Coachella Valley Truck Accident Lawyer

The massive size and weight of tractor-trailers make them a dangerous and unstoppable force in truck collisions. Small passenger vehicles stand no chance when matched up against an out-of-control semi truck on the highway. Not only do victims have to deal with their own insurance companies, but they also have to wrangle the trucking companies, who generally hire their own attorneys and insurance adjusters to assess damage and protect them in these situations.

The Coachella Valley truck accident attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group have the experience, knowledge, and fortitude necessary to deal with large trucking companies and insurance adjusters and manage the red tape involved with commercial vehicle crashes. Our skilled personal injury attorneysunderstand the path to recovery after a serious accident is long and dark and will fight to recover the compensation clients need to cover the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering victims endure.

Truck Accidents Produce Severe Injuries

Because of the size difference between a truck and a car, people in passenger vehicles usually bear the brunt of the damage while truck drivers remain fairly safe inside their cabs. Even pick-up trucks and SUVs can be totaled in crashes involving tractor-trailers.

The injuries victims sustain in accidents with large trucks are severe and can include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Fractured bones
• Organ and soft tissue damage
• Paralysis
• Death

Survivors of serious truck accidents often also experience significant impacts on their mental health like depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Because of the size difference between a truck and a car, people in passenger vehicles usually bear the brunt of the damage while truck drivers remain fairly safe inside their cabs. And this disparity is only compounded Truck crash injuries can leave you partially or totally disabled. The medical intervention and rehabilitation you may require is extraordinarily expensive, and you may not be earning during your long recovery. When the collision was caused by a trucker’s negligence, you can claim compensation, or damages, for all your injury-related losses.

Pressure Leads to Truck Crashes

Truck drivers often face substantial pressure to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. They may speed, haul overweight cargo, or drive while fatigued to meet their deadlines.

Federal rules govern how many hours a trucker can spend on the road, but drivers sometimes ignore these regulations to meet their schedules. A Coachella Valley attorney could review the trucker’s electronic log and the truck’s electronic data recorder to determine whether the driver complied with the hours of work regulations. If not, the non-compliance is evidence of trucker negligence.

Because of strict deadlines and low pay, truck drivers will sometimes take supplements or drugs to help them stay awake on the road and increase their productivity. Under pressure from bosses, clients, and deadlines, truckers push the limits so far that deadly wrecks happen.

Distraction Causes Crashes

Another big problem truck drivers face is boredom. They may break up the monotony of a long haul by using their cell phones, texting, or engaging in other activities that take their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road, creating a condition that can cause crashes.

Other Forms of Negligence That Can Cause Truck Accidents

Trucker fatigue and distraction lead to many crashes, but these are not the only forms of negligence that lead to wrecks. There are numerous other ways that someone’s negligent conduct can contribute to a truck crash.

The truck’s owner might defer necessary maintenance, or the maintenance technician might do a poor job. The company that loads the truck might not balance the cargo appropriately or fail to secure it properly. One of the truck’s components might fail due to a manufacturing defect.

No matter the cause of the accident, the injuries and damage sustained are devastating, and negligent drivers and trucking companies need to be held accountable for their actions. A truck collision lawyers in Coachella Valley could aggressively pursue negligent drivers, trucking companies, and other potentially responsible parties and will fight for victims’ rights to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Proving Negligence in a Truck Crash

Truck drivers and transportation companies are held to a high standard when they are involved in a crash. Federal regulations require truck drivers and trucking companies to use the utmost care to prevent injuries to others.

Violations of the law or regulations governing the industry are indicators of negligence. A legal professional could investigate a truck wreck to determine whether there is evidence that either the driver or the transportation company failed to comply with regulations or deviated from best practices. If so, they could be negligent and liable for your injuries.

Important Timeframes in a Truck Accident Case

If you are badly hurt in a truck crash, it may be months or even years before you regain your physical and mental health. Unfortunately, a Coachella Valley attorney must file a claim for your truck accident injuries within a relatively short timeframe.

The California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1 requires you to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries sustained in an accident no more than two years after the incident. If you miss the deadline, a court will not hear your lawsuit regardless of its merit. You also lose leverage when negotiating with the responsible parties’ insurance companies if there is no credible threat of a lawsuit.

When the Government Is a Defendant

You have even less time if the state or a local government is potentially responsible for the crash. This situation could arise when the truck is owned or operated by a government or government agency, or when shoddy road maintenance or flawed road design contributes to the wreck. 

The law requires you to file a notice of claim with the appropriate government office within 180 days of your injury. If you fail to meet this deadline, the government’s insurance will not pay your claim, and you will be barred from filing a lawsuit against the government entity. If you file the notice of claim timely and it is denied, a Coachella Valley attorney can file a lawsuit against the unit of government or agency responsible for the truck accident.

Moving Forward After a Truck Wreck

Do not sign anything from an insurance adjuster until you have spoken to an experienced commercial vehicle crash attorney in Coachella Valley. Insurance adjusters will sometimes show up at the scene of an accident and ask leading or incriminating questions when victims are at their most vulnerable and you may be signing away any future rights to compensation.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Take pictures at the scene of the accident, if you are able. Pictures are difficult to dispute in a truck collision lawsuit. Be sure to take down names and contact information as well any phrases such as, “the truck was swerving all over the road,” or, “that semi was out of control,” just in case your claim goes to court.

Visit a physician as soon as possible. Any delay may hurt your claim. Remember that you have the right to a physician of your choice; do not let the insurance adjuster choose one for you. Also, be sure to keep records and prescriptions on file. A seasoned lawyer in Coachella Valley could use any of these items in a truck wreck claim.

Call your insurance company immediately, as any delays could potentially hurt your case down the line. Write everything down after the truck accident and keep records and receipts. Six or seven months after a truck incident, it may be hard to remember how painful simple tasks like taking the trash out or putting dishes away were, and an insurance adjuster may try to say you are exaggerating your injuries. Also be sure to maintain records of household services received, like having the lawn mown or house cleaned.

Call a Coachella Valley Truck Accident Attorney

You should focus on recovery while a Coachella Valley truck accident lawyer fights for your rights. If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle crash, contact us today to discuss your legal options in a free initial consultation. We represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities