Los Angeles Truck Accident FAQ
Below you’ll find answers to common questions we hear from victims of Los Angeles 18-wheeler crashes:
Do I need a lawyer for a truck accident?
Let’s put it this way: trucking companies have legal teams on their side, so why shouldn’t you? Filing a claim and fighting for compensation is difficult, especially when it involves big bills and multiple responsible parties. Insurance companies won’t play nicely with you either. Instead, they will try to wear you down and avoid paying you the full amount you deserve. A dedicated Los Angeles truck accident attorney can guide you through the entire process. They can even enlist the help of an expert witness to support your case. Plus, if you need to take the issue to court and file a truck accident lawsuit, your lawyer will be ready.
How does a truck accident injury claim work?
After you report an accident to your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company, a claim will be opened and an investigation will begin to determine who was at fault. Your lawyer then collects evidence to prove the other driver was responsible for your injuries. As the investigation continues, you will complete any medical treatments you need during this time. When your treatment is finished, your losses and damages can be more accurately calculated and your lawyer can draft a demand letter to obtain a settlement for you. Typically, after presenting the demands, you will receive a settlement offer and your lawyer will enter a negotiation. Beware: insurance companies have ulterior motives when they reach out to truck accident victims. They may ask you for a recorded statement or present you with a lowball settlement offer. They want to close your case quickly and protect their bottom line, or, even worse, they want to find a way to blame you for the accident and dismiss your claim entirely! Never speak to the insurance company by yourself. Review all offers with your truck accident lawyer and direct all further communication to them.
How long does a truck accident lawsuit last?
So now you know more about how the investigation works, but how long does a truck accident injury settlement really take? The length of a truck accident lawsuit varies. From start to finish, it could take anywhere from a few months to a few years. As a general rule of thumb, all medical treatment should be completed before a truck accident injury claim’s value is calculated. If you’re still undergoing treatment, it could take several more months to receive a settlement check. However, you should never rush through your recommended treatments. You don’t want to reinjure yourself or get stuck with future medical bills and no help in sight! If the insurance companies are particularly stubborn, they’ll stall in an attempt to wear you down and make you settle for less. A skilled Los Angeles 18 wheeler accident lawyer won’t fall for their tricks!
How much is my truck accident case worth?
There’s no easy answer to this one. Compensation for Los Angeles truck accident victims will vary depending on the specifics of their case, the severity of their injuries, and how their accident happened. Settlements for truck accident cases can be life-changing, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. Rest assured we’re ready to handle big truck accidents today and every day! The losses and expenses we can help you recoup in a settlement are called “damages.” Find more details below.
How much does a Los Angeles truck accident lawyer cost?
Nothing. Zip. Zero. Not a single penny will leave your bank account, because we don't get paid unless you do! Most personal injury firms work for a contingency fee. This means when your case is successfully closed, your lawyer deducts an agreed-upon portion from your final settlement award. Their payment depends on your victory. If they lose the case, they don’t get anything. Still having doubts? Contact with a live expert now for a free, confidential case evaluation and learn more about your options.
Who is liable in a commercial truck accident?
To hold someone accountable for damage, you have to determine liability. Theoretically, this is done by proving the following: There was a duty. The at-fault party owed you a “duty of care.” This means they had a duty to behave responsibly and avoid harming anyone. There was a breach of duty. The at-fault party violated the duty of care with poor behavior. There were damages. You suffered damages, injuries, or expenses as a result of the breach of duty. Proximate cause: The at-fault party’s poor behavior can be clearly connected to the damages you suffered. There can be multiple liable parties in a truck accident case, from mechanics to drivers to the trucking company. Los Angeles accident attorneys will investigate all possible sources of compensation. First and foremost, in commercial truck accidents, trucking companies can be held liable for the actions of the truck drivers they employ. Trucking companies are responsible for adhering to federal trucking safety regulations and conducting background checks, vehicle inspections, and adequate training. Most trucking companies and their drivers are well-insured. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll be eager to hand over the compensation they owe you for an accident. You may need to file a truck accident lawsuit to get the money you need. Additionally, third-party defendants may be involved. A third-party defendant is a person or entity not directly involved in the crash but who still contributed to it somehow. Some examples of third-party defendants would be an auto parts manufacturer who produced a defective part for the truck or a fleet mechanic who failed to notice a problem while inspecting the truck. How can you prove liability after a truck accident? By collecting evidence that uncovers negligence, misconduct, or downright criminal activity by any of the parties mentioned above. This evidence may include the following: Witness statements. When it comes to determining fault, witness accounts from bystanders or other drivers on the road can be vital. Your Los Angeles truck crash attorney collects these stories. They also consult expert witnesses like doctors and crash reconstruction specialists to strengthen your case even more. Truck black boxes. The black box devices in semi trucks and 18 wheelers record important data about the truck's movements over time. This data can be used to determine speed, paths, drive times, break times, and more. (In December 2015, the FMCSA made it mandatory for all trucks manufactured after 2000 to have electronic logging devices in them.) Truck camera footage or other video. In recent years, many trucking companies have added cameras to their fleets. Whether the camera faces the road or the driver, the footage can be replayed to understand exactly how the accident happened. Log books and company records. Your truck accident injury lawyer can gain access to the trucking company’s records and driver log books and review them for any red flags. As you can see, truck accidents are complex, so it’s imperative that you review all the details with a skilled Los Angeles truck accident lawyer. By conducting a thorough investigation, they can determine fault and pursue the maximum possible compensation for your claim. Get help from a trucking accident law firm as soon as possible!
What is comparative fault, and what does it mean for my claim?
California is a comparative fault state, also known as a comparative negligence state. This means even if you were badly injured in a truck accident, you might still be found partially at fault, and any compensation you receive from your case will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a truck driver made an abrupt stop on the highway for no reason but you were driving above the speed limit when you crashed into the back of the truck, the trucker may be found 70% at fault for the accident but you may be found 30% at fault for the accident. In the end, your final settlement award amount would be reduced by 30%, i.e. if your damages totaled $100,000, you would only receive $70,000.