Truck Accident Attorneys in Pasadena

Protecting Your Right to Compensation

Truck accidents that cause injuries in southern California can be legally complicated because, in addition to California law, the interstate trucking industry is federally regulated. Almost 100,000 serious injuries are sustained in truck accidents each year in the U.S.; in fact, 1/8 of traffic deaths happen in a truck accident. The size and mass of a truck virtually ensure that if a truck smashes into a car or a motorcycle, injuries will be serious, if not fatal.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident anywhere in southern California, speak immediately with an experienced Pasadena truck accident lawyer at the law firm of Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation. Our Pasadena truck accident lawyers have represented truck accident victims for more than three decades; our reputation and our record of success speak for themselves. Call today at 626-208-9906 to discuss your truck accident case.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Most truck accidents happen for the same reasons that car accidents do. Even professional truck drivers can make mistakes or disobey the law, leading to dangerous scenarios. No matter how your accident happened, you deserve to seek compensation and hold the at-fault party responsible.

The most common causes of truck accidents include:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers spend hundreds of hours on the road, sometimes without taking a break. Although drivers are required by law to rest after a certain amount of time, not all drivers obey this rule. Fatigued driving can lead to mistakes on the road or even falling asleep at the wheel.

Intoxication

Drug and alcohol use while driving can lead to erratic behavior. Commercial truck drivers are required to maintain a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04% or lower while on the road. If drivers disobey this law, they can seriously injure or even kill other drivers.

Distracted Driving

Drivers who are texting, checking their GPS, talking on the phone, or otherwise not paying attention could cause an accident. All truck drivers, like passenger car drivers, are required to keep their full attention on the road.

Improperly Loaded Cargo

Commercial trucks are typically loaded with thousands of pounds of cargo. If this cargo isn’t loaded in the trailer correctly, it can cause the truck to tip or roll, especially at high speeds or in windy areas.

Lack of Experience

Not all trucking companies train their drivers correctly. If a truck driver is inexperienced and doesn’t know how to operate a big rig, they could make mistakes.

Disobeying Traffic Laws

Running a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign can have deadly consequences on the road. This is especially true for large trucks, which can easily take out passenger cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians.

Defective Truck Parts

Trucking companies are required to maintain their trucks and keep them in working order. If the truck has not been maintained properly or has defective parts, it could malfunction, leading to disastrous consequences.

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?

Just like there are many causes of truck accidents, there are also a few main types of truck accidents. The type of accident you are in can shed light on who is at fault and how to proceed with your personal injury claim. Our team will examine the evidence from your accident scene to help determine the type of accident you were in.

The most common types of truck accidents include:

Lane-Changing Accidents

Trucks have large blind spots, or areas they cannot see in their mirrors. When drivers change lanes without checking their blind spots thoroughly, they can run into other vehicles on the road.

Rollover Accidents

Rollovers happen when the cargo inside a truck suddenly shifts. Sharp braking, tight turns, or heavy impacts can cause a truck to roll over. They are severe accidents that often involve multiple cars.

Jackknife Accidents

When a truck’s cab and trailer pivot at an angle and then collide, they create a jackknife shape. These accidents often result in the truck driver losing control of the vehicle and colliding with cars around them.

Lost Load Accidents

A lost load happens when a truck is improperly loaded. Spillage or trailer detachment can create hazardous conditions, causing other drivers to suffer.

Underride and Override Accidents

Underrides and overrides happen when passenger vehicles get stuck underneath a trailer or truck. In most cases, these accidents involve a rear or front-end collision, typically in heavy traffic.

What Kinds of Injuries Do Victims Sustain in Truck Accidents?

Commercial truck accidents can cause devastating injuries. Because trucks are so much larger than passenger vehicles, many passenger cars are crushed or even obliterated during an accident. Many victims suffer life-changing injuries with symptoms that last for years.

The most common truck accident injuries include:

• Cuts and bruises
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Amputations
• Permanent scarring
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Orthopedic injuries

In severe cases, these injuries are fatal. If you lost a loved one due to a truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation in a wrongful death case. Wrongful death cases provide compensation to the surviving family members of the deceased. The money can be used to pay for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and more. Contact a truck accident attorney on our team today to learn more about a wrongful death claim and whether it’s right for you and your family.

What Kinds of Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

If you have been in a commercial vehicle accident, you are likely recovering from severe injuries. Healing from your injuries will probably take time, during which you can’t work to support yourself or your family. When you recover compensation, you can claim any financial losses you have suffered as a result of the accident.

