A Lawyer is Key To Protect Your Future After a Truck Accident in Los Angeles
While surviving a truck accident is a relief, the aftermath can bring many obstacles. How do you manage the legal process, insurance claims, and the burden of medical bills? A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer can help you confidently handle these issues.
Truck accidents involve many factors, and tackling them without help can be daunting. Read on to know why having a lawyer in your corner is the best step forward after an accident.
Quick Summary:
- Because of their size and weight, trucks are more likely to inflict serious injuries in collisions than cars. Collisions often result in life-threatening injuries like spinal cord injuries or brain damage, particularly for those in smaller vehicles. The recovery process is often long and complex, making truck accident cases more serious.
- Car accidents typically involve the driver and the victim. In contrast, truck accidents involve multiple responsible parties, such as the truck driver, trucking firm, maintenance teams, and cargo loaders. Identifying who is at fault is often more complicated and requires thorough investigation.
- The trucking industry is regulated with strict rules covering driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and safety standards. Violations of these regulations are often important in proving negligence in truck accident cases. Adherence to these rules is necessary for building a strong liability case.
- Due to the more serious injuries typically resulting from truck accidents, compensation tends to be higher than for car accidents. That includes medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs. Semi-truck accidents often lead to larger settlements due to the severity of the injuries.
- Truck accident cases involve a complex legal process, including strict deadlines for filing claims. An experienced Los Angeles attorney will ensure all necessary steps are followed, help identify all responsible parties, and gather evidence to prove negligence. This legal support is essential in maximizing compensation and ensuring fair treatment throughout the case.
What are the Key Differences Between Truck and Car Accident Cases?
Car accidents and truck accidents are different in a few key areas. Truck accident cases are more difficult because of the bigger size and weight of vehicles, the intricacy of responsibility, and the seriousness of injuries. Here’s a breakdown:
- Severity of Injuries: Truck accidents cause more serious injuries than car accidents. When wholly loaded, trucks can weigh more than 80,000 pounds. The impact of a collision often leads to severe injuries like brain damage, spinal cord injuries, and even death, especially for those in smaller vehicles.
- Number of Parties Involved: Car accidents usually involve two parties: the driver and the victim. However, truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturers, and cargo-loading companies. That makes determining who is at fault more complicated.
- Regulations in the Trucking Industry: The trucking industry is heavily regulated, with strict rules on driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and safety standards. These regulations can impact a truck accident case, as following these rules is a key part of proving negligence in a Los Angeles truck accident claim.
- Liability Issues: Determining who is liable in a truck accident is often more difficult than in car accidents. While car accidents typically involve proving one driver’s negligence, truck accidents may need proving negligence from several parties, such as the driver, maintenance crew, or cargo loaders.
- Compensation Potential: Truck accidents often result in more serious injuries, which means compensation is generally higher than car accidents. That includes medical costs, lost wages, and long-term recovery needs. Semi-truck accident settlements in Los Angeles can reflect the severity of these cases, offering more substantial compensation.
Six Reasons Why You Should Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Truck accidents can bring about many challenges. Here’s why it’s essential to have an experienced professional by your side.
They Guide You Through the Legal Process
The legal process following a truck collision might be challenging to understand. Your lawyer will guarantee you meet all deadlines and take all required actions. In California, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit, per California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. A lawyer ensures you don’t miss any important deadlines or details.
They Help Identify All Liable Parties
Several parties could be responsible for truck accidents. That may include the driver, trucking company, maintenance workers, and even part manufacturers. A big rig accident attorney near LA County can look into all these factors to ensure everyone responsible is held accountable. Under Vehicle Code § 17150, California law holds vehicle owners responsible for damages caused by negligence, which means more than one party could be at fault.
They Can Prove Negligence in a Los Angeles Truck Accident Claim
To win a truck accident case, you must prove fault. That involves obtaining evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and trucking company files. A lawyer can collect and present this evidence to show who is at fault under California law.
They Help You Understand Comparative Fault
You can still get compensation in California even if you’re partially responsible for the accident. That is because of the state’s pure comparative negligence rule. A lawyer can explain this and ensure your fault doesn’t unfairly reduce your compensation.
They Manage Semi-Truck Accident Settlements in Los Angeles
Insurance companies often try to pay out as little as possible. They may use tactics to reduce your settlement. A Los Angeles truck accident lawyer will handle the negotiations and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. They’ll communicate directly with the insurance company, letting you focus on recovery.
They Develop a Legal Strategy for Your Case
Every truck accident case is different. Your lawyer will assess your situation and create a strategy based on the facts, witness testimony, and evidence. They’ll use their knowledge of California truck accident laws to give you the best chance at a successful outcome.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in California?
California’s statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is two years from the accident date. That includes personal injury claims from truck accidents, such as those involving semi-trucks or 18-wheelers. You may lose your right to seek compensation if you don’t file within this time. The time frame for property damage claims is three years.
What Happens If I Miss the Deadline?
Missing the filing deadline means you can no longer pursue compensation, even if your case is strong. Knowing the deadline is vital for protecting your rights. There are a few exceptions that could change the filing deadline:
- Discovery Rule: If injuries or damages are not immediately visible, the clock starts when you discover or should have discovered them.
- Minors and Incapacitated Individuals: If the injured person is a minor or legally incapacitated, the two-year period doesn’t start until they turn 18 or regain capacity.
How Does Filing a Claim Against a Government Entity Work?
Different rules apply when a truck accident involves a government vehicle or employee. In such cases, California law mandates that individuals file an administrative claim within six months of the incident. This requirement is outlined in the California Government Code § 911.2, which specifies that if the claim is denied or not responded to within 45 days, victims can then file a lawsuit within six months of that denial.
This shorter timeframe emphasizes the need for prompt action when dealing with government-related claims. Failing to adhere to these regulations can result in losing the right to pursue compensation entirely.
What are Third-Party Claims?
Multiple parties may be responsible for some truck accidents. These can include the trucking company, manufacturers, or cargo loaders. The statute of limitations for these claims usually follows two years. Identifying all responsible parties and understanding California’s comparative negligence laws is essential for your recovery.
A truck accident attorney in Los Angeles can help you identify all liable parties, manage semi-truck accident settlements, and assist in proving negligence in a truck accident claim.
Injured In A Truck Accident? Call Our Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles Now!
Facing the consequences of a truck accident can be incredibly challenging—injuries, confusion about the next steps, and mounting medical bills. At Conlogue Law LLP, we understand these struggles and are here to assist you.
With many years of experience helping those injured in truck, bicycle, boat, and car accidents, we are equipped to address your complexities. Are you also concerned about dealing with insurance companies or ensuring you receive the compensation necessary to cover your expenses? We are here.
From helping you understand the role of a big rig accident attorney near LA County to working through semi-truck accident settlements in Los Angeles and proving negligence in a Los Angeles truck accident claim, we are prepared to guide you through every step. If you’re ready for assistance, contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help ease your recovery process.
