The aftermath of an accident involving a car and a semi-truck can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, people rarely escape such a traumatic experience free of injuries and property damage. People encounter semi-trucks—also known as big rigs, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers—daily on roadways throughout California and may be unaware of the dangers they present.
According to data from the California Highway Patrol, in 2017 there were 6,897 fatal and injury crashes involving trucks. While most drivers do everything they can to maintain their safety when driving, they can’t control the behavior of others. Accidents involving tractor-trailers carry a high risk of severe and fatal injury. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you have a right to pursue compensation. Read on to learn more about tractor-trailer crash claims in California and how a qualified personal injury attorney can help you!
While the circumstances surrounding each tractor-trailer crash in California are unique and present their own set of facts, common causes of semi-truck accidents include the following:
Determining the cause of your accident is a vital part of your trucking accident lawsuit in California. When the truck driver is negligent, this fact supports tractor-trailer crash claims for recovery. The attorneys at Glotzer & Lieb use their resources to investigate your accident and uncover evidence of negligence on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, or the truck manufacturer.
Those involved in a trucking accident lawsuit in California receive a rude awakening as to the dangers tractor-trailers present. Several features of semi-trucks make them extremely dangerous to drivers, including:
If a truck driver failed to implement proper safety measures, a personal injury attorney can use this information to build a strong trucking accident lawsuit in California on your behalf.
Two major factors affect the average payout for a semi-truck accident. These factors vary widely from case to case and affect tractor-trailer crash claims in different ways.
Generally speaking, the more severe your injuries, the higher the average semi-truck accident settlement. Therefore, injury severity plays a vital role in the overall value of tractor-trailer crash claims in California. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately following a semi-truck accident for a complete evaluation. Additionally, it’s vital to complete all recommended medical care to ensure you present an accurate picture of the severity of your injuries.
California law follows a comparative negligence doctrine for personal injury lawsuits. For example, comparative negligence permits someone to pursue tractor-trailer crash claims in California even if they are 99% responsible for the accident. However, the value of your recoverable damages is reduced by your percentage of fault.
The aftermath of a catastrophic trucking accident can leave you injured with an unclear path ahead. Your damages resulting from a truck accident are recoverable and are referred to as compensatory damages. These damages seek to make you “whole” after an accident caused by negligence. Compensatory damages are broken down into economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages represent financial losses that are calculable. Economic damages typically include the following:
However, economic damages may also include other expenses due to permanent injuries such as alterations to a home due to your injuries. Proof of economic damages is supported by receipts, bills, pay stubs, and other financial evidence.
Non-economic damages represent subjective and intangible losses related to your accident. These include the following:
Personal injury attorneys know that tractor-trailer crash claims in California never include average non-economic damages. These vary greatly from person to person. Non-economic damages are not supported with receipts or medical bills but with testimony related to the impact a trucking accident had on an individual.
Pursuing compensation without the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney isn’t easy. Most trucking companies possess vast resources, including a full legal team, to defend their position. Going through a complex personal injury lawsuit without the assistance of an attorney may be a mistake that only hurts you as you attempt to move forward. A truck accident attorney knows how to investigate your claim, discover all responsible parties, negotiate with opposing counsel, prepare for trial, and present a case that supports your claim for compensation.
We understand you may be feeling financially and emotionally overwhelmed following a tractor-trailer crash in California. Tractor-trailer crash claims in California represent a highly complex area of law, and the attorneys at Glotzer & Lieb, LLP, are here to help. For over fifty years, we have focused on the well-being of our clients while aggressively pursuing just compensation for their injuries. It’s important to act quickly following a semi-truck accident. Remember, our firm provides assistance to all clients—regardless of your financial situation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to find out how we can help you!
“Mr. Glotzer represented me after I was involved in a car accident. I was badly injured,but the insurance company refused to offer me a reasonable settlement. I decided to find an attorney and decided to hire Josh.
His law firm did a great job on my case. They were very responsive to all my questions and obtained a great resolution for me. I received way more money than was originally offered. I would recommend their firm to friends and family.”
“Mr. Josh Glotzer is a great attorney. Over the last 15 years he has helped me on a number of cases with professionalism, and more importantly a positive outcome in my favor. I have referred him to a number of friends and colleagues, all of which have been equally as happy with his legal representation. I trust him and confident in legal ability. I highly recommend his law firm.”
“Don’t try to deal with insurance companies on your own. They strung me along for almost two years before I gave the case to Glotzer & Leib. Josh and his team quickly obtained a settlement that netted me many times what the insurance company was offering. Thank You!”
“My wife was in a car accident last year and Josh did an amazing job representing her. It’s very refreshing to see someone in his profession that actually cares and puts his clients first. He’s the best in the business and I feel so fortunate that I was referred to him. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you did for my family!”
“I was in a rear end car accident last year and hired Mr. Glotzer’s office. It wasn’t a big case but their office helped me with my property damage claim and did a good job resolving the injury portion of the case as well.”
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