Truck Accidents

If you were injured in a truck accident, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim for your injuries. Negligent parties need to be held accountable for their actions. But, you may receive lower than a full and fair financial recovery if you confront them alone.

Trucking companies are usually well insured. Most companies have many layers of insurance coverage between them and the negligent truck driver who caused your injury. This means that it is vital to hire an experienced Los Angeles truck accident lawyer who can help navigate these complex insurance claims on your behalf. By doing this, insurance companies cannot deny responsibility for your damages.

At Alden Law Firm of Los Angeles, we understand how devastating truck accidents can be. Our experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney will fight relentlessly on your behalf. Our trucking accident lawyer will ensure that you get all the money you deserve.

Under California law, your compensation should cover your medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and your property damages repair cost. Our Los Angeles truck accident law firm will ensure that these conditions are met.

Why Should You Hire a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer?

Hiring Los Angeles Truck accident lawyers can help you in more ways than you can think. Los Angeles-based truck accident attorneys are knowledgeable in local statutes surrounding truck accident cases. You must select an experienced truck accident attorney to represent your truck accident case.

Most truck accident attorneys provide free case analysis. A trucking accident attorney will carefully review your truck accident case. They will devise an appropriate defense strategy based on the facts present in your case.

Truck accidents can be pretty complicated. A truck accident case will usually involve the driver’s trucking company. Our truck-wreck lawyer can help you collect evidence to identify the responsible party for your injuries.

Many trucking companies will try to dodge responsibility for your injuries. Our effective Los Angeles semi-truck accident lawyer can help you with this. We will communicate with these companies so you can get appropriately compensated for your damages.

The truck accident victim is often left at a huge disadvantage in a truck crash. Truck drivers are usually backed by their truck company while the victim is left with no defense. Our Los Angeles personal injury attorney will not let this happen to you. We will represent you on your behalf so you will receive the justice you deserve.

Types of Truck Accident Cases Our Los Angeles Personal Injury Law Firm Handles

A commercial truck accident case can be classified into three categories depending on the nature of the collision. Truck accidents can be head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, or jackknife collisions. We provided a brief description of these categories below.

• Head-on:

  Head-on collision happens when a truck collides with another vehicle’s front end. These trucking accidents are often severe and catastrophic. Head-on collision victims often suffer from severe head and brain injuries.

• Rear-end: A rear-end collision is when a motor vehicle crashes with the truck’s rear end, or vice-versa. These collisions happen when the car in front comes to an abrupt stop. The vehicle behind will not have enough time to hit the brake and collide with the car in front. This can cause severe head injuries or occupant ejection.
• Jackknife: Jackknifing happens when a truck driver skids. When a driver skids, they will naturally try to correct it, but the trailer can push the tractor until they crash if the timing is off. Improper braking or equipment failure can cause these accidents. Jackknife collisions are often associated with severe injuries or death.

If you suffer injuries from a truck accident, you are entitled to truck accident claims. Your Los Angeles truck accident lawyer will help you file a truck accident lawsuit and hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries.

Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Los Angeles

Several factors cause truck accidents. Some of these factors are external and uncontrollable such as inclement weather or road hazards. But in most truck accident cases, negligence is the leading cause of a commercial truck accident.

As mentioned above, negligence is the primary causative factor of a truck accident. Negligent driving can cause serious injuries to the affected victims. Suppose you are a victim of a negligent driver. In that case, you should speak with your attorney as soon as possible to discuss your recoverable damages.

Truck driver fatigue is also a cause of truck accidents. Exhausted truck drivers have poor response time and decreased attention. This puts everyone in the roadway at risk for truck accident injuries. Fatigued truck drivers should be given ample time to rest before hitting the road.

A roadway hazard is also a known factor in causing truck accidents in Los Angeles. Though this is uncontrollable on the truck driver’s end, they should observe extreme care when driving through a damaged road. It would be best if they avoid entirely going through these roads.

Life-Altering Injuries Resulting From a Truck Accident

Truck accident injuries are often related to catastrophic and permanent injuries. Injured victims may permanently lose their ability to use certain body parts due to the accident. Regardless of the severity of your sustained injuries, a victim is entitled to receive compensation through a truck accident injury claim for their damages.

Some of the common truck accident injuries are head and brain injuries. Brain injuries are often severe, especially if the victim suffers from traumatic brain injury. TBI patients often suffer from retrograde amnesia after a truck accident. A victim may even lose several body functions from a severe TBI.

Back and spinal cord injuries are also commonly related to a truck accident. When victims hit their back during an accident, they may suffer from spinal cord injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, a victim may develop partial or total body paralysis. In some reported cases, spinal cord injury patients lose some of their senses.

Depending on the nature of the accident, a victim may even encounter burn injuries and crushing injuries. Burn injuries are treatable. However, severe cases may require a skin graft. Crushing injuries are often devastating. Crush injuries are often related to necrosis or body tissue death.

Damages That Truck Accident Victims Can Recover

Truck accident victims are entitled to recover compensation for their damages. The monetary compensation a victim will receive from the accident is referred to as ‘damages.’ Damages can be classified into two types, namely non-economic and economic damages.

Economic damages are financially affecting factors. This type of damage includes the victim’s incurred medical expenses. An example of these is the victim’s medical bills or treatment expenses. Other economic damages include lost wages and property damages.

Victims should preserve their medical records or chart notes. This will prove that the victim received an injury due to the defendant’s negligence. For lost wages, the victim’s employer will need to provide a copy of a document indicating the victim’s missed hours caused by their injury.

Non-economic damages are non-financially impacting factors. Non-monetary damages are often related to the victim’s mental and emotional state after the accident.

Victims suffering from severe mental health issues may demand compensation from the defendant. But, they will need to establish that their declining mental health condition is rooted in the accident. Spouses who lost their significant other in a truck accident may seek compensation. This compensation is called a ‘loss of consortium.’

You must speak with a lawyer if you suffer from an injury after an accident. They will help you recover money from the accident, which can help you with your recovery.

Types of Vehicles Involved in Truck Accidents

Several types of vehicles may be involved in a truck accident. Because of the truck’s enormous size, they are not uncommon to affect other vehicles during a truck collision.

Commercial trucks are the most common type of truck involved in a trucking accident. Big rigs and 18-wheeler trucks are commercial trucks known for their massive sizes. These truck giants are usually engaged in catastrophic truck accident cases.

Another type of commercial truck is a delivery truck. Great examples of these trucks are UPS trucks, FedEx, and Amazon trucks. These trucks are much smaller than semi-trailer trucks. But their size does not exempt them from encountering truck accidents.

Industrial trucks such as cement trucks and tow trucks are commonly involved in truck accidents. A truck accident is not only limited to a truck-to-truck accident. Other types of vehicles are also commonly associated with a trucking incident.

Bicycles and regular passenger vehicles are commonly involved in truck collisions. Pedalcyclists who are caught in a truck collision suffer the most damage. Bikes do not offer enough protection, unlike passenger vehicles. This is why pedal cyclists should be more aware when riding near a truck.

Proving Liability After a Los Angeles Trucking Accident

Proving liability in a truck crash accident can be challenging. Most truck collision cases usually involve a third party. The truck company will not easily admit liability for the accident, and the victim should not accept low settlement offers. This is why a truck accident is carefully studied before appointing liabilities.

The truck manufacturer can also be held liable for the accident. Suppose the accident was proven to be caused by a design defect or manufacturing defect. In that case, the truck accident victim can hold the manufacturing company liable for their damages. A great example of a manufacturing or design defect is a faulty brake.

The court can also give the liability to another driver. Suppose another negligent motor vehicle driver, other than the victim and the truck driver, caused the accident. In that case, the responsible driver will need to take responsibility for the accident.

A government entity can also be held liable for the accident. Poor road maintenance could cause potholes and other roadway hazards. These hazards can potentially cause a truck accident. In this case, the government entity responsible for maintaining the condition of the road can be held liable for the accident.

Things You Should Do Right After Your Truck Accident in Los Angeles

A truck accident can sometimes cause devastating injuries to the affected victim. If you are injured in a truck accident, you must seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible. This will prevent further worsening of your injuries. If you are safe from any harm, you should call the emergency services for other injured parties.

If you did not sustain any severe injuries, you should gather evidence at the accident scene. Take photographs of your injuries, the accident, and the damage to your vehicle. If there are any witnesses around, you should try to get their contact information to get witness testimonials for your truck accident claim.

You must get the truck driver’s contact and insurance information. Try to get the truck driver’s employer information. They can also be held liable for your incurred damages. If a third automobile is involved in the accident, you should obtain the third driver’s information.

Contacting a Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyer is one of the most critical steps you should take after a truck accident. A truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your damages. They will ensure that you understand your rights and your situation. Seeking the help of an attorney will prevent you from making the wrong decisions for your case.

Truck Accident Statistics in Los Angeles, CA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently published a report documenting the truck fatalities reported for the past years. In the 2019 report of the department mentioned above, the state of California noted 385 instances of Large Trucks involved in fatal crashes.

The following statistical data shows the annual number of fatal truck crashes. The scope of the statistical graph below goes from 2015 to 2019:

• 2019: 385 total fatalities
• 2018: 362 total fatalities
• 2017: 361 total fatalities
• 2016: 358 total fatalities
• 2015: 300 total fatalities

The United States Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) published a Fatality report involving large trucks in 2019. This report was released in March 2021. In 2019, the USA reported 4,119 deaths in large truck accidents.

• 2019: 4,119 occupant deaths
• 2018: 4,164 occupant deaths
• 2017: 4,115 occupant deaths
• 2016: 4,023 occupant deaths
• 2015: 3,876 occupant deaths

The total death report involves both passenger vehicle occupants and truck vehicle occupants. Motorcyclists, pedal cyclists, and pedestrians are also included in the scope of the entire death report. This statistic shows an increase in the number of truck accident-related deaths from the year 2015 to 2019.

Why Choose Alden Law Firm for Your Los Angeles Truck Accident Claim?

Hiring a lawyer is beneficial for both involved parties. As discussed in previous sections, hiring a lawyer can help you shed light on the accident. Experienced truck accident lawyers will help you recover the maximum compensation you can receive for your damages.

Alden Law Firm of Los Angeles provides quality legal help to probate and personal injury victims. Through our effective client representation, we were able to max out our client’s compensation. Because of this, we received countless commendations for the quality of service we delivered from our previous clients.

Matthew Alden, Esq., is an honest and reliable truck accident lawyer. His solution-oriented perspective allowed him to finish crucial cases seamlessly and on time. During his years in Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, he was the recipient of the Fritz Burns Scholarship.

Alden Law Firm of Los Angeles believes that no victims should suffer from the negligence of a truck driver. Matthew Alden, Esq., built our law firm to provide top-notch quality representation for every victim unaware of their rights in a truck accident.

Our lead lawyer offers free case evaluation. During the case evaluation, he will thoroughly explain your situation and create an effective defense strategy for your case.

Los Angeles Truck Accident FAQs

A Los Angeles truck accident case can be confusing for some people. Our law firm compiled a list of frequently inquired questions from our previous clients.