When truck accidents happen, the occupants of the car that was struck — not the truck driver — usually sustain the worst injuries. Victims may be left with severe injuries and potentially lifelong disabilities. In California, you can pursue compensation for truck accident injuries if you or a loved one has been hurt.
Truck accident cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. That’s because the industry is heavily regulated, and liability may fall on more than just the truck driver. Maximizing your compensation means identifying everyone at fault. The Natomas truck accident attorneys at Demas Law Group can build your case and advocate for your rights while you rest and recover. Contact us online or call today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Natomas
Driver error is the primary cause of most motor vehicle accidents, including truck crashes. Examples of negligent driving include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Unsafe merging or passing
- Failure to check blind spots
- Making improper or illegal turns
- Tailgating
- Speeding
Vehicle defects also contribute to crashes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), four percent of large trucks involved in fatal collisions in a recent year had mechanical issues. The most-cited issues were tire problems and brake system problems, which could be a function of poor maintenance by the trucking company or manufacturer defects.
Cargo issues can also be a factor in truck accidents. Shifting, overloaded, and unsecured cargo can make it hard for semi-truck drivers to maintain vehicle control. In addition, cargo and hazardous materials, such as gasoline or chemicals, can injure other drivers if they fall or spill from the truck.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
Commercial truck accidents involve complicated factors that differ from typical passenger vehicle crashes. A truck accident lawyer can help identify the factors that apply to your personal injury claim, such as:
Multiple Parties
Liability may fall on multiple parties after a truck accident. You may have a claim against the truck driver for negligent driving, but you could also have a valid claim against the trucking company that employs them because employers are vicariously liable for a worker’s careless actions. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, you may have additional claims against the truck’s owner, the truck maintenance provider, the owner of the cargo, or a property owner.
State and Federal Regulations
State laws and federal regulations govern the trucking industry. Injury cases usually require a thorough investigation and an understanding of how these rules apply to a particular case. An experienced truck accident attorney with a history of handling complex personal injury claims can build an evidence-based case and cut through any red tape the insurance company uses in an attempt to diminish or dismiss your claim.
Injuries in Truck Accidents
Data from the California Highway Patrol reports that truck drivers were at fault for 88 fatal truck crashes and 2,447 injury collisions on the state’s roadways in a single recent year. Because commercial trucks weigh more and sit higher than passenger cars, these accidents can result in severe and fatal injuries for those in smaller cars.
A Natomas truck accident attorney can help if you or your loved one sustained the following injuries in a truck collision:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Shoulder and neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputation
- Burns
It’s wise to consult an attorney after any truck accident, but especially if you suffered a catastrophic injury or one that leaves you with a permanent disability. You must fully understand your losses, which extend beyond past and current medical bills and lost wages. California law also allows you to recover compensation for future losses like lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life, among other damages. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you account for anticipated future expenses so you don’t accept a lowball settlement offer that leaves you financially strapped later.
How Natomas Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help Maximize Compensation
Insurance companies look out for their profits, not your best interests. Working with a Natomas truck accident lawyer puts a skilled and strategic negotiator in your corner. They will stand up for your rights, protect you from pressure to accept an unfair offer, and defend you from bad-faith insurance tactics.
When you hire Demas Law Group, you get a legal team who will work tirelessly to secure every cent owed to you. Compensation for a truck accident may include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Future lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death (in fatal cases)
Proving Negligence and Liability in California
To establish liability for a truck accident claim, you must prove that the at-fault party’s negligence caused the crash. Our lawyers can do this by investigating the accident, collecting evidence, and determining whether negligence was a factor in the crash. We will:
- Visit the crash site, take photographs and video, and collect physical evidence
- Obtain the police accident report and your medical records
- Interview eyewitnesses and consult with case experts
- Track down surveillance, dashcam, cell phone, or traffic camera video of the collision
- Send spoliation letters to the trucking company and other involved parties demanding they share evidence in their possession, like driver’s logs and maintenance records
- Gather bills, receipts, estimates, pay stubs, and invoices to prove your losses
- Negotiate for full and fair compensation with the insurance company
- Take your case to trial, if necessary
All this legal legwork can be done with minimal disruptions to your life and daily routine. However, Demas Law Group is always available to answer your questions and update you on the progress of your truck accident case.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Natomas
The steps you can take after a truck accident in Natomas will depend on the severity of your injuries. Prioritize your health first and seek medical treatment. If you are physically able, there are other things you can do at the accident scene to help your case:
- Record the truck’s make, model, and license plate number, and get the driver’s contact information and commercial driver’s license (CDL) information.
- Take pictures of the crash site, your injuries, and the damaged vehicles.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Finally, be careful when speaking with the insurance companies. Do not admit fault, speculate on the cause of the crash, agree to give a recorded statement, or accept an initial settlement offer. Instead, tell the insurance agent to contact your attorney.
Contact Our Natomas Truck Accident Attorneys Today
Compensation can be a vital financial lifeline for victims of trucking accidents. But getting the compensation you need can be an uphill battle. Put Demas Law Group to work for you. Contact us online or call 24/7 for a free consultation with a trusted truck accident attorney in Natomas.
