Irwindale Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck accidents in California can leave people with severe injuries that impact them for the rest of their lives. State law gives accident victims the right to seek compensation when another party’s actions cause them harm. If you suffered injuries in a collision with a large truck in Irwindale, an experienced attorney can explore your options for seeking the money you need, both today and in the future.
The legal team at the Law Offices of Pius Joseph has over 30 years of experience successfully representing clients injured in commercial motor vehicle accidents throughout California. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Work with Our Irwindale Truck Accident Lawyer?
Attorney Pius Joseph is a seasoned personal injury attorney with a background that includes tackling some of the toughest truck accident and catastrophic injury cases in California. With membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, he provides injured victims with skilled legal representation backed by proven results.
Our team takes a strategic approach to every case, leveraging our extensive legal knowledge, skilled negotiation, and hard-hitting trial tactics to build a strong claim aimed at securing maximum compensation for every client. Here’s what one client had to say about their experience with our firm:
“I was in a truck crash with a semi and I was injured he was able too take care of my medical bills and still send me home happy. Was a pleasure working with Mr. Joseph our journey was amazing and he got me what I deserved well recommended gives feedback every step of the way makes you feel at home good trusting organization 🙏🏼 💯” – Jorge V.
What You Need to Know About Truck Accidents in Irwindale
Truck accident cases are more complex than other personal injury cases. This is true for several reasons:
Higher Stakes
Truck crashes tend to result in more serious injuries, expensive medical bills, lasting disabilities, and drastic life changes. All of these factors drive up the value of a truck accident claim. The higher the value, the more likely the insurance company is to dispute truck accident cases.
Multiple Liable Parties
The trucking industry is made up of multiple parties, and many can share responsibility for a collision. Examples include truck drivers, trucking companies, owner-operators, cargo loaders, shipping companies, and truck manufacturers.
If you are a trucking accident victim, it’s vital that you begin working with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible so they can start identifying liable parties and gathering evidence to support your case.
Federal and State Laws
Because trucks pose such a safety hazard on the roads, they are subject to both state and federal regulations. You need a legal professional who understands how these complicated laws intersect to build a solid truck accident claim in Irwindale.
Time Limits and Negligence Laws for Truck Accidents
Other considerations you must take into account before filing a truck accident claim include:
California Statute of Limitations
Under California’s statute of limitations, you have two years to file a personal injury claim against the party(s) responsible for your truck accident injuries. Otherwise, the courts could block you from seeking the compensation you need.
Pure Comparative Negligence
California also applies a pure comparative negligence standard that may reduce the compensation you recover through your truck accident case if you share any blame for the wreck. While the law explicitly applies to trial awards, insurance companies still rely on it when calculating settlement offers. If the insurer believes a jury would find you partly at fault for the collision, it may offer a lower settlement. Even so, California law allows you to recover compensation even if you were as much as 99 percent at fault for the crash.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?
To maximize your compensation in a truck accident case, it’s vital to identify every liable party. A truck accident attorney in Irwindale can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors that led to the wreck. For example:
- A truck driver could be liable if they were speeding, fatigued, distracted, or drunk behind the wheel.
- A trucking company could bear responsibility for negligent hiring or promoting unsafe business practices. If the truck driver is an employee — not an independent contractor — the truck company may also be liable for the employee’s actions.
- A cargo loading company could be at fault if the truck’s freight was improperly secured and contributed to the wreck.
- A truck manufacturer may be liable if a product defect, such as faulty brakes or tires, caused the collision.
- A truck maintenance or repair company may be responsible if records indicate a pattern of inadequate maintenance.
- A government entity could be at fault if poor road conditions, missing signs, malfunctioning traffic signals, or uncleared road debris led to the crash.
Filing a Truck Accident Claim in Irwindale
Filing a truck accident claim begins with your lawyer gathering the evidence, calculating the value of your case, and submitting a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. This letter outlines your injuries, the evidence showing their policyholder caused those injuries, and the truck accident compensation you are seeking as a result of their negligence.
After submitting the demand letter, your lawyer may enter settlement negotiations with the insurance company. If a mutual settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer may recommend filing a truck accident lawsuit and letting a judge or jury decide your case.
Unique Evidence in Trucking Cases
Truck accident cases rely on several types of evidence common to car accident cases, such as medical records, police reports, and expert testimony. However, these cases often require more specific evidence unique to commercial truck crashes, such as:
- Truck maintenance and inspection reports
- Information from truck event data recorders (the “black box”)
- Telematics systems
- Truck driver logs showing compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s hours-of-service regulations
- Business documents, such as hiring records and dispatch instructions
- Cargo securement checks to see if proper cargo securement procedures were followed
Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims
After a truck accident in California, you could recover compensation for losses like:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation, like physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Insurance providers work hard to avoid paying victims the money they deserve after an accident with a commercial vehicle. Fight back by getting an experienced truck accident lawyer in your corner.
Contact Our Irwindale Truck Accident Lawyer Today
The Law Offices of Pius Joseph is a well-established personal injury law firm serving truck accident victims in Irwindale and surrounding communities in Los Angeles County. Call or contact us today for a free initial consultation.
