A qualified Bakersfield truck accident lawyer can help you if you have been in a truck accident and need help obtaining the maximum monetary compensation. Truck accidents result in a significantly higher probability of severe injuries to motorists on our roads. This is because of a truck’s great size and weight disparity in comparison to other vehicles on the road. Every year truck accidents result in tens of thousands of significant injuries and thousands of deaths on our roadways and highways. Our law firm is dedicated to provided victims who have been involved in truck accidents with the legal representation needed. Our law firm comprises of a top team of attorneys, paralegals and case managers who have decades of experience in litigating truck accident cases across Kern County, the city of Bakersfield and surrounding California communities. So no matter where in CA you are located, we can provide the legal help that you need.

Below you will find important information regarding trucking accident claims and lawsuits. If you have any further legal questions you need answered by our experienced lawyers or if you would like to speak with our accomplished attorneys with experience in truck accident cases regarding your claim, contact our top-rated law offices. All legal consultations are 100 percent confidential and free of charge.

Steps To Take After an Accident Involving a Truck

A roadway accident can be a harrowing experience. Victims are often left terrified and bewildered as to what they need to do in order to protect their rights. Below, our expert legal team with experience handling truck accident claims has delineated a set of steps that should be followed immediately after an accident.

• Contact the local law enforcement agency and report the accident. A police report can help establish liability and may contain information that can play an important part in your case. However, a police report is not necessarily going to make or break your case.
• If injured seek medical treatment immediately. Contact the local paramedics or have the police at the location of the accident contact an ambulance to transport you to the nearest medical facility. Documentation of your injuries and diagnosis of the injury you have suffered soon after an accident can have a substantially beneficial impact on any future settlement of your personal injury case.
• Gather evidence. Take pictures of the at fault driver’s information including his insurance card, drivers’ license number, phone number and registration of the vehicle.
• Witness information: If there are any witnesses take down their personal contact information. Many times trucking insurance companies will deny liability. Witness testimony will help steer liability towards the direction of the at fault truck driver.
• DO NOT speak with any representative from the truck company or any insurance adjusters regarding the accident and your injuries. The goal of insurance adjusters are to reduce or invalidate any chances you may have or recovery.
• Consult with an experienced attorney.

Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents

Truck accidents result in a substantially increased probability of harm for victims because of the large weight and size disparity between trucks and other motorized vehicles on the road. Some of the most common injuries resulting from truck accidents include the following:

• Injuries to the Back and Neck – Spinal Cord Injuries: The most common injury following an auto accident is spinal cord damage. Victims experiencing whiplash pain or lower back pain should be evaluated by either a pain management doctor or a orthopedic specialist. Imaging results vial an MRI or CT scan can show the damage you may have suffered including bulging discs and indentations to the theca sac resulting in severe nerve pain.
• Trauma to the head – resulting in traumatic brain damage: Common signs of head injuries include loss of consciousness (passing out) right after the initial collision, short term memory loss, and nausea resulting in vomiting, lack of sleep or too much sleep, changes in mood and behavior, and sensitivity to light. Victims suspected to have suffered a brain injury should be evaluated by a neurologist who can perform the proper testing in order to diagnose the type and extent of the damage suffered.
• Facial Injuries: Common facial injuries can range from ocular damage resulting in loss of sight, broken nose, dental damage, facial paralysis, broken jaw and TMJ injury.
• Damage to the eardrum – Tinnitus: Chronic and persistent ringing in the ear is a clear indication of tinnitus. Victims should be evaluated by an Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT – ear nose and throat) doctor.
• Hand and Wrist Damage: In many instances victims grip the steering wheel of their vehicle in order to withstand the impact. The hand and wrist end up absorbing the force of the collision resulting in severe damage.
• Knee Damage: Common knee injuries include shattered knee caps, torn ACL and MCL injuries and miscues damage.
• Shoulder Injuries: Torn rotator cuff is the most common shoulder injury following an auto accident. Victims should be evaluated by a orthopedist with a specialization in shoulder damage.
• Other Orthopedic Injuries: There are many other injuries to the skeletal structure which can result from a traumatic event including damage to the ankle, broken tibia and fibula, cracked ribs, separated shoulder, and fractures of the bones of the foot.
• Nerve Damage: Common signs of nerve damage include tingling, loss of sensation, severe localized pain, and burning sensation. One of the most severe types of nerve damage is CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) which can result in debilitating pain for the rest of a victim’s life.
• Other injuries: Internal Organ Damage, Burn injuries, and Physiological Injuries.

