Have You Been Hit By A Truck In California?
Getting hit by a truck or tractor-trailer is almost always life changing. A truck accident is entirely different from an accident involving regular pedestrian vehicles. Trucks are, of course, much larger and heavier than regular cars and can therefore inflict much more pain, suffering and damage. Additionally, trucks and truck drivers are monitored and controlled by trucking companies, who often have the final say in where a driver drives and when he drives there.
For this reason, it can be almost impossible for an individual to know who to file a claim against after an accident. If you fail to properly file your personal injury claim, you run the risk of missing out on compensation that’s justly owed to you. Contact the Accident Network Law Group as soon as you can after a truck accident. We’ll help you figure out who to file a claim against after a truck accident, and walk you through the process every step of the way.
What Makes A Truck Accident Different Than A Car Accident?
Any type of accident involving a motor vehicle has the potential to be life-threatening. You should always uphold the highest safety standards when driving and should always be aware of your surroundings. Accidents, unfortunately, happen every day, but when two cars collide sometimes the result is a minor fender bender with hardly any damage. In the event of an accident involving a truck, the outcome is often much more complex.
The size, weight, and contents of a commercial truck are what makes accidents involving them so much more severe. Trucks cause much more damage than simple pedestrian cars do, and even the biggest vehicles are sadly often no match for the impact of a commercial truck. The results are often devastating.
Commercial trucks are typically part of a fleet, managed by a trucking company. A trucking company means a motor common carrier, a motor contract carrier, or an express carrier which primarily transports tangible personal property of others by motor vehicle for compensation. Truck companies are often found responsible for the accidents caused by their drivers.
Commercial truck drivers are employees and not individuals with their own vehicles and insurance policies. For this reason, maintenance and inspection of the commercial truck are the responsibilities of the trucking company. If a truck is driving around without an inspection or with faulty parts, this issue is not the negligence of the truck driver itself. This is a leading cause of truck accidents in California.
Considering truck drivers are employees of a company and not independent drivers, they are often required to drive certain routes and at certain hours of the day. Truck drivers are required to drive a certain amount of mileage every day, often leaving them too tired and fatigued to be alert while driving their route. If a driver is required by their employer to meet an unreasonable amount of mileage every day, and causes an accident due to fatigue, the liability of the accident may fall on the truck company. While commercial trucks may have truck drivers that overextend themselves or abuse substances while driving, their trucking company may be the party who are required to give you the payout you deserve.
How Do I Know Who I Should File a Claim Against if I Was Hit by a Truck?
If you have been hit by a truck in California, the most important thing you need to do is get medical assistance immediately. You should go to the emergency room and see a doctor in order to assess your injuries, even if they seem minor at the time. Maintaining good health is the most important step to take after an accident, and it is your most vital responsibility.
The right lawyer will handle the rest. This is why it’s crucial to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney with experience involving truck accidents. After getting hit by a commercial truck, it can be impossible to know exactly who to file a claim against. Even if the driver seemed to be operating recklessly, how can you know it was truly their fault? If the truck was driving in from out of state, is the truck company’s responsibility to ensure the drivers knows the local law? Even for the most dutiful researcher, understanding all the information behind a truck accident is a daunting task. That’s why the right personal injury attorney will handle this for you. Your peace of mind is important.
At the Accident Network Law Group, our team of attorneys have decades of personal injury law experience and know how to navigate the complexities of this type of case. We will assess the information regarding what happened to you, examine all the evidence, and provide the strongest course of action moving forward.
If You Or A Loved One Have Suffered A Car Accident, Contact The Accident Network Law Group Right Away
A truck accident can, and will, change your life. You deserve justice – the hardest part can be understanding how and where to get it. It can be difficult for the average person to know and understand exactly who’s at fault in a truck accident situation. Fortunately, the lawyers at the Accident Network Law Group understand the complexities of this specific type of accident. We will work tirelessly to ensure the right party is held accountable so you can seek the compensation that you need.
If you’ve missed work due to injuries, have high medical bills and your car is damaged after a truck accident, your personal injury attorney in Riverside, CA will resolve these issues for you by fighting to get you the compensation you need to support yourself and your family and make up for any lost wages or debts you have incurred.
Don’t wait – as soon as you have been involved in a truck accident contact the Accident Network Law Group. You may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered as well as the damage imposed on your vehicle. At the Accident Network Law Group in Riverside, California, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation of your case in order to give you clear next steps for seeking justice. Call our office or contact us online to take the first step.