Truck Accident Lawyer

A dedicated truck accident lawyer from The JLF Firm will strive to maximize your compensation and obtain the necessary medical care and support that is essential to your recovery. If you’ve been injured in a California commercial truck accident, securing experienced legal representation is vital to your well-being.

Schedule a free case evaluation today.

Immediate Help from an Experienced California Truck Accident Attorney

Any motor vehicle accident involving large commercial trucks can be absolutely devastating to smaller passenger vehicles.

While victims who have suffered injuries are entitled to financial compensation for their sustained damages, insurance companies often fail to offer fair settlements, making legal representation necessary.

An experienced truck accident attorney can accurately assess the full extent of the damages suffered and aggressively negotiate to secure a just compensation, as insurance companies are not always forthcoming in offering a fair settlement.

Limited Time to File a Truck Accident Claim

California law imposes time limits to take legal action after a personal injury accident, referred to as the statute of limitations. The timeframe to file a commercial truck accident lawsuit is usually two years from the date of the incident.

However, in some instances, the statute of limitations can be reduced or extended. For example, claims against government entities, like a city garbage truck or USPS delivery truck), must be filed within six months of the accident.

Additionally, the “discovery rule” may apply in cases where injuries aren’t immediately apparent. This rule allows one year from the date the injury is discovered to file a claim, even if the standard two-year limit has passed.

Because of these potential exceptions, consulting with a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer as soon as possible is crucial. Failing to understand the applicable statute of limitations and meet all deadlines will prevent you from recovering any compensation.

Why Choose The JLF Firm for Your Truck Accident Case?

Large truck accidents often result in severe injuries and lengthy legal proceedings. From dealing with extensive medical treatment to losing income due to the inability to work, we understand the challenges injured victims face during this difficult time.

At The JLF Firm, we are dedicated to helping our clients secure maximum compensation quickly and efficiently. Our skilled legal team can provide the professional legal guidance needed to achieve an optimal outcome. Partnering with our personal injury law firm provides the following benefits:

Free Consultation: No obligation, free case evaluation to address any questions or concerns regarding the truck accident case
Thorough Investigation: Independent investigation into a semi-truck accident or commercial truck accident to identify all liable parties and determine the cause
Evidence Collection: Gather crucial evidence to establish fault and document damages, including police reports, the truck’s event data recorder (EDR) or black box, and medical records
Case Valuation: Calculate all losses, including economic and non-economic damages, to determine the full value of the truck accident injury claim
Methodical Negotiation: Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to secure maximum compensation, refusing to accept a deficient settlement offer
Around-the-Clock Support: We provide ongoing legal counsel throughout the process, from initial negotiations to trial, if necessary, to achieve the best possible outcome

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents can be influenced by numerous factors–some of which are exclusive to the trucking industry.

Although various factors can contribute to a truck crash, negligence—the failure to exercise reasonable care—is often the root cause. Some common examples of negligence that lead to trucking accidents include:

Truck Driver Fatigue: Operating a vehicle while drowsy due to demanding delivery deadlines, long working hours, and hours of service (HOS) violations
Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (either illegal or prescribed)
Distracted Driving: Texting, eating, looking at the GPS, or other distractions while driving
Inexperience: Trucking companies hiring unqualified drivers or drivers who do not have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or not providing adequate training
Traffic Violations: Disregarding traffic laws, such as running red lights or exceeding the posted speed limit
Improper Cargo Loading: Failure to properly secure the transported materials, leading to an imbalance of weight or cargo spillage
Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Failing to maintain regular truck upkeep or defective truck parts (brake failure, tire blowouts)

What Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

A successful truck accident claim should compensate victims for all out-of-pocket costs in addition to any anticipated expenses resulting from the accident.

A thorough case evaluation can determine the accurate value of your truck accident claim. Generally, truck accident victims can be compensated for the following economic damages and non-economic damages.

Disability
Emergency medical treatment
Hospital bills
Loss of earning capacity
Loss of wages
Medications
Medical equipment
Pain and suffering
Vehicle repairs
Vehicle replacement costs
Wrongful death

Economic Damages

In a personal injury case, economic damages represent the financial losses directly resulting from the accident. These damages are typically documented with receipts, invoices, and other financial records. Economic losses can be calculated by adding up all of the tangible costs, such as medical bills and vehicle repair expenses.

Compensation for economic damages also consists of calculating projected future losses. These are calculated based on factors like current income and the anticipated duration of the financial impact caused by the injury.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages (medical bills, lost wages), non-economic damages are more difficult to prove in a truck accident claim, as they are not directly tied to specific financial costs incurred due to the personal injury accident.

These damages compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. Essentially, they aim to compensate for the impact of the affected impact on the victim’s quality of life.

Should I Accept the Trucking Company’s Settlement Offer?

No. While an initial settlement offer might appear substantial, it frequently fails to reflect the full scope of a victim’s losses, overlooking less obvious economic damages, such as loss of future earnings, and non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.

