Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer
CLICK FOR FREE CONSULTATIONTruck accidents can cause serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries to passenger vehicle occupants. If you or your loved one has been hurt in a large truck crash, your best course of action is to speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. At Hanson & Mouri in Riverside, CA, our Riverside truck accident attorney are passionate, professional, and experienced. Call us right away for a free consultation and the dedicated legal advocacy you need.
Meet Dani Mouri: Award-Winning Injury Attorney
As a former insurance defense lawyer for more than a decade, our founding attorney knows how insurance companies think, act, and evaluate claims. We use this knowledge to our clients’ advantage.
Bigger settlements come with thorough case preparation. We are seasoned litigators and effective advocates who are not afraid to go to trial to get the compensation you deserve. Our firm has never lost a litigated case.
Our practice is focused exclusively on personal injury matters, and we have an in-depth knowledge of the law. We are committed and passionate about helping injured people.
“After our accident, we heard nothing but horror stories about lawyers. We experienced nothing of that sort. Great attorney!” -C.M.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Riverside Truck Accident Resources & FAQs
- How a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
- How Much Does a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
- Truck Accident Statistics
- What Makes Truck Accidents So Serious?
- Common Injuries in Riverside Commercial Truck Crashes
- What are Common Causes of Riverside Truck Accidents?
- Who is Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?
- Types of Damages Available After a Riverside Truck Accident
- How Much is My Riverside Truck Accident Claim Worth?
- What To Do After a Riverside Truck Accident
How a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Filing a claim against a trucking company can be very intimidating since they and their insurance company will have powerful teams of attorneys on their side. Attempting to fight them alone can result in a much lower settlement amount than how much you need to recover and fully pay for future medical care. A skilled Riverside truck accident lawyer will have an estimate of your claim’s value and protect you from settling for too little. They know what type of evidence is needed to be successful and will swiftly investigate your accident to gather the following:
- Photos of the scene;
- Length of skid marks;
- Inspection of the brake pads and other vehicle components;
- Police reports and results from any alcohol or drug tests;
- Eyewitness testimony;
- The truck driver’s logbook;
- The truck’s black box, when applicable. A black box has critical information regarding the truck, its trip, and where it was right before the accident;
- Vehicle maintenance log;
- The truck driver’s training history;
Some trucking companies may destroy evidence to avoid liability. Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure it is preserved.
How Much Does a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Riverside truck accident lawyers typically accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not charge an upfront fee or make you pay for any case-related expenses out-of-pocket. Your attorney will advance the costs of filing your claim, and their legal fees will be dependent on how much you are awarded in your settlement or verdict.
Once you recover compensation, your lawyer will generally take 33 to 40 percent as their legal fee. If you do not win, you will not owe your attorney anything, so there is no risk to you. Like all contracts, you can negotiate the terms of a contingency fee agreement. Some truck accident lawyer may reduce their fee if there is a quick settlement and raise it if your case goes to trial. Others may work on a sliding scale fee. Be sure to discuss this topic with your truck accident lawyer so you understand the exact terms of your fee agreement.
Truck Accident Statistics
As stated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
- 4,564 people were killed in 4,079 crashes involving large commercial trucks or buses in recent years.
- Large truck accidents increased by 5% from the previous year and fatal truck crashes increased by 6%.
- Large trucks and buses account for 12% of all traffic fatalities.
- 6% of fatal trucking accidents involved truck driver distraction as a factor, of which 16% was related to cell phone use.
- Speed was a factor in 17% of large truck wrecks with at least one truck occupant fatality.
- 27% of fatal crashes in work zones involved a large truck.
- California is one of the 10 states with the highest average of fatal trucking accidents and bus crashes in a recent three-year period.
- These 10 states account for 51% of fatal crashes involving a large truck or bus in the U.S.
What Makes Truck Accidents So Serious?
There may be no other auto accident more traumatic than one involving an eighteen-wheel semi-commercial truck. Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80 tons and accidents usually result in severe injuries and death. If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a commercial truck accident with a big rig truck you may have questions about how to pay for your medical bills and what to do about your pain and suffering. Our Inland Empire Law Offices specialize in representing victims and their families when involved in a semi-truck accident. If the commercial truck accident was the result of the truck driver’s careless or irresponsible driving, you need an experienced Riverside injury lawyer to explain your rights.
Common Injuries in Commercial Truck Crashes
Surviving victims of an eighteen-wheeler truck accident may experience the following serious injuries:
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia
- Head trauma including severe traumatic brain injury
- Amputation of a limb and permanent disfigurement
- Extensive burns from vehicle explosion and fire
- Permanent disfigurement and disability
The victims of an auto accident including truck and Riverside car accidents may also experience lesser injuries such as whiplash, back and neck pain, severe bruising, lacerations, and mental anguish.
Such injuries can severely limit you and your family’s ability to lead a normal life. You may require extensive rehabilitation and medical treatment following a semi-truck accident. Serious injuries may leave you unable to work and pay your medical bills and household bills, leading to the foreclosure of your home, bankruptcy, and damage to your credit. You need the experience of a truck or Riverside car accident lawyer to get you the monetary compensation you deserve.
