Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney
Experienced Long Beach Truck Accident Attorney
In Southern California, accidents involving large trucks - semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor-trailers, and construction trucks - are on the rise. The number of fatal crashes involving large trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds increased by 14 percent, while the number of medium/heavy pickup trucks involved in fatal crashes increased by 19 percent.
According to the National Safety Council, California is ranked second in large truck crash fatalities, with most crashes occurring in Los Angeles County.
With the number of fatal truck accidents increasing, many drivers of smaller passenger vehicles are concerned about their safety. Practicing defensive driving and staying alert around larger commercial trucks can help, but everything can change instantly. A faulty truck part or distracted driving can lead to catastrophic consequences in large truck accidents, usually at the cost of an innocent driver.
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No Fees Unless We Win
Truck accident cases are incredibly complex. Navigating through a legal battle to recover compensation following a major car accident involving a large commercial truck - and most likely large trucking companies - require skill, knowledge, and resources that only an experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer has.
At Belmont Accident Lawyers, we put our full focus and effort into each individual case involving large commercial trucks, buses, or other vehicles. This kind of approach gives our clients a distinct advantage when pursuing the compensation they deserve for their catastrophic injuries and recovery. When you choose us, you can expect the highest levels of compassion and quality.
20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Our team of attorneys has 20+ years of experience helping truck accident victims.
99% WIN RATE
Our law firm has a 99% success rate and can improve your chances to recover compensation.
CONTINGENCY FEE BASIS
Our law firm will not charge you any legal fees until we win your case.
Do I Need an Attorney for An Accident with A Commercial Truck?
If you've been involved in a car accident with a commercial truck, you may be wondering whether you need a truck accident attorney. The answer is yes. Truck accident cases are complex and often involve multiple vehicles and parties, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and their insurance companies. These parties will likely have experienced attorneys working on their behalf to minimize their liability and pay out as little as possible. With an truck accident attorney, you may receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
An experienced truck accident attorney can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
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Negligence Leads to Truck Accidents
Operating a large commercial truck is no easy matter. Big rigs, semi-trucks, and other large vehicles can weigh tons and travel at very high speeds on Southern California roads. When these commercial trucks travel even at slower speeds, a smaller passenger vehicle will be seriously damaged in a truck accident. A compact 4-door sedan or small motorcycle does not stand a chance against a massive, heavy commercial truck in a car accident. The consequences can result in serious injuries or even death.
However, professional truck drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and responsibly when operating their vehicles, regardless of who is on the road. When these truck drivers fail to do so and cause a collision, they are acting negligently and should be held liable for the catastrophic injuries and damages they caused.
Common causes of truck accidents often include truck part defects, driver error, and weather/road conditions.
Some additional examples of negligence that can cause a truck accident include the following:
Driver Negligence or Error:
The leading cause of truck accidents is driver error or negligence. This can appear in many ways, but often a truck driver does this by failing to maintain proper truck driving procedures. This includes speeding, failure to follow traffic signals, poor driver training, failure to maintain safe driving during dangerous road conditions, driving while fatigued, driving while drunk or inebriated, or falling asleep.
By their very nature, commercial trucks present major safety issues. Even a perfectly maintained semi-truck carrying a full cargo load must be handled carefully. One of these large vehicles needs hundreds of feet to safely slow down or stop the truck. An inexperienced or poorly trained commercial truck driver might not know how to properly operate the truck to stop on time. Truck drivers must also deal with huge blind spots, making it dangerous for all passenger vehicles surrounding them. If a truck driver takes a turn too fast and does not check the blind spots, a truck could hit a smaller vehicle or even tip over and crush anything that is too close.
Defective Truck Maintenance and Manufacturing:
Truck manufacturing companies can produce trucks and truck parts that are defectively designed or improperly installed. These defects range from tire defects that cause blowouts, brake defects that do not work properly or stop working altogether, and carriage and latch defects. Improper truck maintenance also increases the risk of accidents. For example, if the truck is towing overweight trailers or the cargo loads are not correctly secured, the items being carried can shift and cause a crash. Even failing to follow the truck’s recommended maintenance schedule can have repercussions.
