Because of their large sizes and weights, 18 wheelers can be especially dangerous when they are involved in accidents with passenger vehicles. According to the Federal Highway Administration with the U.S. Department of Transportation, large trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Because of the huge disparity in the sizes and weights of large trucks versus passenger vehicles, occupants of passenger cars have a high risk of suffering extensive injuries or fatalities when they are involved in collisions with 18 wheelers. If you have suffered serious injuries or have lost a loved one in a collision with a large truck, getting experienced legal help from an 18 wheeler accident lawyer Sylmar at the Valley Accident Lawyers is important. We have helped many of our clients to recover just compensation for their losses following large truck accidents.
Lawyers such as those who work for Sylmar Valley Accident Attorneys know how to get fair compensation for their clients who have incurred financial or physical injuries during accidents. Here are some common types of car accidents that our clients experience, actions that you should take after accidents happen and a summary of recoverable, accident-related damages.
Why should you hire an attorney after a large truck crash
Some people think that large truck accident claims will be straightforward when the truck driver was clearly at fault. However, 18 wheeler accidents are often the most complex type of motor vehicle accident for several reasons. Truck owners are required to carry insurance with very high policy limits of up to $1 million or more because of the potential for serious injuries and substantial losses in an accident. Because of the substantial sums of money that may be involved in a truck accident claim, trucking carriers and insurance companies frequently aggressively litigate against accident victims’ claims. These companies may have teams of defense attorneys who are prepared to defend against any claims that may be filed. If you try to represent yourself, you will have to litigate against these teams of defense lawyers at an experiential disadvantage.
In large truck accidents, there may be multiple parties that share responsibility. To recover maximal damages, you will have to understand how to investigate a truck accident to identify all of the parties that should be named as defendants to your lawsuit. Some of the parties that might be liable for causing a large truck accident include the following:
- Truck driver
- Trucking carrier that employs the driver
- Trucking company that negligently hired, retained, or supervised the driver
- Cargo loaders and distribution companies
- Third-party companies that negligently repaired or maintained the truck
- The truck owner or company that leased the truck
- Defective component manufacturer
- Entity responsible for maintaining and repairing the roads
If you fail to name a party that contributed to the accident’s cause in the accident, you will not recover the percentage of fault that is allocated to that party. An experienced lawyer can thoroughly investigate a large truck accident to identify the cause or causes of the accident and all of the parties that should be named as defendants to the lawsuit. An 18 wheeler accident lawyer Sylmar at the Valley Accident Lawyers may also file motions to seek the preservation of important pieces of evidence to bolster your claim and might anticipate the types of defenses that defendants might raise.
Damages in an accident involving a large truck
If you were seriously injured or lost your loved one in a large truck accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to recover damages. Damages are monetary sums that are designed to compensate you for your economic and noneconomic losses. Some of the types of recoverable damages might include the following:
- Accident-related medical expenses from the past and for the future
- Past and future lost wages
- Property losses
- Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death claims
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Lost inheritance rights in wrongful death claims
- Losses of income for a decedent’s future earnings capacity in a wrongful death case
- Loss of consortium and guidance
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer
Being seriously injured or losing a loved one in an accident with an 18 wheeler can be devastating. The experienced truck accident lawyers at the Valley Accident Lawyers understand how to build strong cases to help their clients to recover just compensation for their losses. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation by calling us at 818.565.6600 or by filling out our online contact form.
We Help Victims of 18-Wheeler Accidents in these Areas
CONTACT US FOR A CONSULTATION
PRACTICE AREAS
If you or a loved one has been injured, you will want a top rated San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney that understands how to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Our pledge is to be your partner, and provide passionate, yet skillful legal representation needed to win your case. Contact our highly trained personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
