Were you or a loved one injured in a truck accident in San Diego, CA? If so, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers today at (858) 551-2090 for a free consultation with a San Diego truck accident attorney.
For over 30 years, we have been helping personal injury victims recover compensation for the losses they incurred because of others’ negligence. We have obtained more than $100 million for our deserving clients. Let our legal team fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Pines Salomon After a Truck Accident in San Diego?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties and complex liability-related issues. Determining who is at fault for your accident and unpacking nuanced state and federal trucking regulations requires the skill of an experienced San Diego truck accident lawyer.
With over 80 years of combined experience, you can entrust your truck accident case to Pines Salomon. Members of our legal team have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, and America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys.
We have helped many people just like you win substantial compensation for their truck accidents. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers will provide you with comprehensive legal support from your initial consultation to the resolution of your case.
What Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
Truck crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, leaving victims uncertain of how they will pay their medical bills or continue life with a disability.
The potential value of a truck accident claim involves several fact-specific factors, such as:
- The nature and extent of your injuries
- The responsible parties and their insurance coverage
- The extent and duration of your pain and suffering
- The impact that the accident and resulting injuries had on your life
- Whether you are found partially at fault for the accident
Trucking companies are generally required to carry higher amounts of insurance coverage, so more compensation might be available. However, trucking companies, insurance companies, and their lawyers will fight aggressively to minimize liability. The best way to find out what your truck accident case might be worth is to contact an experienced lawyer.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
California’s personal injury laws allow accident victims to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses: Accident victims can recover compensation for ambulance rides, emergency room visits, surgeries, and hospital stays. They can also receive compensation for ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and future medical expenses.
- Lost income: Truck accident victims may suffer permanent disabilities or impairments. They can seek compensation for their lost wages and any permanent reduction in their future earning capacity.
- Property damage: Trucks can crush cars and everything inside them. You can seek compensation to repair or replace your damaged property.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek compensation for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Truck accident injuries can permanently alter your life. You may be unable to enjoy your favorite pastimes or your intimate relationships. You can seek compensation for these real-world impacts and losses.
An experienced attorney can review your case to determine the damages that apply.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Most personal injury lawyers who handle truck accidents work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay your lawyer any upfront or hourly fees. Their fees are entirely based on the outcome of your case. If they win compensation for you, they will receive a percentage of your settlement or court award. However, if they lose your case, you won’t owe them anything.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
A common tactic insurance companies use is to blame you or other parties for the accident.
Multiple at-fault parties may be involved in a truck accident, including:
- Truck companies like FedEx and UPS
- Truck drivers
- Owners of trucks
- Mechanics
- Cargo-loading companies
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
An experienced truck accident lawyer can help show that one or more of these parties was responsible for the accident, not you.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Am Found to Be Partially at Fault for My Truck Accident in California?
If you are partially at fault for the accident, California’s pure comparative negligence law still allows you to pursue compensation from the other at-fault parties. However, your damages will be reduced by your degree of fault. Because so much money is at stake, it’s critical that your role in causing the accident is minimized so your compensation is maximized. An experienced lawyer can prepare a compelling case to demonstrate the liability of other parties.
What Are Common Truck Accident Injuries?
Truck accidents tend to cause severe injuries because they are so much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles.
Common injuries truck accident victims sustain include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Crushing injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Our compassionate lawyers know that these injuries can forever change your life. We will fight relentlessly to secure fair compensation for you.
Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
When you hire our San Diego truck accident lawyers, we can help by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to prove who is responsible for it
- Hiring expert witnesses to provide additional support for your truck accident claim
- Handling all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
- Preparing a detailed demand letter that establishes your right to maximum compensation
- Answering any questions you have and keeping you updated about your case status
- Advocating for your legal interests at every stage of your case
If you’re ready to learn more about how our law firm can help, call our San Diego personal injury attorneys for your free case review.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
Determining the cause of the accident is critical so that you know whom you can sue.
Potential causes of these accidents include:
- Fatigued driving: Fatigued driving is a serious public safety risk, which is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has established hours-of-service rules to limit the number of hours truck drivers can work. However, some truck drivers violate these laws, and some trucking companies encourage them to do so.
- Distractions: Cell phones, dispatch radios, GPS directions, and other factors can distract truck drivers while performing their jobs.
- Inexperienced drivers: Truck driving is a difficult job, and it’s difficult for truck companies to keep adequate numbers of drivers. Sometimes, they hire new drivers who do not have experience driving these large vehicles.
- Aggressive driving: Truck drivers know their vehicles are much bigger and more powerful than others’ vehicles, so they sometimes drive in an intimidating way by speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way, tailgating, running red lights, or executing unsafe passes.
- Mechanical failures: Commercial trucks contain thousands of parts. Negligent maintenance, failure to complete mandatory inspections, and defective auto parts can cause mechanical failures that result in truck crashes.
An experienced truck accident lawyer can review your case and gather evidence to prove negligence.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident in California?
To prove the negligence of other parties, your lawyer will need to show that the party had a legal duty of care, breached that duty, caused the accident that harmed you, and that you suffered losses.
To prove the driver was responsible for the accident, an experienced truck accident attorney can gather and prepare strong evidence to establish fault, such as:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Onboard camera footage
- Black box data
- Traffic camera or video surveillance footage
- Photos of the accident scene
- Reports and visual demonstrations that accident reconstruction experts prepare
- Hours-of-service logs
- Bills of lading
- Toxicology reports and medical records
For example, suppose negligent vehicle maintenance contributed to an accident. In that case, a lawyer may be able to obtain inspection records, maintenance records, and personnel records that may show the vehicle was not properly maintained.
How Common Are Truck Accidents in San Diego, California?
In 2023, California had the second-highest number of deaths resulting from truck accidents, with a total of 392 deaths. 371 trucks were involved in those crashes.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
In California, most personal injury cases must be brought within two years. If this time period passes and you have not taken legal action, you could forfeit your right to recover compensation.
Safeguard your rights by engaging the legal services of a qualified lawyer today. We can ensure that all applicable deadlines are met in your case.
Contact an Experienced San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in San Diego, CA, we can help. Our compassionate San Diego truck accident attorneys will get to know you, investigate the situation, and relentlessly pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Pines Salomon for a free and confidential consultation.
