Truck Accidents

Glendale Truck Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorneys serving clients in Los Angeles and Across California

Truck accidents are among the most devastating events on our roads and highways, posing significant dangers to everyone involved, from passenger car occupants to motorcyclists, buses, and pedestrians.

The sheer size and weight of trucks, often 20-30 times that of a passenger car, mean the impact force is exponentially greater during a collision. Additionally, trucks have longer stopping distances, require more room for maneuvering, and have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles, all contributing to the increased risk of catastrophic outcomes.

Because of the high stakes for accident victims in these situations who often suffer life-changing injuries, putting a proven personal injury law firm on your side is critical. Hartounian, APLC is devoted entirely to representing injury victims and their families in claims and lawsuits.

Truck accidents are among the most complex of such claims for many reasons, including liability complications due to multiple parties, state and federal trucking regulations, and powerful insurance companies defending trucking companies.

Connect with a skilled trucking accident attorney in Glendale near you from Hartounian, APLC. Contact us online or call (818) 463-1917 to request a free consultation.

Common Injuries in Truck Accidents

Victims of truck accidents may suffer from a wide range of injuries, which can be catastrophic or even fatal. These can range from brain injuries involving mild concussions to severe brain damage, spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones, internal injuries, such as internal bleeding and organ damage, lacerations due to shattered glass and metal debris, and burns due to fires.

In the worst cases, truck accident victims can die on impact or later due to their injuries. In these cases, wrongful death claims may be filed on behalf of family survivors.

How Long Do I Have To File A Truck Accident Claim In California?

The statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim in Glendale is typically two years from the date of the incident. This timeframe provides you with a two-year period to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If you do not file within this window, you will generally lose your right to seek compensation.

It's important to note that these deadlines include exceptions. For example, the statute of limitations may be suspended until the party who suffered damage reaches the legal age if they are a minor. Furthermore, you might have a significantly shorter window of time—often as little as six months—to submit a claim if it involves a government body.

Reach us on our online contact form or call (818) 463-1917 for a free consultation with a Glendale truck accident attorney.

Common Types Of Truck Accidents

As a significant traffic hub for transporting goods, Southern California's roads and highways are filled with commercial trucks. These range from 18-wheelers to tankers, box trucks, flatbeds, garbage trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, concrete mixers, refrigerated trucks, utility trucks, and delivery vans.

Among the above, the most dangerous type of truck in accidents is 18-wheelers, although any truck can cause enormous damage to smaller vehicles in a crash.

Truck accidents can include:

Rear-end collisions: When trucks fail to stop in time, leading to catastrophic impacts with vehicles ahead.
Underride accidents: Occur when smaller vehicles slide under the truck's trailer, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
Jackknife accidents: The trailer swings out and forms an acute angle with the cab, often blocking or rolling onto nearby lanes.
Rollovers: These occur when a truck loses balance and tips over, potentially crushing nearby vehicles.
Blind spot accidents: When cars are in a truck's blind spot, the truck may change lanes or turn into a vehicle, causing a collision.

What Are The Common Causes Of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents in Glendale, CA can occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are preventable.

Driver Fatigue: Due to their frequently demanding schedules and lengthy workdays, truck drivers can become exhausted and have slower reaction times. Rest periods are mandated by federal legislation, however they are occasionally disregarded, creating hazardous driving situations.
Distracted Driving: This is any activity that diverts a driver's focus from the road, such as talking on the phone, eating, or fiddling with the radio. Driving huge commercial vehicles can be very harmful when one is not paying attention.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance: To keep trucks safe to drive, they need to have regular maintenance and inspections. If neglected, damaged tires, malfunctioning brakes, and other mechanical issues can cause disastrous collisions.
Overloading or Improperly Loaded Cargo: Unbalanced or overloaded cargo can make a truck harder to manage, which raises the possibility of rollover accidents and makes it more difficult for the driver to move the truck safely.
Weather and Road Hazards: In addition to posing additional problems, rain, fog, and badly maintained roads call for a higher level of expertise and prudence.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving: Tailgating and making dangerous lane changes are two prevalent driving behaviors that lead to truck accidents. Due to their massive size and weight, even small mistakes might have devastating effects.

What Should I Do After Being In A Truck Accident?

After being involved in a truck accident, taking immediate and thorough action is vital for both your safety and legal protection.

Ensure Safety: Put your own and any other passengers' safety first. If at all possible, relocate to a safe area and report the collision by calling 911.
Request Medical Assistance: Even if you feel OK, you should still get medical help because some injuries may take time to show symptoms.
Gather Evidence: Gather information without endangering your life while you wait for emergency assistance. Take pictures of the accident scene, any visible injuries, the damage to the vehicle, and the state of the road.
Collect Information: Give the other driver your contact and insurance information. Get the contact details of any witnesses as well.
Seek Medical Evaluation: Visit a healthcare practitioner to document your condition, even for minor injuries. For any claims made in the future, this medical document is essential.
Contact a Glendale T Lawyer: Speak with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will assist you file claims before the deadline, represent you in court, and seek just recompense. They will also help you navigate the legal system.

