Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorneys

Truck Accident Lawyers in Los Angeles: Protecting Your Rights After a Big Rig Accident

Each year, approximately 90,000 big rig accidents occur across the United States. These incidents can have devastating consequences for those involved, including severe injuries, extensive medical expenses, and emotional trauma. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, having an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney by your side can make all the difference in securing the compensation you deserve.

Understanding Big Rig Accidents

With the growing U.S. population, the number of big rigs on the road has increased significantly as they transport goods between cities. Unfortunately, this rise in traffic has also led to an uptick in accidents involving large commercial vehicles. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight disparity between big rigs and passenger vehicles.

Why You Need a Skilled Truck Accident Attorney

The legal complexities surrounding truck accidents often make these cases challenging to navigate. Multiple parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, and even manufacturers, may share liability. Proving fault requires extensive evidence collection, such as driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and witness testimonies. A knowledgeable attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers have years of experience representing accident victims and securing maximum compensation. We prioritize ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive the financial support needed to recover fully.

The Costs of a Big Rig Accident

Victims of truck accidents frequently face overwhelming expenses. These can include:

• Medical Bills: Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment can quickly add up.
• Lost Wages: Injuries may prevent you from working, leading to lost income during your recovery period.
• Emotional Distress: Beyond physical injuries, the psychological impact of a traumatic accident can be life-altering.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

By hiring a dedicated truck accident lawyer, you’ll have an advocate to fight for the compensation you deserve. From negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary, our team ensures your case is handled with expertise and care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

Q: Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?
A: Liability in truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including the driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or vehicle manufacturers. An attorney can investigate and determine who is at fault.

Q: What damages can I recover in a truck accident case?
A: Victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim?
A: In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, consulting an attorney promptly is crucial to preserve evidence and build a strong case.

What Should I Do After a Big Rig Accident?

Below are some steps we advise our clients to take if they have been involved in a big rig accident.

1. Move to a Safe Space

Experiencing disorientation following a collision, particularly with a semi-truck, is common. First, take a moment to breathe and strive to stay composed. If your car is operable and it’s safe to do so, gently move it away from the flow of traffic to avoid any additional accidents. Always remember to activate your hazard lights.

In cases where your car is heavily damaged and cannot be moved, it’s crucial to safely exit the vehicle and find a secure location nearby. While staying close to the crash site is important for the investigation, ensure you are far enough to avoid the risk of being hit by other vehicles. Additionally, check on the well-being of any passengers in your car, ensuring their safety as well.

2. Assess Your Injuries

It is important to seek medical attention immediately. Although you may not feel any pain after the accident as a result of the adrenaline rush, many victims start to feel pain after a couple hours. Even if you feel as though you are not hurt and it is a minor accident, it is still advised to seek medical care to get imaging done to determine if there are no other internal problems. 

Common Big Rig Accident Injuries

• Whiplash
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Low back pain
• Dizziness
• Shoulder pain
• Pain in the arm or hand
• Ringing in your ears
• Numbness in the arm or hand
• Blurred vision
• Tiredness
• Sleeplessness
• Irritability
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Concentration or memory issues
• Death (wrongful death claims would need to be filed by surviving members of the family)

While seeking medical attention, it is important to constantly record the treatments received since it is necessary when filing a lawsuit and proving damages against the defendant.

3. File a Police Report

Immediately following an accident involving a big rig truck, it’s crucial to contact the police department. A responding officer will arrive at the scene to record all relevant details, creating an official police report. This report plays a vital role in your injury claim, serving as a formal record of the incident.

Be sure to note the name and badge number of the officer who takes your statement at the scene. Additionally, after the officer has completed and filed the report in their system, you have the right to request a copy of this police report for your records.

4. Gather Evidence

While you wait for the police to arrive, try to document as much evidence as possible. The less evidence there is, the more difficult it would be when asserting your rights against the defendant. 

First, gather information about the big rig semi-truck driver, including their:

• Name
• Phone number
• Address
• Insurance information
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number

Gather physical evidence, too. For example, take photos of the cars involved, and identification of any of the witnesses. It’s normal to forget small details in the weeks after the crash. Write down a record of what happened while you wait for the police to arrive. Taking notes will help keep the details fresh.