Many victims of truck accident injuries claim the following:

• Medical expenses, both present and future medical bills
• Medications
• Physical therapy appointments
• Lost wages from time off work
• Loss of future income if you can no longer perform your regular job duties
• Property damage repair or replacement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

If your accident was caused by extreme negligence, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded via the court when a defendant is found to have acted recklessly. Most punitive damages are meant to punish an individual and discourage them from repeating their actions in the future. For instance, if you were hit by a truck driver who was under the influence of drugs while driving, you could pursue punitive damages.

How Do You Prove Liability in a Truck Accident Case?

Assigning liability is one of the most crucial steps in a personal injury claim. When you assign liability, you are essentially holding one party (or multiple parties) responsible for your injuries and your financial damages. The liable party or parties will have to pay you for any financial losses you suffered.

Truck accident cases can be complex, as there are many parties that could be responsible for your injuries. Those parties include:

The Truck Driver

When a truck driver makes an error while driving, they are likely responsible for the accident they caused. For instance, if a driver were texting while driving and crashed into your car, our team would most likely hold them responsible for your injuries.

The Trucking Company

Most truck drivers are employed by large trucking companies. In some cases, you can hold the trucking company liable for the actions of their employee. In this case, the truck company’s insurance company would likely pay for your damages.

A Cargo-Loading Company

The company responsible for loading cargo must ensure that it is loaded properly. If improper cargo loading caused the accident, you could go after the cargo company.

A Truck Maintenance Company

Trucking companies don’t always perform maintenance on their own trucks. You can request maintenance records for the vehicle to determine who is responsible for keeping it in working shape. If the truck malfunctioned due to poor maintenance, you could hold the maintenance company responsible.

A Staffing Agency

Some truck companies use staffing agencies to find new employees. If a staffing agency hired an inexperienced driver, they could be held liable for your injuries.

Proving liability in a truck accident case involves lots of evidence and witness statements. In many cases, multiple parties are held liable, leading to multiple claims. Our Pasadena truck accident lawyers will handle your entire personal injury case to prove liability and gather evidence to bolster your claim. For more information, contact our law office today.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Being involved in a truck accident is a very frightening experience for you and anyone else in your car. After an accident, you’re likely feeling a lot of emotions, including shock and anger. Being prepared ahead of time can help you take the right steps to keep yourself safe.

If you have been in a truck accident, be sure to do the following:

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you don’t feel injured right away, always get checked by a medical professional. Truck accidents are dangerous, and you may have internal injuries you aren’t aware of. If anyone is badly injured, call emergency services.

Report the Accident

Get the police involved as soon as you can. If the driver was under the influence or disobeying traffic laws, the accident could become a criminal matter. Get a copy of the police report after it is written up.

Get the Driver’s Information

Ask the truck driver for their name, insurance company information, driver’s license, and the trucking company they work for. You’ll need all this information later to file your personal injury claim.

Talk to Witnesses

If there are any witnesses who saw the accident, get their contact information. You can use witness statements to bolster your claim in court.

Take Photos of the Accident Scene

Get photos and videos of your car, the truck, and any injuries you or other people have suffered. Be sure to include any traffic signals or signs in your photos.

File an Insurance Claim

The sooner you contact your insurance, the faster you can file a claim. Call your insurance company and tell them the details of your accident.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Filing an insurance claim and assigning liability is much easier when you have an attorney on your side from day one. As soon as you’re able to, contact our office so we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Do?

Pasadena truck accidents can be devastating for you and your family. The trauma alone can make it difficult to continue life as normal, and that’s not to mention your physical injuries. As your truck accident attorneys, our team will step in to handle your entire case, not stopping until you get the compensation you deserve.

When you hire our legal team, we will take the following steps:

• Gather evidence about your case, including photos, videos, witness statements, and accident reports.
• Determine who the responsible party is for your accident.
• File an insurance claim on your behalf.
• Answer your legal questions and help you through the legal process.
• Negotiate with insurance adjusters if they offer a low settlement.
• File a lawsuit and pursue your claim in court, if necessary.
• Present your case before a judge.

We Handle Complex Cases

When defective auto parts or unsafe road conditions cause a truck accident with injuries, these cases can get even more complicated. In fact, several parties can possibly all be involved. Let an experienced Pasadena truck accident attorney lead you through the complicated legal processes, protect your rights, and work on your behalf to win the compensation you deserve.

In a bad situation, don’t make things worse by failing to hold those responsible for your injury accountable. Get the trustworthy legal representation you need; if you’ve been injured in a truck accident in southern California, call a Pasadena personal injury attorney with Thon Beck Vanni Callahan & Powell, A Professional Corporation today at 626-208-9906 or contact us online right now to schedule a free initial consultation. We are here to offer experienced legal guidance and walk you through your entire legal claim until you receive the maximum compensation possible for your case.