Truck Accident Attorneys in Riverside Demanding Justice From Those Accountable for Your Accident

Truck accidents are an unfortunate reality in Riverside, and the risk that large commercial trucks pose to other motorists and pedestrians is a significant concern for many residents. The size and weight of 18-wheelers and other large trucks make them especially dangerous. Catastrophic injuries and fatalities are more likely in these types of crashes, and when the collision is caused by the truck driver’s negligence, injured victims deserve justice. A devastating truck accident can result in traumatic brain injuries, devastating injuries, or even a fatal accident.

Riverside’s location in the Inland Empire also means many crashes happen on major freight corridors and interchanges, where heavy commercial traffic is common, and merges are frequent. The region’s transportation, distribution, and logistics industry is a major employer locally, which helps explain why large-truck traffic is such a regular presence on area roads.

The truck accident lawyers at The Accident Network Law Group will fight for the compensation you deserve and hold negligent parties responsible for the harm they’ve caused. We take the time to fully understand the impact that an accident has had on our clients, which helps us evaluate the strength of your case and build a strategy for reaching the best possible outcome. The experienced truck accident attorneys at Accident Network are advocates you can rely on to work in your best interests. We proudly serve clients throughout Southern California.

Essential Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Remaining calm and making appropriate choices is crucial after a crash, but the aftermath of a truck accident is often overwhelming and traumatic. Your accident claim and your health rely on your ability to take certain steps immediately after your accident.

First and foremost, prioritize safety and seek emergency assistance. Get to safety if necessary. You should not leave the scene of the accident under any circumstances; this is a crime in California. However, you can move out of the flow of traffic, away from a cliff’s edge, or otherwise remove yourself from a dangerous location. After you are in a safe location, call 911 and seek the appropriate medical attention for your injuries. It is important to be evaluated by a medical professional, even if your injuries seem minor, to ensure proper diagnosis and documentation.

If the crash involved any injury (even minor), a death, or property damage over $1,000, California requires a separate report to the DMV (SR-1) within 10 days, in addition to any police report or insurance claim.

The following steps are also important immediately after a truck accident:

Gather key information after the accident, including from the truck driver and other people involved in the accident
Speak to witnesses and get their contact information
Take photographs of the scene and of your injuries
Document the accident scene thoroughly to preserve critical evidence, such as vehicle positions, road conditions, and any visible damage

Collecting critical evidence at the accident scene is essential for building a strong insurance claim and protecting your legal rights.

It can also help to document identifying details unique to commercial trucks, such as the motor carrier name, USDOT number, trailer number, and any company markings, because those details can help trace insurance coverage and the responsible entities later.

It’s important that you do not apologize or make any other statements that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt after an accident. Such comments may be used against you if you pursue an accident claim. Be especially cautious when speaking to insurance adjusters after the accident occurred, as they represent the insurance company and may try to minimize your compensation.

Important Documents and Statements to Collect

You will also want to gather documentation of how the accident and your subsequent injuries have impacted your life. From surgeries and medical treatments to missed work and lost wages, a Riverside truck accident can affect every aspect of your life. Keep track of documents like:

Medical bills
Doctors’ notes
Diagnostic test results
Surgical procedure notes
Medical records
Documentation of lost income
Correspondence with your employer
Documentation of accommodations you needed to complete daily activities
Therapy records
Evidence of property damage

Because trucking companies and insurers may control important evidence, it is also important to act quickly to preserve records that can disappear with time, such as electronic logging device data, driver qualification documents, dispatch records, and maintenance files. Federal regulations require carriers to keep driver qualification files and to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain commercial vehicles, which often makes these records central to proving negligence.

Managing medical bills and accident-related costs can seem impossible when your ability to earn a living has been impacted by the collision. Thorough documentation is essential for personal injury cases, as it helps establish the full extent of your injuries and economic losses. Working with a truck accident lawyer ensures that your accident case is handled efficiently and that every possible element has been included in your claim for damages. Contact The Accident Network Law Group to schedule a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Understanding the causes of truck accidents is essential for anyone pursuing a personal injury lawsuit after suffering truck accident injuries. Commercial vehicles, such as semi trucks and delivery trucks, are subject to unique risks on the road, and when accidents occur, the consequences can be devastating. Identifying the root cause of a truck accident is a critical step in building a strong truck accident claim and holding the responsible parties accountable.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

Driver Fatigue: Long hours behind the wheel can lead to driver fatigue, slowing reaction times, and increasing the likelihood of mistakes. Federal and state regulations exist to limit hours, but violations still occur, putting everyone on the road at risk.
Distracted Driving: Truck drivers who are distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other in-cab distractions may fail to notice changes in traffic or road conditions, leading to serious accidents.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance: Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for large trucks. When trucking companies or maintenance crews neglect routine inspections or repairs, mechanical failures such as brake failure or tire blowouts can cause catastrophic crashes.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Trucks carrying cargo that is overloaded or not properly secured are more difficult to control and more likely to be involved in rollovers or jackknife accidents.
Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and other adverse weather conditions can make it harder for truck drivers to see and react to hazards, increasing the risk of collisions.
Road Conditions: Poorly maintained roads, construction zones, and unexpected obstacles can contribute to truck accidents, especially when combined with the size and weight of commercial vehicles.