Trucking Company Liability
Commercial trucking companies can be held liable for a variety of reasons in California. If the company hired an unqualified person or an individual did not receive the proper training, then the company can be liable for damages. Improper hiring practices are a legitimate defense in a truck accident lawsuit. Or if the truck company knew about a faulty product and failed to act before an accident with their trucks happened, they can be liable.
Road and Highway Conditions
Highway construction sites and road defects are common causes of truck accidents. Debris can easily fall into moving traffic near construction sites. Since it takes big trucks longer to slow down, a semi-truck or tractor-trailer can easily hit the debris and cause a crash. Failure to read construction signs or becoming distracted by lighting while a construction crew works can lead to confusion and an increased risk of accidents.
Weather
Although Southern California has a reputation for having perfect weather year-round, this is not true. Rain, high winds, and even snow can come on suddenly and without warning. Experiencing bad weather can make driving dangerous for any vehicle on the road, especially commercial trucks, and big rigs. If a truck driver fails to pull over or change their driving habits when bad weather sets in, the truck can easily hydroplane or swerve out of control. Mudslides from sudden rain are also common on the coast or at higher elevations, which can quickly trap a vehicle or sweep it off the road.
How Belmont Accident Lawyers Can Help You Win Your Case
Truck accidents involving large commercial trucks or big rigs are more complex than car accidents with smaller vehicles. Not only will you have to fight against the at-fault truck driver, but you also have to deal with the trucking company. These truck companies are often multimillion-dollar businesses that have an army of attorneys at their disposal. They are trained to quickly handle any problem the company or employees create.
So if you become seriously injured after an accident with one of their commercial trucks, the business will do everything in its power to end any potential lawsuits by paying out well under what your truck accident claim is worth.
However, Belmont Accident Lawyers do not recommend you settle with the trucking company. After a truck accident, immediately seek medical attention. Truck accident injuries are usually life-threatening and require life-long treatment and care. These serious injuries require extensive medical treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation – all things that will add up over time. The small settlement a trucking company may offer will not cover your expenses for the rest of your life.
With the help of our Long Beach truck accident lawyers, we can help you:
- Manage your case – The trauma of a truck accident can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Trying to fight a truck accident lawsuit while you are still recovering can be overwhelming. You will need to know when to file certain paperwork, who you need to speak to, how much you can ask for your recovery, and so much more. If you do not follow the laws correctly, you could lose out on maximum compensation or not be able to pursue a truck accident lawsuit at all. However, a skilled personal injury attorney will organize and manage all aspects of your personal injury claim while keeping you informed as your case progresses.
- Investigate your case – Very rarely in a truck accident case is just one person liable. A Long Beach truck accident lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation of your case so all responsible parties are held accountable. Using police records, witness statements, medical records, and security cameras, our legal team can build a strong case to level against trucking companies, the at-fault driver, and anyone else liable for the truck accident.
- Help with medical expenses and lost wages – Medical treatment after a truck accident can last weeks, months, or years. Some injuries can cause life-long impairments or disabilities. Not only do these injuries lead to costly medical bills, but they can also affect your ability to work. This loss of income can be detrimental to a person and their family. As part of your settlement, an experienced truck accident attorney will make sure all of your medical expenses are paid. This includes past and future medical treatment, past and future lost wages, pain and suffering compensation, and much more.
- Negotiate with the insurance company. In addition to the truck driver, you also have to fight against the trucking company, contractors, manufacturers, and insurance companies associated with or hired by the trucking company. Belmont Accident Lawyers are skilled negotiators who will use evidence and develop strategies to argue the maximum compensation amount. They will communicate with the insurance company adjusters and all other involved parties on your behalf.
Contact Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyers
Belmont Accident Lawyers understand what you are going through. That is why we always put our clients first and approach each truck accident case with compassion and empathy. Not only will your case be in good hands with us, but we will help you with all your needs throughout the process. We are with you every step of the way and are available to answer any and all questions you might have.
Once you sign on with us, our investigators get to work on your case immediately. Using the resources we have gained through our experience, we can connect you with the best medical professionals and hire truck accident experts to better fight your personal injury claim. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in order to best accommodate you and your family.
Truck accident cases are complicated, but a Long Beach truck accident lawyer will guide you through the entire claims process. You do not have to deal with the insurance company alone. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a trucking accident, our Long Beach truck accident lawyers are ready to help you.