San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that most deaths in truck accidents are occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Victims of truck accidents often suffer very serious injuries, even wrongful deaths, because of the size of trucks. Victims can include people motorcycles, cars, even pedestrians can be involved. Trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to the 4,000 pounds of a standard passenger vehicle. This weight differential contributes to the severity of injuries suffered in a truck accident. The mechanics of operating and controlling a truck in motion are very different from smaller passenger vehicles. For instance, trucks require a longer distance than cars to come to a complete stop, this simple fact can result in deadly consequences under the wrong circumstances. Which is why there are very strict government regulations concerning the licensing of truck drivers, and the maintenance and operation of trucks. If you have suffered injuries or lost a family member as a result of a truck accident, you should speak with a truck accident lawyer to understand your rights and your legal options to get compensation for your losses. The truck accident lawyers at Hanson & Mouri can help you fight for your fair compensation.

• Since 1999, Hanson & Mouri, has devoted its time and energy to helping clients receive all the benefits they are entitled to under the law.
• When you engage us to represent you, you can expect that your case will be handled by experienced San Bernardino personal injury attorneys and not just any staff member.
• We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our personal injury victims. 
• We believe strongly in communicating frequently and openly with our clients and will keep you abreast of all developments in your case.

If you are looking for a San Bernardino truck accident lawyer who will take on your case with passion and tenacity, call Mouri & Hanson at 951-419-3199 to schedule a free consultation.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accident cases can be considerably complex and often require knowledge of federal and state laws that commercial vehicles are subject to. In addition, if there are multiple parties involved or that are potentially liable, it can mean dealing with several insurance companies to recover the compensation you deserve. Each insurer will be shifting responsibility to the other and working to preserve their bottom line. As a result, navigating a claim on your own can be highly stressful. A truck accident lawyer’s knowledge, experience, and resources will be invaluable. They will protect your rights and will also ensure you have a solid case, which may include:

• Gathering evidence from the scene, such as photographs, videos, the positions of the vehicles, skid mark measurements, available video surveillance from traffic cameras or businesses, taking statements from eyewitnesses, inspecting the truck for lack of maintenance or defective parts, obtaining a copy of the police report, subpoenaing cell phone records if necessary, and more.
• Helping you get evaluated by a trusted medical professional to assess the severity and extent of your injuries and necessary long-term treatment.
• Obtaining all records and the necessary documentation to determine liability for the crash, such as information on the truck driver and trucking company, the driver’s logbook, the truck’s black box, maintenance logs, driver’s training history, results from alcohol or drug tests, etc.
• Gathering your medical bills, consulting medical experts to prove the extent of your injuries and their long-term impact, gathering pay stubs, tax returns, and other proof of lost income to accurately estimate your case’s value. 
• Handling all communication with the insurance companies and negotiating a fair settlement to cover all your current and future accident-related expenses. 

When a trucking company is notified of an accident, they are likely to send an investigator to the scene to recover evidence and minimize their liability. Commercial trucks often contain an event data recorder (EDR), commonly referred to as a black box. This small device records data on the truck’s physical condition and the driver’s actions prior to a collision. Retrieving the data after a truck accident is critical because it can help prove a party’s liability. As soon as you hire a San Bernardino Truck Accident Attorney, they will initiate an accident investigation to preserve the vital evidence of fault that you need.

What are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

The common causes of truck accidents can be categorized broadly as:

• Human – where driver performance is to blame; 
• Vehicle – where truck parts and maintenance fail; and
• Environment – where weather and road conditions compromise the operation of the truck.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations for truck drivers and truck companies take these common causes into account. Everything from the hours of service, the distance driven, the load on a truck, and the schedule of truck maintenance are regulated and closely monitored.

Failure to adhere to the regulations can give rise to negligence. Any person who is injured in an accident as a result of such negligence may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. To succeed in a claim, the injured victim needs only to prove that the accident was the legal cause of their injuries, and that they suffered actual losses as a result.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

Several parties may be liable after a truck accident, including: 

• The Truck Driver: If the truck driver’s negligence caused your accident, they might be personally responsible for the damages. Examples of truck driver negligence include texting while driving, driving while distracted, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigued, driving recklessly, aggressively, or intentionally violating federal hours-of-service regulations that limit how long truck drivers can work without a break. 
• The Trucking Company: A trucking company can be vicariously liable for the negligent actions of its employees. The company can also be held responsible if their negligent acts contributed to the accident, such as hiring an inexperienced driver or one with multiple driving infractions, failing to train drivers, or failing to schedule regular vehicle inspections. 
• Loading Companies: Cargo loading companies can be liable in some cases. For example, if the cargo they are responsible for loading was unsecured or loaded incorrectly, leading to the accident.

Other potentially liable parties can be a manufacturer if the accident was caused by a defective truck or part, a mechanic who performed incorrect repairs on the truck, a local government agency if highway design or poor maintenance led to the collision, another driver, and any other party that contributed to the crash.

What if the Truck Company Denies Responsibility for the Accident?

It is typical for truck owners to try to deny responsibility for the consequences of accidents involving their trucks. Truck accident cases can be very complex because of the various factors that could be at play in a single accident. For example, the accident might be partly due to a defective part installed in the truck. The manufacturer of the defective part would bear some responsibility for the losses caused by their defective product. Having an experienced accident lawyer in San Bernardino by your side is the best way to ensure that your interests are fully protected, and that every party legally responsible for your injuries, including brain injury or spinal cord injury, bears the burden of making you whole again.

Types of Damages Available After a Truck Accident

Victims have the right to demand compensation for their injuries and other losses after a truck accident. Some of the types of compensation available to claim include: 

Medical Expenses

This includes any current and future medical bills related to the crash. Future medical care is calculated based on the extent of your injuries and often your doctor’s prognosis, including the projected length of your recovery, and their recommendation on future treatment you will require.

Lost Wages

The income you would have earned had you not been injured in the accident. Future lost wages are also included and diminished earning capacity if you cannot do your job at the same level as before the accident.

Property Damage

Compensation for repairs or a replacement of your vehicle and any other personal items damaged in the truck accident (e.g., laptop, phone, clothing, etc.).

Pain And Suffering

For the physical and psychological pain you must endure, as well as emotional distress or loss of quality of life, caused by the accident and your injuries. 

Punitive Damages

Victims may be awarded punitive damages if the case involves a defendant (at-fault party) who exhibited extremely reckless behavior. This type of compensation is rarely granted and is meant to punish the at-fault party and deter others from similar conduct. 

How Much Does a San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

Some attorneys charge hefty hourly rates, but many truck accident lawyers, including Hanson & Mouri, handle cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no upfront fee required, and all case-related expenses are covered, so you don’t have to pay any money out-of-pocket. Whether your truck accident attorney gets paid is dependent on whether you get paid. With a contingency fee agreement, your attorney will typically deduct between 25 to 40 percent if you recover compensation, plus court costs. Generally, it will be 33.3 percent, but it can vary based on how much work is involved in your case and whether it is settled or tried in court. If you do not settle with the insurance company or receive an award in court, you do not owe legal fees, which gives your attorney an incentive to ensure you win. This type of arrangement makes it much easier for truck accident victims to hire skilled legal representation with very little to no risk.

Contact a San Bernardino Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, call the experienced San Bernardino truck accident lawyers at Hanson & Mouri at (951) 419-3199. Your initial consultation is free so call us today for a free and honest assessment of your case.