Los Angeles
TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

Almost every aspect of the trucking industry is subjected to the regulations passed and enforced at two levels, the state, and federal levels. When trucking companies fail to follow federal trucking laws and trucking industry regulations in California, injuries for others on the road may occur. Due to the massive size difference between a truck and a passenger vehicle, there is no such thing as a “minor” truck accident.

When these unfortunate accidents happen as a result of the negligent actions of a party, it is important to have an experienced Los Angeles truck accident lawyer review your case and determine how the trucking company and truck driver’s negligence led to your accident. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates are dedicated to protecting your legal rights and working hard to get you the maximum compensation that you are entitled to.

With multiple offices located in Los Angeles, El Segundo, Irvine, Riverside, and San Diego, our personal injury lawyers represent truck accident victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary case consultation with an attorney, please call 949-835-5410.

STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

Trucks are regulated on two levels, the state, and federal levels. If a truck is driving within the state of California, the state laws will apply as far as trucking industry regulations are concerned. On the other hand, if a truck is traveling interstate delivering goods or services, they are governed by the federal government’s regulations.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) provide oversight for truckers on the federal level. These two agencies also ensure truckers abide by all of the risks and driving regulations.

INSURANCE MANDATES FOR TRUCKING COMPANIES

Intrastate trucks are required to have the basic minimum insurance coverage of $1 million. This amount may vary greatly, however, if a trucking company or trucker only moves intrastate. Los Angeles truck accident attorneys spend a considerable amount of time on trucking cases to uncover all the insurance applicable to the facts at hand. The truth is that many of the insurance policies trucking companies and drivers rely on are difficult to find. This is the exact reason why it is important for a truck accident victim to hire an experienced truck collision attorney to find all the insurance policies available.

COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Any type of motor vehicle accident is dangerous, but add a loaded semi-truck into the mix and the risk of serious injury or even fatality significantly increases. Not only is the danger increased when a truck is involved, but the cost of injuries and damages is amplified as well.

Car accident injuries involving a semi- or tractor trailer truck commonly occur as a result of the following reasons:

• Rollovers
• Blind spot accidents
• Swinging turns
• Tire blowout/bald tires
• Overloaded cargo
• Falling debris
• Inadequate training
• Unrealistic schedules and expectations of trucking companies

Regardless of what caused your truck accident, you should immediately consult with an experienced Los Angeles truck accident attorney to protect your legal rights. The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas will fight for you and ensure that all parties responsible for the collision pay for your damages and resulting injuries.

POSSIBLE PARTIES RESPONSIBLE IN TRUCK ACCIDENT CASES

As your Los Angeles truck accident lawyer investigates your case, they may determine who should be held accountable for your injuries and losses. Depending on the specific facts of your case, multiple parties may be liable, including:

• Truck driver
• Trucking company
• Cargo handlers

COMMON TRUCK ACCIDENT INJURIES

When a large commercial truck or semi-truck crashes with a passenger vehicle, the people in the car are more likely than the truck driver to suffer serious injuries. Trucks generally weigh 20 to 30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles under riding trucks in crashes.

A total of 4,119 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2019. Sixteen percent of these fatalities were truck occupants, 67 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists. The number of large truck fatalities was 31 percent higher in 2019 than in 2009.

Below are some common types of injuries generally suffered by truck accident victims:

• Open and closed head injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury and concussion
• Broken bones
• Lacerations, cuts and bruises
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• whiplash
• Internal bleeding
• Damage to internal organs
• Soft tissue injuries
• Nerve damage

It can take days or even weeks for certain symptoms to appear after a truck accident. To reduce the extent of your injury, it is best to immediately seek medical care after your truck accident. The legal team at the Law Offices of Samer Habbas can help set you up with a medical provider in your immediate area, even if you do not have health insurance.

TYPES OF COMPENSATION FOR TRUCK ACCIDENT VICTIMS

When you are injured in a truck accident, you will need to take many steps to create a strong claim for compensation. You cannot simply show up and say you have suffered harm and deserve money. You need to prove your damages. This is why it is best to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer Los Angeles to guide you and your claim to a quick and fair resolution for the maximum amount you deserve. Below are some common types of compensation you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses: You may be entitled to all costs of medical care related to your truck accident injuries, including bills from the hospital, rehabilitation, therapy and future care
• Loss of wages: Your truck accident claim should seek payment for lost salary or wages due to missed work time. If your accident led to a disability, you can also seek future income that you will lose due to your loss of earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages: You may also seek compensation for intangible harm such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.
• Wrongful death damages: Both economic damages (funeral and burial expenses) and non-economic damages (loss of companionship and loss of consortium) may be a part of a wrongful death claim.

In addition to the economic and non-economic damages, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are generally awarded in addition to the other two types of compensation you can receive from the claim. A court will award punitive damages in order to make an exemplary case of a negligent truck driver or trucking company. If a trucker or trucking company knowingly and willfully ignored the safety laws and regulations or displayed extreme signs of dangerous driving to cause the crash, it is impossible that they will face the possibility of paying punitive damages.

WHY YOU NEED TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED LOS ANGELES TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

After a truck accident, it is important that you hire an attorney to help you get the full compensation that you deserve. Insurance adjusters will take every step possible to minimize the value of your case and pay out as little as possible. They especially target truck accident victims who are not represented by an attorney and are trying to settle their claim on their own.

At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas, we strongly believe in giving each client and case the individual attention they deserve and will work hard to help injured riders and their families receive the maximum compensation. Our attorneys have the experience, knowledge and dedication to identify all of the parties responsible for your crash and seek the full compensation that you deserve.

Contact a Top-Rated Truck Accident Los Angeles Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact the Law Offices of Samer Habbas & Associates. Our big-rig accident attorneys specialize in handling truck accident cases and have the experience to help you recover your lost wages, medical expenses and any other costs associated with your accident. We will aggressively pursue your claim to ensure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries.

With multiple offices located in Los Angeles, El Segundo, Irvine, Riverside, and San Diego, our personal injury lawyers represent truck accident victims across Southern California. For more information or to schedule a complimentary case consultation with an attorney, please call 949-835-5410.

 Frequently Asked Questions