If you have been injured in a truck accident that was caused by negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

Truck accidents can be complex to investigate, and navigating the claims process alone can be challenging, especially if you are recovering from serious injuries. You need the professional advice of an experienced attorney to protect your rights and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to the seasoned Santa Clarita personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw, LLC. We have the knowledge and resources to investigate the accident, identify the liable party or parties, document and calculate damages on your behalf, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us by phone today to schedule your free consultation.

Why Do I Need A Lawyer? Why Choose OnderLaw, LLC?

OnderLaw, LLC boasts a team of experienced, award-winning attorneys dedicated to getting results for our clients. We have recovered over $3 billion in damages for our clients thus far. We are intimately familiar with California personal injury law and will work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you need to recover.

Our Santa Clarita truck accident attorneys know that every client is unique. We take the time to thoroughly review your case and understand your needs. Our team will handle every aspect of your case on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

Your initial consultation with us is entirely free. We will meet with you to discuss the accident and evaluate your case. We will explain your legal options and potential remedies, including compensation. Call us today to review your case.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents have many causes, but most are caused by some form of negligence, either on the part of the driver or another party, such as the truck company. It is imperative to investigate the accident thoroughly to develop a complete picture of what caused the crash.

Some common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Distracted driving – Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in the United States. When truck drivers get distracted behind the wheel, terrible accidents can occur. Common driving distractions include texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, using a GPS while driving, eating and drinking, and more.
  • Fatigue – Truck drivers work long hours and work on tight deadlines. Even though truck drivers are required to abide by specific hours of service regulations as set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), sometimes drivers will ignore these rules because they are worried about making deliveries on time or because the truck company pressured them to, in order to make more deliveries and increase profits. Exceeding the legally permitted hours of service can cause a driver to become fatigued, leading to accidents.
  • Drunk driving – Drunk and drugged driving are another common cause of truck accidents. Alcohol and drugs, including prescription drugs, cause disorientation, impaired judgment, and a slowed reaction time, which frequently causes accidents.
  • Poor maintenance – Sometimes, the truck company fails to properly maintain and inspect its vehicles. The truck company knows that the time it spends maintaining and inspecting its trucks could be used to make deliveries, and so truck companies will sometimes forego these procedures. Failure to properly maintain a truck and inspect it for potential problems can lead to truck crashes.
  • Improper loading – In some cases, cargo loaders may be the cause of a truck accident. For instance, if cargo loaders improperly load cargo or fail to properly secure it, the cargo could shift around inside a tractor-trailer or even fall from a flat-bed truck. Shifting cargo could also cause the truck to roll over, putting other motorists in grave danger.

Common Injuries Suffered in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries, and occupants of passenger vehicles tend to be more vulnerable to serious injuries than truck drivers. When fully loaded with cargo, a typical tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a passenger vehicle is impacted by a truck of that size and weight, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic.

Some common injuries that victims of truck accidents suffer include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Internal injuries and organ damage
  • Burns
  • Scrapes, cuts, and lacerations
  • Soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash
  • Paralysis
  • Death

While you may not immediately be aware of the full extent of your injuries, it is vital to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some severe injuries do not immediately show themselves, and a medical professional will be able to detect these injuries before they become life-threatening. Insurance companies also generally require that you be seen within 72 hours of a crash if you plan to pursue compensation. If you aren’t seen within that window, you could forfeit your chances of seeking the compensation you need to pay for medical expenses, property damage, long-term rehabilitative care, and more.

Who Is Responsible?

Determining liability in a truck accident can be much more complex than in a typical car accident. One reason why truck accidents are so much more complicated to investigate is because there may be multiple at-fault parties. Without a professional investigation into the accident, you may not be able to identify all the parties you could recover compensation from.

The responsible parties in a truck accident may include:

  • The truck driver – The truck driver is the most obvious liable party. If a driver caused an accident because they didn’t possess adequate training, or because they became fatigued, then the driver could be held responsible.
  • The truck company – The truck company could be held liable for damages if the investigation finds that they pressured the driver to violate hours of service regulations to make more deliveries, failed to provide adequate training to the driver, hired an inexperienced driver, failed to properly maintain the truck, or were negligent in some other manner that led to the accident.
  • The truck owner – Sometimes, truck companies lease their vehicles from another party. If the truck’s owner furnished the truck company with a faulty vehicle, and then an accident occurred, the truck’s owner could have some liability.
  • Parts manufacturers – If a defective part led to the accident, then the part’s manufacturer could be held liable.
  • Cargo loaders – If cargo was improperly loaded or was not secured properly, and that led to the accident, then the cargo loaders could potentially be held liable.

Dealing with numerous potentially liable parties and multiple insurance companies can be incredibly challenging even if you weren’t seriously injured. Insurance companies may try to offer you a lowball settlement that seems generous, but in reality is much less than you are actually entitled to. They may use other tactics to try and reduce or deny your claim.

That’s why it’s so important to consult with a truck accident attorney, who can conduct a full investigation of the accident and establish proof of liability on your behalf. An attorney will be able to identify all liable parties and all potential sources of compensation.

Compensation for a Truck Accident Claim

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, there are multiple types of compensation that you may be entitled to, including economic damages, non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Economic damages cover the monetary costs you may incur as a result of an accident. Economic damages may include:

  • Medical bills
  • Physical therapy expenses
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Long-term rehabilitative care
  • Loss of future income
  • Other financial costs

Non-economic damages are non-financial losses related to the accident. Non-economic damages may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Other non-financial losses you suffered

Non-financial damages may be difficult to quantify without the help of an experienced truck accident attorney. Because of this, many people end up settling their cases for less than the case is actually worth. Working with an experienced attorney will improve your chances of getting the maximum compensation available.

While not awarded in every case, you could potentially be entitled to punitive damages as well. Courts award punitive damages to “punish” particularly egregious behavior on behalf of the responsible party or parties.

The experienced attorneys at OnderLaw, LLC will review your case and help you seek the compensation you deserve for your losses.

State Accident Statistics

Statistics show that more than 250 truck accident fatalities have occurred each year for the past ten years in California. Over a thousand truck accidents occur on both Interstate 5 and Interstate 10 annually.

Truck accidents have also increased across the United States in recent years. In 2017, there were almost 5,000 truck accident fatalities nationally.

Contact OnderLaw, LLC Today

The attorneys at OnderLaw, LLC have extensive experience handling truck accident cases. We will guide you through the complex claims process and work tirelessly to help you seek the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today by phone to schedule a free consultation.

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