Maison Law is prepared to represent victims and their families following a Porterville truck accident. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident, it is crucial that you contact a Porterville truck accident lawyer for a free and completely confidential case consultation.
Large trucks are a necessity on our roads, delivering goods from one area to the next so that they can be purchased by consumers. Though we need trucks and their services on our roads, these large vehicles that weigh tens of thousands of pounds can cause serious and catastrophic accidents within seconds. At Maison Law, we understand how devastating a truck accident can be and want to keep you and your family informed of your options after an accident.
Do I Need a Porterville Truck Accident Lawyer Following an Accident?
Technically, you can file a claim without an attorney after a truck accident. However, it is advised that you have a lawyer on your side if the following aspects are present due to your truck accident:
- Another party was partially or completely to blame for your accident
- Your injuries required a hospital stay
- You are missing time at work due to your injuries
- You are missing time on your favorite daily activities
- The injuries otherwise impact your life financially and physically
Truck accident investigations are much different from other types of investigations in the legal realm. Truck accident lawyers know to act quickly so that they can preserve evidence in a truck accident claim before it disappears forever. They will assist you with the following aspects:
- Investigate your claim to prove fault
- Negotiate with the insurance company to help you get the best settlement offer
- File a lawsuit if your claim has to go to trial
Common Causes of Porterville Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are operating a vehicle that is up to 80,000 pounds, making the presence of a catastrophic accident more likely. These drivers are also specially trained for the job so that accidents are less frequent. Still, truck accidents happen every day due to a variety of reasons.
Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers are typically under pressure to work long hours even though there are laws in place that say to take a certain number of breaks. When a driver illegally exceeds their working hours and falls asleep at the wheel, it can cause a catastrophic accident in the blink of an eye.
Driver Distractions: There are many types of distractions that a truck driver could engage in, from texting to eating behind the wheel. Even taking eyes off the road for a few seconds could cause a severe accident.
Driving Under the Influence: The maximum allowed blood-alcohol content limit for the holder of a commercial license is 0.04%. If a truck driver consumers alcohol within four hours of operating their vehicle, they are breaking the law and could impact every other driver on the roads with their actions.
Lack of Proper Vehicle Maintenance: Because tractor-trailers are so large, they can cause significant damage to any other vehicle on our roads in the event of an accident. This is why trucks must be properly maintained at all times so that accidents can be prevented.
Lack of Proper Training: If a truck driver was hired and they are inexperienced, they could put other drivers on our roads in danger. In these cases, a trucking company must ensure that their drivers are properly trained for the job.
Poor Cargo Loading: If a truck is improperly loaded, cargo could fall into the road at high speeds. The driver, the trucking company, or the cargo loader could be to blame in these cases.
Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?
When dealing with truck accident claims, there are many parties who could actually be to blame for a collision. These include some of the following parties:
The Truck Driver: The driver of the truck involved in your accident is typically the first person you may think of when considering liability. With the help of your lawyer, you will need to show that they acted negligently, violated traffic laws, or were failing to abide by trucking regulations at the time of your accident.
The Trucking Company: Most truck drivers are hired to work on behalf of a trucking company. It can be difficult to prove that a company actually caused an accident. Some ways that liability can be proven is through lack of proper inspections, failing to provide truck maintenance, and pushing drivers to work long hours without breaks.
The Manufacturer of Truck Parts: A manufacturer could be held liable for a truck accident if there was faulty or defective equipment at use in the truck and it led to the accident.
Cargo Loaders: Cargo loaders can also be held responsible for an accident if they have failed to properly inspect cargo or disclose that there were hazardous materials inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file my lawsuit following a truck accident?
In California, the statute of limitations for a truck accident claim is two years from the date that your accident happened or your injury is discovered. Because you can be barred from bringing a claim if you wait too long, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
What should I do if the trucking company or their insurance company contacts me after my accident?
It is not recommended that you speak with the trucking company or their insurance company after an accident until you have sought legal advice. They might try to use information that you give them against you in your future claim or offer you too low of a settlement.
What are some of the best ways to protect my rights after a truck accident?
You should always make sure that proper evidence is gathered at the scene of the accident and after. These include aspects like all contact information, trucking records and logs, witness information, and police reports.
Contact a Porterville Truck Accident Lawyer
Getting back on your feet after a truck accident in Porterville can be a difficult thing to do if you have sustained serious injuries. At Maison Law, we have handled truck accident claims for years and will compassionately assist you as you navigate the complexities of the legal system. Big-name insurance companies that work for these trucking companies might do whatever they can to lessen the number of damages you receive. You never want to be taken advantage of during these desperate times.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident or lost a loved one in one of these catastrophic accidents, you have many rights and options under California law. Contact us for a free case consultation that is completely confidential to you. You will not have to pay any upfront fees and we will only be paid if we win your claim for you.