5. File an Insurance Claim

6. Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

Make sure to find a licensed big rig accident injury lawyer in your area. Look for a personal injury lawyer who specializes in these crashes and is located in the same region where the accident has occurred. Their experience and expertise can strengthen your case. Our attorneys have offices located in every major city in California and Nevada.

Who Are the Defendants in a Los Angeles Big Rig Accident?

Big rig accidents in Los Angeles can involve multiple parties, each potentially bearing some level of responsibility for the crash. Determining who the defendants are in a big rig accident depends on the specific circumstances of the incident. Understanding who might be liable is essential for pursuing a successful claim and recovering compensation for damages. Below, we explore the common defendants in truck accident cases.

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Common Defendants in Big Rig Accidents

1. Truck Manufacturers

If a mechanical failure caused or contributed to the accident, the truck’s manufacturer might be held accountable. Defects in components such as brakes, tires, or steering systems can lead to devastating accidents. For instance, studies have shown that brake failure is a leading factor in large truck crashes, underscoring the importance of holding manufacturers accountable when their products malfunction.

2. Government Entities

When road conditions or poor infrastructure play a role in the accident, a government agency or entity—such as Los Angeles Metro or Caltrans—might be named as a defendant. For example, if a highway design flaw or failure to maintain road safety measures caused the crash, the responsibility could fall on the agency responsible for maintaining that roadway. NBC LA frequently reports on local roadway conditions and infrastructure challenges.

3. Trucking Companies

Often, trucking companies are among the primary defendants in these cases. They are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, maintaining their fleets, and adhering to safety regulations. A negligent trucking company might be liable for accidents caused by fatigued driving, overloaded trucks, or poor maintenance. According to ABC7, trucking accidents have been on the rise in Southern California, with many linked to company oversight failures.

Why Hire a Big Rig Accident Lawyer?

It is very important to hire an experienced truck accident attorney to pursue your claims for you to ensure maximum compensation for your injuries.  Below are a couple instances how a truck accident attorney could play a role in the lawsuit.

1. Cover Medical Expenses

Our legal services are structured on a contingency fee basis, ensuring that you don’t have to bear any upfront costs for legal representation. Payment is only required if we successfully win compensation for your injuries. We recognize the significant impact of a truck accident, often leading to serious injuries necessitating costly medical treatments.

Act promptly to secure legal assistance and file an injury claim. With the guidance of a skilled Los Angeles truck accident attorney, you can pursue the necessary compensation to cover your medical expenses.

2. Determine Liability

In some accidents, liability isn’t always clear, especially if there are several parties involved. Our attorneys will work to gather evidence to learn about the negligence of the other party. 

Different factors can help determine liability, including:

• The photo and video evidence you gather
• The official police report
• Witness statements

Make sure to hire a big rig accident injury lawyer as soon as possible. Injury attorneys will help victims file a claim with the insurance company and against other potential defendants.

3. Cover Your Losses

Being involved in a big rig semi-truck accident can have a major impact on your bank account. You’ll need to consider:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Property damages
• Pain and suffering

Filing an injury claim can help you receive the compensation you deserve. You can use your injury compensation to cover your losses.

Otherwise, you’ll need to pay for these expenses on your own.

4. Handle the Insurance Company

It’s essential to be aware that insurance companies often aim to minimize the payout following an accident. Be cautious, as any statements you make can be used in their favor. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid direct communication with insurance companies unless you have legal representation. Having an attorney handle interactions with the insurance companies is beneficial. They will manage the negotiations for your claim.

Your attorney will focus on preventing the insurance company from leading you into settling for a lesser amount than deserved. They will thoroughly assess your losses to determine the appropriate compensation. Your lawyer will diligently work towards securing the compensation that rightfully belongs to you.

5. Build Your Case

Someone will likely clean up the crash site after the fact. It’s important to gather evidence before you leave the scene. Otherwise, you might not have the evidence you need to build your case.

Your lawyer can help gather the evidence you need to strengthen your claim.

6. Get Legal Advice

We understand that this process could be very difficult, and so if you need to seek legal advice, contact our attorneys today for free no risk consultation. We will offer legal advice as to how we will file the lawsuit regarding your personal injury case.