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.
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.
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:
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.
The common causes of truck accidents can be categorized broadly as:
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.
Several parties may be liable after a truck accident, including:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.