Commercial Semi-truck accident lawyers in Los Angeles
Semi-truck accidents
What causes big rig accidents?
Commercial truck accidents occur for many of the same reasons that other accidents do. Accidents can be caused by driver error, poor vehicle maintenance, or adverse weather conditions. When big rig accidents are caused by the negligence of the truck driver, the trucking company, or another party, victims are entitled to compensation for all of their accident-related losses.
Here are some of the common causes of truck accidents that typically result in victim compensation:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Hours of service violations
- Poor truck maintenance
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Fatigued driving
- Traffic violations
- Failing to adapt to adverse weather conditions
These are only a few of the potential causes of truck accidents that can entitle victims to compensation. To find out whether you can recover for your losses, you should discuss the details of your case with one of our commercial semi-truck accident lawyers.
Steps to take after a semi-truck accident
Once your immediate medical needs are attended to, there are certain steps you should take to protect your rights after a serious commercial trucking accident. Some of the most important of these are detailed below.
Do not accept a settlement offer before talking to a lawyer
As an accident victim, it is important to be aware of the fact that you only get one chance to settle your case. Once you have signed paperwork that releases the other party from liability, it is nearly impossible to obtain any additional compensation. For this reason, it is critical that any settlement you accept adequately compensates you for all of your losses, including those that may occur in the future. By talking to an attorney before accepting a settlement offer, you can get a better idea of what your case is worth and protect your rights moving forward.
Seek medical care and participate in your treatment plan
You should always seek medical attention after an accident, even if you were cleared to go home by emergency personnel or discharged from the hospital after a period of observation. Insurance companies will use a lack of documentation as a way to minimize your settlement offer or deny your claim altogether. For the same reasons, you should actively participate in your treatment plan. For example, attend all follow-up appointments, fill your prescriptions, and engage in any physical therapy that you were prescribed. Insurance companies can use gaps in treatment or unfilled prescriptions as evidence that you are not as hurt as you are claiming to be
Retain an attorney as soon as you can
It is important to understand that the insurance company is not on your side after an accident. In fact, they will gladly deny your claim entirely if they can find any reason to do so. It is in your best interest to retain a lawyer as soon as possible after a truck accident. The sooner you are represented by counsel, the sooner you can rest assured that your rights will be protected.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
The value of truck accident cases can vary widely. Some cases may be worth thousands of dollars, while others may entitle victims to millions. Some of the factors that may determine how much compensation you receive include:
- How serious your injuries are
- The extent of your pain and suffering
- Your income
- Whether you will be able to return to work
- Whether you are permanently disabled or disfigured
- Whether you were partially at fault for your accident
- Insurance policy limits