California is no stranger to intense rush hours and confusing traffic patterns, especially around the Los Angeles area. As a major shipping and transport hub on the West Coast, Los Angeles is the destination and departing station of thousands of commercial trucks every week. With so many trucks on the roads around Los Angeles, comes an increased risk of semi-truck accidents involving other cars, trucks, motorcycles, or bikes.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in the Los Angeles area, don’t accept the first settlement offer you’re given. Speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer at BD&J to learn more about your rights and what you can claim as compensation.
How Do Truck Accidents Happen?
Truck accidents can involve many complex factors that contribute to how often they occur and how severe they are. Generally, truck accidents are caused by some form of negligence or recklessness that places others in danger. Inclement weather conditions and poor roads can also contribute greatly to the frequency of truck accidents. In places like Los Angeles, road conditions and reckless or negligent driving are the most likely causes of truck accidents.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Los Angeles Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents are one of the most devastating road collisions possible. Not only are trucks much larger and heavier than personal vehicles, they also can be hauling dangerous cargo that could injure others in an accident. Truck drivers, shipping companies, and truck manufacturers have a serious responsibility to keep others safe on the road. At BD&J, the most common injuries we see in truck accident lawsuits in Los Angeles are:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputations
- Burn injuries
- Internal injuries
- Bruising and lacerations
If you’re involved in a truck accident in the Los Angeles area, seek medical attention right away, even if you think you’re fine.
Who is Liable for Los Angeles Truck Accidents?
There are many parties involved in getting a truck from point A to point B. In truck accidents, many look to the truck driver as the responsible party but others could also be at fault. Cargo loaders could have improperly loaded the truck’s trailer in a way that makes the truck unstable or difficult to stop. Manufacturers of the truck itself may have constructed the vehicle with a faulty part or defect. Truck maintenance workers could have incorrectly handled an aspect of the truck’s maintenance. The shipping company could also have implemented dangerous policies that push drivers to act unsafely in order to meet deadlines or quotas. A Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help you determine who may be at fault for your injuries.
What if I Can’t Afford a Los Angeles Truck Accident Attorney?
It’s no secret that lawyers can be expensive. Luckily, those who were injured in Los Angeles truck accidents can still seek compensation without paying anything upfront. Contingency fees help ensure equal access to quality legal representation for clients of all incomes. Clients pay nothing out of pocket when retaining a contingency fee lawyer. They can simply choose to pay an agreed percentage of their award after settling their case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I was hit by a truck?
If you’ve been hit by a truck, call 911 to report the accident and get medical attention right away. Move your vehicle if it’s safe to do so to avoid blocking traffic. Collect license plate, insurance policy, contact, and company information for the truck driver involved in the crash and share your own information, too. Make sure to take plenty of photos and videos of the accident scene to help support your claim. If any witnesses stop to help, ask for their contact information as well. Their testimony could help you claim compensation.
Can I still get compensated for a truck accident if I was partially at fault?
Yes! California operates under comparative fault. This means that drivers involved in an accident are given a percentage of responsibility over the accident occurring. When it’s time to negotiate a settlement amount, the plaintiff’s award is simply reduced by the percentage of their fault.
How long do truck accident lawsuits take?
Because truck accident lawsuits often involve numerous parties and an extensive investigation and discovery stage, they can often take much longer than a traditional car accident case. Typically, BD&J can secure compensation for truck accident victims over the course of several months to over a year.
What can truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles do to help?
Truck accident lawyers are tough and knowledgeable professionals with a mind for challenges. They are fearless in the face of corporate legal teams and insurance adjuster intimidation tactics. The truck accident lawyers at BD&J can communicate with the at-fault party on your behalf, negotiating aggressively for your full recovery. They can also investigate the truck accident on their own and collect evidence others may have missed to support your claim.
Who do I sue in a truck accident lawsuit?
Every truck accident lawsuit is different, but many claims target the driver or shipping company, in particular, as they are the most directly related to the driving of the truck. A Los Angeles truck accident attorney can help investigate the cause of the collision and determine if it makes sense to sue other parties involved.
How to Find the Right Truck Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
Finding a truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles who won’t take advantage of you during such a vulnerable time can be tricky. Use these steps to figure out who may be the right fit for you:
- Look at results. Most attorneys post results on their website or social media. Try to find cases that involve trucks, as this is a good indicator of what you could expect. If the results seem low, it may prove that lawyer accepts low-balled offers.
- Check your budget. It’s common practice in personal injury cases to charge contingency fees for clients while they manage other costs associated with medical bills and car repairs. During a free consultation, a truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles can inform you of the contingency percentage you could expect to pay at the closing of your case.
- Read the reviews. Great website reviews are wonderful, but the real proof is in the review websites. Every lawyer will have negative reviews occasionally, but the right truck accident attorney for you should have overwhelmingly positive comments from real clients.
- Schedule a free consultation. If everything else looks promising, it’s probably time to talk face-to-face. After all, if you’re committing to working with this lawyer for up to a year or more, you want to make sure they’re competent and compassionate. If you don’t work well together, it may be best to move to a different attorney.
Collecting Fair Compensation for Victims in Los Angeles and Surrounding Areas
At BD&J, our truck accident lawyers prioritize your wellness and full recovery first. Los Angeles has no shortage of personal injury attorneys or truck accident attorneys, but only BD&J offers the personalized service, decades of experience, and billions recovered you expect of a nationally recognized firm.
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Los Angeles, you have legal options. Contact our team 24/7 to schedule a free consultation today!