In fatigue cases, hours-of-service rules and electronic logs can become critical evidence, because carriers subject to HOS requirements must track and maintain duty-status records, and many drivers must use ELDs when they are required to keep logs.

In maintenance cases, federal rules requiring carriers to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles can make inspection reports, repair invoices, and maintenance schedules important to determining whether the carrier did what it was supposed to do before the crash.

If you or a loved one has suffered truck accident injuries, it’s important to work with a Riverside truck accident lawyer who understands the complexities of these cases. A skilled truck accident attorney can investigate the accident, identify all responsible parties—including the truck driver, trucking company, and other commercial vehicles involved—and help you pursue fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Most truck accident claims require a thorough understanding of vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, and accident reports to build a compelling case.

Don’t let the aftermath of a truck accident overwhelm you. Contact a Riverside truck accident lawyer for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovering maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. With the right legal representation, you can focus on healing while your personal injury attorney fights for the justice you deserve.

Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles

Big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers are terms often used interchangeably when referring to large trucks, but other types of trucks can be involved in trucking accidents. Large vehicles like the following have the potential to cause significant damage in accidents:

Delivery trucks
Utility trucks
Fire trucks
Ambulances
Mixer trucks

These types of vehicles are often involved in serious vehicle accidents, including semi-truck accidents and commercial truck crashes, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities.

Driver error is a common cause of large truck accidents, including negligent behavior like poor training, distracted driving, driving under the influence, drowsy driving, and failing to follow traffic laws. Other common causes of truck accidents in Riverside are:

Improper maintenance
Unsecured loads
Brake failure
Tire blowouts
Mechanical issues and other vehicle problems
Inclement weather, like snow and high winds
Overloaded trucks, which exceed weight restrictions and can cause brake failure, road damage, and increase the risk of serious accidents

All these factors can lead to various types of truck accidents, such as rollovers, jackknife accidents, rear-end collisions, override accidents, and T-bone collisions.

Complexities Surrounding Truck Accident Cases

Not only are accidents with large commercial trucks more dangerous for other drivers and passengers, but navigating the accident claim process tends to be more complicated in these accidents. Identifying the at-fault party in a truck accident is not always a simple or straightforward task. There are numerous people and entities involved in these cases, and the truck driver may not be the only responsible party.

Trucking companies, maintenance companies, cargo loaders, mechanics, manufacturers, and a host of other companies and individuals could have contributed to your accident. Maintenance companies may be liable if improper maintenance played a role, while cargo loaders are responsible for properly securing and loading cargo to prevent accidents. Additionally, commercial drivers must meet specific qualifications and adhere to strict regulations and safety standards. In complex truck accident cases, accident reconstruction is often essential to establish the cause, identify all responsible parties, and gather critical evidence for liability determination. This is why working with an experienced attorney is beneficial in truck accident cases. The lawyers at The Accident Network Law Group have extensive experience and an in-depth understanding of the legal landscape of these types of accident cases.

These cases can also involve layered insurance and federal minimum coverage rules for motor carriers, which can affect how claims are evaluated and negotiated, depending on the type of cargo and operation.

Another complication is that federal recordkeeping requirements can make carrier-held documents especially important, including accident registers and other compliance records that may help show a pattern of safety issues.

Holding Trucking Companies Responsible for Negligence

If the trucking company is found to be the at-fault party, they should be held accountable for the damage they’ve caused. A truck accident may be the company’s fault in the following scenarios:

They failed to provide adequate training to the driver
They did not perform the necessary maintenance on the truck
They violated federal regulations or state laws

In addition to what happened on the road, fault can also turn on hiring, supervision, and qualification issues, because federal rules require carriers to maintain a driver qualification file that includes key items like application information, driving-record checks, and medical certification documentation.

Companies can range in size. All the way from small local businesses to even larger corporations such as Amazon and Walmart. However, they all share our roads to move their goods.

Navigating the Legal Process After a Truck Accident

If someone is injured or killed in a truck accident, California law requires that the accident be reported to the police or the California Highway Patrol. There are time limits, and there may be additional reporting requirements depending on the details of your truck accident. To ensure you do not miss any crucial steps that would negatively impact your accident claim, contact The Accident Network Law Group for guidance on what to do after an accident. It is important to seek legal counsel before making statements, signing documents, or communicating with insurance companies to protect your rights. The Accident Network Law Group offers personalized legal services tailored to each client’s unique needs and has extensive experience handling personal injury claims after truck accidents.

