When a truck strikes a smaller vehicle, the driver and passengers in the car may experience severe and life-altering injuries, such as brain damage, spinal cord injuries, lost limbs, and paralysis. If you were in a crash with a truck, you may have undergone one or more surgeries and may need more operations in the future. You may have to see a chiropractor or a physical therapist on a regular basis for the foreseeable future, or you may need an in-home aide to help you with basic tasks. You may be so seriously injured that you require 24-hour care in a nursing home.
Because of your injuries, you may be unable to work. You may eventually recover enough to return to work, although you may only be able to perform a fraction of the duties you used to handle. If you had a physically challenging job and you are permanently disabled, you may have to seek employment in a completely different field. If you do not have training and experience in another area, you may be trying to figure out how you could earn a living and how to finance the necessary training.
You and your spouse may be feeling overwhelmed by the growing stack of medical bills. You may be falling behind on your basic living expenses, such as your mortgage and utilities. You may have drained your savings account and may be trying to figure out how to hang in there and make ends meet.
A Long Beach truck accident lawyer may be able to help you seek compensation for medical treatment you have already received, care you are expected to need in the future, lost income, lost or reduced earning potential, and pain and suffering. Ben Crump Law, PLLC has represented clients all over the United States. Call our office at (844) 430-1030 to discuss your case with a member of our staff.
Liability for a Truck Accident
If your vehicle was hit by a passenger truck and the other motorist was driving too fast, was intoxicated, or was distracted by a cell phone or by the radio, the operator of the truck may be found liable for the crash. The other driver may also be responsible if he or she ran a red light, changed lanes suddenly to make a turn, or violated another traffic law.
The Trucking Company May Be Held Liable
In a case involving a commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer or a delivery truck, things can be more complicated. If the driver engaged in any of the actions mentioned above or committed another type of traffic violation, that individual may be found liable for the accident, and the company that employs the driver may be held liable.
Businesses have a duty to hire drivers who are qualified and to provide appropriate training. If the trucking company did not perform a background check before hiring a driver or overlooked a history of speeding tickets or DUIs, and then the driver caused a crash, the company may be held liable for negligent hiring. The business may also be found responsible for the accident if it did not provide the driver with the type of training required to perform the job safely.
Multiple Third Parties May Be Held Responsible
A trucking company has a duty to inspect its vehicles on a regular basis and to perform routine maintenance and repairs as necessary. If the company cut corners to save money or to stick to a tight schedule, and its negligence led to an accident, it may be held liable. If, however, a mechanic did not spot a problem or did not fix it correctly, the mechanic may be found responsible.
Sometimes a truck accident occurs because of a problem with the vehicle itself. For instance, a design flaw may increase the risk of the driver losing control when traveling at high speed or when rounding a turn. If the vehicle manufacturer did not take steps to address an issue and failed to warn customers, the company that produced the truck may be held liable for the collision.
If a truck is carrying cargo, items must be secured so that they cannot shift while the vehicle is in motion. If cargo shifted and the driver lost control of the truck, the company that employs the individuals who loaded the truck may be held liable. That may or may not be the same business that owns the vehicle and employs the driver.
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For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Long Beach, call (844) 430-1030
A Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Can Determine Who Was Liable
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can review the police report; statements from you, others who were involved in the crash, and eyewitnesses; and footage from traffic or surveillance cameras. Depending on the circumstances, we may also review trucking company records related to employee hiring, training, and discipline; maintenance and repairs; loading and unloading; and other factors that may have caused or contributed to the crash.
We may identify one or more parties who were liable for the collision. Our team may file a personal injury lawsuit against anyone who shares responsibility and seek a financial award to cover your past and future medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. We can work to reach a settlement and avoid a trial, but we will go to court if that is necessary to obtain an amount of compensation that we believe is fair.
You may still be eligible for compensation if your actions contributed to the crash. Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, you may be entitled to a financial award that is reduced to reflect your percentage of liability.
Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 430-1030
Get in Touch with a Truck Accident Lawyer
A truck accident can cause devastating injuries. If you were hurt in such a collision, a Long Beach truck accident lawyer may be able to help you seek compensation, but you have a limited window of opportunity to sue. The statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years in most cases, according to California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1.
You may be overwhelmed by bills and may think that you could not afford to hire an attorney. That is a common concern, but you should know that Ben Crump Law, PLLC operates on contingency. If you hire our firm to represent you in a personal injury case, you will not have to pay us anything unless we obtain compensation for you. Call us today at (844) 430-1030 to learn more.
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