Even the safest Los Angeles drivers cannot control the actions of negligent drivers. Due to their size and mass, commercial trucks are subject to additional regulations to ensure safety. Truck collisions often lead to severe injuries, making these claims particularly challenging. Our truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a truck, Arias Sanguinetti can help. Our team is committed to recovering the best possible financial compensation for our clients. We provide award-winning representation and the support you need through every step of the process. Contact our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers today to pursue justice and financial recovery.
Commonly Liable Parties in Los Angeles Truck Crash Cases
Following a collision with a truck, establishing who is liable for your damages is the first step to recovering compensation. You won’t be able to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit until you know who is responsible. Establishing liability in a truck accident caused by negligence can be challenging, and often, many parties share the liability for a crash.
Some of the most commonly liable parties in these cases include:
- The trucking company
- The truck driver
- The truck manufacturer
- A parts manufacturer
- A maintenance company that serviced the truck
- The party that loaded the truck
- A third-party driver whose actions contributed to the crash
An experienced truck accident attorney serving Los Angeles can help you identify the liable party so you can pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
Why Should You Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles?
If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking collision in Southern California, hiring a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer from Arias Sanguinetti is essential. We can help you handle the litigation process so you can recover fair compensation for your damages within the applicable time limit.
A truck crash lawyer experienced in handling motor vehicle injury claims can take several steps to help you.
Investigation and Collecting Evidence
Our Los Angeles truck accident lawyers work with investigators to gather evidence, including crash reports, witness accounts, and medical records. This evidence is crucial to establish negligence and fault in a truck collision lawsuit.
Negotiation
Often, insurance carriers attempt to get trucking crash survivors to accept a low settlement offer. Our experienced lawyers are prepared to negotiate with insurance companies for fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
We won’t accept a lowball settlement. Our trial lawyers have the experience and resources to provide top-notch representation in court. Defense attorneys and insurance companies know this, so they are motivated to deal fairly with us.
Support
Commercial truck accidents resulting from negligence can be overwhelming. Our team of attorneys can guide you through the legal process, answering your questions and addressing your concerns.
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Potential Damages Clients May Recover After a Trucking Collision
If you or a loved one was injured in a Los Angeles truck wreck, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation in the form of damages. Truck companies may be held liable, and you could pursue both economic and non-economic damages to cover your losses.
Some of the damages most commonly recovered in these cases include:
- Medical expenses: Those injured in truck crashes often face substantial medical costs after a commercial vehicle crash. These may consist of future medical care, physical therapy, hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and more.
- Lost wages: As you recover from your injuries, you may be unable to work for extended periods, leading to a loss of income.
- Lost earning potential: If an injury results in a disability or chronic pain, you may lose your ability to perform at work, which can impact your earning potential over time.
- Property damage: Your vehicle and personal property may be severely damaged, requiring expensive repairs or replacements.
- Pain and suffering you experienced and continue to endure: You have the right to seek compensation for physical or emotional pain related to the crash, including the loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death: In fatal crashes, the loved ones of the deceased may be eligible to recover wrongful death damages such as funeral expenses, burial costs, and potentially augmented pain and suffering damages. You may also be able to recover damages for your own pain and suffering due to the loss.
In some cases, punitive damages may be pursued if the liable party’s conduct was willful, malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent. In other words, if they intended to harm you or acted in conscious disregard of your rights. Our experienced truck accident attorneys in Los Angeles, CA, can help you understand what damages you may be eligible to pursue and guide you through the process.
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Time Limits for Taking Legal Action After a Truck Crash in Los Angeles
When considering taking legal action after a truck collision in Los Angeles, it is important to understand that strict deadlines apply. The personal injury statute of limitations in California is two years.
That means you generally have two years to take legal action against the liable party. If you miss the filing deadline, you could be out of options for pursuing financial compensation.
It’s important to understand that the filing deadline is not set in stone, and the particulars of your situation can impact the amount of time you have to file. For example, if filing a government claim, you only have six months to take legal action. Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible is the best way to ensure you meet all deadlines in your case.
Another reason to hire a lawyer soon after the collision is that doing so can help them build the strongest case. Delays can result in critical evidence becoming corrupted or lost. Furthermore, any witness testimony supporting your case will be less reliable the further removed from the date of the crash.
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Pure Comparative Negligence in California
When assessing fault after a truck crash in California, the state uses a pure comparative negligence model. With pure comparative negligence, anyone who suffered damages in a wreck has the right to pursue compensation for their losses as long as they were not solely to blame for causing the collision.
Even if you were 99% at fault, you can still pursue damages. However, you need to understand that if you were partially liable, the compensation you can recover will be reduced in proportion to your level of responsibility.
