Truck Accident Lawyers in Encino

Advocating Truck Accident Victims in Encino

There are thousands of motor vehicle accidents throughout California every year. In truck accident cases, the injuries can be severe, catastrophic, or fatal. An accident with a commercial truck dramatically increases the risk of serious injuries. While we rely on big rigs, tractor trailers, and other commercial trucks to deliver goods to Encino, it is often a disaster when a driver fails to operate a vehicle safely.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer, it’s important to understand your legal rights. An Encino truck accident lawyer can help you seek full compensation for all damages.

At V&A Law Firm, our team of Encino truck accident attorneys is here to help. We understand the difficulties following a big rig collision. From lost wages and astronomical medical costs to long-term impairments and wrongful death, the severity of the consequences tends to be significant. With the help of a talented personal injury lawyer, you can seek the compensation you deserve.

An Encino truck accident attorney can review the facts in your case and help you better understand your options. V&A Law Firm offers free consultations, and you have nothing to lose by reaching out today.

Are You Entitled To Financial Compensation in a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents involving commercial trucks can cause serious harm. Since the average pickup truck experienced a 24% increase in weight and an 11% increase in height between 2000 and 2018, this is now true even for large passenger trucks.

However, the potentially dangerous nature of large trucks does not mean someone is entitled to seek maximum compensation. Even when a semi-truck accident occurs and injuries result, being fairly compensated is an urgent issue. Three legal elements are required to prove liability. These include:

Duty of care: All truck drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles in a manner that does not unreasonably endanger others sharing the roadways. Truck drivers must adhere to federal and state safety regulations regarding hours of service, truck maintenance, and safe vehicle operation.
Violation of duty: A trucker who fails in the duty of care creates dangers on the road when operating a large commercial truck unsafely, whether due to alcohol or drug intoxication, speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, or other acts of negligence
Resulting damages: When the actions of a truck driver have caused injuries, liability likely exists.

Of course, it’s important to note that the truck drivers of commercial vehicles are not always at fault. In some cases, injury victims contributed to the accident. Other drivers may have contributed to the collision.

The liable parties could include trucking companies, truck technicians, truck manufacturers, parts manufacturers, truck drivers, other drivers, cargo loading companies, or bars or restaurants where a driver was over-served alcohol. That’s why you should speak with a truck accident lawyer in Encino, CA, today.

What Are Common Causes Of Commercial Truck Accidents?

At V&A Law Firm, we’ve seen many truck accidents in Encino claims over the years. The causes of these accidents often play a significant role in the final outcome of a truck accident. The first step is to identify all liable parties.

This information will also significantly affect whether you can reach a settlement in your insurance truck accident claim or have to go to court. In either situation, our law firm can assist and work for a favorable outcome on your behalf.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Encino

Truck driver error: Mistakes such as misjudging speed, making improper lane changes, or braking late commonly lead to collisions.

Equipment failure: Accidents frequently occur when vital truck components, such as brakes or tires, malfunction.

Truck driver fatigue: Long driving hours can cause exhaustion, resulting in delayed reaction times or drivers falling asleep behind the wheel.

Distracted driving: Truckers texting, using GPS, or engaging in other activities divert attention from the road, increasing crash risk.

Road rage: Aggressive driving behaviors, including tailgating or erratic maneuvers, significantly heighten the chance of accidents.

Failure to adhere to FMCSA regulations: Ignoring federal safety standards, like required rest breaks or vehicle inspections, can be a contributing factor in dangerous incidents.

Failure to maintain: Inadequate upkeep or skipped inspections can leave critical truck parts vulnerable to breakdowns during transit.

Unevenly loaded cargo: Incorrectly loaded or unbalanced freight can cause trucks to tip, lose control, or be unable to brake effectively.

Inclement weather: Heavy rain, fog, or wet roadways can dramatically impair visibility and traction, increasing the likelihood of crashes.

Driving under the influence: Operating trucks while impaired by alcohol or drugs compromises judgment and reaction times.

Defective equipment: Manufacturer defects in truck parts can fail without warning, causing accidents beyond the driver’s immediate control.

There is no shortage of issues that can lead to truck accident injuries. If you or a loved one have found yourself in such a situation, you must seek legal assistance for your personal injury case. Insurance companies may attempt to get you to accept a lowball settlement.

When you have a legal professional working with you who understands the actual value of a claim or lawsuit and who will vigorously pursue fair compensation, you can trust that your case will be handled correctly. If the insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer within a reasonable time frame, the legal team at V&A Law Firm can move forward with a lawsuit. We have the trial experience to present a persuasive case to hold them accountable.

Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents

Many victims experience life-changing harm that requires extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Severe head trauma resulting in cognitive difficulties, memory loss, or permanent disability.
Spinal Cord Damage: Injuries that can lead to partial or complete paralysis, ongoing pain, and significant mobility limitations.
Fractures and Broken Bones: High-impact collisions can cause shattered limbs, ribs, or hips, sometimes requiring multiple surgeries.
Internal Organ Injuries: Intense force may damage organs such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, often necessitating emergency intervention.
Severe Lacerations: Deep cuts and abrasions with a high risk of infection and may lead to disfiguring scars.

Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces rules that affect driver schedules, truck maintenance, and recordkeeping. For instance, drivers must comply with hours-of-service regulations, limiting daily and weekly road time. Failure to adhere to these rules can indicate negligence if it contributes to an accident. By reviewing inspection reports and electronic data, attorneys can identify regulatory violations that factor into liability.

Liability of Trucking Companies Under California Law

In some scenarios, trucking firms bear legal responsibility for accidents caused by their employees. Under the theory of “respondeat superior,” employers can be held liable for the negligent acts of drivers who operate within the scope of employment. Plaintiffs may also show improper hiring, training, or vehicle maintenance that led to unsafe conditions. Determining liability involves meticulously reviewing corporate records, driver logs, black box data, and internal communications to uncover patterns of negligence or disregard for regulatory standards. If evidence reveals that management knowingly allowed overworked drivers, neglected vehicle maintenance, or encouraged rule-breaking, the trucking company can be found responsible for any resulting crashes or injuries.

What If You’re Partially At Fault For Your Injury?

As any experienced Encino truck accident lawyer can tell you, a large truck accident case can be complicated. After all, it’s not always the case that a big rig driver is entirely at fault. There can be other contributing factors that must be evaluated.

In fact, statistics show that 80% of these collisions are due to unsafe driving by passenger vehicles. When a commercial truck accident occurs on California streets, there’s a good chance that the passenger vehicle driver shares fault.

However, this does not mean that you’re not entitled to compensation. California is a pure comparative negligence state. Accident victims can recover financial compensation even if they are partially at fault for their own injuries.

A driver can be as much as 99% at fault for an incident, and the court will still allow them to seek compensation for the 1% of fault shared by the truck driver. In accidents as severe as those involving big rigs, even 1% can be a significant amount of money.

This is why no one should make assumptions about whether they’re entitled to compensation. Instead, make sure you fully understand your rights under California law. Contact our Encino truck accident lawyer today.

What If The Insurance Company Offers A Settlement?

When a driver or passenger has been injured in an accident involving a large truck, there’s a good chance they’ll hear from an insurance company relatively quickly. That’s because these companies have a vested interest in swiftly resolving these cases—and will try for the lowest amount.

It may take months or even years before the full extent of the injuries is known and valued. Getting a case closed before this happens can prove invaluable. You do not want to be in the position of being unable to work, suffering serious pain, and struggling financially—all damages must be valued.

Insurance providers are profit-making companies, not humanitarian organizations. Unfortunately, they will attempt to pay out as little as possible when they can.

You may be left with financial losses that aren’t covered. A trucking company isn’t concerned about whether you can return to work or if unexpected medical expenses arise. A full medical evaluation performed with the help of our law firm will estimate all future financial losses.

You need a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Encino, CA, to negotiate on your behalf. At V&A Law Firm, we’ll fight for a fair deal. If the insurer won’t play ball, a truck accident lawsuit can be brought against all liable parties.

Frequently Addressed Questions: Truck Accident Claims

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim?

In California, most personal injury actions must be brought within two years of the incident. However, claims involving government entities or unique circumstances can have shorter or longer deadlines. Speaking with a lawyer early helps ensure compliance with all relevant statutes of limitations.

What if the truck driver violated federal trucking regulations?

Violations of FMCSA rules could include exceeding the hours-of-service regulations and could prove to strengthen a negligence claim. This evidence often demonstrates that the driver or employer ignored critical safety requirements, which may influence liability determinations.

How is fault determined in a truck accident?

Attorneys and insurers assess police reports, eyewitness statements, vehicle data, and expert analyses to establish which parties acted negligently. Comparative fault applies in California, reducing potential damages by a victim’s percentage of responsibility if they contributed to the crash.

What role does driver fatigue play?

Driver exhaustion is a major factor in truck accidents. Violations of rest rules or extended work shifts increase the risk of drifting, slower reaction times, and reduced awareness. Demonstrating fatigue can illustrate a breach of duty owed to other motorists on the road.

Do I need expert testimony in truck accident lawsuits?

Experts can be essential in clarifying technical or medical issues. Accident reconstruction specialists can illustrate collision dynamics, while physicians validate injury severity and future treatment needs. These professionals help jurors and negotiators understand the full scope of losses.

Contact Our Encino Truck Accident Lawyers Today

The trucking industry is a major force in California. However, those involved in the industry are not above the law. When trucks collide with smaller vehicles, it’s clear who will come out on top of these situations.

After all, big rigs can legally weigh up to 80,000 lbs., and bad things can happen when such a massive truck collides with a 3,000-lb. passenger vehicle. Fortunately, legal recourse is often available. If you or a loved one were involved in a truck collision, substantial compensation may be available.

At V&A Law Firm, our team of legal professionals is here to assist. We know how disheartening it can be when a negligent behavior party upends your life. Whether this was an independent contractor, commercial companies, or even local authorities — it’s crucial to hold them accountable.

Not only will this potentially save others in the future, but it can ensure that you have the financial support to move forward after such traumatic events. Contact us today by calling 818-369-3270 to schedule your free consultation.

Our Encino truck accident attorneys are ready to help.