Are You Entitled to Compensation After a Big Rig Collision?
For all its pastoral lagoons‚ extraordinary beaches‚ and idyllic landscapes‚ Carlsbad‚ CA is still a major hub of commercial and commuter activity. Situated only 35 miles north of San Diego‚ at the crossroads of the Interstate 5 corridor and Route 78‚ Carlsbad‚ like so many southern California cities‚ is subject to peak rush hour delays. Passengers and goods arriving at the airport must contend with congestion along Palomar Airport Rd‚ just as commuters heading south along the San Diego Freeway must deal with the inevitable construction. With all of this heavy traffic and heavy equipment jockeying for position‚ accidents are bound to occur. But when it is the result of an operator’s gross misconduct or incompetence‚ there may be enough cause for legal action.
Large commercial trucks and 18-wheelers are a vital part of the U.S. economy. They’re also a significant safety threat for motorists, particularly when truck drivers act recklessly or carelessly. Unlike accidents involving two passenger vehicles, commercial truck accidents are inherently more dangerous and more deadly. In fact, an estimated half a million truck accidents occur every year across the country resulting in 5,000 casualties (over 13 a day).
The Carlsbad truck accident lawyers at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers have the skill and resources necessary to hold trucking companies and their powerful insurance carriers responsible for the harm that you’ve suffered.
To discuss the details of your case with us, call (619) 349-1682 or reach out online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced trial lawyers today.
Why Do I Need a Truck Accident Attorney?
Truck accidents often occur on highways where vehicles are traveling at high speeds which, combined with the weight of the truck and trailer, can result in catastrophic, chain-reaction injuries for innocent motorists.
Truck accident victims often require extensive medical care and a lengthy rehabilitation before they can return to work or regain any sense of normalcy. You need a passionate and experienced attorney by your side during this difficult time to make sure your claim is handled professionally so you can focus entirely on your recovery.
You also need an attorney with the skills, resources, and courage to take on big insurance companies that deny or significantly undercut your claim. For insurance companies, their business model depends entirely on paying out as little as possible while simultaneously collecting as much as they can through expensive premiums. Getting insurers to pay up following an accident can be complicated and time-consuming. The Carlsbad truck accident lawyers are prepared to fight them every step of the way, even if that final step means taking them to court.
Why Choose Us?
The most crucial choice you can make following a truck accident is deciding who will represent you in your personal injury claim, and if necessary, in court. You and your attorney are part of a team, and at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we believe the lawyer-client relationship works best when both parties are honest, openly communicate, and trust each other. From the first handshake at your initial consultation to the final one when we’ve secured money for you, the Carlsbad truck accident attorneys will treat you with the care and respect you deserve.
Firm co-founder and managing partner Ross Jurewitz and the entire staff at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers have a deep understanding of personal injury law and know the tricks insurance companies try to pull to justify denying or underpaying your claim.
We are committed to representing personal injury victims, including truck accident victims, so we not only have the years of experience, but we have the resources and contacts to thoroughly investigate what happened, call on expert witnesses, recreate accident scenes, and seek every penny you deserve. To find out why so many in the Carlsbad community have trusted us to represent them, schedule a free consultation today.
Compensation for Your Truck Accident Claim
One of the most valuable skills a truck accident attorney possesses is the ability to determine the party or parties that you can take legal action against to recover damages. Multiple parties other than the driver could share responsibility for a truck accident. A skilled attorney will identify the potentially liable parties including the owner of the truck or trailer, the driver’s employer, truck manufacturer, or the parent company of the truck or employer of the driver.
From there, we can pursue financial compensation. Depending on the details of your case, we can recover the following damages:
- All medical expenses including future expenses related to your injuries
- Lost wages and lost future earnings from not being able to return to work
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of rehabilitation
- Property damage
In the state of California, victims of truck accidents have a finite amount of time, known as the statute of limitations, to take legal action. For truck accidents, victims must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident pursue financial compensation for their injuries. A Carlsbad truck accident lawyer will ensure your case is filed on time and before the statute of limitations deadline expires.
Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Due to the high volume of trucks on roads and highways, Southern California is one of the most dangerous regions in the state for truck accidents. Statistics from the California Highway Patrol reported over 5,100 injuries from truck accidents statewide in 2011 alone. Southern California alone averages 113 fatal truck accidents every year with almost 3,000 crashes resulting in injuries.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our dedicated truck accident lawyers know how to build a case and make the best argument possible to hold the other driver or trucking company liable. Some of the types of cases we handle include:
- Underride accidents – One of the most common and horrifying types of accidents across Southern California highways and roadways. Because of the trailer’s height, smaller vehicles can easily slide beneath it. This often results in catastrophic and often fatal injuries as the vehicle’s roof is crushed or sheared off in the collision.
