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SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a semi-truck accident in Los Angeles, California, Nevada, or Texas, do not wait to get the legal representation you need. You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. At The Truck Accident Guys Injury Attorneys, our semi truck accident attorneys help accident victims hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for their actions. We take on big trucking companies and their insurance companies to obtain the compensation our clients need and deserve for recovery. Call us at (833) 545-1644 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.
WE HANDLE SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENT CASES IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, AND TEXAS
Our commercial semi truck accident lawyers represent truck accident victims throughout California, Nevada, and Texas. We handle cases involving all types of semi-truck or 18-wheeler accidents, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Rollover accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Fatal semi-truck accidents
If you have suffered damages due to someone else’s negligence, you may have a viable claim to recover compensation. No matter what type of accident you have been in with a commercial truck, semi-truck, big rig, or 18-wheeler, we may be able to help you. Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a semi truck accident attorney from our firm today.
WHY CHOOSE THE TRUCK ACCIDENT GUYS INJURY ATTORNEYS?
- Our team has helped thousands of accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve for recovery.
- We have recovered more than $200 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.
- Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- We prioritize keeping our clients informed and involved throughout the legal process and are available 24/7 to take calls.
- We have offices located across California, Nevada, and Texas.
- With a deep understanding of insurance tactics, our lawyers effectively push back against lowball offers to secure fair settlements for our clients.
- We prepare every case like it is going to trial, so we are ready to fight for our clients in court if negotiations fail.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ACCIDENT WITH A SEMI-TRUCK
Your actions in the immediate aftermath of a semi-truck accident can ensure your safety and help with your potential truck accident claim. Our semi truck accident lawyers recommend following the steps below as best as you can:
- Call 9-1-1. You should notify law enforcement about the accident as soon as possible. Law enforcement can protect the accident scene from further accidents, investigate the crash, and create an official accident report. If you or any passengers have visible injuries, request emergency medical attention when you call. If you are physically able, you should also check on the truck driver. However, if you are injured, wait for medical help to arrive to get the medical attention you need.
- Exchange information. If you are physically able, gather and exchange certain information with the truck driver. You should get their name, contact details, driver’s license number, insurance policy information, and trucking company details.
- Gather evidence. If you can, use your phone to take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. You should also take pictures of the truck, including its license plate number and identifying logos or markings. If there are any witnesses, collect their names and contact details.
- Get a medical evaluation. You should be assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible after you leave the accident scene. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries and soft-tissue injuries, may not immediately be apparent. Failure to seek medical attention could also hurt your ability to recover compensation for your damages.
- Notify your insurer. Inform your insurance company about the accident. However, stick to the basic facts of the accident. We do not recommend discussing liability or damages.
- Consult a semi truck accident lawyer. If you have suffered injuries or damages, you should discuss your situation with an experienced semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. If you have a viable claim, an attorney can help protect your legal rights, deal with insurance companies, investigate the accident, preserve and gather evidence, and build a strong case.
COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENTS
Our semi-truck accident lawyers fight for accident victims of all types of commercial truck accidents, including, but not limited to:
- Jackknife accidents. Jackknifing occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward toward its cab, resembling the shape of an “L” or “V.” The trailer may swing across multiple lanes of traffic and hit nearby vehicles. Factors that contribute to jackknife accidents include speeding, improper braking, slick roads, and uneven loads.
- Underride accidents. Underride accidents represent one of the most catastrophic types of truck accidents. They occur when a passenger vehicle slides under a semi-truck’s trailer during a rear or side impact. Underride accidents generally result in severe, often fatal injuries because the top of the passenger vehicle may be sheared off or crushed.
- Rollover accidents. Rollover accidents happen when a truck flips onto its side or rolls over. These accidents often occur due to speeding, sharp turns, or unbalanced cargo loads. When a semi-truck tips, it may hit nearby vehicles.
- T-bone accidents. T-bone, or side-impact, accidents occur when a truck rams into the side of a passenger vehicle. These accidents often happen at intersections and may be caused by a failure to yield or stop for oncoming traffic.
- Rear-end accidents. Rear-end accidents occur when a commercial semi-truck hits the rear of a passenger vehicle in front of it. These accidents generally happen when a truck driver is speeding or following too closely.
- Head-on accidents. Head-on accidents occur when a commercial truck directly collides with an oncoming vehicle. These crashes are often deadly, given the combined speed and the truck’s size.
