Orange County Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve driven around Orange County, you’re probably familiar with the uneasiness that comes from sharing the road with semi-trucks. These large vehicles are designed to transport heavy materials and hazardous chemicals, adding to the risks when accidents occur. According to 2022 data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were:

• 166,260 large truck crashes
• 75,260 of these accidents caused injuries

Orange County, just like many other places in California, has a lot of big trucks on its roads. And because of that, there are more accidents between these trucks and smaller vehicles. When these accidents happen, the people in the smaller vehicles can frequently suffer serious injuries or even death. As a result, it’s important to know what you can do and what choices you have if this happens to you.

Experienced and Dedicated Legal Support From Orange County Truck Accident Lawyers

Being involved in a truck accident in Orange County can be a distressing and isolating experience. Not only do you have to cope with serious injuries, but you may also face a range of consequences that can affect your recovery, like significant medical expenses and the difficulty of restoring your previous quality of life.

These factors are crucial when considering your legal options, and our team at Maison Law is here to help. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Orange County have the knowledge and skills needed to navigate these devastating accidents, making sure that you receive the appropriate treatment and support provided by California law. It’s important to act quickly when seeking assistance–contact us today for a free consultation.

Understanding Truck Accidents in Orange County

While all vehicle accidents in Orange County pose a level of danger, truck accidents come with heightened risks due to various factors, including things like the following:

• Severe injuries are a common outcome of accidents involving commercial trucks, as their size and weight can cause significant harm to drivers and passengers in other vehicles.
• Truck accidents are more likely to lead to fatalities compared to regular car accidents due to their greater force of impact, significant size and weight disparities, and the possibility of transporting hazardous cargo.
• Truck accidents often result in substantial property damage, affecting vehicles, buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, resulting in costly repairs.
• Truck accidents frequently cause major traffic congestion, particularly on busy highways and interstates, leading to delays, frustration, and an increased risk of further accidents as drivers maneuver around the crash site.
• Truck accidents may also pose environmental hazards, especially if hazardous materials are being transported, as spills or leaks from such substances can contaminate the surrounding environment, posing risks to human health and the ecosystem.

The potential consequences and aftermath of truck accidents are extensive. While the impact on the community and the environment can be distressing, it is often the personal injuries and damages suffered by individuals in Orange County that have the most significant impact.

Common Causes

As mentioned earlier, accidents involving big rig trucks are particularly dangerous due to the hazardous cargo they carry, such as chemicals, gasoline, and radioactive materials. However, there are other common causes of truck accidents. These include:

• Speeding
• Fatigued driving
• Driving drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Changing lanes in a dangerous way
• Not paying attention while driving
• Drivers who don’t have much experience
• Cargo loaded improperly or unsafely
• Drivers who cause accidents with trucks due to carelessness
• Bad weather like rain or fog
• Conditions where it’s hard to see clearly
• Brakes or tires not working properly
• Roads in poor condition

All of these factors contribute to commercial truck accidents throughout Orange County. If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer who can help you pursue your legal options. Before that, though, you should know what to do after one of these accidents.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Orange County?

While truck accidents in Orange County are typically more severe because of the various factors involved, procedurally you should approach them like any other vehicle accident you find yourself involved in. Thus, it’s important to take the following steps to protect yourself and any potential claim you may have:

• Seek medical attention – First and foremost, you need to take care of your injuries. Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not be immediately obvious, and a medical evaluation can identify underlying issues.
• Document the accident – Take detailed notes and pictures of the accident scene, including the date, time, location, weather, road conditions, vehicles involved, positions, and damages. 
• Collect information – Do your best to exchange contact, insurance, and vehicle details with the other parties involved, including the box truck driver and witnesses. Note their names, phone numbers, addresses, and license plate numbers.
• Contact your insurance company – You’ll need to contact your insurance company about the accident to get the claims process started. Give them precise and thorough information about the incident, to the extent you’re able. We can also help with this.
• Preserve evidence – Keep copies of relevant documents like medical records, repair estimates, and any incurred expenses. These records will be valuable when filing insurance claims or pursuing legal action.

Remember, the specific steps you should take may vary depending on your jurisdiction and the circumstances of the accident. It’s always a good idea to consult with our team of experienced Orange County legal professionals who can provide advice more suited to your situation.

What is the Process in an Orange County Truck Accident Case?

Every truck accident that happens in Orange County is unique. This means that there are different factors and circumstances that happen in each accident. With that said the legal process in these accidents follows a certain procedure.

The first step is typically figuring out who is responsible. In truck accidents, this isn’t always straightforward, as there can be a variety of different parties who could potentially be involved, including the:

• Truck driver
• Truck driver’s employer
• Manufacturer, particularly if they loaded the truck
• Company that owns or leases the truck
• Entity responsible for truck maintenance
• Truck manufacturer
• Manufacturer of specific truck parts in cases of equipment failure

The specific circumstances of the accident will determine who is responsible for the damages. If the accident was caused by the negligence of the truck driver, such as speeding or driving under the influence, they or their employing company will be liable. On the other hand, if the accident resulted from a tire blowout or improper loading, the part manufacturer or cargo-loading company could be held responsible.

Filing a Claim

Once you’re able to address your health and well-being, you can focus on pursuing support and benefits through an injury claim. Our experienced team can assist you in navigating the complexities involved in a truck accident claim.

In Orange Couty, a truck injury claim can potentially provide compensation for:

• Medical bills and costs – This refers to the money you need to pay for your medical treatment, including doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any other related expenses.
• Treatment and therapy expenses – These are the costs associated with the ongoing care and rehabilitation you may need after the accident. It can include expenses for physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, counseling, or any other treatments that help you recover from your injuries.
• Lost wages – This refers to the income you are unable to earn because your injuries prevent you from working. It includes the wages or salary you would have earned during the time you were unable to work due to the accident.
• Emotional distress – This is similar to mental anguish and refers to the emotional pain and suffering you endure as a consequence of the accident. It encompasses a wide range of negative emotions that affect your well-being, such as sadness, grief, humiliation, or anguish.

The extent of these damages depends on the severity of medical bills and the emotional trauma caused by the accident. However, in most truck accidents, the damages that you or a loved one suffer are quite severe. Thus, it’s crucial to be aware of the statute of limitations, which sets a two-year deadline from the date of the accident for filing a truck accident claim in California. Missing this deadline means you won’t be able to file a claim for much-needed compensation.

Contact Maison Law Today To Protect Your Legal Rights

When you experience a truck accident, it can be a devastating and traumatic event. Our team of experienced Orange County truck accident lawyers at Maison Law is here to help you obtain the compensation needed for your recovery.

We handle all aspects of your claim, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being. For a free consultation regarding a truck accident in Orange County, contact us today.