well. Often, clients forget about a doctor they had an appointment with once or an X-ray they needed to get. Forwarding us any documentation you find can ensure we have complete records of your treatment.

Why Choose OnderLaw?

The Orange County truck accident attorneys of OnderLaw provide personalized attention to every client that hires us. We believe in open and honest communication throughout your case, so you understand the possible outcome we could reach. We don’t promise specific results or pressure you into any decisions you’re not comfortable making. We will advise you of your legal options and provide a realistic expectation of the compensation you could receive.

OnderLaw is available 24/7, so you can speak with us any time, day or night. We want to ensure you can reach us when you need us most to answer your questions and address your concerns. You will have a dedicated team in your corner to fight for your rights and help you hold the negligent truck driver liable for your losses.

Contact OnderLaw Today

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you shouldn’t face the next steps alone. OnderLaw is ready and able to provide the representation you need to get your life back on track. We work hard to pursue compensation from every responsible party, so you walk away with the money you’re owed for your suffering.

Call us for a free consultation if you were in an accident involving a commercial truck in Orange County.