In fact, trucking companies often prioritize minimizing liability rather than appropriately compensating the affected victims. While most drivers and their employers carry insurance, these companies usually undervalue claims to minimize financial responsibility in truck accident cases.

However, an experienced truck accident attorney can effectively counter these tactics, providing crucial support to injured truck accident victims, as legal representation ensures victims do not settle for less than the true value of their claims.

Identifying Defendants in Truck Accident Cases

Determining fault in trucking accidents can be complicated, because there may be multiple liable parties. Identifying all at-fault parties is crucial for a successful claim, as liability can be shared, and claims must be filed against the correct party or parties.

In California, the outcome of a truck accident case depends on establishing liability, meaning determining who caused the truck crash, which may include (but is not limited to):

Drivers: Truck drivers or drivers of other motor vehicles who are speeding, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws
Trucking Company: Negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, failing to maintain the truck properly, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations
Truck Manufacturer: Defective truck parts, like tires, brakes, or trailer hitches, that initiated the accident
Cargo Handlers: The company that loaded the cargo and failed to properly secure it, resulting in spillage or a shift in weight distribution
Maintenance Provider: A mechanic or body shop who performed faulty maintenance or repairs on the truck

Trucking companies can be held responsible for the negligent actions of their employees, including independent contractors. Therefore, if a truck accident is caused by the negligence of a driver, cargo loader, ground controller, or other company employee acting within the scope of their employment, the trucking company itself can be held liable.

Holding the company liable is preferred, as they typically carry more substantial insurance coverage than individual drivers. Depending on the at-fault party or parties involved, the party who was negligent in fulfilling the duty of care and caused a preventable accident will be liable for damages. Working with a semi-truck accident lawyer can confirm these details, so the liable party may be held accountable.

How to Prove Fault in a Truck Accident Case

Negligence is a legal concept crucial in proving fault in personal injury cases, including truck accidents. It occurs when one person or entity fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another party.

The Key Elements of Proving Negligence

To establish negligence in a truck accident case, the following four elements must be proven:

Duty of Care: The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff (injured party seeking damages). For example, the truck driver and company must operate their vehicles safely and comply with all state and federal laws and regulations.

Breach of Duty: The defendant breached this duty of care. This could include speeding, driving while fatigued, or failing to follow the California trucking laws.

Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident that caused the plaintiff’s injuries. It must be demonstrated that the serious injuries directly resulted from the defendant’s reckless actions.

Damages: The plaintiff suffered damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as a result of the truck accident.

Evidence of regulatory violations is crucial to establishing negligence. This can be found in various records, including driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, inspection reports, and cargo documentation.

Proof that a driver or trucking company violated these regulations provides strong support for a negligence claim.

Regulatory Violations of the Trucking Industry

Trucking companies bear the responsibility of preventing accidents through their own actions, as well as the actions of their truck drivers.

These precautions include maintaining the condition of their commercial vehicles with regular inspections, implementing thorough hiring and training procedures, and adhering to all federal trucking safety regulations. Unfortunately, these responsibilities are not always met.

Federal and state trucking laws exist to protect both truck drivers and the public. Key regulations include:

Hours of Service (HOS) Violations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates rest periods and limits driving hours for truck drivers. These regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue, one of the leading causes of accidents. Violating HOS rules significantly increases the risk of a truck crash.

Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Trucking companies must maintain their vehicles, ensuring safe operating conditions. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance are essential to meeting these requirements. Mechanical failure to the brakes or tire issues are examples of neglected maintenance.

Improper Cargo Loading: Cargo must be carefully loaded and secured to prevent shifting during transport. Overloading or improperly secured cargo can destabilize the truck, leading to loss of control or tipping over.

Driver Qualifications and Training: Truck drivers must possess valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) and meet specific medical and training requirements. Drivers lacking proper qualifications or training are at a high risk of causing an accident.

Recovering the Maximum Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

Following a truck accident, victims are entitled to seek compensation for a range of economic and non-economic damages to address the losses they have suffered. However, the insurance companies often make it difficult to recover the maximum compensation.

A Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help victims through the claims process and pursue a fair settlement. This includes securing compensation for medical expenses, both current and future, incurred as a result of the accident. These expenses should not be overlooked, especially because serious injuries are often associated with semi-truck accidents.

Lost wages and loss of future earnings are other critical components of damages. Victims who have been unable to work due to their injuries can be compensated for lost income. Additionally, if injuries result in permanent disability, victims can seek compensation for diminished earning capacity and loss of future earnings.

Beyond economic damages, victims can also recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. These damages account for the physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life caused by the accident. In cases of wrongful death, families can pursue compensation for their loss, including loss of companionship and support.

