Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer

Riverside Truck Accident Attorney

The vast majority of accidents with semi-trucks result in severe injury or even death. If you’ve been in this type of accident, the effects can be traumatizing both physically and emotionally. Seeking medical attention is only the first step. After all of the bills have piled up and the trauma has taken its toll, you might be exhausted beyond measure, but you can get compensation for the accident. A Riverside truck accident lawyer focuses on this type of case and knows how to help you.

Truck Accidents in Riverside, CA

In 2023, there were 5,297 fatalities from large-truck accidents in the United States, and 153,452 people were either injured or killed. Truck accidents usually involve large commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and big rigs.

Because of the size of the vehicles, this specific type of accident is particularly harrowing, with more severe injuries and a higher chance of mortality. A truck accident can alter your life and can be expensive due to medical debt, along with the potential for lost wages during recovery.

The Law Office of Michael S. Johnson Knows How to Help

Having been raised in Riverside, California, Michael S. Johnson understands how busy the roads are and how to help if you’ve been in an accident. With the new warehouses in Riverside, there are more big trucks on the road than ever before, which raises the chance of an accident exponentially.

When you work with Michael S. Johnson, you’ll get compassionate attention and fierce representation to help you achieve a successful outcome. He takes a client-centered approach and has a proven track record when it comes to representing his clients. In fact, most of his clients are referrals from former clients.

As a truck accident lawyer, he is prepared to help you through every step of the legal process for personal injury. He can:

• Investigate the accident
• Assemble the evidence by interviewing witnesses, collecting photographs of the scene, and analyzing the police report
• Work with professionals to form well-educated opinions and testimony
• Make sure your injuries are well-documented by obtaining your medical records
• Negotiate for a settlement on your behalf

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Due to their sheer size, trucks can be difficult to maneuver on a good day, so accidents can happen quickly due to either the driver of the truck or other vehicles.

Truck drivers might cause an accident if:

• They didn’t get enough training.
• They’re in a rush because their company is encouraging them to hurry their shipment.
• Grueling schedules make them lose sleep.
• Their vehicle isn’t well-maintained.

Drivers of passenger vehicles can also cause accidents if they:

• Make sudden lane changes, especially if they cut off a large truck that is unable to slow down quickly enough
• Turn left without enough space between them and the truck
• Try to slip between a truck making a right-hand turn
• Drive outside of the truck driver’s visibility

What a Truck Accident Case Looks Like

First, a truck accident lawyer must prove that there was negligence involved in the accident. In order to claim damages, the injured party must demonstrate that:

• The offending party didn’t exercise care to avoid the accident
• Their negligence caused your injury
• You were harmed because of the accident
• They didn’t follow the rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

Because truck accident lawyers have in-depth experience with this type of accident, they will be well-prepared to help you collect the evidence that you need to prove these factors. Once you’ve been able to prove it, the types of damages one can collect are:

• Help to pay medical bills that came as a result of the accident
• Compensation for future medical bills
• Reimbursement for property damage
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Reimbursement for lost wages and lost future income
• Compensation for the loss of a loved one
• Compensation for disfigurement or disability
• Compensation for a lower quality of life

Usually, insurance will cover these settlements, and a truck accident lawyer will negotiate with them to make sure you receive a fair amount for your traumatic experience.

If the insurance will not pay or if there is no insurance coverage, you can file a case against multiple parties, such as the truck driver, their company, and/or multiple insurance companies. In some cases, it might even be appropriate to file a claim against the truck’s manufacturer.

Who Is Liable?

As soon as the accident occurs, insurance gets involved, and if you don’t have a truck accident lawyer, then you might not get as much as you deserve. Insurance companies want to pay a minimal amount and hire legal teams to make that happen, so having an experienced lawyer on your side will help.

Every accident is different, so the person or entity that is liable will be different as well. As a fault-based state, California uses a comparative negligence standard. To prove who is liable during the claims process, you must:

• Prove they were at fault
• Provide evidence that there was negligence through carelessness, law-breaking, or substance use
• Demonstrate the degree of the defendant’s fault

The fault can be divided between not only the driver but the trucking company, the company that leased the truck, a part manufacturer, or other third-party drivers. To prove all of these, you must have strong evidence on your side. A truck accident lawyer knows how to go about investigating and securing evidence that will support your specific case.

Statute of Limitations

Because waiting too long can affect the efficacy of the evidence, not to mention the memories of those involved, most states have a statute of limitations for truck accident cases. Seeking damages early will improve the chances that evidence will be easy to find and memories will be fresh.

California gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim and three years to file a personal property claim. If you wait until after the time limit, it is likely that it will be tossed out, and you will be unable to claim any compensation. Building a strong case can take time, so it’s important that you reach out to a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to get things moving.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

A: Truck accident lawyers generally work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if the case is successful or a settlement is reached. The lawyers will receive a percentage of your compensation, which can range between 25% and 45%, depending on the following:

• The complexity of the case
• The lawyer’s experience
• The location
• The firm’s reputation

You can speak with our law firm today to find out how much your specific case might cost.

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

A: Truck accident settlements range widely depending on multiple factors. Minor accidents are generally between $10,000 to $100,000. The average settlement is usually around $100,000, but severe injuries and fatalities can reach or exceed $1 million. The factors that influence compensation are:

• How severe the injury is or was
• Who’s at fault
• Financial losses
• Insurance limits
• Pain and suffering

Q: What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?

A: If you are the victim of a truck accident, you’ll want to make sure you protect your rights and the evidence by:

1. Calling the police. A police report will help your case.
2. Go to the hospital. You must get medical care even if you think you’re okay. Afterward, give your lawyer a copy of the records.
3. Don’t post about it. The defendant could twist what you post and use it against you.
4. Seek legal counsel.

Q: Can a Truck Driver Be Sued for an Accident?

A: A truck driver’s liability for an accident depends on the cause of the accident. If equipment failure, road issues, or weather conditions caused the accident, then they might not be liable. However, if the driver was negligent, speeding, tired, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then you might be able to bring a personal injury case against the truck driver. A truck accident lawyer can help you decide if this is appropriate for your specific case.

Contact a Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer Today

The Law Office of Michael S. Johnson has vast experience and will be able to guide you through seeking the damages that you deserve. Because of California’s statute of limitations, it’s important that you reach out right away to begin the process.

These types of cases can get complicated fast, and insurance companies will attempt to pay out the least amount possible. Michael S. Johnson knows how to negotiate on your behalf and can work tirelessly to get you what you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.