Do I Need a Pasadena Truck Accident Attorney?
It is extremely important to meet with a Pasadena truck accident lawyer if you or a loved one was injured in a crash. Truck accident claims are more complex than other types of auto claims. In addition, injuries after colliding with an 18-wheeler are frequently severe. Obtaining compensation can be critical to protect your health, your livelihood, and your future.
At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney, we know the stakes are high. Our Pasadena truck accident lawyers have been representing victims of commercial motor vehicle crashes for more than 25 years. Our firm has obtained seven-figure verdicts and settlements on behalf of truck accident victims across California. Attorney Pius Joseph has the knowledge, experience, and resources to pursue maximum compensation for you.
Worried about legal costs? We’ve got you covered. The Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney offers free consultations, with no strings attached. You can meet with our lawyer and learn your legal options at no cost. Whether you choose to hire us or not, you will leave armed with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Call or contact us to arrange your free case review today.
When Should I Get an Attorney for My Truck Accident in Pasadena?
In any accident claim, it’s a good idea to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. But with truck crashes, it’s especially important. Trucking companies and truck drivers are subject to very strict state and federal safety standards. Violations — particularly when they cause injury to someone else — can result in hefty penalties. Timing is critical since evidence may be lost or destroyed.
Truck companies are protected by insurance carriers who can send adjusters to the scene of the crash quickly. You’ll want an independent investigation done by the team hired by your attorney as soon as possible to prevent important evidence from being lost or erased.
Another important reason to reach out to a truck accident attorney promptly is that there is a deadline for filing personal injury claims in California. This is called the statute of limitations.
In general, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a claim. If the accident resulted in death, the clock starts running on the date of the victim’s death.
Although the statute of limitations is generally two years, it takes time to collect evidence before filing a lawsuit. Also, as more time goes on, you may have trouble recollecting the facts. By choosing an attorney right away, you can relay everything to your lawyer while your memory is fresh.
One of the most important reasons to contact an attorney immediately is to protect your access to trucking company records. Truck companies are not legally required to keep drivers’ records indefinitely. Your truck accident attorney can send a preservation letter to the trucking company requiring it to maintain all relevant records for the driver and vehicle involved in the crash. An experienced Pasadena truck wreck attorney can handle this on your behalf to ensure that no crucial documents go missing.
Advantages of Getting a Pasadena Truck Accident Attorney
With passenger vehicle accidents, people sometimes choose to handle the claim themselves. But there are many more legal considerations for truck accident claims. Successfully proving negligence in a truck accident lawsuit can be immensely difficult for someone without legal training.
An experienced Pasadena truck accident attorney can help prove your case for compensation by:
Determining liability: Before filing a truck accident lawsuit, it’s important to identify all parties who may be at fault. There are many possible defendants in truck accident cases. A Pasadena truck wreck attorney can help you file a claim against all responsible parties to maximize your compensation.
Seeking expert opinions: Throughout a truck accident case, you may need expert and accident reconstruction testimony to strengthen your compensation claim. With over a quarter century of experience representing accident victims, the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney has developed relationships with some of California’s top specialists.
Collecting evidence: You’ll need evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and losses. This includes medical records, accident reports, photos from the accident scene, witness statements, and more. The last thing you need to do while recovering from a truck accident is responsible for collecting all the necessary documentation. Our experienced Pasadena truck accident attorney can retrieve all the necessary evidence on your behalf so you can focus on what’s important — your health.
Navigating the legal process: Truck accident claims are complex matters, especially if the case proceeds to trial. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer will know what steps need to be taken and can do much of the legwork for you. You can also rely on a skilled truck accident lawyer to explain the process clearly to you and keep you regularly updated on the status of your case.
Negotiating with Truck Companies After an Accident
Negotiating with commercial trucking companies is a job for an accomplished truck accident attorney. It’s important to realize that the company’s insurer will not have your best interests at heart. Even when it’s clear that their policyholder is at fault for the crash, you should not expect them to give in without a fight. Minimizing the payout to you is the trucking company’s ultimate goal, and they have vast resources and teams of lawyers ready to defend their case.
During settlement negotiations, your lawyer can present your side of the case along with all the evidence supporting your demand for compensation. The insurance company for the at-fault party will review this information and can choose to accept your demand, deny it, or make a counter-offer.
The settlement process may go back and forth several times before a resolution can be reached. If discussions break down, your truck accident lawyer will be able to discuss your options for taking the case to trial.
To get the financial compensation you’re entitled to, you should hire a proven law firm that can effectively take on big corporations and get you the compensation you deserve.
Discovering Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident
One of the reasons why truck accident cases are so complicated is because there are many possible stakeholders. Liable parties in a truck accident case might include:
- The truck driver
- The truck company
- The truck’s owner
- The cargo loader
- Auto parts manufacturers
- Third-party maintenance crews
- Government entities
- Other drivers
During the investigation of your claim, it will be important to identify all the responsible parties. It’s possible that the fault could be shared among numerous parties, especially if multiple vehicles are involved. Being represented by an attorney can ensure that you are not blamed unfairly for the truck accident. That’s important because being assigned an incorrect percentage of fault can greatly affect how much compensation you can receive in California.
Pasadena Truck Accident Investigation
A successful resolution of a truck accident claim will hinge upon the strength of the evidence. Crashes happen for a wide variety of reasons, and a thorough investigation will be able to pinpoint what happened in yours.
Common causes of trucking accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Trucker inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Hours of service violations
- Improper maintenance
- Faulty brakes or vehicle defects
- Overweight or improperly loaded rigs
- Negligent hiring
By hiring a trusted truck accident attorney to handle the case for you, you can rest assured that no stone will be left unturned in determining what happened and who should be held accountable.
How Can the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney Help Me?
At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph – Personal Injury Attorney, we understand how devastating truck accidents are to victims and their families. Our compassionate truck accident attorney is here to take the load off your shoulders. While you begin your path to recovery, our dedicated legal team will stand up for you.
After your free consultation, we’ll create a custom legal strategy designed to collect the compensation that you deserve. California truck accident victims may be entitled to two types of damages:
- Special damages: Also known as economic damages, these refer to the financial losses you suffered as a result of the truck accident. This includes medical bills, long-term medical care, rehabilitation, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and more. Special damages can be calculated by adding up your medical bills, projected medical expenses, lost income, and projected future lost income.
- General Damages: These damages refer to the non-economic effects of the accident. Unlike special damages, these losses cannot be quantified with receipts and bills. Examples include physical pain and emotional suffering, mental anguish, decreased quality of life, and loss of consortium or companionship for spouses.
The goal of financial compensation is to make you “whole” again. While money may never fully make up for the losses you incur after a truck accident, it can restore your financial security and help you move forward in life.
Let A Pasadena Truck Accident Lawyer Fight for You
