Long Beach Big Rig Accident Lawyer

Long Beach is an industrious city and is home to one of the biggest shipping ports in the U.S. With all of the goods that come into Long Beach and leave Long Beach, local drivers have come to expect to see large trucks traveling on local roads.

Big rigs, tanker trucks, and produce haulers all fill the lanes as they leave or enter Long Beach each day. It’s great for the economy, but these giant vehicles often take up more than their own lanes and they are obvious collision hazards.

An impact caused by a careless truck driver has the potential to cause major damage to an SUV and serious injuries to those inside. After a Long Beach Big Rig Accident, it’s critical that victims seek full compensation from a truck driver’s insurance, and in some cases, from the company the driver works for.

Schedule a Free Big Rig Accident Case Consultation with a Skilled Local Attorney

If you or a loved one are hurt in a big rig collision on a freeway or boulevard in Long Beach, speak with a Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer before saying anything to an insurance company. A commercial insurance company isn’t required to inform you of the benefits available to you and your family. In fact, they want you to sign off on as small a settlement as possible.

This can be an easy mistake to make when you don’t know what your injury is actually worth and how much support you should expect. Contact Maison Law of Long Beach for a free and confidential case evaluation. You can quickly get an honest appraisal of what you’ll need to fully recover physically and financially after a devastating box truck or semi accident.

Big Rig Accident Dangers in Long Beach

Long Beach drivers have probably gotten used to traveling alongside heavy big rigs that sway back and forth and often wall off a good 70 to 80 feet of scenery. It would be a very frightening situation if motorists thought about it for too long.

That 80,000-pound vehicle could suddenly switch lanes without the truck driver bothering to check if you’re there. The big rig may be behind you on Long Beach Boulevard or on the 710 Freeway. The driver may not see you slow down for a traffic jam or for a redlight. That semi might ram you from behind and push your bumper dangerously close to your front seat.

California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) documented 107 truck accidents involving injuries in Long Beach in 2021. In those accidents, 131 people suffered injuries.

Long Beach big rig accidents can easily involve multiple vehicles and it’s often the case that there are multiple traumatic injuries involved. It’s why securing an adequate insurance settlement must be a priority. Victims shouldn’t have to wait to receive support to rebuild their lives and support their families.

What to Do After a Long Beach Big Rig Accident

Even when a truck driver is clearly at fault for an accident that causes injuries, it’s not a given that insurance companies will offer you fair support. They’ll want hard evidence of their policyholder’s fault before they agree to accept responsibility. And sometimes they can even dispute hard evidence, simply hoping you’ll back down and let them off the hook.

The best thing you can do to strengthen your case on the day of your accident is to collect evidence right there on your big rig accident scene.

Your Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer will be gathering all evidence available once you inform your lawyer of what happened. However, your lawyer won’t be there on the scene where some of the most powerful evidence will be found.

If you are physically able, or if someone with you can help, try to collect these details on the scene:

• Dial 911. Let ambulance crew members check out every potential injury you have. Take a ride to the emergency room if necessary. When Long Beach Police or the California Highway Patrol arrives, make sure you tell them about everything you observed leading up to your delivery truck accident. Alert them if you saw the truck driver behaving recklessly or using a cellphone. Officers will be creating a collision report your attorney will secure for your case once it’s complete.
• Photograph your truck accident scene. Show the damage to the vehicles involved and clearly show license plates and the truck’s commercial plates. Get pictures of the trucking company signs and logos on the big rig. Use your phone to get video of traffic signs, lane markings, and the path the truck took. Show any visible injuries and damage to clothing.
• Find out what witnesses observed. Get their names, addresses, and phone numbers so your personal injury lawyer can request testimony from them later.
• When talking to the truck driver, don’t offer statements about who was at fault or how badly you are injured. These are questions for the officers, your doctors, and your personal injury attorney. Anything you say at this point can be twisted and used as an excuse to reject your claim later.
• Schedule an appointment with your physician. Tell your doctor what happened and alert the doctor to any new pain you feel in the days after the big rig collision. Keep receipts for all medical charges related to your accident.

Who Is Responsible for a Long Beach Semi-Truck Accident?

Getting these key details documented will go a long way towards putting together a successful Long Beach truck accident injury claim. A strong case will be important because you could have to prove your case to more than one insurance company.

In a truck accident, there is often more than one party that’s found at fault. The blame doesn’t always rest completely with the truck driver.

These are just a few of the parties that may share the responsibility in a semi-truck accident and may have to provide you with financial support:

• Independent Truck Driver — You could be in a crash involving local drivers who work for themselves. They will carry commercial truck insurance that you will be able to target in a claim for damages.
• Trucking or Delivery Company – Whether a local company or a giant corporation like Amazon or one of the shipping companies operating out of the Port of Long Beach, these businesses all employ drivers. In many cases, these companies cover their drivers with a corporate commercial insurance policy. At times, trucking companies are also found negligent when it’s proven they don’t offer their drivers enough training. They may also fail to do a proper background check to expose a dangerous driver. Companies are also liable when they don’t properly maintain their big rigs
• Truck Maker – The big rig manufacturer could be forced to support you during recovery if a malfunction or defect on the truck or a truck part caused your accident. Recalls on unsafe trucks could also provide you with a reason to file a claim against a truck manufacturer after an injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of things determine how much truck accident compensation I’ll receive?

The totals on your medical bills and the wages you’ve lost while missing work, and other damages, will help determine settlement amounts. The physical pain you endure and the emotional trauma you suffer must also factor in.

How long do I have to file a Long Beach truck accident claim?

Two years. You’ll have up to 24 months to file a claim against a truck driver’s insurance and perhaps against the driver’s employer. Acting quickly gives your truck accident attorney the best chance of building a strong case.

Do I need a Long Beach truck accident lawyer?

If you suffer anything more than minor bruises, you’ll probably need a personal injury lawyer to protect your interests. Trucking companies can afford corporate lawyers and you’ll need your own attorney to receive fair treatment.

Contact a Long Beach Big Rig Accident Lawyer

Long Beach commuters probably don’t go a day without sharing the road with a semi and tractor-trailer, a loaded-down box truck, or a produce truck from a local farm. The size and shape of these giant vehicles make them more prone to accidents that involve major injuries for victims. Then, when filing an insurance claim to secure full recovery support, victims might be forced to battle more than one insurance provider.

To make sure your injury is treated seriously and you receive the maximum compensation available, discuss your best options with a skilled Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer. Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, offers a free, no-obligation consultation for all Long Beach victims and their families.