Maison Law represents victims of trucking accidents involving Gelson’s trucks in Santa Monica. If you or a loved one have been injured due to a careless Gelson’s truck driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I’m in an Accident with a Gelson’s Truck in Santa Monica?
Accidents with 18-wheeler trucks usually end with major injuries to all parties involved. If you’ve only sustained some minor bumps and bruises, an attorney may not be necessary. However, if your injuries require hospitalization, follow-up doctor’s visits, or surgery, it is advisable to contact an attorney to understand your legal options. An accident attorney will:
- Increase your initial settlement by assigning blame to all liable parties
- File a lawsuit to get you compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Connect you to trusted doctors and ensure continued medical treatment
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages you’ve suffered
- Evidence that a person, or business, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence the accident was in no way your fault, nor could you have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached and present your case in front of a jury
What Do I Do When Mulitple Vehicles Are at Fault in a Gelson’s Truck Accident in Santa Monica?
Multiple drivers may be “at fault” for your accident. Even if you’re partially at fault, you are still entitled to recover damages because California is a pure comparative negligence state. Comparative negligence allows an injured party who shares fault for their injuries to still receive compensation. This is reflected in the Comparative Negligence Law:
“Under the pure comparative negligence rule, the state allows the plaintiff to claim damages for the 1% they are not at fault even when they are 99% at fault.”
A legal case known as Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975) is an example of when the Supreme Court of California ruled that injured drivers were still entitled to compensation, regardless of their role in the accident. At Maison Law, our experienced accident attorneys will help you identify every party that should be providing you support and file strong claims against every insurance company involved.
What Should You Do After Getting in an Accident With a Gelson’s Truck in Santa Monica
An accident with a Gelson’s truck can be life-altering. Your next steps will be very important to your health and safety, as well as protecting your right to compensation. We recommend taking the following steps after a truck accident:
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor, they can manifest into something much worse weeks later. It is recommended to check in with a doctor to make sure you are okay.
- Call the Police: With minor accidents, some people would rather keep the police out of it and handle it themselves. This would not help your case, especially if the case comes down to your word over the commercial truck driver. A police officer will file an accident report, and may even assign blame based on their collision assessment. A police report is critical evidence in any claim and will play a key role in ensuring you are fully compensated.
- Do NOT admit fault: Even if you were at fault, you should not admit fault to anyone. Admitting fault without an investigation or legal representation can only hurt your case. It is best to allow the accident report to decide who is at fault and to rely on an attorney to dispute any unwarranted fault on your behalf.
- Gather Evidence: You should document the accident as thoroughly as possible. Take pictures of the damage to your car, the Gelson’s truck, your injuries, skid marks on the road, and street signs or landmarks. Take a video of yourself recounting the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. And if there are any eyewitnesses, be sure to get their names and numbers as they can testify on your behalf, or provide a statement to corroborate your story.
- Collect Information: Exchange insurance information with the driver and be sure to get the following:
- Their name
- Employee ID
- Truck number
- Phone number
- Company contact information
What Compensation Can I Expect from a Gelson’s Truck Accident in Santa Monica
The payout for accidents with a Gelson’s truck varies on a case-to-case basis, however, an experienced accident attorney will let you know what you can expect once they understand the specifics of your case. The following factors will decide your compensation:
- Medical expenses for future and present treatment
- Other medical costs needed to facilitate your injuries such as a wheelchair, crutches, or in-home care
- Pain and suffering, which include trauma, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life due to the accident.
- Damage or destruction to your property
- Loss of income if your injuries prevented you from working
- Loss of consortium (to be filed by the spouse or immediate family member for loss of companionship or love)
- Wrongful death benefits if a life was lost in the accident
Contact a Gelson’s Truck Accident Lawyer in Santa Monica
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a careless Gelson’s truck driver in Santa Monica, the attorneys at Maison Law can get you the compensation you need. No upfront money is required and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. At Maison Law, we know how traumatic and overwhelming a trucking accident can be. Our team of experienced truck accident lawyers are standing by to answer all of your questions and support you every step of the way.
Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