- Rear-end accidents – Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, increasing the time it takes for them to slow down or come to a complete stop to avoid an accident. When they are unable to stop in time, the truck can plow into vehicles in front of them, often causing a chain-reaction crash.
- Jackknife accidents – This happens when the axles of the truck’s trailer lock up while the vehicle is moving, causing the trailer to swing out to either side at a 90-degree angle. With the trailer swinging out into other lanes it can cause serious accidents and multi-car pile-ups.
- Rollover accidents – This crash can occur as a result of jackknifing where the force of the rig swinging out can cause the vehicle to turn over.
Call us today if you were involved in an accident caused by any of the following common causes of truck accidents:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Improperly maintained vehicles
- Improperly trained drivers
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Disobeying traffic laws
- Changing lanes without checking blindspots
Contact a Carlsbad Truck Accident Attorney
If you were severely injured or if you lost a loved one in an accident with a commercial truck or 18-wheeler and are facing a mountain of medical bills and other expenses, the time to act is now. You shouldn’t have to suffer financially due to another party’s negligence and blatant disregard for your safety.
Our team of Carlsbad truck accident attorneys can’t go back in time and prevent the accident. We can do everything possible, however, to make sure your future is free of medical debts and other unexpected hardships. Take action today and contact the Carlsbad truck accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free case review.
In the meantime, check out our client testimonials page. We have represented Southern California personal injury victims for nearly 15 years, and our offices are conveniently located in Carlsbad and downtown San Diego.
Truck Accident FAQs
One of the most important things you can do after being in a truck accident is protect your legal rights. Consult with a Carlsbad truck accident attorney at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today to get started on your claim so you can get the money you and your family needs to recover from such a devastating incident.
Q: Was the truck driver involved in the accident negligent?
A: Truck drivers have the duty to operate their vehicles with the highest degree of care as required by law. If the truck driver committed any of the following negligent actions at the time of the accident‚ s/he may be held liable for all damages:
- Speeding
- Driving without paying close attention to the road
- Braking abruptly
- Turning too swiftly
- Driving while fatigued
- Tailgating or otherwise acting aggressively on the road
- Failing to stop in time to avoid a collision
- Failing to yield right-of-way
- Failing to report an accident
Q: Who can I sue after a truck accident?
A: With truck accidents‚ it is important to determine all the liable parties – the more there are‚ the bigger the potential compensation amount you can get. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case‚ you may have a viable lawsuit against one or more of the following:
- The owners of the truck‚ tractor-trailer cab‚ trailer‚ or freight;
- The truck driver;
- The driver’s employer;
- The manufacturer of the truck or any of its parts;
- A third-party maintenance company; and/or
- A parent company of the owner of the truck or employer of the driver.
Q: How should I deal with the insurance company after a tractor trailer collision?
A: You are not obligated to talk to the opposing insurance adjuster – choose not to do so. They can and most likely will use your words against you to limit your compensation. Consult with a trusted attorney and have him/her communicate with the insurance company in your stead. Also‚ do not sign any documents before reviewing them with an attorney first. This cannot be stressed enough.
Q: Is the trucking industry regulated?
A: Yes‚ the trucking industry is regulated by both federal and state rules and laws. One of the most important is the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations‚ which dictate just how long a truck driver can drive before s/he needs to get some rest. If any violations were involved in your accident‚ you may use the fact against the liable party to strengthen your claim or suit.
Q: What damages are recoverable in a semi truck accident lawsuit?
A: The compensation you receive will depend on the facts of the case and the applicable laws. Damages recovered in these cases generally include:
- Medical and funeral expenses;
- Lost wages and lost future earnings;
- Loss of quality of life;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of care and companionship; and/or
- Other damages.
Q: How can I protect my legal rights after a commercial truck crash?
A: First‚ get medical attention – your health is your top priority. Second‚ consult with an attorney who can help you do the following:
- Report the accident to your insurance company;
- Communicate with the opposing insurance company;
- Conduct an investigation of the accident scene;
- Gather evidence of liability and damages‚ including photos‚ police and medical reports‚ and so on;
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts and other professionals for an evaluation of the crash; and
- Negotiate a full and fair settlement or‚ if necessary‚ fight for your rights in trial.
Speak with a Lawyer at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers Today
Looking for legal help after a bad truck accident? If you have been the victim of one of these types of accidents or any wreck involving a tractor trailer in Carlsbad‚ it is vital that you speak with a qualified truck accident attorney as soon as possible. The trucking company‚ their lawyers‚ and the insurance company representing them will do everything in their power to see your claim or complaint done away with. Don’t let them spin you around or deny culpability. Get the compensation you want and the peace of mind you deserve. Contact the dedicated Carlsbad auto accident attorneys at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today at (760) 585-4640. Let our years of experience handling at-fault drivers‚ and the companies that may represent them‚ work for you. We are available to answer your important truck accident case questions. If it is inconvenient for you to come to our office‚ we can come to you!