For example, if you were 20% to blame, you would only be able to pursue 80% of the full value of your damages. If your level of fault is 90%, only 10% of the cost of your losses will be available.
Establishing Negligence Following a Collision With a Commercial Truck
To recover compensation from the liable party after a crash, you will likely need to prove that they were negligent. Four elements must be established to prove negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breached duty of care
- Damages
- Causation
Duty of Care
The first thing you must prove is that the liable party owed you a duty of care to act in a manner that a reasonable person would to ensure the safety of others. Proving the existence of a duty of care is typically straightforward.
For example, if you are filing a claim against the truck driver, proving that they owed you a duty of care is easy, as all drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road.
Similarly, when filing a lawsuit against the trucking company, their duty of care to you is clear, as these companies have a responsibility to everyone on the road to ensure the drivers they employ are properly trained and that their fleet of trucks is properly maintained.
Breached Duty of Care
The next thing you must prove is that the liable party breached their duty of care.
When filing a claim against the truck’s manufacturer, you can work to show that they cut corners in the manufacturing process or ignored safety concerns raised during testing.
For a claim against the truck driver, showing that they were texting while driving, speeding, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can all be effective methods of proving a breached duty of care.
Damages
The next step is to show that you incurred damages as a result of your collision. The easiest way to prove damages is through your medical records and expert opinions from medical professionals.
Causation
The final step in proving negligence is to show how all the pieces fit together. An experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help demonstrate to a judge or jury how your damages were the direct result of the liable party breaching their duty of care.
How Do Trucking Collisions Happen in Los Angeles?
Trucking wrecks are a serious concern on the roads of Los Angeles. There are several common causes of truck accidents, including:
- Truck driver fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to exhaustion, which increases the risk of reckless driving. This can be caused by understaffing.
- Distracted driving: Truck drivers who use their phones or other devices while driving can cause serious accidents.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Drunk driving by truck operators is a major factor in many devastating crashes.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Trucks with faulty brakes or worn-out tires are prone to crashes.
- Failure to adhere to traffic laws: Aggressive driving and ignoring traffic regulations can lead to dangerous situations.
- Manufacturer errors: Defective truck parts can cause sudden malfunctions on the road.
- Improper loading of cargo: Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo increases the chances of a rollover or loss of control.
- Blind spots: Large trucks have significant blind spots, making it difficult for drivers to see surrounding vehicles.
Many truck accidents can be prevented if trucking companies ensure their drivers adhere to strict federal regulations and safety standards.
Still, sometimes, these trucking companies take shortcuts to meet delivery deadlines or save on costs. These shortcuts can lead to dangerous situations, causing collisions with vehicles or pedestrians.
If you or someone you know was involved in a collision with a commercial truck, speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer serving Los Angeles who has the capabilities to investigate your crash and hold the responsible party accountable.
Injuries That May Occur From a Semi-Truck Crash
Collisions involving trucks are some of the most dangerous and deadly crashes on the road, with catastrophic injuries often resulting from collisions between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles.
Injuries resulting from a crash can lead to personal injury claims or, in the case of fatalities, a wrongful death claim.
Common injuries in a semi-truck accident caused by negligence include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Due to the significant force and impact involved in a trucking collision, individuals can suffer from brain injuries that may have long-lasting effects on their lives.
- Spinal cord injuries: A spinal cord or neck injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis, requiring long-term care and medical attention.
- Fractures and broken bones: The impact of a collision can cause severe fractures and broken bones, often requiring surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Burn injuries: An explosion or fire after a crash can cause severe burns that may result in disfigurement, chronic pain, and psychological trauma.
- Internal injuries: The force of a trucking collision can cause damage to internal organs, leading to life-threatening conditions that may require immediate medical attention.
- Loss of limbs and quadriplegia: Truck wrecks can lead to amputations or permanent paralysis, drastically altering a person’s quality of life and requiring lifelong medical care.
- Wrongful death: The sudden and unexpected death of a loved one is an intensely traumatic experience and can also cause financial hardship.
These severe injuries can lead to substantial medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or death. If you were involved in a trucking accident resulting from another party’s negligence, seek medical attention immediately and document your injuries.
Speaking with an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Contact Our Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorneys for Help
All traffic accidents can be devastating, but truck crash cases have the potential to be particularly catastrophic. If you or a loved one was injured in an L.A. truck collision, you may be eligible to receive significant financial compensation for your recovery. A Los Angeles truck accident attorney from Arias Sanguinetti brings extensive experience and a record of success.
Our team has obtained over $1.5 billion for our deserving clients. We understand the stress you’re going through and are proud to provide dedicated representation. Our services are offered on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win your case. Contact us now for a free initial consultation.
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