What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a large study involving 120,000 large truck crashes that occurred in period of less than three years. The objective of the study was to examine the reasons for serious crashes involving large commercial trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 10,000 lbs. In its Large Truck Crash Causation Study Analysis Brief, FMCSA reports that 55 percent of large trucks involved in accidents were assigned the critical reason for the crash. In descending order, the top 10 factors contributing to crashes assigned to large trucks and their drivers were:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption (due to congestion or a previous crash)
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Driver unfamiliarity with the roadway
- Problems with the roadway
- Truck required to stop before a crash (at a crosswalk or a stoplight)
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Inadequate surveillance
- Driver fatigue
The attorney and his law office staff were incredible when handling my case. My questions were always answered in a timely manner, calls returned and I was always comfortable and kept informed about my case. I am so appreciative for all that they did for me. – Jennifer B.
Who is Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Commercial truck accident claims are complex cases involving federal regulations and multiple potentially liable parties. Collecting evidence may be tricky, as records can be falsified or insufficient. Trucking accidents often cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death to passenger vehicle occupants. This means higher damages, higher stakes, and a more vigorous defense. You may be dealing with more than one insurance company, as trucking companies and truck drivers may have separate insurance policies, and both parties may be liable for your injuries.
Our experienced Riverside truck accident lawyer has 14 years of experience and will provide you with passionate, quality legal advice, legal options and representation. Any big rig accident caused by a negligent truck driver, even a minor collision can lead to injuries that have long-lasting effects and cause irreparable pain and suffering. Whether you were a driver or a passenger, if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident you may be entitled to monetary damages from the commercial trucking company to help you pay for medical expenses, property damage and other costs. Let an experienced Riverside commercial truck accident lawyer work for you.
Types of Damages Available After a Truck Accident
In addition to causing serious injuries, a severe truck accident can be financially debilitating. Whether you got in a commercial truck accident, or in a delivery truck accident in Riverside, you have options. You have the right to demand compensation for your injuries and other losses, even if you contributed to the collision. Some of the damages that you can claim when you file your truck accident claim include:
Medical Expenses
This includes past medical bills, beginning from the accident to future expenses, which are calculated based on the extent of your injuries for future doctor appointments, surgeries, physical therapy, and other medical needs.
Lost Wages
The wages you would have earned had you not been injured in the accident. Future lost income is also included, and lost earning capacity if you cannot do your job at the same level you did before the accident.
Property Damage
Compensation for repairs or a replacement if your vehicle is totaled, and for other objects involved in a truck accident such as personal property, buildings, mailboxes, etc.
Pain And Suffering
Pain and suffering damages cover the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
Punitive Damages
Cases that involve egregious or malicious conduct, California courts may award punitive damages.
Truck drivers, especially trucking companies, will not readily admit liability and will likely blame you for causing the accident. Due to California’s comparative negligence system, your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation. For example, if you are awarded $10,000 and found 30 percent at fault, you will only receive $7,000.
Ensuring that liability falls on the correct party and obtaining the damages you are entitled to will take thorough investigating and diligent efforts on behalf of your attorney.
How Much is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?
After a severe truck accident, you may be wondering how much compensation you can expect to recover. Since each case has a unique set of circumstances, there is no exact formula. An attorney can estimate your case’s value after considering:
- The severity of your injuries.
- How your injury and pain impacts all aspects of your life.
- How much income you will lose from being unable to work.
- How much money you will lose in the future due to your injury.
- The length of your recovery.
- Whether you will need ongoing medical care and adaptive equipment.
- Whether there were aggravating factors present, for instance, if the truck driver was operating the truck while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
An experienced Riverside truck accident attorney will be able to evaluate your particular case to give you an idea of your claim’s worth and the minimum amount you should settle for.
What To Do After a Riverside Truck Accident
An accident involving a truck is often devastating, and the steps you take next can significantly impact your claim for compensation.
- Get medical treatment. Many truck accident victims are transported by emergency services to the hospital. However, if your injuries seem minor, it is still necessary to be thoroughly evaluated by a medical professional. Some severe injuries may not be immediately apparent, and it can take time for symptoms to develop. Medical records linking your injuries to the crash will be vital.
- Preserve any evidence. If possible, collect any potential evidence from the crash, including photos and video of the scene, items from inside your vehicle, and contact information for every party involved. If you are immediately rushed to the hospital, a friend or attorney can do this for you. Some of this evidence can be critical to supporting your claim and in proving liability.
- Don’t give a recorded statement. The truck driver or company’s insurance company may attempt to contact you for your side of the story. If you accidentally offer up information that can be used against you, your case can be compromised. Commercial insurance companies primarily focus on resolving your claim for as little money as possible. Hiring professional representation to speak on your behalf could be pivotal in the amount of compensation you are able to recover.
- Speak to an attorney. Contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Once hired, your attorney will secure the scene of the accident, preserve vital pieces of evidence, as well as take necessary photographs and witness statements. Without a lawyer involved, crucial proof and data can be lost, misplaced, or purposely destroyed.
Contact Us Today
Contact our Riverside, California law firm now for a free consultation. We will keep you informed of significant developments and provide legal services promptly and professionally. You and your loved ones deserve to have your rights protected by a professional who will give you quality legal advice. A Hanson & Mouri Riverside personal injury attorney in Southern California can work to get you the fair compensation you deserve and make your family whole again. We also serve truck accident victims in San Bernardino.
Our law office serves Riverside, Corona, Norco, Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Banning, Beaumont, Moreno Valley, & Calimesa.