West Hollywood Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents happen more frequently than people think. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident like this and it was due to someone else’s negligence, then you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. Contact our truck accident lawyer West Hollywood, CA to arrange a free consultation and learn about your options. Our attorneys at Seber Bulger Law are here to help you when you need it most.

Determining Liability For Trucking Wrecks

There are many things to consider when assessing who is at fault for a truck accident. Such factors can include things like a driver operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving behavior, weather conditions, texting and driving, defective parts, and more. When a multi-vehicle accident happens with a commercial truck, there may be one or more drivers who share liability. The difficulty with truck accidents that involve multiple vehicles is that everyone is pointing the finger at someone else. By consulting with a member of our legal team, we can investigate and decide who is at fault for you.

For accidents that involve many vehicles, there are so many potential contributing factors that making a conclusion for fault is challenging. In fact, insurance companies may deny a claim with multiple vehicles because it can be that complicated to determine who caused the incident in the first place. If you have been injured in a truck accident and there are several other drivers involved, then you have to obtain as much evidence as you can and gather information from each driver. 

Before leaving the scene, you will need to have:

• Called 911 so an ambulance and officer can help
• Taken pictures of damage to all vehicles
• Taken pictures of your visible injuries
• Captured video of the entire scene
• Gathered name, contact, and insurance details from each driver
• The name and badge ID number of the officer who wrote the police report
• Asked witnesses for their name and contact for a later statement

Because of how disastrous truck accidents can be, it will be important to have as much evidence as possible. Photographs of the scene of a crash and its surroundings can help establish where the vehicles collided, the road and weather conditions, debris in the road, and other factors. Your verbal statement about what happened is going to be helpful, but it is harder to dispute visual evidence. Unless you were rushed to the hospital for critical injuries, be sure to stay at the scene and fully capture the area before it gets cleaned up.

West Hollywood Truck Accident Statistics

Truck accidents continue to be a major issue in road safety. Due to their size and weight, large commercial trucks are often involved in collisions that result in severe consequences. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), truck accidents are a significant part of the overall traffic accident statistics in the United States. Here are some specific stats to keep in mind: 

1. Prevalence Of Truck Accidents: Around 500,000 truck accidents occur each year, with 5,000 fatalities resulting from these crashes. Truck accidents represent about 10-15% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., despite trucks comprising only a small percentage of all vehicles on the road.

2. Causes Of Truck Accidents: The most common causes of big rig accidents include:

   • Driver error: About 80% of truck accidents are caused by driver error, such as fatigue, speeding, or distracted driving.

   • Vehicle-related issues: Roughly 20% of truck accidents are caused by mechanical failures or issues with the vehicle, such as tire blowouts or brake failures.

   • Weather conditions: Inclement weather, including rain, snow, and fog, contributes to 10-15% of truck accidents.

3. Injury And Fatality Statistics: Truck accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities than accidents involving only passenger vehicles. It is estimated that 80% of fatalities in truck accidents involve passenger vehicle occupants, while the remaining 20% involve truck drivers or passengers.

4. Trucking Industry And Safety: The FMCSA has reported that trucking companies with better safety standards and training programs have significantly lower accident rates, showing that improved safety measures can help reduce the incidence of truck accidents.

The following charts illustrate key trends:

Common Misconceptions About Truck Accidents

If you have been hurt in a truck accident, it is important to speak with our West Hollywood truck accident lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation. However, before taking legal action, it is essential to have accurate information. Here are some common misconceptions about truck accidents that you should not believe:

• Truck drivers sustain as serious injuries as other victims. While truck drivers can get injured in a truck accident, their injuries typically are not as severe as passenger vehicle occupants. Truck drivers are better protected by their large and sturdy vehicles, so they are less likely to suffer catastrophic injuries.

• Truck drivers are always responsible for accidents. It’s frequently assumed that truck drivers are always at-fault for accidents. However, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes drivers of passenger vehicles can cause accidents with commercial trucks due to speeding, distracted driving and drunk driving.

