A truck accident has the potential to cause massive damage and catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury, contact the Irvine truck accident lawyers of Bisnar Chase for help today.
Truck accidents can occur for all kinds of reasons, from distracted driving to driver fatigue or poor vehicle maintenance. When a serious truck accident is caused by negligence – for example, if a truck driver was texting while driving and caused a collision – you need to take action.
Let our Irvine truck accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after a crash. We have been operating in Orange County for more than 45 years and have decades of experience handling major crashes and serious injury cases. We have a 99% success rate, winning more than $800 million for our clients. Call (949) 203-3814 today for a free consultation with no obligations. Our Irvine personal injury attorneys want to fight for you.
Irvine Truck Accident Lawyers
How is Truck Accident Compensation Calculated?
There is no one-size fits all to this question because the amount of compensation that may be awarded in a truck accident case will vary depending on the unique circumstances of each individual case.
Generally, the amount of compensation that you may be awarded will be based on your overall damages such as loss of life, time off work, pain and suffering, future medical costs, and long-term disabilities. All of those factors will go into your personal injury claim’s worth.
Anywhere from a few thousand dollars to seven figures can be recovered for an injury claim and your truck accident attorney will evaluate how much compensation you are entitled to.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
If you have been the victim of an accident caused by a truck and have been injured, it is important to take steps to protect your safety and legal rights.
1. Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you do not think you’ve been seriously injured. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, and delayed treatment can make them worse and prolong your treatment.
2. Call the police: Contact the police and report the accident. All the details in the police report will be important in proving your personal injury case.
3. Collect information: Gather information from the truck driver, including their name, address, phone number, insurance information, and trucking company details. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
4. Take photos and video: Use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, including injuries to yourself, damage to your vehicle, and any other property. This can help to document the accident and support your case.
5. Contact a personal injury attorney: It is important to contact an experienced Irvine personal injury attorney who can help protect your legal rights and seek compensation for your injuries.
6. Follow your doctor’s instructions: For treatment and recovery, keep detailed records of your medical bills and expenses, this will be necessary to prove the extent of your injuries for your case.
Contigency Fee Lawyers
Our law firm does not charge you unless we win your case. There are no upfront fees and we work to have all of your medical bills placed on a lien so that you can also pay that back after, not before.
The contingency fee is typically 33% for most California personal injury cases and the fees associated with your case will be tracked and added to the claim to be paid after the case is won. If the attorney puts all the costs upfront for you and doesn’t win, we will not charge you a fee.
Choose a Trial Lawyer
Choose an attorney that has trial experience. Many attorneys will work to get a quick settlement with the insurance companies and that is not in your best interest. A lawyer who puts it all on the line, uses his own resources, and takes the risk to go to trial is your best option for getting the fairest compensation. Bisnar Chase has 8 trial lawyers, all with decades of experience in Orange County court rooms and a winning 99% success rate.
Choose a Lawyer You Are Compatible With
People don’t always jive with their lawyers and that can be problematic down the road. There may be an attorney who is very good at what he does but if you can’t communicate effectively with him then that attorney may not be for you.
That’s why it’s important to have a consultation with the attorney before you hire them. Find a lawyer that is compassionate, listens to you, is easy to reach, and has your best interest in mind at all times of working your case.
Most Causes for Commercial Truck Accidents
Besides the dangers of overworked and sleepy commercial truck drivers posing a risk, there are many reasons why they cause accidents including;
- Loose or improperly attached tractor trailers
- Semi-truck tire blowouts
- Unsteady cargo
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollovers due to heavy cargo
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Freeway debris
- Failed safety inspections
Dangers of Distracted Truck Drivers in Irvine
One of the top causes of truck accidents in and around Irvine is distracted driving. A distraction can be defined as any time a driver diverts his or her attention from the task of driving. This may include external distractions such as looking out the window or internal distractions such as talking on the cell phone or texting.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS):
- 8 percent of large truck crashes occurred when the drivers were externally distracted.
- 2 percent of accidents involving large trucks occurred when the driver was internally distracted.
- In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) research, distraction-related fatalities represented 16 percent of overall traffic fatalities in 2009.
Distracted Driving Law for Truckers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a new rule last year banning truck drivers from texting, using cell phones, and other communication devices while driving. This policy has serious implications for interstate truck drivers who carry cargo.
The FMCSA in issuing the rule cited recent research by Virginia Tech, which found that truck drivers who send text messages on a cell phone are about 23 times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who keep their eye on the road.
On average, texting drivers take their eyes off the road for about five seconds per message. During that time, researchers say, a truck can travel the length of a football field. Imagine the damage an unattended, 80,000-pound tractor-trailer can cause. Any truck driver who violates the federal texting ban is subject to a penalty of up to $2,750.
Irvine Truck Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
A truck accident caused by a distracted driver can result in major injuries especially for those in smaller passenger vehicles. Distracted driving truck accidents usually involve head-on collisions or rear-end crashes that involve several vehicles.
Injuries sustained in these types of crashes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries. In cases where a distracted truck driver causes an accident, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Families who have lost loved ones in distracted driving truck accidents can file a wrongful death claim seeking damages including medical costs, funeral expenses, lost future income, and loss of love and companionship.
Contacting an Irvine Truck Accident Lawyer
An experienced Irvine truck accident lawyer can help victims, and their families take the steps necessary to bolster their claims.
Cell phone records are critical in a distracted driving truck accident to determine whether the truck driver was on the phone or texting at the time of the collision. Such crucial evidence can get misplaced, lost, or destroyed if too much time passes.
The knowledgeable Irvine truck accident lawyers at Bisnar Chase have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families. We will remain on your side, fight for your rights and help secure just compensation for your losses.
Trucking companies are often represented by large insurance companies and powerful defense lawyers who strive to protect their best interests.
Immediately call an experienced and reputable truck accident lawyer in Irvine for a free consultation at (949) 203-3814 or visit the Bisnar Chase law offices in Newport Beach. We have proudly served injury victims across Orange County for more than 45 years, and we are here to help you too.