Statute of Limitations – Timing Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit

In the state of California victims of personal injury have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in the court of law. If they fail to file a lawsuit within that time the victim will have relinquished his right to recovery under California state civil law. Children under the age of 18 have two years from the date of their 18^th birthday to file a civil lawsuit in court. If you have other questions, call us to speak with a skilled lawyered experienced in truck accident cases.

• Government Truck Accidents: Government owned vehicles fall under an administrative court process. Victims have 6 months from the date of the collision to file an administrative court action with the government agency operating the truck. Once the government administrative claim in rejected victims have 6 months from the date of the rejection to file a civil lawsuit.

Average Truck Accident Case Settlement

Once of the most common questions asked by our clients is regarding the monetary amount of financial compensation available. This is a complicated question to answer because every case is different; comprising of factors unique to the specific case.  We have outlined a list of the most important factors which can play a crucial role in determining your case value.

• The injuries you have suffered: For example a person who has suffered severe spinal cord damage resulting in an inability to walk will likely have an increased case value in comparison to a person who has suffered only soft tissue injuries.
• The medical costs associated with your injuries: In many cases victims will suffer from long term or permanent injuries requiring future medical, nursing, and home care. A life care planner is a specialist that is hired to assess any future medical and health related cost which can be used by the victim in order to maximize the potential value the a case.
• Any loss of income and future loss of wages: Victims of personal injury are owed a right to receive compensation for any loss of wages they have suffered due injuries sustained from the accident. Many victims are unable to return back to work or to work in the same field as they once had prior to the accident because of the continued pain associated with the injuries on permanent disabilities. At fault parties are required to compensate a victim for any future loss of income or reduction of income as well.
• Property damage of your vehicle: The damage sustained by your vehicle. A car that is totaled or has sustained significant damage usually results in a higher probability of harm to the person in the vehicle. The best way to determine the force of impact to a vehicle is by the damage sustained by the vehicle.
• The amount of insurance coverage available: In the state of California most trucks are considered commercial vehicles and thus must carry a commercial insurance policy. Policy limits for commercial vehicles range from $500,000 to in excess of $10,000,000. Some commercial fleet carriers such as Fed-Ex or UPS insure their own trucks and thus can carry an unlimited policy. Government owned vehicles are insured by state and or federal governments and thus carry potentially unlimited policies.
• The availability for punitive damages: California law provides victims the right to seek punitive damages on top of their general damages in cases where the at fault party acted in a recklessly dangerous fashion or intentionally. Example of reckless disregard (commonly known as gross negligence) include, drunk driving, driving under the influence of a narcotic, drowsy driving, driving at a high rate of speed, and hit and run accidents. Only an attorney with expertise in truck accident injury lawsuits will be able to win these damages.

Death of a Loved One from Truck Accidents – Wrongful Death

The death of a family member is a great tragedy resulting in deep psychological wounds and in many cases severe financial issues. In many cases family members of the victims are left with mounting hospital bills and funeral costs and are unable to support their family due to the financial constraints caused by the loss of a individual that was the main earner in the family. In the state of California certain family members have the right to pursue recovery for the financial and psychological damage caused by the death of a loved one. Family members who can participate in a wrongful death claim include the spouse (husband or wife) of the deceased, the children of the deceased, putative spouses and domestic partners. Parents of individuals who died may be able to pursue a wrongful death action if they were in some way financially dependent on their child and there are no surviving children on spouses of the deceased. Siblings (brother, and sisters) of the deceased would be able to recover if they were financially dependent on the victims and there were no surviving spouses or children. An attorney who has experience in truck accident cases can be a valuable asset in your case.

Cost of Hiring Our Law Firm to Represent You

One of the chief concerns of personal injury victims is the seemingly exorbitant costs of legal representation. Many victims mistakenly believe they can achieve a higher level of monetary recovery if they pursue the claim on their own without paying for legal representation. In order to alleviate such fears our law firm provides all our personal injury clients with a Zero Fee Guarantee. Our clients will not pay for any legal fees or expenses out of pocket; our fees will be appropriated only when there is a successful resolution of your case. If there is no recovery for any reason you will not have to pay us back for any legal costs and fees.

FREE Case Review with Our Truck Accident Attorneys

If you have been involved on a truck related accident and would like to pursue a claim for injuries feel free to contact our office. All legal consultations and case reviews are performed by our experienced personal injury attorneys free of charge.