• Truck drivers have to follow the same traffic laws as other motorists. Truck drivers are held to a higher standard than other drivers. They have to follow stricter traffic laws than other motorists. For instance, truck drivers may have to drive slower than drivers of passenger vehicles in certain areas.

• Truck drivers are the only liable party in an accident. In some situations, the truck drivers may be the only responsible party in an accident. Other times, however, other parties may be to blame too. As our seasoned personal injury lawyers can attest, other liable parties may include the trucking company, truck manufacturer and the owner of the cargo. For example, if the accident occurred because the trucker driver was drowsy from driving too many hours, the trucking company can be held responsible.

• Breaks are strictly enforced for truck drivers. Federal regulations prohibit truck drivers from driving too many hours without a break. Unfortunately, however, not all truck drivers follow this rule and trucking companies do not strictly enforce it either. In fact, many trucking companies pressure their drivers to deliver goods on strict deadlines, which may force some truckers to work overtime.

• The insurance company will fairly compensate you. While it would be nice if this were true, it is usually not the case. Insurance companies care about the bottom line first and may try to offer you less money than you deserve. That’s why you should never provide a statement to the insurance company if they try to contact you. Politely tell them to direct their questions to your lawyer instead.

• Hiring a truck accident lawyer is too expensive. Unfortunately, some accident victims shy away from hiring our California attorneys because they assume they can’t afford one. However, the majority of these lawyers work on a contingency basis, so they only get paid if they win their client’s cases. Therefore, you will not have to worry about owing your lawyer any money upfront. 

We understand the stress that a truck accident can cause, especially when there are serious injuries involved. Let us come to your aid and protect you from insurance companies who may try to deny your claim altogether. Reach out to our firm today for the skilled personal injury representation you need. 

Compensation For Emotional Distress After A Truck Accident

As our West Hollywood, CA truck accident lawyer can tell you, a truck accident can have lasting effects beyond physical injuries. Mental anguish, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, is a common issue after a serious crash. In California, we may be able to recover compensation for emotional distress in addition to other damages. It is important to speak candidly with your lawyer about their role and what steps they can take to help you. We have been working on truck accident cases for 6 years and are prepared to help you.

Can I Receive Compensation For Mental Anguish After A Truck Accident? 

Yes, California law allows us to seek compensation for emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles caused by a truck accident. These damages are considered non-economic losses and are often included in a personal injury claim.

How Do I Prove Mental Anguish In A Truck Accident Claim? 

Proving emotional distress requires strong evidence. Medical records, therapy notes, and statements from mental health professionals can help establish the impact of the accident. Testimonies from family and friends who have observed changes in our behavior can also support our claim.

Does Insurance Cover Mental Anguish After A Truck Accident? 

Our West Hollywood truck accident lawyer knows that insurance companies may cover emotional distress, but they often try to minimize these claims. Having documentation from a doctor or therapist can help validate our case. It’s important to be prepared for the insurance company to challenge these damages.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive For Emotional Distress? 

The amount varies depending on the severity of our suffering and how it affects our daily life. Courts consider factors like the extent of psychological trauma, the need for ongoing treatment, and how the distress impacts our ability to work and enjoy life. There is no fixed amount, but strong evidence can lead to a fair settlement or court award.

What Steps Should I Take If I’m Experiencing Emotional Distress After A Truck Accident? 

Yes, speaking with a lawyer can help us understand our legal rights and options. At Seber Bulger Law, we have experience handling truck accident claims, including those involving emotional distress. We can help gather the necessary evidence and negotiate for fair compensation.

Help After Your Truck Accident

There are many injury myths following accidents, which is why it’s important to speak with your lawyer. Mental anguish after a truck accident can be just as serious as physical injuries. California law allows us to seek damages for emotional suffering, but proving these claims requires strong evidence. If we’re dealing with emotional distress after a truck accident, we should consider speaking with a lawyer. Remember, there is no fee until we win your case. Contact our West Hollywood truck accident lawyer today to discuss our case and learn more about our legal options.