Maison Law helps injury victims in truck accidents throughout Dinuba and the surrounding area. While any vehicle accident carries risk, truck accidents involving large commercial vehicles are often more serious. If you’re injured in a truck accident, it’s crucial to have experienced legal guidance and support. Our Dinuba personal injury lawyers know how to handle truck accident claims. Let us take care of the legal process while you focus on recovery. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation.
When Do You Need a Lawyer?
Even though truck accidents are typically more severe, there’s still a chance your accident is minor. In that case, you might not need a lawyer. However, if you’re dealing with severe injuries and other damages from a truck accident, you’ll probably need as much help as you can get. Our firm will be there to help you. Here’s how we approach these cases:
- Guidance – We have years of experience dealing with truck accidents and California law. We’ll explain your options and provide the information you need to make decisions.
- Investigation – Using our skills and resources, we investigate the details of your accident. We collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and analyze the scene to determine fault.
- Communication – We communicate with insurance companies and others on your behalf to make sure you don’t say anything that could harm your case.
- Negotiation – We’ll build a strong case for you and handle negotiations to secure a fair deal.
Our priority is to make things easier for you. While we handle the legal side, you can focus on your health. Still, it’s important to know what to expect.
What’s the Claims Process After a Dinuba Truck Accident?
A truck accident carries heavy risks for you and others in terms of the injuries you can experience. It’s not difficult to see why: the huge size disparity, coupled with the harmful cargo a truck can carry, makes these accidents more serious. But the law looks at them the same way as any other vehicle accident in Dinuba, meaning that there’s a claims process in place that you can take advantage of.
To start this process, you must file an injury claim against whoever is responsible. Generally, you have two options:
- Filing an insurance claim – This process occurs outside of court and is less formal. While it may provide quicker access to settlement funds, insurance companies often lowball you since they solely decide on the amount.
- Filing a lawsuit – This involves the court system and is more time-consuming and effort-intensive. However, it offers a better chance of recovering the financial support needed to address your injuries and other accident-related damages.
It’s worth repeating that truck accidents frequently result in severe injuries and extensive damage, particularly to smaller vehicles. Apart from medical treatment, your vehicle might require repairs or replacement, and the emotional impact can be profound. Fortunately, these factors are taken into account when assessing your losses. In a typical truck accident claim, your damages may cover:
- Medical expenses resulting from the accident
- Lost income due to the accident
- Potential future income loss in case of permanent injury
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death expenses, such as funeral or burial costs
While the process varies for each case, one thing remains constant: the statute of limitations. In California, you have two years from the accident date to file your claim. Missing this deadline means you lose out on the chance to recover these damages.
Who Pays For Your Damage After a Truck Accident?
Because it’s effectively a personal injury claim, the legal standard of who has to pay for your damages–known as liability–comes down to negligence. But this isn’t always straightforward, especially in a truck accident.
Figuring out who’s responsible is usually the first big challenge in truck accident cases. Truck accidents can be messy because more than one person or company might be at fault:
- Truck driver – If the driver did something wrong, like speeding or driving carelessly, they could be responsible.
- The driver’s employer – The company that hired the driver might also be on the hook. They’re often responsible for what their employees do while they’re working.
- The company that made the truck – If there’s something wrong with the truck itself, like a design flaw or a part that breaks, the company that made the truck might be responsible.
- Cargo loaders – If the cargo isn’t loaded properly and it causes an accident, the people who loaded it might be to blame.
- Maintenance workers – If the truck wasn’t properly maintained and that caused the accident, the folks who were supposed to keep it in shape might be responsible.
- The company that made the truck parts – If a specific part of the truck breaks and causes the accident, the company that made that part could be at fault.
So, truck accidents can get pretty complicated because there are lots of different things that could go wrong. And it’s not just about the driver making a mistake. Virtually anyone else on the road can also be involved or share responsibility for the accident. But no matter how complicated it gets, the steps you take after the accident are going to be very important to your claim.
What Should You Do Following a Truck Accident?
A truck accident isn’t just about the claims process–it’s about your health and safety. In short, your health and safety should be the first thing you think about following a truck accident in Dinuba. From there, though, there’s important things you’ll need to do to gather the information you’ll need for your claim:
- Report the accident to authorities – First, get to a safe spot and call the police. They’ll respond and clear the area. They can also help you gather information from others involved.
- Call an ambulance – Your health is the priority, so call an ambulance to help you right away. EMTs can check you at the scene, but visit a doctor or hospital for further treatment and care to see if there are any underlying injuries.
- Document the accident scene – Take notes and pictures of the accident scene, noting details like the date, time, weather, and vehicles involved. Exchange contact and insurance info with others, including witnesses.
- Preserve evidence – Keep copies of important documents, like medical records and repair estimates. These will help when dealing with insurance or legal matters.
Given that every truck accident is different, it might not be possible for you to take some of these steps since they usually result in serious injuries and can be fatal. But the fact remains that you have to show the extent of your damages for a strong claim.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Dinuba?
As you might expect, there’s a huge variety of factors and other things that cause truck accidents in Dinuba. For one, the city’s central location in California means it’s a common travel location for trucks moving around the state.
At the same time, the same factors and causes that go into a normal car accident are also present in a truck accident. So, some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Dinuba include:
- Driving too fast
- Changing lanes recklessly
- Driving while fatigued
- Lack of driving experience
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving
- Improper truck maintenance or loading
- Poor road conditions or inclement weather
No matter what causes the truck accident you’re involved in, you have legal options. You can rely on our team at Maison Law to support you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time limit for filing a truck accident claim?
The statute of limitations is two years. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to pursue an injury claim.
Who is liable in a truck accident, the driver or the company?
Responsibility typically falls on both the driver and the company they work for, but it varies based on the circumstances.
What if I don’t have the money to hire a lawyer for my truck accident case?
At Maison Law, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means you don’t need to pay anything upfront to work with us, and our fee is taken from the result we get for you.
Dedicated Legal Support For Dinuba Truck Accident Victims
If you’re in a truck accident, it can have a big impact on your life. Our dedicated team of Dinuba truck accident lawyers understands the challenges you’re facing, and will be there to support you through the claims process. With our experience and resources, we’ll make sure you have a strong claim and get the most out of the legal process. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.