There are also strict civil deadlines. In California, most personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits generally must be filed within two years, and many property-damage claims generally must be filed within three years.

If a government entity may share responsibility (for example, a dangerous roadway condition involving a public agency), a separate government claim process can apply and may require a claim to be presented within six months.

Key Steps in Filing a Claim or Lawsuit

Filing a lawsuit or accident claim after a truck accident is complex; severe injuries and multiple potential at-fault parties make the process incredibly challenging for anyone who is unfamiliar with the legal requirements. It is essential to secure and preserve crucial evidence, such as driver logs, maintenance records, and electronic data, as early as possible to prevent their loss or destruction. From collecting evidence at the scene to gathering crucial documents in the weeks and months following the accident, it’s important that the preparation for an accident claim starts far before negotiations or trials begin.

Because many critical records are controlled by the carrier, early investigation often focuses on items like ELD and duty-status records, driver qualification files, and inspection and maintenance documentation, since these categories are specifically addressed in federal compliance rules.

Can I Receive Compensation for Missing Time at Work After My Truck Accident?

One of the most unfortunate aspects of being in a trucking accident is sustaining serious injuries to the point where you are unable to do a lot of things you need to do to survive. Some truck crashes leave people with devastating and crippling injuries that require a lot of time and effort to recover from. You may be unable to work after being involved in a truck accident, which can lead to lost wages. Depending on how serious your injuries are, you may be unable to work for an extended period of time, jeopardizing your financial situation. For example, if you severely hurt your back in a truck accident, you may be unable to perform your job effectively. On top of that, your injury may require rest or even surgery which can be extremely costly in itself. Compounded with losing salary due to missed time at work, it can be a recipe for financial disaster. With bills piling up and your family needing your paycheck to survive, this can put unwanted pressure and stress on you. A personal injury attorney can 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 you have incurred. An attorney can help you seek compensation and recover compensation for your losses, including both economic and non-economic damages, by guiding you through the claims process and advocating for your rights. Our truck accident lawyers are skilled and experienced with situations just like yours, and we will do whatever it takes to simplify your life and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Even if the insurance company argues that you share some responsibility, California’s comparative negligence system generally allows recovery to be reduced by a percentage of fault rather than eliminated altogether.

Our services are offered on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we win your case.

Am I Responsible for Paying My Own Medical Bills Following a Truck Accident?

After suffering significant injuries in a truck accident, you may require serious medical attention. From surgeries to rehab sessions to constant visits to see how you have progressed, these medical expenses can add up quickly. If you aren’t well insured, these visits can be costly, and you may be responsible for paying them out of your own pocket. You shouldn’t have to pay for any personal injury you sustain where a negligent party was responsible for you getting hurt. Compensation can also cover non-economic damages such as physical pain resulting from the accident. Reach out to our law firm today to see how we can fight on your behalf to recoup any costs you’ve spent on medical expenses.

Serious truck crash injuries can also require long-term care, future treatment planning, and ongoing rehabilitation, which is why documenting follow-up care and any future medical recommendations can be important when calculating damages.

Who is Responsible for Compensating Me for My Truck Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a collision with a large truck carrying a tractor-trailer, you may be wondering who is responsible for paying you back to amends for the injuries and property damage you have sustained. Truck accidents can result in wrongful death or life-altering injuries, which may be the basis for significant claims. In many cases, trucking companies or their insurance companies may be responsible for providing you with the financial relief you need to recover from your truck accident injury. While commercial trucks may have truck drivers who overextend themselves or abuse substances while driving, their trucking company may be the ones that have to give you the payout you deserve. Every circumstance is different, but no matter who is liable for your injuries that you sustained after your commercial truck accident, we can help you fight to get the financial compensation you deserve. Most personal injury claims in California are subject to specific deadlines, so it is important to act quickly to protect your rights.

Responsibility can also extend beyond the driver and carrier in the right scenario, including entities involved in maintenance, loading, and qualification compliance, since federal rules address maintenance responsibilities and required driver documentation.

How Effective Can a Truck Accident Attorney Be for My Case?

Truck accidents are often the most violent and aggressive accidents on the road. Large trucks are harder to handle, which can lead to many serious accidents while driving. Truck crashes can leave you and your family dealing with pain and suffering for many months or even years to come. If you have sustained a personal injury in a commercial truck accident and believe negligence was involved, you may have a case against the parties that caused your collision. A truck accident attorney with years of experience, like the ones at our law group, can steer your claim in the right direction to make sure you get the most out of your case. Experienced attorneys understand the regulations and requirements involved in these cases, such as the necessity for a commercial driver’s license and compliance with federal and state safety standards. We can provide sage legal advice, fight to protect your rights, and navigate you through any hurdles you need to overcome to make your commercial truck accident a thing of the past. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.