Truck accidents are devastating incidents that cause bodily harm and property damage to all the involved parties. That’s why trucking companies and other employers that own commercial trucks must carry adequate insurance to cover their workers and anyone else that’s injured in an accident. Lancer is one of these insurance providers, but unfortunately, the company has a reputation of stalling on claims and being difficult to work with.
With all the complications that are associated with truck accident claims, it’s important to have an experienced law firm by your side. The attorneys of Normandie have decades of experience in claims with Lancer and other commercial vehicle insurance companies that operate in California. Contact us at your earliest opportunity and learn about the ways we can assist you.
What can Cause a Truck Accident?
There are many reasons behind why truck accidents happen, but quite a lot of these events are due to negligent conduct by other drivers on the road. Due to their size and capacity to cause damage, you should always give a wide berth when traveling near a semi, 18-wheeler, or some other commercial truck. You must also avoid passing trucks on the right side, where the blind spot that limits the driver’s visibility is especially apparent.
Of course, accidents can also happen because of careless or reckless actions by the truck driver. Determining driver error is a critical aspect of any accident investigation, which include factors such as:
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Driving for too many hours in a row or not resting for the required amount of time in between shifts
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Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and or medication
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Failure to follow traffic rules
A Trucking Company’s Duty of Care
Fault may also lie with the owners of the truck, which is typically the driver’s employer. The business has a duty to regularly inspect and maintain the truck to ensure that it’s safe enough to be on the road. They are also bound by certain hiring practices in the screening and training of their drivers.
Overall, we would say that failure to maintain the truck according to the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is a leading cause of accidents that result in death and severe injuries. Defects that may be responsible for a truck accident include:
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Broken or damaged brake lines
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Defective tires
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Broken trailers
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Improper trailer hitch installation
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Engine malfunction
Regardless of why a truck accident happens, figuring out the true cause and going after the party at fault can be extremely challenging. If you are about to file a claim with Lancer Insurance Company, or you have a pending claims that you have concerns about, don’t hesitate to contact our office.
What to Do after a Truck Accident
Feelings of dread and panic are natural in the event you are involved in a truck accident. However, it’s important to stay cool and take the necessary steps to build a case for monetary compensation.
First and foremost, call 911 or contact the police, because an official record of the accident is required in order to go ahead with a claim. In cases of severe injury, you may need to have immediate medical treatment, which you should never refuse. This is essential to preventing severe complications down the road or dying as a result of your injuries. Aside from health concerns, you must have clear evidence of the harm you suffered in order to go ahead with a Lancer Insurance Company accident claim.
If you can, take clear and detailed photos of the accident scene, the vehicles that were involved, and the injuries you suffered. This evidence will show the severity of the accident, which is essential to you case value and the restitution you are entitled to. This includes cost of medical treatments, repairs to your vehicle (or vehicle replacement), pain and suffering, and other monetary damages.
If there are witnesses who saw the accident, their statements can also be used as evidence. It it’s possible, try to get their email or phone number so that your attorney can ask for information that may be of value to your case. You should also talk to the police, who will have questions for you and all the others who were part of the accident. Remember to ask for a copy of the initial report, and how to get a final, official copy of the police report once it becomes available.
Finding the Right Attorney
Hiring a lawyer is a personal decision at the end of the day, and there are plenty of people who choose to handle a Lancer Insurance Company accident claim on their own. However, they quickly run into hurdles and resistance from the company, which they are unable to resolve on their own. From the company’s point of view, they are trying to save money, and finding ways to deny you payment or pressure you into a low settlement helps them achieve that goal.
To get the results you deserve, make sure to discuss your rights and legal options with a truck accident lawsuit attorney. Here at Normandie, we have a team of legal experts who are ready to fight for you and secure the highest settlement for you and your loved ones. For help and guidance from a Los Angeles truck accident law firm, reach out to us for a free case review.
Compensation for Those Injured in a Truck Accident
Many people have little to no familiarity with economic and non-economic damages that can be recovered from an insurance claim or lawsuit. With that in mind, here are the damages you may qualify to receive from a truck accident claim with Lancer:
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Cost of current and on-going medical treatments
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Lost wages, including lifetime lost income if your ability to work is permanently impaired
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Pain and suffering
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Damage to your vehicle and other property
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Emotional distress
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Punitive damages
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Attorney’s fees
These payments are applicable if you are the one who is injured, but what if you are a spouse or immediate family member of a deceased truck accident victim? Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against one or more entities that are responsible for your loved one’s death. Wrongful death benefits that may be available to you are as follows:
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Funeral expenses
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Cost of medical treatments up until the victim passed away
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Pain and suffering
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Loss of consortium
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Loss of expected income and benefits
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Legal fees
Statute of Limitations to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit
Personal injury and wrongful death claims in California have a 2-year statute of limitations. To clarify, you must file a claim for compensation no later than 2 years from when the accident happened. Wrongful death lawsuits, on the other hand, must be filed within 2 years of when the victims died as a result of the accident.
It is very difficult to meet the qualifications for an extension if you miss the deadline of 2 years. So, even with irrefutable evidence, you may lose the right to seek compensation if you wait too long on a claim against Lancer Insurance. Don’t take the risk of losing your right to sue; contact Normandie Law Firm and talk to a truck accident injury lawyer.
Zero Fee Guarantee
We believe that all victims of negligence and misconduct are entitled to legal services that are paid for by the guilty party. That’s the principle behind the Zero Fee Guarantee, which is there to protect you from the moment you contact us. Our legal team will take your case on contingency, so there is no need to worry about paying us upfront. Legal fees will be recovered by us as a percentage of the payment you receive from an insurance claim or jury verdict. If you don’t get paid from a truck accident case, you owe us $0, meaning there is never any risk to your finances.
We are more than ready to represent your interests and join you on the path to recovery. Please call and talk to a lawyer that specializes in accident claims with Lancer Insurance Company.
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