Why Acting Fast After a Truck Accident in Pasadena Can Make or Break Your Case
Truck accidents cause some of the most severe injuries on California roads.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, the actions you take immediately afterward can play a significant role in the outcome of any insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit you file later.
At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we have seen how quick action can protect injury victims and strengthen their legal claims. Powerful insurance companies, trucking companies, and their corporate defense teams move fast to protect themselves and gain the upper hand. You need someone in your corner who will act just as quickly to protect your rights and your future.
For over 30 years, firm founder Pius Joseph has fought for truck accident victims coping with the life-changing effects of serious injuries. With millions recovered for injured people across California, we can help you seek compensation and the accountability you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Pasadena truck accident lawyer.
Why Prompt Legal Action Matters After a Truck Accident
Trucking companies have entire teams ready to respond when crashes occur. These teams arrive at accident scenes quickly to gather evidence that they use to minimize their liability. For example, an adjuster might take photos that show only certain angles, interview witnesses in ways that support their version of events, or begin building a defense before you even leave the hospital.
Meanwhile, injury victims are often in shock, dealing with pain, and focused on getting medical treatment. Without a truck accident attorney in Pasadena working on your case right away, you may not even realize that valuable evidence is disappearing or that the insurance company is already building a case against you.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Commercial Truck Accidents
California personal injury law sets strict time limits for filing personal injury claims. For most truck accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to seek payment through the court system. The trucking company and its insurance carrier know the deadline, and they may delay settlement talks or make lowball offers, hoping you will either give up or run out of time to file suit.
Fast Evidence Collection Can Strengthen Your Case
Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear if not preserved quickly. Commercial trucks are required to have special safety equipment and records that can show what caused a crash. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) only requires trucking companies to keep certain records for a limited time. If your attorney does not send a legal notice to preserve this evidence immediately, the trucking company might be legally entitled to erase or destroy it after the time limit expires. Once it’s gone, proving your case could become more challenging.
Immediate Medical Attention Protects You and Your Truck Accident Claim
First, and most importantly, seek medical attention immediately after a tractor-trailer crash. Symptoms of potentially catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding, can have a delayed onset. While you might feel OK immediately after the wreck, failure to see a doctor could lead to serious health complications.
Second, receiving timely medical treatment directly links your injuries to the truck accident. Insurance adjusters look for any reason to deny claims or reduce payment. If you wait days or weeks to get medical care, they could argue that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim or that something else caused them.
Insurers Use Delays Against You
Insurance companies know that accident victims need to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. They often use this financial pressure to their advantage by offering quick, low settlements when victims are most vulnerable.
Though early settlement offers seem helpful, they rarely cover the actual cost of serious truck accident injuries. However, once you accept an insurance settlement and sign a release, you cannot go back for more money later — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought or if accident-related complications arise later.
Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies, and their insurers also use delays as a tactic. They may drag out the claims process, hoping you will become frustrated and accept less money just to end the stress. A truck crash lawyer in Pasadena, CA can represent you in all dealings with the insurance company, including demanding that they process your claim in good faith and make fair compensation offers.
What a Pasadena Truck Accident Attorney Can Do for You
The right attorney can make all the difference in a Pasadena truck accident claim. At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we focus on complex cases that require time, skill, and resources to win. Attorney Pius Joseph has been practicing law since 1987 and has tried more than 500 cases in California, including more than 100 jury trials.
When you work with our law firm, we can:
- Review your case for free
- Explain each step of the legal process
- Investigate the crash scene and gather all available evidence
- Send preservation letters to protect vital records and data
- Hire accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and other professionals to support your claim
- Represent you in all communications with the insurance company(s) so they cannot pressure you into a low settlement
- Calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical costs, lost earning ability, emotional distress, and other damages
- Build a robust truck accident case that is trial-ready if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair truck accident settlement
Contact a Truck Crash Lawyer in Pasadena Today
When you need a truck accident law firm in Pasadena to represent you, turn to the Law Offices of Pius Joseph. Our legal team has a successful record of top-dollar financial recoveries for our clients, including a $2 million truck accident verdict in a multi-car chain reaction crash, as well as a $1.25 million verdict for a truck accident victim who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury in a collision.
Our clients trust us to fight for them. As past client Delorise Polk shared: “Mr. Joseph is always thinking of what’s best for his clients and always concerned about the injuries that occurred. I trust this law firm 100 percent.” *
Ready to get started? Contact us today to arrange your free initial consultation.
*Any testimonials or case results do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