Following these steps can safeguard your health and protect your legal rights, ensuring you receive the support and compensation you deserve.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover for Being a Victim in a Truck Crash?

If you were hurt in a truck accident, you are entitled to a variety of damages, each of which will cover a different portion of your losses. Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses such as medical expenses, including hospital bills, medicine, treatment, and any future medical care you may require. In addition, you are entitled to reimbursement for any lost wages resulting from your incapacity to work during your recuperation, as well as any decrease in earning potential in the event that your injuries affect your future employment prospects.

Non-economic damages, which include losses like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and diminished quality of life, are more arbitrary. The purpose of these damages is to make up for the crash's emotional and physical toll on your standard of living.

To properly assess damages, complete documentation—such as medical reports, proof of lost wages, and personal accounts of your suffering—is essential. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Glendale from Hartounian, APLC can work to gather this evidence and strive for the highest compensation possible, ensuring that your claim covers every aspect of your loss. Seeking legal help promptly can greatly affect both the outcome of your case and your financial recovery.

Why Are Truck Accident Claims More Complex?

Due to various factors, truck accident claims are inherently more complex than standard car accident claims. These complexities arise from the nature of the accidents and the regulatory and operational framework surrounding the trucking industry. Understanding these factors is crucial for anyone involved in a truck accident claim.

Multiple parties involved: Unlike car accidents, which typically involve the drivers of the vehicles, truck accidents can implicate several parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, and even cargo loaders. Determining liability requires a thorough investigation into the roles and responsibilities of each party.
Regulatory compliance issues: The trucking industry is subject to extensive federal and state regulations, including hours of service for drivers, maintenance and inspection requirements, and load securement rules. Violations of these regulations can contribute to accidents, making it essential to examine compliance in the event of a claim.
Severe injuries and higher claims: Given the massive force involved in truck accidents, injuries tend to be more severe, if not catastrophic. This leads to more significant claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The high stakes mean insurance carriers have a strong incentive to minimize payouts, complicating the claims process.
Complex evidence and documentation: Truck accidents often require analyzing logbooks, electronic logging devices (ELDs), maintenance records, and black box data to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. This technical evidence can be challenging to obtain and interpret.
Expert testimony: Due to the technical nature of trucking operations and the injuries involved, expert witnesses are frequently necessary to explain how the accident occurred and its impact on the victim’s life. These experts can include accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and trucking industry experts.
Jurisdictional issues: Trucking companies often operate in multiple states, leading to potential jurisdictional complexities in filing a claim. The location of the company’s headquarters, the accident site, and the residency of involved parties can all influence where a lawsuit can be filed.

These factors make truck accident claims challenging, requiring detailed knowledge and experience to navigate effectively. Victims seeking compensation need to be prepared for a protracted battle that involves intricate legal, medical, and regulatory issues.

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Comprehensive Legal Representation in Truck Accident Claims

Hartounian, APLC is well-equipped to handle the complexities of truck accident claims, applying a detailed and proactive approach to support our clients' needs.

We start with a thorough initial consultation to understand the specifics of the accident and the extent of the injuries suffered. This step is crucial for setting the foundation for the claim. Our team conducts a comprehensive investigation into the accident, which includes obtaining the accident report, interviewing witnesses, and securing surveillance footage if available. We aim to reconstruct the accident scenario to determine liability accurately.

We collect all relevant evidence, including the truck driver's logbooks, vehicle maintenance records, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and existing regulatory compliance documents. This evidence helps us build a strong case on your behalf.

To support the claim, we engage with various experts, including accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and trucking industry specialists. Their expertise is vital in establishing both the cause of the accident and the full impact of the injuries on your life.

Our experienced trucking accident attorneys in Glendale handle insurance negotiations to ensure insurance companies do not undervalue or overlook claims. We leverage our in-depth understanding of truck accident cases to fight for the maximum compensation.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. Our legal team crafts a compelling argument, backed by solid evidence and expert testimony, to present before a judge or jury.

We provide continuous support and guidance throughout the process, keeping you informed at every stage. We understand the emotional and physical toll of truck accidents and strive to make the legal process as smooth as possible.

Our commitment to rigorous investigation, evidence collection, and expert collaboration helps to ensure that you have the most vigorous possible representation. We are dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve to aid in your recovery and rebuilding your life.

Contact us online or at (818) 463-1917 for a complimentary consultation with a Glendale truck accident attorney.

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