A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can evaluate the full extent of a claim and help maximize the compensation, ensuring injured victims are made whole to the extent possible under the law.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Due to their size and overall mass, accidents involving large trucks, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles can result in devastating injuries to victims. The most common truck accident injuries include:

Back injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Cuts and lacerations
Internal bleeding
Nerve damage
Pierced organs
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Scarring
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Whiplash
Wrongful death

Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries than standard passenger vehicle accidents, resulting in life-changing outcomes for the parties involved. Our experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorneys are dedicated to representing these injured victims and securing the full compensation they deserve.

Types of Truck Accidents and What Causes Them

The specific type of truck accident can provide valuable clues about fault and causation. For instance, a tire blowout accident could indicate negligence on the part of the tire manufacturer for a defective product or the trucking company for failing to properly maintain the tires. The following are some common types of truck accidents, along with their potential causes:

Rollover Accidents

Semi-trucks, especially when carrying heavy cargo loads, are susceptible to rollovers. These accidents can arise from sudden cargo shifts, often caused by sharp turns, abrupt braking, or collisions. Because of their inherent instability, even minor incidents can lead to a semi-truck overturning.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknifing occurs when the cab and trailer pivot, leading to a collision. While connected, the trailer’s limited points of attachment make it prone to this type of crash. The sharp angle between the cab and trailer can lead to loss of control and often involves colliding with other vehicles.

Lane-Change Accidents

Accidents involving lane changing with trucks often result from blind spots that obscure other vehicles from the driver’s view. Even with training, reckless driving, like improper lane changes, poses a significant danger to surrounding motorists.

Underride and Override Accidents

These accidents occur in rear-end or head-on collisions, highlighting the size disparity between trucks and smaller vehicles. In underride crashes, a car becomes trapped beneath a truck trailer, while in override accidents, the truck rides over the smaller vehicle.

Lost Load Accidents

When improperly secured cargo spills or detaches from a truck, it creates road hazards or directly strikes other vehicles. Adhering to federal cargo loading regulations and safety protocols can prevent these accidents. Failure to follow these rules can result in legal liability.

When the cause of an accident is unclear, an experienced truck accident lawyer from The JLF Firm conducts a thorough investigation, working with expert witnesses and accident reconstructionists to analyze the crash. By reconstructing the event sequence, we gather evidence to establish fault and liability, providing comprehensive legal support to help clients secure the compensation they deserve.

Steps to Take After After Large Truck Accidents

Knowing what to do after a serious truck accident will be pivotal to protecting your rights and well-being. Here are five important steps to remember after a California truck accident.

Stop and Report the Accident: Immediately pull over to a safe location. Then, contact and insurance information should be exchanged with the truck driver. Call 911, and file an official police report.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Even if you feel only minor pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent and could become fatal if left untreated. Additionally, documenting injuries with medical records and medical bills is essential for any legal claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene: Document the accident scene if it is safe to do so. Take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
Preserve Evidence: Keep all documentation related to the accident, including the police report, medical records, vehicle repair estimates, and any communication with the insurance companies. This is crucial in building a strong case.
Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney: Before speaking with any insurance adjuster, it is highly recommended to consult with an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney. An attorney can protect your rights, advise you on the legal process, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Why Do I Need a California Truck Accident Lawyer?

Truck accident cases are often more complex than standard car accidents, typically because they involve multiple defendants, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and other drivers.

Establishing liability, especially when multiple parties may share responsibility, requires a thorough investigation and careful presentation of evidence.

Furthermore, the catastrophic nature of many truck accidents makes undergoing the claims process incredibly challenging–especially when not in the best physical state. Injured victims who attempt to settle without legal representation are at risk of accepting far below what they deserve or even having their cases dismissed entirely.

A dedicated legal team possesses the specialized knowledge of trucking regulations and the resources necessary to hold all responsible parties accountable. This allows clients to focus on their physical and emotional recovery, knowing their legal rights are being protected.

Free Consultation from the Top Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers

The complexities of trucking industry laws and regulations demand specialized expertise. Choosing the right personal injury attorney is critical, and victims deserve a legal team committed to securing a full and fair truck accident settlement that fully addresses their injuries and losses.

The JLF Firm maintains a winning record in securing the maximum compensation for our clients, and we can help you.

Los Angeles Commercial Truck Accident Cases – No Win, No Fee Guarantee

Our California truck accident attorneys represent injured victims on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement means you pay no upfront legal fees. This means no upfront legal fees and no costs until we can successfully secure a settlement from the at-fault party on your behalf.

We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. This initial meeting allows us to evaluate your case and explain your legal options without any pressure to hire our law firm.

Other Personal Injury Practice Areas We Specialize In

Bicycle Accidents
Car Accidents
Dog Bites
Motorcycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Personal Injury Accidents
Slip and Fall Accidents
Uber and Lyft Accidents
Wildfire and Fire Damage
Workers’ Compensation
Wrongful Death Claims

The JLF Firm Corporate Office

Location Address:
8255 Firestone Ave, Ste 207,
Downey, CA 90241
Phone Number:
562-667-3104

Our Other Locations in Southern California

The JLF Firm has additional locations in the following Southern California cities: