Have you been severely injured in a truck accident in Long Beach, California? Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers from the Madison Law Group can help you collect financial compensation for your injuries. Call our law office at (213) 568-6860 to schedule a free consultation today.
Trucks get involved in accidents on a regular basis in our country, especially with a growing number of trucks on the road and an ever increasing need for delivered consumer goods. These types of accidents can often cause catastrophic injuries to those involved and sometimes, even death. The medical expenses alone related to injuries sustained in truck accidents can render your family financially unstable.
Particularly for people who end up with life-altering injuries, ongoing care can get into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having a skilled attorney on your side during the legal process of making a claim for compensation is imperative to ensuring that you do not experience financial fallout for something that was not your fault.
You will likely qualify for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more if you were injured in a truck accident that you did not cause. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to deny claims for compensation, especially when you don’t have legal representation. Don’t get taken advantage of by the insurance companies. You deserve to be able to financially recover without having to worry while you focus on healing.
Since the Madison Law Group was founded back in 2000, our skilled legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims throughout California. We take pride in standing up for you and your loved ones and helping you through difficult times.
Truck Accident Causes and Consequences
All motor vehicle accidents have unique circumstances. Trucks driving at high speeds deliver devastating force when they become involved in traffic accidents. Although the majority of commercial truck drivers are thoroughly trained professionals, they are not impervious to making mistakes or acting negligently. While truck drivers are not always to blame for causing truck collisions, in many cases, their behavior/conduct may be a contributing factor or the primary cause of the accident. Information provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that, in 2019, driver-related factors were shown to be the main cause of over 30% of large truck accidents.
Some ways in which truck drivers may contribute to causing truck crashes include:
- Driver error: One of the main causes of truck accidents, driver error may include distracted driving, speeding, fatigued driving, and intoxication.
- Poor/improper training: Truck drivers must receive specialized training in order to safely operate their vehicles. If a driver is improperly trained or inadequately licensed, they may be unable to meet the complex demands of safely driving a large truck.
- Fatigue: Because truck drivers remain under constant pressure to meet strict deadlines, they may travel for excessively long hours with little to no rest. This can create dangerous and sometimes even deadly situations in which truckers are too tired and burnt out to safely operate their rigs.
- Mechanical issues: Truck drivers are responsible for thoroughly inspecting their vehicles before each trip they take. This is to make sure that their rigs are in optimal working condition. If a driver does not address or identify mechanical problems, this may result in a breakdown or collision.
- Improper loading: Truck drivers need to be sure to properly secure and balance their loads in order to prevent falling or shifting cargo. If a load is wrongly secured, this may lead to a traffic accident.
Other factors may contribute to truck collisions, such as bad weather, difficult driving conditions, and road construction. Successfully preventing truck crashes requires a balanced combination of vehicle maintenance, driver training, and safety protocols.
Semi-trucks are the largest vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, this also means that they can cause some of the most devastating collisions. These statistics demonstrate that truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic accidents that occur on American roadways.
The average semi-truck weighs approximately 40 tons or about 80,000 pounds. In comparison, the average passenger vehicle weighs about 5,000 pounds. When a truck accident occurs between an 18-wheeler and an average-sized passenger car, or even a larger passenger vehicle like a van or an SUV, the results can be significantly severe for those involved, especially the people in the smaller vehicle.
The Long Beach truck accident attorneys at the Madison Law Group are fully dedicated to helping truck accident victims recover the maximum compensation available to them in order to help cover the costs related to medical care, personal property damage, lost wages, and more.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
Here are a few steps you should take as you navigate the aftermath of a serious truck crash:
- Call the police. This is generally legally required and can be done by calling 911 in most cases.
- Ask for medical attention. Whether you have injuries that are obvious or not, it is important to get medically evaluated after the accident. This is because some injuries may not be easily noticed right away, but are still detectable by a doctor. Stay at the scene. Be sure to remain at the crash scene until the police say you can leave. This is important if you wish to file a personal injury claim because you need to make sure a police report is filed to document the accident.
- Accept no blame. Do not admit fault or say you’re sorry at the crash scene, as this could be used against you in court or in settlement negotiations.
The final and perhaps most important step besides seeking the proper medical care for your injuries is to contact a skilled truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. A reputable lawyer will provide you with valuable advice on how you should proceed after your crash so you can get the financial compensation and justice you deserve.
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 4,751 fatalities arising from large truck and bus accidents in 2020. That same year, there were more than 155,000 large commercial vehicle collisions. These crashes caused over 76,000 injuries.
Trucking is one of the most common occupations in the state of California, employing over 136,000 heavy/tractor-trailer truck drivers in 2020, according to information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In 2019, in the state of California, over 400 people lost their lives in truck accidents.
Information from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that in 2020, large trucks made up about 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal accidents throughout the country, even though they make up a smaller overall percentage of vehicles on American roadways.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
The FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation study found that a fair portion of truck collisions are caused by driver negligence, while approximately 10% occur due to faulty truck parts.
Several factors can contribute to the causes of serious truck accidents. Truck drivers spend countless hours driving. Unfortunately, many of them end up violating FMCSA hours-of-service rules so they can deliver their cargo within deadline restrictions.
Some of the most common reasons truck accidents happen include:
- Aggressive/distracted driving
- Driver error
- Excessive speed
- Over-tired/overworked truck drivers
- Failure to consider the truck’s longer stopping distance
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Traveling at unsafe speeds
- Dangerous turns/lane changes
- Common traffic violations, like running a stop sign or red light
- Intoxicated driving
- Unqualified/inexperienced truck drivers
- Worn tires/faulty brakes
- Failing to properly inspect the truck for defects
- Violating federal/state safety regulations
Incorrectly loaded truck cargo can also lead to an accident, especially if the “tractor” isn’t properly connected to the “trailer” portion of the vehicle.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
You may have sustained a serious injury or injuries when you were involved in a truck accident in Long Beach. At the Madison Law Group, our attorneys represent victims who have suffered all different types of injuries. Some of these include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Internal injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Paralysis, including quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Lost limbs
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Insurance adjusters will attempt to downplay the severity of your injuries and the extent to which they have negatively affected your life, which is why it is vital to have the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side. A truck accident attorney will thoroughly review your case before agreeing to any settlement to ensure that you get the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Contact our law firm for a free case evaluation in order to learn more about how our skilled lawyers at the Madison Law Group will fight for your legal rights after you were injured in a truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver in Long Beach.
Truck Accident Injuries Can Be Devastating
Injuries suffered in truck accidents can be extremely devastating and life-changing. They may have long-lasting effects on your physical, emotional, and financial health. Some ways in which injuries that result from truck accidents can be catastrophic include:
- Physical Injuries: Truck crash injuries may range from bruises and cuts to catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. These injuries may be life-changing and require comprehensive medical care, rehab, and surgeries. You may have to endure medical procedures that are exhausting and expensive and spend a prolonged period of time in the hospital recovering.
- Emotional Trauma: Those harmed in truck accidents may face emotional trauma involving depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions may significantly impact a person’s quality of life and may require ongoing counseling or therapy.
- Financial Burden: Injuries that result from truck accidents can result in substantial medical care costs, lost earnings, and other financial problems. Sometimes, victims may be unable to return to work and require ongoing medical care, which may further exacerbate their financial burden.
- Reduced Quality of Life: A person’s ability to perform daily tasks and enjoy their life may be limited by their injuries. This may lead to a reduced quality of life and may require significant adjustments to be made to one’s lifestyle.
In summary, truck accident injuries may be devastating and result in emotional, physical, and financial consequences. It is vital for Long Beach truck accident victims to seek the proper medical care for their injuries and to speak with a skilled truck accident lawyer in order to better understand their legal options for collecting full and fair financial compensation.
Different Types of Semi-Truck Accidents
- Jackknife accidents: When a semi-truck trailer swings out to the side and forms a v-shape.
- Rollover accidents: When a tractor-trailer rolls over onto its side or roof.
- Lost load crashes: When cargo falls off of a semi-truck and causes a collision.
- Underride wrecks: When a smaller passenger car slides underneath a semi-truck trailer.
- Rear-end collisions: When a semi-truck collides with the vehicle in front of it.
- T-bone collisions: When an 18-wheeler crashes into the side of another vehicle.
- Wide turn accidents: When the driver of a semi-truck swings too wide while attempting to turn and crashes into another car.
- Head-on crashes: When a semi-truck and any other vehicle crash head-on.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer at the Madison Law Group Can Help After a Truck Accident in Long Beach
You can expect our team to do all of the following once we take your casel:
- Immediately begin performing a detailed investigation of your case
- Review accident reports, interview witnesses, and gather all necessary evidence to support your claim
- Calculate the proper value of your case
- Hire top-rated experts and specialists to give testimony or reports to support your claim
- Stand up for you if the insurance company attempts to place blame on you
- Negotiate with the insurer to secure the maximum compensation you deserve
Obtaining Compensation for Your Truck Accident
Due to the fact that semi-trucks and other commercial trucks are often covered under commercial insurance policies, insurance coverage for truck drivers is often much more multifaceted than insurance coverage for automobile operators. These larger policies are usually needed because the consequences that result from truck accidents are often much more severe.
An experienced Long Beach truck accident lawyer understands the complexities of these large truck accident policies. Your truck accident lawyer from the Madison Law Group will not be intimidated by any insurance adjusters or their lawyers. We will strive to recover the full compensation available for our truck accident clients who have suffered severe injuries. Some possible damages allowed to be claimed in a personal injury lawsuit under California law include:
- Medical expenses—ambulance ride, hospital stay/care, prescription costs, at-home services/equipment, transportation to/from appointments, etc
- Recovery costs—physical therapy, rehabilitation, psychological care
- Lost earnings from missed time at work
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional inconvenience/turmoil
- Property damage
- Vehicle repairs/replacement
- Rental car costs
- Diminished value to vehicle
- Loss of consortium (familial relations)
Liability in Truck Accident Cases Is Often Complex
When a semi-truck causes a collision involving passenger vehicles, severe and even deadly injuries may occur. The driver whose negligence led to the crash may be held liable for the damages caused, and you may be able to pursue a legal claim for compensation against them.
However, that is not the only party you can hold liable. A legal doctrine called ‘respondeat superior‘ applies in a large percentage of commercial truck crash cases. Under this doctrine, the responsible driver’s employer may be held liable for the injuries suffered if the accident occurred while the driver was on the clock.
Under California law, it may be possible to seek damages from both the truck driver and the trucking company by which they are employed. At the Madison Law Group, our law office will help review the facts of your Long Beach area accident to help you understand how these rules may apply to your situation if you wish to file a claim for compensation.
Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claim
A Long Beach truck accident lawyer from the Madison Law Group knows what it takes to build a successful case against a trucking company. This includes doing what is necessary in order to identify and preserve the evidence supporting your claim.
After a truck crash, some of the valuable evidence required to support your claim and prove liability may be in possession of the trucking company. Federal laws, as well as trucking industry conventions, create evidence that may not be accessible in other traffic accidents. Some of this evidence includes:
- Dashcam video of the crash
- Data from onboard computers
- Drug/alcohol test results
- Rest logs
This evidence may be vital in proving how the crash occurred, the role the truck driver played in causing the wreck, and other key factors that may support your claim. Due to the fact that the trucking company may eventually be a defendant in a civil suit, it is important to act quickly and get them to share the evidence they possess. The easiest way to do this is to hire a skilled and experienced truck accident lawyer who can take this action on your behalf.
Financial Recovery for Your Long Beach Truck Accident
Traffic accident cases and other claims involving personal injuries usually settle outside of court. Once we have a working understanding of what occurred during your accident and the extent of your damages, we will make a demand to the liable party or parties for full and fair financial compensation on your behalf.
We will present your case to the insurance company that represents the trucking company and its employees as well as any other potential liable party like the manufacturer of a faulty part on the truck. Having solid evidence to prove your claim helps to negotiate an adequate settlement agreement that benefits you and your family.
Our main goal is to secure a settlement that covers all of your financial expenses and intangible losses that may have resulted from your recent truck accident injuries. These include emotional turmoil, pain, suffering, loss of consortium, loss of life enjoyment, property damage, and more.
Our firm also represents families whose loved ones died in trucking accidents. If this has happened to you, you should contact our wrongful death attorney in Long Beach who can help you gather compensation for funeral costs and other damages.
Why Should You Hire a Long Beach Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you have been injured in a truck accident caused by driver negligence, hiring a truck accident attorney from our law firm may be in your best interest for numerous reasons. Some of these include:
Protecting Your Rights:
A truck accident lawyer will help you protect your legal rights and take advantage of the legal options available to you if you have suffered serious injuries in a truck accident caused by negligence. At the Madison Law Group, when you file a personal injury claim for compensation, our main goal is to get you the rightful compensation you deserve that will help pay for all of the damages you have endured.
Helping to Navigate the Complex Legal Process:
Truck crash cases can be complicated, involving numerous parties including the trucking company, insurance companies, and other drivers who may have been involved in the crash. A skilled Long Beach truck accident attorney will help you navigate this complex legal process and engage in all legal proceedings necessary for the completion of your claim.
Maximizing Compensation:
A truck crash lawyer can help you maximize your recovery after you suffer serious or even catastrophic injuries in a serious accident. This may include collecting financial compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages like medical expenses, vehicle repairs, pain, suffering, and more.
Investigating the Accident:
A truck accident lawyer from the Madison Law Group will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your crash to help figure out who caused it and potentially identify any/all contributing factors such as equipment malfunction or driver fatigue.
Expertise in Trucking Regulations:
Trucking companies must abide by several state and federal regulations which govern how they operate. A skilled truck accident lawyer will be familiar with these and utilize them to build a solid claim for you.
Overall, hiring a truck accident lawyer will help you safeguard your legal rights and make sure that you are fully and fairly compensated for any damages and injuries you may have endured in relation to your accident.
Duty of Care in Truck Accident Cases
In a truck crash case, the duty of care represents the legal obligation held by the truck driver and their employer that says they must operate their vehicle in a responsible and safe manner, engaging in any/all necessary safety precautions in order to avoid causing injuries to other people on the roadway.
All aspects of operating a commercial truck fall under this duty of care, including:
- Proper inspection and maintenance of the truck in order to make sure it is in a condition safe enough to operate without issues.
- Following all regulations, both state and federal, that may govern commercial trucking, such as those related to weight limits, driver qualifications, and hours of service.
- Sufficiently supervising and training drivers so that they are responsible and competent while operating their vehicles.
- Operating the truck in a safe and considerate manner that aims to protect other drivers on the road, including adjusting driving decisions and behavior based on road/weather conditions, obeying traffic laws, and more.
If a trucking company or truck driver breaches their duty of care and causes a collision, they may be held responsible for any injuries or damages that result from the wreck. This may include compensating injured victims for medical care costs, wage loss, pain, suffering, and more.
It can be difficult to prove a breach of duty of care in a truck accident case, which is why tapping into the expertise of a skilled truck accident lawyer is a smart move. A truck accident lawyer will do everything needed to build you a strong claim for financial compensation so you can get on the fastest track to recovery.
How To File a Truck Accident Claim
There are several steps to filing a truck accident claim, and it is important to follow the correct protocol in order to get the financial compensation you need and deserve. A general overview of the process is as follows:
Seek Medical Attention: The most important step to take after any injury accident is to seek the appropriate medical care for your injuries. Even if you don’t think you have sustained serious injuries, it is important to speak with a medical professional who can rule out any serious issues.
Document the Crash: Gather as much information as possible about the wreck, including pictures of the scene, damage to vehicles, contact information from other drivers involved, and contact information from any witnesses.
Call a Lawyer: Working with a skilled truck crash lawyer can help to successfully ensure that your legal rights are protected and exercised throughout the entire claims process.
Call your Insurance Company: Tell your insurance company about the crash and relay all relevant information to them, including other drivers’ contact information.
Gather Evidence: Your lawyer can help you get the evidence needed to support your claim, including medical records, police reports, and statements from witnesses.
File a Claim: Once you have all the necessary evidence in your possession, and you have spoken with an attorney, file a claim with the insurance company of the trucking company. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and make sure your claim is correctly filed.
Negotiate a Settlement: The insurance company may offer you a settlement in order to quickly resolve your claim. Allow an attorney from the Madison Law Group to negotiate a full and fair settlement so you can get your life back on track. Your settlement should compensate you for all damages that resulted from your accident, even intangible damages like pain and suffering. Don’t agree to any amount without first consulting an attorney.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer may suggest that you pursue a truck accident lawsuit against the trucking company/truck driver in order to recover damages. The specifics of the claim process may vary depending on the details of the crash. This means that it is important for you to consult with a skilled lawyer who can protect your legal rights throughout the process.
More Truck Crash Statistics
Information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concerning truck accident statistics in the United States shows that in 2020:
- There were 4,415 fatal crashes involving large trucks in the United States, resulting in 4,821 deaths.
- Truck occupants made up 1,197 of the deaths, and the remaining 3,624 occupied other vehicles or were cyclists or pedestrians.
- From 2019 to 2020, the number of deaths caused by large truck crashes increased by 3%.
The following statistics were reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from 2016 to 2018:
- Approximately 450,000 police-reported crashes involved large trucks, resulting in 107,000 injuries and 4,951 deaths.
- 75% of the deaths related to large truck accidents were those in other vehicles or pedestrians/cyclists.
- Most fatal accidents involving large trucks happened on weekdays, during the day, on rural roads.
If you or someone you love were injured in a negligently caused Long Beach truck accident, you should talk to a reputable truck crash attorney from the Madison Law Group who will help you to better understand your legal options.
Get Help From a Truck Accident Lawyer Now
Over the years, our team of Long Beach truck accident attorneys has successfully represented many people who were injured in these terrible ordeals. We fully understand the obstacles and challenges faced by injured victims.
From the time you visit our law firm for your initial free consultation, we will remain on your team and do our best to provide you with an optimal outcome for your truck accident claim. Our legal team at the Madison Law Group will take your case on a contingency fee basis, so you can go after financial compensation without having to worry about money.