Redlands Truck Accident Lawyer

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When large commercial vehicles collide with smaller passenger cars, the outcome is often devastating. A Redlands truck accident lawyer helps victims seek justice and compensation. To discuss your case, call (951) 688-0006 or contact Hanson & Mouri online for a free consultation.

Why Choose Us for Your Truck Accident Claim

  • Dani Mouri has decades of litigation experience and a record of winning significant recoveries for victims of catastrophic accidents.
  • We know how trucking companies and their insurers defend claims, and we use that knowledge to pursue full and fair compensation.
  • Every client receives direct attention from an experienced lawyer from start to finish, never being passed off to paralegals or case managers.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Redlands Truck Accident Claim

Truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accidents. They often involve multiple parties who may be liable, federal and state trucking regulations, and powerful insurance carriers determined to limit your payout. Attempting to handle your case without legal representation is a significant disadvantage. A Redlands truck accident attorney provides critical advantages:

  • Deep understanding of California personal injury law and trucking regulations
  • Resources to investigate driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic logging devices (ELDs)
  • Skilled negotiation to counter insurance company strategies
  • Trial experience to present cases effectively in court

Having a Redlands personal injury attorney ensures you are not left facing large trucking companies and insurers alone.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Redlands

Collisions involving 18-wheelers and commercial trucks often stem from preventable negligence. Frequent causes include:

  • Distracted driving, including texting, eating, or using dispatch devices
  • Driver fatigue due to hours-of-service violations
  • Speeding or driving too fast for road and weather conditions
  • Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo that shifts during travel
  • Inadequate truck maintenance leading to brake or tire failure
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication
  • Reckless driving, including unsafe lane changes and tailgating

These factors highlight why truck accidents so often result in catastrophic harm.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident in Redlands?

Unlike car accidents, liability in truck collisions often extends beyond the driver. Potentially responsible parties include:

  • The truck driver for negligent operation
  • The trucking company for negligent hiring, training, or supervision
  • Cargo loaders for improperly secured freight
  • Maintenance providers for faulty inspections or repairs
  • Manufacturers of defective truck parts

Identifying every liable party increases the chances of full financial recovery.

Laws That Apply to Truck Accident Cases

Several state and federal laws regulate how trucking companies and drivers operate in California. These laws often play a critical role in determining liability:

  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs): Establish hours-of-service limits, vehicle maintenance standards, driver qualifications, and drug and alcohol testing requirements.
  • California Vehicle Code (CVC) §21702: Prohibits commercial drivers from operating for more than 10 consecutive hours.
  • CVC §34501.2: Requires trucking companies to maintain vehicles in safe operating condition.
  • Weight and Size Restrictions: California law limits truck weight and dimensions to prevent unsafe loads.

Comparative Negligence in California

Under Civil Code §1714, California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. This allows accident victims to recover damages even if they share fault. However, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, if a victim is awarded $1,000,000 but found 25 percent at fault, they would receive $750,000.

Statute of Limitations

Victims must act quickly to preserve their rights:

  • Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident under CCP § 335.1.
  • Claims against government entities, such as Caltrans for unsafe road conditions, must be filed within six months.

Missing these deadlines usually means losing the right to pursue compensation.

Proving Negligence in a Truck Accident Case

Establishing fault in a truck accident requires showing that negligence caused the collision. This involves proving:

  • The driver or company owed a duty of care.
  • That duty was breached through negligent or reckless behavior.
  • The breach directly caused the accident.
  • The victim suffered damages as a result.

Evidence in truck accident cases is often complex and can include:

  • Police crash reports
  • Driver logbooks and electronic logging device (ELD) data
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
  • Black box or event data recorder downloads
  • Cargo loading documents
  • Medical records linking injuries to the collision
  • Testimony from eyewitnesses and accident reconstruction experts

These forms of evidence help build a clear case of liability.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

The size and weight of commercial trucks make accidents especially dangerous. Victims often sustain severe, life-altering injuries such as:

The consequences of these injuries extend beyond immediate medical needs, often requiring lifelong care and support.

Types of Compensation Available in Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident victims may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Recoverable damages may include:

  • Medical expenses for hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment
  • Lost income and diminished future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and psychological trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage, including vehicles and personal belongings
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

The value of your specific claim depends on the severity of injuries, their financial impact, and available evidence to prove fault.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Redlands

What you do after a truck accident can affect your health and also the strength of your claim. Important steps include:

  • Call 911 and seek emergency medical treatment
  • Obtain a police report from the responding agency
  • Exchange information with the truck driver, including employer and insurance details
  • Photograph the accident scene, vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
  • Collect witness names and contact information
  • Avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters without legal guidance

Contact a Redlands truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will immediately begin investigating the crash, securing critical evidence, and ensuring deadlines are met.

Contact a Redlands Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you do not need to face the aftermath alone. A Redlands truck accident lawyer will pursue justice and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (951) 688-0006 or contact Hanson & Mouri online to schedule your free consultation today.

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