Who Can You Hold Responsible After a Truck Accident?
When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle‚ the outcome can be catastrophic. Their large size‚ coupled with the fact that they often carry hazardous materials‚ make trucks an especially dangerous road hazard. If you are injured by the driver of a commercial truck‚ you will undoubtedly seek compensation for your pain and suffering‚ but many truck companies will still refuse to pay. If you have ever wondered about the legal impact of truck driver negligence‚ keep reading to understand your rights as a victim.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident with a commercial truck or 18-wheeler, the San Diego truck accident attorneys want you to know that you have legal options for recovering damages. We are here to help you every step of the way from gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies to representing you in court. At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we know how trying this time can be for victims and families. That’s why we’ve made it our life’s work to stand up for victims day in and day out. We won’t rest until you recover every penny you deserve to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To learn more about your legal options, contact us today by calling (619) 233-5020 and schedule a free consultation.
A Unique Threat
As mentioned above‚ trucks pose a unique threat to motorists everywhere. Truck collisions make up a disproportionately high percentage of fatal accidents‚ and accidents are more likely to be deadly if the truck is carrying flammable materials such as gasoline‚ oil‚ or wood. These hazardous materials‚ not the actual crash‚ are frequently the cause of fatal truck collisions. Poorly secured cargo can also become unhitched while in transit and take unsuspecting drivers by surprise.
Although they are vital for transporting the goods, products, and materials we use on a daily basis, commercial trucks and 18-wheelers pose a significant threat to drivers’ safety when the truck driver, truck company, or other entity acts negligently. An estimated 500,000 truck accidents occur every year across the United States with roughly 5,000 resulting in death. Sadly, a number of these accidents could have been prevented. From brake problems, blowouts, or other mechanical issues to drivers falling asleep at the wheel because they’ve been behind the wheel for too many hours without legally-mandated sleep, there are a number of causes for truck accidents. Sadly, these negligent drivers and other parties put innocent lives at risk when they choose to act recklessly in order to drive more miles or get to a destination quicker.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Because of their size and weight, truck accident injuries can be catastrophic, life-altering, and many times, life-threatening. Getting on with your life a few days or weeks after the accident isn’t always a reality. During this time of physical and emotional healing, you shouldn’t have to worry about negotiating a settlement with insurance companies that will do everything in their power to pay you as little as possible or, in some cases, find a reason to deny your claim.
Truck accident cases can be incredibly complex and time-consuming, especially in the event that it goes to court. That’s why you need an experienced and aggressive legal representative by your side. The San Diego truck accident lawyers have decades of experience dealing with bad faith insurance companies and have the necessary connections to build a winning case. When you work with a professional truck accident lawyer you can be assured that every aspect of your case is being handled and cared for so you can focus on your recovery and your family.
Why Choose Us?
At the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we believe clients are part of our team. And like teammates, this relationship only works when we trust each other. Starting with your initial consultation and extending throughout your case, the San Diego truck accident attorneys will consult with you, and more importantly, be honest with you every step of the way. That means you can be involved as much or as little with your claim as you want. Unlike other law firms in the San Diego area, we specialize in personal injury cases only meaning we have the experience, expertise, and resources necessary for building the strongest case possible.
When you work with an attorney, paralegal, or other professional at the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we promise you’ll be treated with the respect and professionalism you deserve. These relationships can last months or even years. That’s why we get to know our clients and their families on a personal level, making sure all parties are comfortable with the relationship and informed on the case’s progress. You can rest assured that when you walk through our doors, you’ll be treated with a level of care and attention as if you were our only client.
What is Negligence?
Negligence occurs when an individual’s irresponsible behavior leads to the injury or death of another. Truck drivers are frequently charged with negligence after accidents‚ but in order to prove a driver acted in a negligent manner‚ the victim must establish:
- The defendant was responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the victim.
- The defendant failed to take these reasonable steps (exercise reasonable care).
- The defendant’s failure to exercise reasonable care led to the injury or death of the victim.
During a trial‚ the trucking company will more than likely have a team of lawyers and other experts at its disposal. If you attempt to represent yourself without extensive legal knowledge‚ your chances of winning your case will be very slim.
Establishing Liability in a Vehicle Crash
There will be times when it is difficult to establish that one party was solely responsible for an accident. When this occurs‚ the victim must identify numerous potential defendants‚ and in truck accidents‚ the driver may not be the only person responsible for the collision. The trucking company‚ owner of the truck‚ cargo inspectors‚ and even the maker of the truck can be held liable. If a mechanical malfunction caused the driver of a truck to crash into a victim‚ the maker of the truck can be held responsible in court. If the driver was untrained or undertrained‚ you may be able to hold his or her employer responsible‚ since it is the trucking company’s responsibility to ensure that their employees are properly educated and know how to safely operate a vehicle.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Like any motorist, truck drivers owe every motorist on the road a reasonable level of duty of care when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, like many other motorists, truck drivers act recklessly and put innocent people’s lives at risk. And while many of the most common causes of truck accidents are similar to all car accidents, because of the vehicle’s size and weight, the consequences are anything but normal. Many truck accidents result in gruesome injuries like broken bones, serious lacerations, internal bleeding, traumatic brain injuries, and death.
When 18-wheelers are involved, even the most minor of errors or reckless actions like failing to use a turn signal can result in catastrophe for drivers and passengers (especially when they occur on highways at high speeds). Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include the following:
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Inadequate driver training
- Trucks that aren’t properly maintained
- Distracted driving
- Failing to check blind spots before turning or changing lanes
- Speeding
Contact an attorney right away if you were injured in a truck accident. In many cases, there are more parties at fault than just the driver. An aggressive and skilled attorney can investigate every detail of your case and hold multiple negligent parties responsible to maximize your financial compensation.
Compensation for Your Suffering
Truck accidents are traumatic events that can leave an indelible scar on everyone involved. This is especially true when you sustain a severe injury after a crash and end up facing a mountain of expenses. If you are injured in a commercial truck accident‚ you may be able to get financial compensation for the following.
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages
- Current and future medical bills
- Transportation expenses (if your vehicle is totaled)
- Emotional trauma
Your ability to get financial compensation will depend on your willingness to work with an experienced attorney. There is no way to erase the pain you have endured‚ but you should at least be able to make ends meet if you are severely injured by another person in a truck accident in Carlsbad or San Diego.
Learn More
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers is composed of a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable San Diego personal injury attorneys. We know what it takes to win a case involving a commercial truck‚ and we won’t stop working until you get the justice you deserve. Contact us now at (619) 233-5020 to learn more about truck accidents.
