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Drivers of big rigs and large commercial trucks need to be very careful on the road. Accidents involving these heavy-duty vehicles can be catastrophic, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities. Unfortunately, some Fresno truck drivers commit negligent acts that lead to serious collisions. If you are injured in a Fresno big rig truck accident, you have the right to financial compensation. The attorneys at Freedman Law can represent you in your claim against the negligent driver and his or her employer, helping you secure the settlement that you deserve.
Here is the most recent truck crash data reported by SafeTREC:
The types of truck accidents that occurred were as follows
Large trucks cannot stop quickly, have multiple blind spots, and are significantly less maneuverable than traditional passenger vehicles. It’s important to be aware of these shortcomings, so motorists can best accommodate commercial vehicles and stay safe on the roadway. Some of the leading causes of California commercial vehicle collisions include:
Trucks are much larger and heavier than the typical passenger vehicle. A fully-laden semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, compared to 4,156 pounds for the average motor vehicle. With such a disparity in weight classes, it is extremely likely that an accident between a passenger vehicle and a truck will result in serious injuries to the car’s occupants. Oftentimes, the types of injuries suffered in a truck crash will take months or years to recover from and may necessitate considerable medical expenses. Some of the most common truck accident injuries in Fresno include:
In some cases, a serious truck accident can lead to fatal injuries. If you lose a loved one to the careless or negligent actions of a trucker or trucking company, the Fresno wrongful death lawyers at Freedman Law can help. We will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and seek justice for your loved one.
California is a fault state when it comes to vehicle collisions. If a driver causes an accident, he or she is liable for the damages that any other driver, passenger, pedestrian, and cyclist endures in the collision. Truck drivers are also liable for the accidents that they cause.
By filing a lawsuit or insurance claim against the negligent driver, you can recover damages for the physical, financial, and emotional losses that you suffered. If you or a loved one has been in a trucking accident, our Fresno automobile accident attorney may be able to seek compensation for:
The attorneys at Freedman Law can help you identify all potential avenues to compensation. Using our skills and experience, your lawyer can calculate an estimated settlement on your behalf and advocate for your highest possible award. Our crash and burn injury attorneys in Fresno are prepared to fight for your right to compensation.
Most states have a personal injury statute of limitations that prohibits victims from bringing suit after a specific length of time. In California, you have two years from the day of your accident to file a lawsuit against the driver or trucking company responsible for your injuries. In most cases, you will not be allowed to file past this two-year deadline. There may be exceptions on a case-by-case basis, such as if:
At Freedman Law, our Fresno personal injury attorneys have represented over 10,000 Central Valley residents in their lawsuits and insurance claims. We have experience handling cases involving multiple types of accidents, including complex and severe big rig collisions.
Our law firm understands how difficult and devastating these accidents can be and can fight to hold the at-fault driver accountable for your injuries. We have the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to navigate these complex claims and successfully recover compensation in a wide range of trucking accidents.
Significant settlements and verdicts for the victims and families in trucking accidents include, but are not limited to:
Truck accident cases can be incredibly complex when it comes to determining liability. Handling it on your own, especially if you are suffering from a severe injury, can be overwhelming. By hiring a Fresno truck accident lawyer, they will take on every aspect of your case and ensure the at-fault parties are held accountable. There are often many parties involved in truck accident cases. In order to secure the maximum compensation, there will need to be an extensive investigation. Your attorney will take on the responsibility of:
Immediately after you hire a truck accident attorney, they will initiate an accident investigation to preserve critical evidence of fault that you need to hold the at-fault party accountable, and which can disappear quickly. That way, you can focus on recovering while they handle the legal aspects of your claim.
Truck accident injury claims are difficult to navigate, as insurance companies are not on your side. An experienced lawyer with a thorough understanding of the law to advise you on avoiding insurance company traps can make a massive difference in the compensation you recover. Insurance adjusters can seem kind and as if they will be fair in their settlement offer. However, that is often not the case. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle truck accident claims for as little money as possible. If you are handling the claim alone, an adjuster is more likely to take advantage of you or may not take your claim seriously. As a result, your truck accident claim may be wrongfully denied, delayed, or significantly undervalued. A lawyer will handle all communication with the insurance companies and protect you throughout the process. In addition, they will have already estimated the value of your claim based on your injury, and financial and personal losses to ensure you do not settle for less than you deserve.
To hold another party responsible after a truck accident requires proving their negligence was what caused it. That is done by establishing the following four elements of negligence:
First, the plaintiff (victim) must establish that the defendant (at-fault party) owed them a duty of care. For example, a truck driver has a duty to drive safely and follow traffic laws to prevent harm to others on the road.
The defendant breached their duty of care by failing to act how another reasonable individual would in a similar situation—for example, if the truck driver was texting while driving or was drunk.
The defendant’s actions directly led to the plaintiff’s harm—in other words, you would not have been injured if not for the defendant’s behavior.
The plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the defendant’s negligence. (e.g., evidence of medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.)
Proving the elements of negligence will require substantial evidence, such as photos and videos of the scene from immediately after the crash, witness statements which can be critical, surveillance footage, the black box data, vehicle and maintenance logs, hours of service logs, vehicle inspections, and more.
Many personal injury lawyers, including Freedman Law, handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we will cover all case-related expenses, and there are no upfront fees to retain our legal services. Therefore, no money is coming out of your pocket. Whether your truck accident attorney gets paid is dependent on whether you win. With a contingency fee agreement, you only pay if you recover compensation, and your attorney will typically deduct anywhere between 25 to 40 percent of your settlement or award, plus court costs.
Generally, attorneys 33.3 percent, but some may stipulate that it will vary based on how much work is involved in your truck accident case. For example, whether you settle it quickly or must go to trial. No matter what, you will not owe legal fees if you do not recover compensation. As a result, when a truck accident lawyer accepts your case, you will know that they believe you will win and will do everything they can to ensure you recover compensation.
Before you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you will need to first identify who was responsible for the collision. Multiple parties may be liable for a Fresno truck accident, depending on the circumstances surrounding your case.
Big rig drivers must follow California traffic laws as well as state and federal trucking regulations. If a driver breaches this duty and causes an accident, he or she would be liable. Examples of driver negligence include driving under the influence, driving while distracted, and driving more hours than legally allowed.
Trucking companies are liable for the actions of their employees during their official job duties. If the driver is an employee of a trucking company, you can name the entity in your claim. Trucking companies may also face liability if they violate trucking regulations, such as hiring unlicensed drivers or encouraging employees to drive longer than allowed.
Some truck accidents occur due to defective vehicles or auto parts. If a product defect is responsible for your collision, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of that product. You may be able to name the distributor and retailer in the claim as well.
The moments after a truck accident can be overwhelming. Commercial big rigs are much larger and heavier than the average passenger car and collisions between these vehicles can be catastrophic. As a result, you may feel numb, in shock, or disoriented after a collision.
If you are involved in a big rig or delivery truck accident in Fresno, it is crucial to stay calm and seek help as soon as possible. Take the following steps to protect yourself and your right to compensation.
After the accident, a representative from the driver’s employer or insurance provider may contact you and ask for a statement. You should never speak with the representative before consulting with a truck accident lawyer. Instead, decline the statement and contact a Fresno truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Were you injured in a Fresno truck accident? You deserve financial compensation, and the lawyers at Freedman Law can fight for your right to recovery. Give our law firm a call at 559-447-9000 or contact us via our online submission form to schedule a consultation and strategize your next steps with a Fresno big rig collision attorney.