- Sideswipe accidents. Sideswipe accidents happen when a truck collides with the side of another vehicle. These accidents often occur when a truck tries to change lanes or merge into traffic and does not notice another car in its blind spot.
- Blind spot accidents. Semi-trucks have large blind spots where nearby cars and vehicles are not visible to the truck driver. If a truck driver fails to check these blind spots before changing lanes or merging, they may hit another motorist.
- Fatal semi-truck accidents. Unfortunately, many serious accidents involving semi-trucks result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with the sudden loss of a loved one.
WHY ARE SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENTS MORE COMPLEX THAN PASSENGER VEHICLE ACCIDENTS?
Semi-truck accidents are generally more complex than passenger vehicle accidents for several reasons. For example:
- Extent of damages. Semi-trucks or 18-wheelers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, or about 20 times the size of an average passenger vehicle. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks mean that the impact of a crash is often more severe, leading to catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Consequently, the medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other incurred costs can be substantially higher and devastating for victims.
- Liability. While many people assume the truck driver is responsible for an accident, determining liability for a semi-truck accident is not straightforward. This is because usually multiple parties are responsible for a semi-truck’s safety. Multiple entities, from the driver to the trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or cargo loaders, could share liability for the accident.
- Regulations. The trucking industry operates under a comprehensive set of federal and state laws, notably those enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations cover nearly every aspect of the trucking industry, from driver qualifications and hours of service to truck maintenance and cargo limits. Identifying and establishing breaches of these regulations can be pivotal in determining liability and pursuing compensation in truck accident claims.
- Insurance. Truck drivers and trucking companies have commercial auto insurance policies. These policies often have extensive coverage limits reaching into the million-dollar limits. With so much money at stake, you can count on trucking companies and their insurance companies to aggressively defend themselves against injury claims.
The examples above are just a few reasons commercial truck accident cases can be complex and challenging for accident victims to recover the compensation they deserve. You should have an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer on your side to take on the legal burden and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
WHO IS LIABLE IN A COMMERCIAL SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENT?
Determining liability in a truck accident can be a complex process involving extensive investigation and knowledge of trucking regulations and laws. In many cases, more than one party may be responsible for the accident. This is because many parties are responsible for ensuring the truck’s safety. Liable parties may include, but are not limited to:
- Truck driver. In many cases, the truck driver is at least partially at fault for the accident. Driver negligence, including speeding, fatigue, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws, is a leading cause of truck accidents. If the truck driver’s actions directly contributed to the accident, they may be liable for the damages.
- Trucking company. The trucking company may share blame for the accident if its negligence contributed to it happening. For example, if the company neglected to maintain its vehicles, leading to a failure, or if it violated regulations regarding its drivers, it may be liable for damages.
- Manufacturer. The truck manufacturer or a parts manufacturer may be liable if a defective part or the truck system caused an accident.
- Cargo loading company. If the accident was caused by poorly loaded or unsecured cargo, the company responsible for loading the truck may be liable.
DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIM
If you have suffered injuries or damages in a commercial truck accident, do not wait to fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Each state has a deadline for pursuing legal action called the statute of limitations. In California, Nevada, and Texas, the deadline is generally two years from the date of the accident or injury. You can learn more about each of the statutes of limitations below:
- California statute of limitations for truck accidents
- Nevada statute of limitations for truck accidents
- Texas statute of limitations for truck accidents
These time limits have some exceptions, especially when dealing with government entities, minors, or other unique circumstances. We recommend consulting with an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. We can determine how the statute of limitations in your state may affect your case and help you ensure you do not miss it. If you miss your deadline, your lawsuit may be time-barred, and you could lose your chance to seek compensation.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION TO SEE WHAT YOUR CASE IS WORTH
Have you or a loved one been hurt in a semi-truck accident in Los Angeles, California, Nevada, or Texas? You may be able to hold the truck driver, truck company, and other parties accountable for your damages. You may also be able to obtain financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other incurred costs.
At The Truck Accident Guys Injury Attorneys, we have extensive experience and success going up against big trucking companies to obtain the compensation our clients need and deserve. Do not hesitate to learn more about your legal options for moving forward. Schedule a free consultation with us today.
Our semi truck accident attorneys are available 24/7 to take your call. Call us at (833) 545-1644 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.